Quito bike tour: Street art, chocolate, local neighborhoods

Pedal past the guidebook version of Quito

A 4-hour guided bike tour of Quito takes you through La Floresta, Guapulo Alto, and the Mariscal district on a small group ride limited to seven riders. You'll taste local chocolate and juice, see street art and markets, and climb two easy hills for views of the city from parks and vantage points the standard tours skip. The route runs mostly on bike paths at 2,862 meters elevation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Quito cultural bike tour highlights

• Start at La Mariscal District
• Visit El Ejido Park
• Cycle through La Alameda Park
• Explore Quito Colonial Center
• See Independence Square
• Visit La Compañia Church
• Stop at San Francisco Plaza
• Ride through La Floresta Neighborhood
• Enjoy chocolate tasting
• View Guapulo View Point
• Return to starting point

The experience

You arrive in Quito and have an afternoon free, or you want to see how locals actually move through the city instead of standing in line at the colonial center. This tour starts in La Mariscal and moves through neighborhoods where people live and work: La Floresta, Guapulo Alto, and the Alameda. The guide is bilingual and knows the streets well enough to point out street art, markets, and the small cafes where residents eat. You'll stop at El Ejido Park and La Alameda Park for views of the city that don't come from a viewpoint sign.

The bike itself is a 18-speed mountain bike with a chain lock. You get a reflective safety vest and a certified helmet. The route covers 13.5 kilometers on terrain that is 90% bike paths, with two easy climbs of about 100 meters each. At 2,862 meters above sea level, Quito sits high enough that the operator asks you to arrive rested and to bring water. They recommend at least one day to acclimatize before you ride. The pace is easy. The skill level required is easy. You'll taste local chocolate, juice, and food at stops along the way, and the guide speaks English or Spanish depending on the group.

You choose between a 9am or 2pm departure. The tour runs 4 hours. Arrive 10 minutes early so the group can leave on time. Bring a rain jacket, sunblock, sunglasses, a camera, and money including small change. The operator asks you to bring your own water bottle to reduce plastic waste.

What’s included

• Quito Bike Tours quality 18-speed mountain bike.
• safety-certified helmet and reflective safety vest.
• bicycle chain, lock and key.
• licensed, local, professional bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• local chocolate, juice and food tasting.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Options for this experience

2 options

Quito Cultural Bike Tour at 9 AMGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasting 4 hours, this left-of-centre Quito Cultural Tour by Bike lets you explore everyday life as you ride through the city to take in art and culture. Along the way you can enjoy chocolate tasting, learn about history, admire street art, wander through markets and parks, and soak up some great views.

Quito Cultural Bike Tour at 2 PMGuide in English or Spanish · 14:00Lasts 4 hours

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Quito Bike Tours

Is this one for you?Book the 9am departure if you want to ride before the city warms up and the streets get busier. The 2pm slot works better if you're still adjusting to the altitude. Either way, groups stay under eight riders, so the pace stays manageable and the guide can stop for the neighborhoods and views without rushing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What neighborhoods do you actually ride through on this Quito bike tour?

La Floresta, Guapulo Alto, La Mariscal, and the Alameda are the main areas. You also pass through El Ejido Park, La Alameda Park, and the Quito Colonial Center, stopping at Independence Square, La Compañia Church, and San Francisco Plaza along the way.

How high is Quito and will the altitude make the bike ride hard?

Quito sits at 2,862 meters above sea level. The riding skill level is easy, and the two climbs are gentle: only about 100 meters of elevation gain total. The operator does recommend arriving at least a day early to acclimatize, eating lightly the day of the tour, and getting good sleep beforehand.

What food and drink do you taste on this tour?

You'll sample local chocolate, juice, and other local food at stops during the ride. The exact items depend on where the guide takes you, but the tasting is built into the 4-hour itinerary.

Is this tour just the famous colonial buildings, or do you see something different?

This tour is built around neighborhoods where locals live and work (La Floresta and Guapulo Alto especially) plus street art and markets. While you do pass through the Colonial Center and Independence Square, the focus is on the parts of Quito that aren't the main tourist stops.

How many people ride together on this Quito bike tour?

Groups are limited to seven riders maximum, so it stays small and the guide can move at a pace that works for everyone.

What's included with the bike, and do you need to bring anything?

The tour includes a quality mountain bike, safety helmet, reflective vest, chain lock and key, and a bilingual local guide. Bring your own water bottle, a rain jacket, sunblock, sunglasses, a camera, and money with small change. The operator asks you to bring water to help reduce plastic waste.