Quito Old Town: Small Group Cacao & Chocolate Tasting Walk

Walk Quito’s old streets, taste cacao, hear legends & church bells

You’ll walk Quito’s Old Town with a small group and local guide, weaving through plazas and churches while hearing stories you’d never find online. Taste traditional candies and real Ecuadorian chocolate along the way — plus there’s time for questions or just people-watching on Independence Plaza. This tour leaves you with more than photos; it sticks with you long after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Quito Old Town and taste cacao

• Visit Basilica of the National Vow
• See Military Forces Palace history
• Enter Archbishop's Palace
• Walk around Independence Plaza
• Visit Cathedral of Quito
• Explore San Francisco Church
• Taste traditional candies and sweets
• Enjoy chocolate tasting

The Experience

I nearly tripped over a cobblestone right outside the Basilica of the National Vow — not my most graceful start, but honestly, I was too busy gawking at those spiky towers to care. Our guide, Andrés, laughed and told us about the iguana gargoyles (I didn’t even notice them at first), and then he explained how this is actually the tallest church in Ecuador. He pointed out a tiny crack in one of the stones — apparently there’s a whole legend about it that locals whisper about. The air felt thinner than I expected; maybe that’s just Quito’s altitude or maybe I was nervous to say “basilica” in Spanish without butchering it.

We wandered down toward Independence Plaza, and suddenly everything got louder — shoe shiners calling out, school kids darting around in uniforms, someone selling sweet-smelling candied peanuts from a cart. Andrés stopped us by the Archbishop’s Palace and let us peek inside at these wild velvet chairs (so much gold trim). He told us stories about bishops and Spanish governors like they were old neighbors. At one point he paused and asked if we wanted to try some traditional candies — I grabbed something sticky and purple that tasted like flowers and sugar. Not what I expected but oddly comforting.

The best bit? That moment inside San Francisco Church when the afternoon light hit all the gold leaf just so — for a second everyone went quiet. It smelled faintly of incense and old wood. Later we ended up tasting proper Ecuadorian chocolate near La Ronda street. The first bite was almost bitter, then suddenly it bloomed into this deep, earthy flavor. Andrés said real cacao is supposed to surprise you like that. I still think about that taste sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Top questions

How long does the Quito Old Town tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours from start to finish.

Is chocolate tasting included on this Quito walking tour?

Yes, chocolate tasting is included at the end of the tour.

Are snacks provided during the Old Town Quito tour?

Yes, snacks such as traditional candies are included during the walk.

What churches will we visit on this day trip in Quito?

You’ll see Basilica of the National Vow, San Francisco Church, and Cathedral of Quito.

Does this Quito Old Town tour include entrance fees?

Entry to most sites is free; entering the main temple of the basilica costs $2 but is optional.

Is this small group tour suitable for children or families?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants can join with prams or strollers.

Will we have an English-speaking guide on this walking tour?

Yes, your guide will speak English throughout the experience.

Are there options for public transport near the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby for easy access.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes walking with an English-speaking local guide through Quito’s historic center, entry into several iconic churches (with optional paid entry to basilica’s main temple), stops for traditional candies along bustling streets, plus a real Ecuadorian chocolate tasting before you finish up — all in a relaxed small group setting where you can ask anything or just soak up city life as it happens around you.