Teaser: Quito Guide!
Not your dusty campus PDF. This is how students actually lived Quito. Volcano hikes, 6pm predrinks, and houses full of chaos and empanadas.
🏠 Housing (Preview)
One house has 20+ students, a rooftop, and a weekly pasta night that ends at Casino Club.
Another is cheaper but leaves you fending for yourself. Cold showers and no friends included.
We break it all down: best areas (hint: La Floresta), where to live if you’re solo, and what spots to avoid unless you like blackout nights (not the fun kind).
“I came alone. Playhouse Quito gave me 20 new friends in a week.” — Eléa, UIDE
📚 Uni Life
Classes on a campus in the middle of the Andes. Yep. That’s real.
We’ll tell you what to expect at UIDE and USFQ, which classes are actually fun (yes, cooking class is a thing), and why you don’t want to rack up too many absences.
“Tai Chi in the morning, predrink by 6. That’s balance.” — Alex, USFQ
🎉 Going Out
Quito’s not all nature hikes — party nights start early and get wild.
Cumbayá = club zone. Floresta = local bars + lazy hangs.
We’ve got the full rundown: where to go, what to drink, when to Uber.
“$15 got me shots, entry, and a ride home. Quito knows how to party cheap.” — Lisa, UIDE
✈️ Travel Tips + Weekend Escapes
Montañita, Baños, Mindo, Cotopaxi, Galápagos (if you flex) — all within reach.
We’ll tell you when to go, who to go with, and what NOT to forget (spoiler: bring cash and 2 cards).
“Waterfalls, volcano hikes, surf, and chocolate tours — all on student budget.” — Matteo, USFQ
Real Student Reviews
USFQ
🇪🇨 Exchange in Quito
🏠 Housing
Lived at Playhouse Quito for 5 months and it was THE move. Super safe area, amazing rooftop for parties, and you're literally surrounded by other exchange students 24/7. La Floresta has this cool artsy vibe galleries, street art, indie cafés everywhere. Paid €362/month but honestly worth every euro for the social aspect alone.
🚗 Getting to Campus
USFQ takes about 45 mins with the bus transfer, but honestly? Made some of my best friends during those commutes. The campus is gorgeous though — like studying in the mountains.
✈️ Travel Life
Hit up Otavalo market (those textiles are INSANE), spent a week in the Amazon doing ayahuasca ceremony (life-changing tbh), and did the classic Galápagos trip. Pro tip: book internal flights early, they get pricey. Also went to Peru for Machu Picchu, so close!
🎉 Social Life
Playhouse crew was legendary. We had this tradition of "Thirsty Thursdays" that always ended up at different spots around La Floresta. Loved Naranjilla Mecánica for cocktails and live music. The rooftop barbecues were unreal.
📚 Classes
Took "Antropología Cultural Andina", mind-blowing stuff about indigenous cultures. Professor Carlos was so passionate. Also did Spanish literature which helped my language skills massively.
🦙 Other
Download WhatsApp immediately everyone uses it. Learn some basic Quechua phrases, locals LOVE it. And seriously, don't underestimate altitude sickness your first week. Drink coca tea religiously.
🇪🇨 Exchange in Quito
🏠 Housing
Found an Airbnb with huge space, great location downtown. Not the closest to UIDE though, but I didn’t mind. If you want both vibe and location? Go with Playhouse, it’s in the best part of Quito.
🚗 Getting to Campus
It took about 30 mins by car or an hour by bus. The uni is deep in the mountains — pretty crazy location actually.
✈️ Travel Life
Did Amazon, Galápagos, Baños, and Mindo. Solid mix of nature, parties, and chill. Ecuador has everything if you’re down to explore.
🎉 Social Life
The Bee = best club for exchange students. Also loved hanging in La Carolina park — always some cool random meetups going on.
📚 Classes
No big stress. I picked chill stuff like cooking and marketing. Easy to manage and still had time to travel.
🦙 Other
Ecuador’s not super touristy which is nice, but yeah — be smart about safety. Stick to Ubers and don’t flash your phone in the street.