Quito Must-Sees: Skip These & You've Missed Ecuador 🇪🇨

Exploring Quito is a mystical journey through history and the equator. This city preserves Latin America's oldest heritage, from the glory of the Inca Empire to Spanish colonial struggles. Modern Quito was rebuilt atop its historic core. Here are the essentials from my deep dive: 🎨 Art & Soul of Quito 1️⃣ Guayasamín Museum (Casa Museo Guayasamín) Oswaldo Guayasamín, hailed as "the Picasso of the Americas", painted raw human emotion. Perched on a hill with panoramic city views, hunt for his four Quito portraits in different colors. Don’t miss Los Niños Muertos (1942), inspired by his friend’s death in a protest. Entry: $10 2️⃣ Chapel of Man (La Capilla Del Hombre) Adjacent to Guayasamín’s home, this museum screams Latin America’s struggles through art. Pro Tip: Combine both for a powerful artistic double-feature. ⛪ Colonial Majesty 3️⃣ San Francisco Church & Convent Built in 1534, it’s South America’s oldest church. Baroque overload: gold-leaf altars, carved saints, and a ceiling dripping with religious art. 4️⃣ Basilica del Voto Nacional Neo-Gothic drama with gargoyles of Ecuadorian animals (iguanas, armadillos!). Climb the towers for epic city+volcano views (watch for sudden altitude dizziness!). 🍽️ Indulge Like a Local 5️⃣ Restaurate Casa Gangotena Rooftop cocktails overlooking San Francisco Plaza—where street chaos meets Andean serenity. 6️⃣ República del Cacao Chocolate so smooth, it’s like tasting poetry. Try their 70% Amazonian cocoa bar. ⚠️ Safety First Ecuador recently legalized guns. Stay alert! Uber only (no street taxis). Phones in pockets—never in hand while walking. #QuitoUnlocked #EcuadorEssentials #ArtAndAltitudes