Few photos are as fun to send home as one foot in each hemisphere. Mitad del Mundo — “the Middle of the World” — is an easy, iconic half-day from Quito.
What to see
The headline is the Mitad del Mundo monument in San Antonio de Pichincha, marking the equatorial line with a grand stone tower and a plaza of exhibits. Right nearby, the Intiñan museum is the local favorite: a hands-on, slightly cheeky tour with the famous water-drain and balancing-egg demonstrations on the “true” GPS equator.
With a little more time, pair it with the nearby Pululahua crater — a lush, inhabited volcanic caldera with a jaw-dropping viewpoint. (We have a full Pululahua guide.)
Getting there from Quito airport (UIO)
Mitad del Mundo sits on the north side of the Quito area, about an hour’s drive. From UIO airport in the eastern valley, that means a cross-region trip — straightforward with a private driver, more of a puzzle by public transport. A flat-rate transfer gives you a fixed price, a driver who knows the route, and the option to add Pululahua as an extra stop.
Mitad del Mundo sits outside Quito city, so it is quoted on request — not the $100 anywhere-in-Quito prepaid rate. See the published products on the rates page, or ask for a quote.
Tips
- Go in the morning for clearer skies — and better Pululahua views before the clouds roll in.
- Bring sun protection: you’re literally on the equator at altitude, and the UV is intense.
- It pairs well with a first or last day in Quito — close enough to do before an evening flight.
- Staying in the Old Town or La Mariscal? It’s an easy add-on either way.
Book ahead and the equator becomes a relaxed morning out, not a logistics exercise.