You can spend the weekends relaxing, swimming in the river, doing sports, hiking, enjoying the outdoors or participating in activities with the local community.
For longer trips (e.g. weekend) we recommend a visit to Quito, the country's capital. With its rich pre-Columbian history, Quito was founded on the ruins of an Inca city, and nowadays offers everything a modern traveler may need. Quito remains one of the best preserved historic city centers in Latin America and UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. This huge city stretches over a fabulous Andean valley surrounded by volcanic peaks. Among its streets, you can find 40 churches and chapels, 16 convents and monasteries with their respective cloisters, 17 squares, 12 convent and refractory courtyards, 12 museums and innumerable beautiful patios.
On a day-trip you can also visit the "Middle of the World", the place with the line that divides the planet earth in the northern and southern hemisphere. An amazing place and a Must See!
Further north is Otavalo, the largest indigenous market in the world. To the south, you can visit Latacunga and the Cotopaxi National Park, with the very high volcano of the same name. Further southeast the cities of Ambato and Baños are worth a visit, with the spectacular view of the Tungurahua volcano, which can be climbed to the top. Especially Baños is real fun place to visit due to countless of sports and adrenaline activities.
