💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Quito: card acceptance by neighborhood, where to find ATMs, how to pay for taxis and buses, and what to budget for attractions and day trips. For Ecuador-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and exchange advice:
Read the Ecuador Money Guide →🎧 Ecuador Uses US Dollars
No exchange needed. Bring small US bills ($1, $5, $10) from home for the best experience.
Order USD → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Quito?
Yes, and specifically small bills. Ecuador uses the US dollar, so there is no currency exchange to worry about. The challenge is denomination: many businesses cannot break a $20, and $50 or $100 bills are often refused outright. ATMs dispense $20 bills, so your first stop should be a supermarket to break them into smaller notes. Carry plenty of $1 and $5 bills at all times.
Where You Will Need Cash
Taxis (most do not have card machines). Local buses and the Trole ($0.25–0.35). Street food vendors throughout the city. Markets (Mercado Central, Mercado Inaquito). Small shops in the historic center. Church entry fees ($2–5). Tips for guides and drivers. Street vendors in plazas. Colectivos to day trip destinations.
Where Cards Work Fine
Tourist restaurants in La Mariscal and La Floresta. Shopping malls (Quicentro, CCI). Hotels and hostels. Supermarkets (Supermaxi, Megamaxi). Tour operators for Galápagos and day trips. TeleferiQo ticket office. Uber (card in-app). International chains and mid-to-upscale restaurants handle cards without issues.
Paying by Card in Quito
Visa is the most widely accepted card. Mastercard works at most tourist businesses but has slightly less coverage. Amex is limited to upscale hotels and international chains. Contactless payments are growing but not universal. Some restaurants add a 10–15% surcharge for card payments (technically illegal, but it happens). Always ask before paying with a card at smaller restaurants.
La Mariscal
Quito's main tourist and nightlife district. Plaza Foch (the backpacker hub) has restaurants, bars, and clubs that all accept cards. Hostels and hotels on Calle Reina Victoria and Juan León Mera take cards. Tour agencies for Galápagos, Cotopaxi, and Amazon trips accept cards. Money exchange offices on Amazonas Avenue if you need to change other currencies. Budget $15–30 for dinner and drinks around Plaza Foch.
Centro Histórico (Old Town)
Quito's UNESCO-listed colonial center. Plaza Grande restaurants accept cards. La Ronda (restored colonial street): some cafes and bars take cards, others cash only. Churches: La Compañía de Jesús ($5 entry, card or cash), San Francisco (free), El Panecillo Virgin ($1 entry, cash). Street vendors around Plaza San Francisco are cash. Mercado Central: food stalls entirely cash ($2–5 for lunch).
La Floresta & González Suárez
Quito's trendy, upscale neighborhoods. Craft coffee shops and international restaurants accept cards. Art galleries on Calle Guayaquil and surrounding streets take cards. Supermaxi supermarket accepts cards (good place to break $20 bills). A quieter, more local-feeling alternative to La Mariscal with excellent dining. Budget $10–25 for a restaurant meal.
Mercado Inaquito & Local Markets
Quito's market scene is entirely cash-based. Mercado Inaquito: the best market lunch in Quito with hornado (roast pork), encebollado (fish soup), and fresh juices for $2–5. Mercado Central: similar prices, more touristy. Mercado de San Roque: authentic and massive but requires street smarts. Bring small bills ($1, $5). Prices are not negotiable at food stalls.
The Small Bills Problem in Quito
This is the single biggest money headache in Ecuador. ATMs only dispense $20 bills, but taxi drivers, market vendors, and small shops often cannot (or claim they cannot) make change. The solution: visit a Supermaxi supermarket and buy something small to break your $20s. Or ask your hotel to break bills. Hoard $1 and $5 bills like gold. Some travelers bring small US bills from home specifically for this reason.
Bills to avoid: $50 and $100 notes are widely refused. Many businesses hold them up to the light, check with a marker pen, and still decline them. Even $20s get scrutinized at smaller shops. Counterfeiting is a real concern in Ecuador, so do not take it personally. Stick to $1, $5, and $10 bills for the smoothest experience.
ATMs in Quito
For Ecuador-wide ATM advice, see the Ecuador guide. La Mariscal: Banco Pichincha and Banco Guayaquil ATMs on Amazonas Avenue. Old Town: limited ATMs around Plaza Grande. Quicentro Shopping: multiple bank ATMs inside (safest option). Airport: ATMs in arrivals. Most ATMs have a $300–500 daily limit. Fees: $1.50–3 per foreign withdrawal. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion.
Look for these logos on the street. These banks have the best foreign card acceptance in Quito.
Banco Pichincha
Banco Guayaquil
Banco del Pacífico
ProdubancoPaying for the Trole, Buses & Taxis
Trole, Ecovía & MetroBus
Quito's three bus rapid transit lines. A single ride costs $0.25 (cash at the turnstile, exact change helpful). The Trole runs north-south through the historic center. Ecovía runs along 6 de Diciembre. MetroBus runs along América Avenue. Crowded during rush hours. Watch for pickpockets, especially on the Trole through Old Town.
Taxis
Yellow taxis are everywhere. Always insist on the meter (taxímetro). If the driver refuses, find another taxi. Minimum fare: $1.50. La Mariscal to Old Town: $3–5. La Mariscal to airport: $25–30. Always cash. At night, fares are 20–50% higher (tarifa nocturna). Use registered taxis (look for the orange license plate and taxi number on the door). Your hotel can call a trusted taxi.
Uber
Uber operates in Quito and is often safer than hailing a taxi. Pay by card in-app. La Mariscal to Old Town: $2.50–4. La Mariscal to airport: $18–25. Prices are lower than taxis for longer rides. Drivers are generally reliable. A good option for airport transfers and late-night rides.
Tipping in Quito
The Ecuador guide covers general norms. In Quito: Restaurants: 10% service charge is added automatically to bills at sit-down restaurants. An additional 5–10% for exceptional service is appreciated but not expected. Taxis: no tip expected (round up if you like). Tour guides: $5–10 per person per day. Hotel porters: $1–2 per bag. Market food stalls: no tip expected. Always tip in cash (US dollars).
Prices in Quito
Quito is very affordable by international standards. Market lunches cost $2–5, and even tourist restaurants are reasonable. The dollarized economy means no exchange rate surprises. Your biggest expenses will be tour bookings (Galápagos, Cotopaxi) and accommodation. Budget travelers can get by on $30–50 per day including hostel, food, and transport.
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Market lunch (almuerzo) | $2.50–4 |
| Restaurant meal (La Mariscal) | $8–18 |
| Coffee (craft cafe) | $2.50–4.50 |
| Fresh juice (market) | $1–2 |
| TeleferiQo ride | $8.50 |
| La Compañía church entry | $5 |
| Mitad del Mundo (official site) | $5 |
| Bus ride (Trole/Ecovía) | $0.25 |
| Taxi (La Mariscal to Old Town) | $3–5 |
| Uber (to airport) | $18–25 |
| Budget hostel (per night) | $10–20 |
| Cotopaxi day tour | $40–80 |
Ecuador uses the US dollar. No exchange rate conversion needed.
Day Trips from Quito
Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World)
The equator monument, 26 km north of Quito. Official site entry: $5 (card or cash). Intiñan Museum (the "real" equator line next door): $5 cash. Getting there: Uber $10–15, or Metrobus to Ofélia station then local bus ($0.25). Souvenir vendors at the site are cash. Budget $15–30 for the half-day trip including transport.
Cotopaxi Volcano
Ecuador's most iconic volcano (5,897 meters). Day tours from Quito: $40–80 per person including transport, guide, and park entry. Book at agencies in La Mariscal (card or cash). Park entry: $5 (included in most tours). Bring warm layers, sunscreen, and cash for lunch at the refugio ($5–10). The drive from Quito takes about 2 hours.
Otavalo Market
South America's largest indigenous market, 2 hours north. Bus from Quito (Terminal Carcelen): $2.50 each way. Saturday is the main market day (go early). Textiles, crafts, and souvenirs at negotiable prices. Entirely cash. Prices start around $3 for small items, $10–30 for blankets and ponchos. Bring plenty of small bills. A fantastic day trip for shoppers.
Quito Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mariscal restaurants | ✅ Cards accepted | Tips: $1–3 | 10% service charge auto-added |
| Old Town churches | ✅ Some accept cards | $2–5 entry | Small bills essential |
| Markets (Inaquito, Central) | ❌ Cash only | $2–10 | Bring $1 and $5 bills |
| TeleferiQo | ✅ Card or cash | $8.50 | Dress warmly for 4,100m |
| Taxis | ❌ Cash only | $2–30 | Insist on the meter |
| Otavalo Market | ❌ Cash only | $10–50+ | Saturday is main day |
| Uber | ✅ Card in-app | None | Safer than street taxis |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Quito?
Yes, especially small bills. Taxis, markets, buses, street food, and smaller restaurants require cash. Ecuador uses US dollars, so no exchange is needed, but $50 and $100 bills are widely refused.
Does Ecuador use the US dollar?
Yes, since 2000. All prices are in USD. Ecuador mints its own centavo coins (same size and value as US coins). Bring small US bills from home for the easiest experience.
How much does the TeleferiQo cost?
$8.50 for adults. The gondola takes you to 4,100 meters with views of Quito and surrounding volcanoes. Card or cash at the ticket office. Dress warmly.
Are taxis safe in Quito?
Use registered yellow taxis with orange plates and insist on the meter. At night, have your hotel call a taxi or use Uber. Avoid unmarked cars. Taxis are cash only.
Can I use $50 or $100 bills?
Avoid them. Most businesses refuse large bills due to counterfeiting fears. ATMs give $20s. Break them at Supermaxi supermarkets. Hoard $1 and $5 bills.
How do I get to the airport?
The airport is 45 minutes east. Uber: $15–25 (card). Taxi: $25–30 (cash, negotiate beforehand). Aeroservicios shuttle: $8 to Río Coca station.
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