Quito: Old city or new?
 

Staying in Quito for 2 days before our Galapagos trip. Should we stay in old city or new? Our travel guides gave us either Mercure Alameda(new) or Patio Andaluz (old and a bit more expensive so want to be sure it's worth it.) Are all the better restaurants in the new city and walkable, or will we need to hop into taxis anyway? I usually prefer old city ambiance, but am concerned that it dies down very early there and we'll need to do dinners far away.

There are a few good restaurants in the old town but nowhere near as many as in the Mariscal Sucre. Many of the restaurants in Mariscal are walkable and during our month there we found it perfectly safe to walk around after dark although you can read plenty of warnings about how unsafe it is, that was certainly NOT our experience. I think we took a taxi only once during our time there.

It does get quiet early in the old town, Mariscal is much more buzzing of an evening so on balance I would go for new over old. The old town is definitely worth a visit as there is much more to see there. It is easy enough on the bus. But a taxi would be better if it is your first time there. Hotels and restaurants will always call one for you but ask them what the fare should be and be prepared to bargain and agree before getting in a cab as the drivers will rip you off if given the slightest opportunity.

very helpful!

It depends if you want a very authentic, historic experience in the Old Town, or if you want a more modern take on Quito. Both are worthwhile, with their own quirks. But staying in either part of town does not preclude you from visiting the other.