Independence Square (Plaza Grande) → San Francisco Square and Church (Plaza de San Francisco)
Walk straight southwest from Independence Square along Calle Simón Bolívar to reach the large San Francisco Square in 5–6 minutes.
Cruise port in Ecuador
Quito
Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center. Average time in port: 12 hours. 22 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 1 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 247 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 12 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 6,150
Photo by Alejandro Alfaro M on Unsplash
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Quito Historic Center & Mariscal Sucre Cruise Hub. Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Quito Historic Center & Mariscal Sucre Cruise Hub.
- Altitude sickness prevention and acclimatization at 2,850 m
Quito is a high-altitude city at 2,850 m. On your first day, avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol, drink plenty of water, and walk slowly to acclimatize.
- Ecuador's official currency is the US dollar (USD); bring small bills
Ecuador uses the US dollar (USD) as its official currency. Small shops and taxis may not accept bills of $20 or more, so carry $1, $5, and $10 bills and coins.
- Quito Metro and city transport
Quito Metro Line 1, which officially opened in late 2023, connects the Old Town (San Francisco station) and the northern new town (Carolina station) in 15 minutes, allowing safe travel without traffic congestion.
About 12 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Quito Old Town (San Francisco) → Virgin of El Panecillo (El Panecillo)
Take an official yellow taxi near the Old Town square or use a ride-hailing app to reach the parking area at the top of Panecillo Hill. Walking up is discouraged for safety.
Quito Old Town (San Francisco station) → TelefériQo cable car (TelefériQo)
Take a taxi from downtown to the TelefériQo Base station at the foot of Pichincha Volcano, then board the cable car.
Quito North Bus Terminal (Ofelia) → Equator Monument (Mitad del Mundo)
At Ofelia bus terminal, take the blue intercity bus to 'Mitad del Mundo' and get off at the stop in front of the monument's main entrance.
Quito places to explore
Explore 22 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Mitad del Mundo
A 30 m golden monument and yellow equatorial line commemorate an 18th-century French geodesic expedition. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere for a photo.
- Visit
- about 1 hr 30 min
- Admission
- USD 5
Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito
Founded in the mid-16th century, this is Ecuador's oldest cathedral and houses the tomb of independence hero General Antonio José de Sucre and colonial religious art.
- Visit
- about 40 min
- Admission
- USD 3
Carondelet Palace
This is the official office of Ecuador's government and president, with a Neoclassical colonnade and an Amazon-expedition mosaic mural by Oswaldo Guayasamín.
- Visit
- about 40 min
- Admission
- Free
Basílica del Voto Nacional
The largest Neo-Gothic church in the Americas features sculptures of Ecuadorian animals—including Galápagos tortoises, iguanas, and condors—in place of traditional European gargoyles.
- Visit
- about 1 hr
- Admission
- USD 4
The final metal staircase up to the bell tower spire is steep, so use caution if you are afraid of heights.
San Francisco Church and Convent
Built in the 16th century, this is the largest Catholic religious complex in the Americas and a pinnacle of Quito art combining Indigenous Andean, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
- Visit
- about 1 hr
- Admission
- USD 3
El Panecillo
This site on a hill 3,016 m above sea level has a 45 m aluminum statue of the Virgin of Quito, with 360-degree views of the old and new city.
- Visit
- about 45 min
- Admission
- USD 2
Walking through the alleyways up and down the hill is dangerous, so use a taxi.
Cruises calling at Quito
247 sailings are grouped into 7 cruises by ship and route.
HX Expeditions3 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2026.12Galapagos Islands cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Galápagos Islands – Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery Plus Machu Picchu
Lima → Seymour
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 9,380
HX Expeditions60 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2029.03HX Expeditions3 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2026.12Galapagos Islands cruises · 6 nights
Galápagos Islands – Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery | Western Route
Quito → Seymour
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 6,150
HX Expeditions60 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2029.03Galapagos Islands cruises · 10 nights · Mid-length cruise
Nine of the Best Isles (Western and Northern Route)
Quito → Seymour
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 8,982
HX Expeditions59 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2029.03Galapagos Islands cruises · 13 nights · Long cruise
Galápagos Islands – In Darwin’s Footsteps plus Machu Picchu
Lima → Seymour
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 9,305
HX Expeditions3 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2026.12Galapagos Islands cruises · 6 nights
Galápagos Islands - Nature and Wildlife Expedition Cruise | Northern Route
Quito → Seymour
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 6,150
HX Expeditions59 departure dates
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2029.03Galapagos Islands cruises · 8 nights · Mid-length cruise
In Darwin’s Footsteps (Eastern Route)
Quito → Seymour
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 6,420
7 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Quito
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
About Quito
HX Expeditions calls at the port of Quito, Ecuador. This cruise includes it as part of the itinerary continuing to Seymour.
Cruise lines calling here: 1 places
HX Expeditions
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