Kid-Friendly Places in and near Quito

October 29, 2026

Advisory, correct as of October 2026: Ecuador is in a declared internal armed conflict with criminal gangs, and states of emergency move from province to province. Pichincha, the province around Quito, is covered by one until mid-November 2026, and a night curfew applied in Quito in May 2026, so curfews can come back quickly. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several coastal provinces and the Colombian border strip, and Quito sits outside them. Expect police checkpoints, watch for pickpockets and express kidnapping, and move by ride app or registered taxi, especially after dark and for any trip to El Panecillo. Read the FCDO advice and the US State Department advisory before you book.

Easy rules for the first days with children

At about 2,850 m, children can get headaches, poor sleep and low appetite just as adults do. Keep the first two days short, offer water often and avoid high places until everyone feels normal. If a child has vomiting, confusion or struggles to breathe at rest, go to lower ground and see a doctor. Sun is strong at this latitude even under cloud, so pack sunscreen and hats, plus warm layers for the evenings. Use ride apps or registered taxis for all family journeys, and keep children close in crowds.

A calm first morning in Parque La Carolina

This large city park in the modern business district is the gentlest start. It has several playgrounds, open sports fields and a lagoon where paddle boats rent for about $3 to $5 per half hour. The botanical garden inside charges about $4 for adults, though reports of its hours differ. There are no swimming pools. Nearby is the Vivarium, a small centre for Ecuadorian reptiles and amphibians run by a herpetology foundation. Adults pay about $3.75 to $4, and a guided visit takes about 45 minutes. Photography is not allowed.

Yaku water museum

Yaku Parque Museo del Agua stands on the slope of Pichincha, in a former water treatment site above the old town. It has hands-on displays about water and the Andean páramo. A recent report listed $4 for adults and $2 for ages 3 to 11, with younger children free. Weekends and holidays run 09:00 to 17:30, while weekday hours are less clear, so call or check before you set off.

Wiwa Quito, the wildlife park

Wiwa Quito, the city’s wildlife park, lies at Guayllabamba about 29 km north of the centre. It is presented as a wildlife refuge park run by a foundation. Entry is $8 for adults, $6 for children and $4 for seniors, and people with disabilities enter free. It opens Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00. Allow a full day with the road trip included, and confirm details on the Wiwa Quito site .

A day at the equator

Ciudad Mitad del Mundo costs about $5 for adults and $2.50 for children aged 6 to 12 and seniors, while children under 6 enter free. The 30 m monument offers a good photo stop, and the complex has a planetarium and several small museums. Next door, Intiñan runs egg-balancing and water-drain tricks. Treat these as a show for kids, since the monument is a little south of the true equator. Hours are in the official visitor information .

Moving around with kids

The metro costs about $0.45 for adults and about $0.22 for ages 5 to 17, with younger children free. It is quick, clean and a handy way to cross the city, though trains get crowded at rush hour. Keep a hand on small children and bags at stations and bus platforms. Carry small US bills and coins, because $50 and $100 notes are often refused.

Tickets and tours

Most family sights sell tickets on the day. For a guided outing, browse Quito family tours on GetYourGuide and read the age limits first.