Comments on: It’s Complicated: My Relationship with Quito

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 20:30:39 +0000

In reply to Peta Wenzel. Absolutely -- and that's the beauty of travel! It would be boring if we all saw every single place the same :-)

By: Peta Wenzel

Peta Wenzel — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 02:24:21 +0000

I was surprised reading your article as we loved our time in Quito and the people. We had a very positive experience, but we understand as we have hated some other cities which others have enjoyed.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 05:50:05 +0000

In reply to Sarah. Glad you're having such a good time Sarah! Quito just wasn't for me but luckily that was a rarity for me in South America -- I loved almost everywhere I went!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 18:32:47 +0000

I know this post is pretty old but just in case anyone is still reading it…

I’m currently in Quito and really enjoying it!! I don’t know whether the city has changed a lot recently, or if I’ve just been lucky, but despite hearing plenty of (old) horror stories and travel warnings I feel perfectly safe. Yesterday I had my (very expensive) camera out all day and didn’t feel at risk at all. Most other tourists I’ve seen have cameras or phones out too. Right now I’m sitting in a Juan Valdez coffee shop (good wifi!) on my MacBook and again don’t feel like anyone cares – there are plenty of locals around on laptops / expensive phones too. I haven’t heard any recent gunpoint or knifepoint robbery stories from other travellers and the only warnings have been to watch out for pickpockets on the buses – to be fair that goes for every large city in the world though! Maybe the city has changed for the better with the influx of foreign visitors.

We’ve also been super lucky with the weather, so wandering the Old City in blazing sunshine with perfect blue skies probably helps too 🙂

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 14:19:06 +0000

In reply to Helen Grey. So sorry to hear that, Helen. I didn't love Quito either. My perception of my safety was a huge part of that. Hope you can enjoy the rest of your trip despite that terrible experience!

By: Helen Grey

Helen Grey — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 20:57:33 +0000

We’re currently in Quito and were held up at knife point. We admittedly were walking at night but we had left a salsa bar in the old town and there were no taxis (also told not to hail on the streets. It’s really hard to enjoy a city when you have to be on your guard all the time.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:47:55 +0000

In reply to Daisy @ Simplicity Relished.

Yeah, Quito just didn’t do it for me — it was probably one of my least favorite places in all of South America! But hey, different strokes for different folks! I’m glad you’ve had such a great experience there.

By: Daisy @ Simplicity Relished

Daisy @ Simplicity Relished — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:48:42 +0000

I’m sad to hear that you didn’t love Quito! We’re volunteering and staying in Old Town and it’s just absolutely charming. I’ve actually felt more safe here than in either Santo Domingo (DR) or Lima, so I must say I don’t think it has to be terrifying. Also, my husband and I speak Spanish and have been able to see so much of the city just on our own. I’ve found that the locals are really nice and generally mind their own business– no awkward staring or yelling, no pushy salespeople, etc., all of which I’ve encountered in other cities. On the other hand, I actually found “gringolandia” kind of lame with its endless clubs and tattoo parlors– maybe that’s because we were there during the day, haha. But strolling through the streets of La Ronda (in Old Town) at night– it’s been awesome!

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:01:32 +0000

In reply to Emily@alongdustyroads. Ha ha Emily if you find it PLEASE take a photo for me :)

By: Emily@alongdustyroads

Emily@alongdustyroads — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 04:43:18 +0000

We’ll be staying at the Secret Garden Hostel this week – I’ll be on the look out for the poop signs!