BJJ in Quito

December, 2022

Andes, 2850m elevation and BJJ

Duration: 7 days, 7 nights

Location: Quito, ECU

Costs: Flight 400$, Airbnb 100$, Bus 5$, Hotel 60$, Fligth from Galapagos 200$ Hotel 21$

Coming in to Ecuador.

First stop the capital and second highest capital in the world on an elevation of 2850m.

I came in to Quito three times total, when I travelled to other parts of Ecuador.

Thanks to Alex from Bocas for sharing the contact of Martin here in Quito.

Getting here

My first plan was flying to Pasto and take a bus to Ipiales to see Las Lajas and transfer from there to Quito with another bus. This would probably take 10-12 hours. Due to bad weather we couldn’t fly.

So I took the airplane the next day from Cali to Quito. With a stopover in Bogota it took around 5 hours.

There is also a bus from Cali to Quito. This drive will take around 18 hours.

The second time I came back to Quito I came by bus from Riobamba. 3.5 hours drive 5.30$. The last time as after I visited Galapagos. The direct flight takes around 2 hours.

BJJ

I had the number of Martin before I arrived and planned to train with him in Norte Sur Jiu-Jitsu. The first two times I went to Quito we didn`t manage to train there.

The third day after my first arrival I went to Cubaya to train at Arte Suave by Daniel Velez. The Gym is quite big; I guess around 200qm of mats. The level of the people is high and I had some tough rounds there. The attitude also made my life difficult.

The day after Christmas (was my third time in Quito) I went again to train at Daniel Velez gym. It was another open mat and again a lot of fun.

Ther gyms in Quito:

Gracie, Alliance amd Cizo Motta

Food and drinks

New country new food… More or less. Some of the things you will find everywhere in latin america.

Cuy; which is Guinea pig and a traditional dish in Ecuador.

Llapingachos; are potato cakes made with boiled and mashed potatoes, cheese, and onion. They are normally served on a plate with other food.

Encebollado; a soup with fish and onions. (picture)

Empanada del viento. Is an Empanada filled with cheese. Nice little snack.

I highly recommend you to drink a hot chocolate in Republica del Cacao. The have all the stuff made out of Cacao and also a little museum.

Another drink you find here is Canelazo. This is a hot alcoholic drink made with brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves, orange and lime juice. Don’t drink too much, it will hit fast.

What to do

Quito has a beautiful old town with a main square and some antique buildings.

Not far away you find the Cathedral. For a couple of dollars, you can climb up the towers.

Teleferico Quito is a cable car that brings you up to Pichincha Volcano to the Cruz Loma viewpoint on 4100m. the ride takes around 20min and cost 5$. From here you can enjoy the view, walk 10min to the swings or do a hike that takes around 5 hours.

Nightlife

The first time I was in Quito was 5 days of party all over the city. Martin told its Quito festival and they celebrate in the city. They had concerts, parties and people were drinking and dancing on the street.

Aswell you find clubs all over the city.

We went to Cumbaya in the first night, this is around 20 minutes from Quito and a good place for party.

Also very common are party buses here. They drive around while people drink and dance.

Good to know

I stayed in Colon in Quito, because it was closer to the academy. The north and the center are safe.

Quito is the second highest capital and is located on 2850m. You will feel the hight here.

I had to fill out a from to enter Ecuador.

UBER is available everywhere in the city and most of the time the fastest way to travel. Quito has also a bus system and a metro.

The currency is Dollar $.

off to Riobamba