La Mariscal
Quito, Ecuador
The 'Gringolandia' backpacker and nightlife district, of hostels, bars and the Mariscal craft market, lively but rougher after dark. The budget-traveller…
Places in La Mariscal
- La Mariscal nightlife (Plaza Foch) The Plaza Foch area is the city's loudest, most touristy nightlife of bars and clubs (go with care at night). Lively and young.
Practical notes for Quito
- Best time to visit
- June to September (the dry season) for the clearest weather. The wet season (October–May) brings afternoon showers but green landscapes. The altitude keeps it spring-like year-round — take it easy on arrival and pack layers.
- Getting around
- The old town is walkable but steep and high — take the altitude slowly. The new Metro line, the Ecovía/Trole bus lines and cheap taxis (or Uber) cover the long, narrow city. The TelefériQo cable car climbs Pichincha for volcano views.
- Currency
- US Dollar ($)
- Language
- Spanish. English is limited outside tourism.
- Timezone
- ECT (UTC-5)
- Current trends
- A rising modern-Ecuadorian dining scene drawing on Amazonian and highland ingredients; a serious specialty-coffee culture (Ecuador grows fine beans); the restored La Ronda street reviving old-town nightlife; and boutique heritage hotels in colonial mansions.
Other neighborhoods in Quito
- Centro Histórico (Old Town) — The UNESCO-listed colonial core of gilded churches, monasteries and grand plazas around Plaza Grande — the finest in the Americas. The city's magnificent heart.
- La Floresta — A leafy, bohemian district of cafés, independent cinemas, galleries and the city's best modern restaurants. Quito's creative, hip quarter.
- La Ronda — A restored, lantern-lit colonial street of courtyards, art galleries, traditional restaurants and canelazo (hot spiced-alcohol) bars. Enchanting after dark.
- Guápulo — A steep, artsy hillside neighbourhood tumbling into a valley below the city, with a beautiful church and bohemian bars with views. A hidden, romantic pocket.
Read the full Quito guide