Visitor Information in Quito

Visitor Information

Ecuador's ministry of tourism operates a network of iTur information offices around the country. Quito's branch, open weekdays 9-5, is in an out-of-the-way location where it dispenses a few maps and brochures, but little else. A better bet is the phenomenal Quito Turismo, a joint venture between the city and its police force, open weekdays 9:30-6, Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 10-4. (The branch at the Archbishop's Palace, on Plaza Grande, conducts guided walks of the Old City Tuesday-Sunday.) The nonprofit (and equally phenomenal) South American Explorers has an active clubhouse in Quito, as well as in Lima and Cusco, Peru, and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday 9:30-5, Thursday 9:30-8, and Saturday 9:30-1. Annual membership is $50 and gets you access to the organization's information board and travel library. It can also put members in touch with reliable guides for a variety of activities. The Universidad de Especialidades Turísticas, a postsecondary institution teaching all things tourism related, operates a good tourist-information office staffed by enthusiastic budding guides and tour operators. It is open weekdays 9-5 and Saturday 9-3.

Tourist Information

Quito Turismo (Mejía N1201, at García Moreno. 02/257-0786. www.quito.com.ec). South American Explorers (Jorge Washington 311, at Leonidas Plaza. 02/222-5228. www.saexplorers.org). Universidad de Especialidades Turísticas (Av. Patria at Av. 9 de Octubre. 02/254-4100).

iTur (Av. Eloy Alfaro 1214, at Carlos Tobar. 02/222-4971).