¡Qué Viva La Tola!

Tour a Little-Known Neighborhood of Quito's Historic Center
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Experience La Tola Like a Local

Stroll the ancient streets of La Tola, a not-oft-explored neighborhood in Quito’s centuries-old Historic Center alongside your trilingual, local guide, Jacquie.

Highlights of this day trip include:

  • Walk the city streets like a local
  • Visit places that are part of Quito’s Cultural Heritage of Humanity
  • Meet local entrepreneurs, artisans, and restaurateurs
  • Try different kinds of chicha, a fermented, corn-based beverage
  • Enjoy traditional Andean cuisine served with a gorgeous view
Tola La Vida, Quito, Ecuador | ©Jacqueline Granda Marcillo
Iglesia de Maria Auxiliador, La Tola, Quito, Ecuador | ©Jacqueline Granda Marcillo
Woodworking tools, La Tola, Quito, Ecuador | ©Jacqueline Granda Marcillo
$80 per person

Itinerary

Immerse in Barrio La Tola with a Dedicated Guide

Starting at the Iglesia San Blas, we will walk through Barrio La Tola, passing emblematic locations that highlight culture, artisan tradition, gastronomy, art, music, murals, and architecture.

La Iglesia San Blas con su fuente

Plaza San Blas, La Tola, Quito, Ecuador | ©Jacqueline Granda Marcillo

Throughout our tour, we will visit and chat while learning about important places like the Casa de las Bandas and the Iglesia Maria Auxiliadora, while visiting local businesses that continue to practice traditional trades such as shoemaking, hairdressing, and candy-making. We will also drop by the famous Plaza Belmonte and the Central Market.

Entrada al Torreo Tradicional de Plaza Belmonte está pintado en un tomate brillante

Entrance to the Bullfighting Ring, Plaza Belmonte, La Tola, Quito, Ecuador | ©Jacqueline Granda Marcillo

This personalized experience will end with a culinary tasting of traditional Andean food and drink, including chicha, mote, fritada, and chicharrón with the best view of Quito’s Historic Center.

Plate of food, bottle of chicha, and view of historic Quito

Comida Típica in Barrio La Tola with a View of Historic Quito, Ecuador | ©Sereno Moreno Picantería

Jacqueline is an Ecuadorian who loves each and every corner of her country. She proudly shares travel experiences with adventurers who want to explore new places. Her trips always include interactions with locals and tasting traditional foods. Her tours are genuinely personalized and will make a special, custom-designed travel memory.
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Mission and Purpose

This tour connects tourists with entrepreneurs, artisans, and restaurateurs working to restore and maintain local traditions in their neighborhood.

Jacquie hopes to support the following UN Sustainability goals:

  • No poverty
  • Decent work and economic growth
  • Reduced inequalities
  • Sustainable cities and communities
  • Responsible consumption and production

 

 

Geography

Quito, Ecuador is located at an altitude of 9,350′. Therefore, it is important to prepare for your visit by being well-hydrated and in good physical condition. For more information, please see our article on high altitude travel.

The La Tola neighborhood is hilly and the walk will include some inclines. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk about 1.5 miles in total.

Climate

While the climate in Quito has been unpredictable in recent years, the driest months on average are June-August, the wettest months are March-April, and the other months are in between.

Quiteños plan for four seasons in every day – therefore, we recommend dressing in layers. Some people prefer carrying an umbrella to wearing a raincoat. Locals will often just put a plastic bag over their hat and continue on their way unless there is a huge downpour. Then, they will congregate in the nearest, protected location. This is to say that the tour will not be cancelled for inclement weather.

Pace

Our overall pace will be relaxed with plenty of time to take photographs and visit with locals. Our mantra for the day will be “live in the moment.”

When to go

This trip is available year-round.

Accomodations

This tour does not include overnight accommodations.

Health and Safety

We do our best to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. That means taking your health and safety into account. If you have a particular concern, please let us know!

While it is possible for new variants of Covid-19 to occur, our partners and their staff will mask while in close proximity to others, particularly indoors. We ask that you and your party also mask, especially with others.

For the latest updates on Covid-19 in Ecuador, please visit the US State Department website.

What’s Included?

• An trilingual, nationally licensed Tour Guide (French, English, Spanish)

• Private ground transportation from pick-up to drop-off.

• Tasting menu of different Andean specialty dishes to include chicha, a fermented beverage made from corn.

• All entrance fees to the locations listed in the itinerary.

What’s Not Included?

• Optional tip for exemplary service to your host and tour guide.

• Optional tips for exemplary service to staff at restaurants

  • Beverages apart from the chicha-tasting.