Quito bike tour: Modern to old town with chocolate tasting
Ride from Quito's glass towers to its cobblestone heart on two wheels
A guided bike tour of Quito that moves from the modern Mariscal district through the historic center, Latin America's largest preserved colonial quarter, with a bilingual local guide leading stops at the Basilica of the National Vow, La Ronda street, and the Archbishop's Palace for an Ecuadorian chocolate tasting. The route runs mostly flat along marked bike lanes and pedestrian streets at a relaxed pace, with water and safety gear included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Quito city bike tour and chocolate tasting
- Start at Naciones Unidas Avenue and República del Salvador Street
- Ride through modern financial district and park
- Pedal to La Mariscal neighborhood
- Explore La Mariscal square and Quito sign
- Ride to El Ejido Park historic site
- Stop at Basilica of the National Vow
- Visit Plaza Grande historic center
- Chocolate tasting at Yumbos Chocolate
- Explore La Ronda colonial street
- Visit Archbishop's Palace courtyard
- Pass by Sucre National Theater
- Ride through La Alameda Park and Observatory
- Reach Guápulo viewpoint for city views
- Mariscal 25m
- Basilica of the National Vow 20m
- La Ronda Street 15m
- Archbishop's Palace 15m
What’s included
- Certified safety helmet and gloves.
- high-quality, multi-gear twenty-nine-inch mountain bike adapted to your height.
- complimentary bottled water.
- artisanal Ecuadorian fine chocolate and local sweets tasting.
Times
- Tuesday to Sunday 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Mauro Andrade
Prices and times updated 11 days ago
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The experience
How do you see a city the size of Quito without sitting in traffic? On a bike, moving at your own speed through neighborhoods most visitors miss. The tour starts at Quicentro Shopping in the financial heart of Mariscal, where glass and early twentieth-century architecture sit side by side. From there you pedal through La Mariscal's lively markets and colorful streets (the kind of place locals actually spend time) before heading toward the colonial center on a twenty-minute ride that passes El Ejido Park, where majestic heritage trees mark the site of one of Ecuador's most significant historical moments.
The Basilica of the National Vow appears as you approach the old town: a neo-Gothic masterpiece with gargoyles shaped like Galápagos tortoises and iguanas, unique in the world. You can climb its towers if you want the panoramic view, or keep moving to Plaza Grande, where the Presidential Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral frame the beating heart of Quito's political history. A stop at Yumbos Chocolate, in front of San Francisco Church, is where you taste single-origin Ecuadorian cacao and innovative blends. The reason Ecuador's chocolate is celebrated globally. Then comes La Ronda, the bohemian colonial street famous for its artisan workshops and centuries-old legends, where the Virgin of El Panecillo watches from the hilltop.
Inside the Archbishop's Palace, you step into an Andalusian courtyard and taste traditional flavors prepared by local artisans. The ride back north follows the historic Cartagena Road, passing the Sucre National Theater and La Alameda Park: Quito's first public garden, home to South America's oldest astronomical observatory. The tour ends at the Guápulo viewpoint, a hidden spot away from crowds where the Andes and sometimes volcanoes come into view. Although Quito sits at high altitude, ninety percent of the route runs flat along marked bike lanes and pedestrian-only streets, ridden at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops for photos and history.
Is this one for you?Four to six hours on the bike leaves room for lunch or a museum visit elsewhere in the city, or a rest before an evening activity. If you want to climb the Basilica's towers for the panoramic view, add time to that stop. The choice is yours as you ride.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (7 to 12 years); Infant (2 to 6 years): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Can I ride this tour if I've never cycled much before?
Yes. The route runs mostly flat along marked bike lanes and pedestrian streets at a relaxed, leisurely pace, with plenty of stops to rest and take photos. The operator describes it as very accessible, and it suits all physical fitness levels.
What is the Basilica of the National Vow actually like?
The Basilica of the National Vow is a neo-Gothic masterpiece famous for its gargoyles shaped like Ecuador's endemic wildlife (Galápagos tortoises and iguanas) making it unique in the world. You stop to admire it from outside, and if you want the panoramic view of the entire city, you can climb its towers.
What happens at the chocolate tasting?
At Yumbos Chocolate, in front of San Francisco Church, you taste Ecuadorian cacao ranging from pure single-origin notes to innovative flavor blends, discovering why Ecuador's chocolate is celebrated as the finest in the world.
Is La Ronda just a street, or is there something to do there?
La Ronda is Quito's most bohemian colonial street, famous for its decorations, artisan workshops, and festive energy. You explore its cobblestone paths on the bike, enjoying the music, local aromas, and centuries-old legends, with postcard views of the Virgin of El Panecillo on the hilltop.
What's included in the tour price?
The tour includes a certified safety helmet and gloves, a high-quality twenty-nine-inch mountain bike fitted to your height, complimentary bottled water for Quito's high altitude, and an artisanal Ecuadorian fine chocolate and local sweets tasting at the Archbishop's Palace.
Quito bike tour: Modern to old town with chocolate tasting
4h–6h · EN · ES
from US$ 48 per person
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