Mariscal District
Mariscal District
3.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
141 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
59
Average
35
Poor
14
Terrible
7
pfefmeister
San Francisco, CA2,814 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We chose to stay in this neighborhood, but, in hindsight, should have stayed in the historical district instead. After dark, there too many sketchy people hanging around, and even our hotel manager said to taxi from a restaurant two blocks away after 7:00 PM. That’s not a comforting thought. The area has lots of restaurants and a younger crowd hanging out, with several nice hotels, but it’s just too littered and graffitied and questionable after dark to make this a desirable destination. Choose a Old Town instead.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aw20152015
United Kingdom5 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
About me: 33, male, solo traveller, slightly spooked out reading various things about safety etc..in Quito.
I have been travelling before, but not in this way for a long time (previous "longer" trip was through Mexico in 2002). Despite a natural reduction in confidence as the years go by, I was wondering why I was finding myself so paranoid about being mugged / the possibility of safety issues all the time. I think I've worked it out....
In the good old days, we didn't have iPhones to be stolen. In fact the Internet didn't really exist. I'll be open enough to admit that I'd be pretty lost without my phone now as I'd have no idea how to book things, read about things, read reviews which scare me etc....
The solution is really simple (for me at least, I appreciate others won't be as sad as I am with dependencies on the Internet). Leave the iPhone, iPad, wallet with cards in, and passport back at the hotel/ hostel. Now, if I'm mugged, they can have my camera and the money I have in my pocket (obviously not an excessive amount) and to be honest I'm not too bothered. I can then return to the hotel where all the things I need are. Clearly I'm working on the basis that the biggest risk is petty theft here, but I understand violent crime against tourists is rare.
Since doing this, I have felt so much more confident walking around, and I'm enjoying it so much more. Giving up wifi on your phone for 5 minutes of the day in a coffee shop is so worth it for avoiding the worry of having it stolen.
In addition, my experience of Quito so far is that it is no different to any other big city in the world from a safety perspective. Just be sensible and you'll be fine..
I have been travelling before, but not in this way for a long time (previous "longer" trip was through Mexico in 2002). Despite a natural reduction in confidence as the years go by, I was wondering why I was finding myself so paranoid about being mugged / the possibility of safety issues all the time. I think I've worked it out....
In the good old days, we didn't have iPhones to be stolen. In fact the Internet didn't really exist. I'll be open enough to admit that I'd be pretty lost without my phone now as I'd have no idea how to book things, read about things, read reviews which scare me etc....
The solution is really simple (for me at least, I appreciate others won't be as sad as I am with dependencies on the Internet). Leave the iPhone, iPad, wallet with cards in, and passport back at the hotel/ hostel. Now, if I'm mugged, they can have my camera and the money I have in my pocket (obviously not an excessive amount) and to be honest I'm not too bothered. I can then return to the hotel where all the things I need are. Clearly I'm working on the basis that the biggest risk is petty theft here, but I understand violent crime against tourists is rare.
Since doing this, I have felt so much more confident walking around, and I'm enjoying it so much more. Giving up wifi on your phone for 5 minutes of the day in a coffee shop is so worth it for avoiding the worry of having it stolen.
In addition, my experience of Quito so far is that it is no different to any other big city in the world from a safety perspective. Just be sensible and you'll be fine..
Written January 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CSRRobert2
Southern California1 contribution
La Mariscal is full of tour operators, hostels, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, coffee shops and internet cafes. This place is full of activity, but mostly the younger crowd,, especially on weekend evenings. Plaza Folch has four corners of outdoor coffee shops where everybody gathers weekday evenings, sometimes Tues evening concerts. Be careful if traveling alone or in small groups, muggings are frequent in this area, especially after dark.
Written December 24, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aldas B
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador41 contributions
Apr 2012
well, if you are looking for trouble, cheap "gringish" shoestring travelers´ hostals, overpriced spanish schools with no real professionals, drugs, crime, heavy partying ending bad, locals trying to ripp off the white traveler - this is right place! take it handfull and enjoy!
Written June 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caroaltamiranno
Quito, Ecuador9 contributions
May 2012 • Solo
Five years ago this was a nice place to walk around and have lunch in a weekday, with several tour operators offices, restaurants, cafes, etc. But I feel that now this is an unsafe place, many travel agencies had moved, and there are only two or three busy spots that are nearly fun and safe. This district is in my route to work, and although I usually commute by bike, every now and then I walk home and I have this feeling that it is not safe.
Written May 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baby M
Puerto Rico, Spain71 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
I know its the main tourist area but I thought it was worth checking out despite the bad press it gets. I can sum it up in one word: seedy. It's got lots of bars that have one goal in mind...to get everyone blinding drunk at lunchtime. I felt the need to get out of there as quickly as possible and didn't stop till I was safely away. Why anyone would choose to spend time there is beyond me. I've been to plenty of tourist areas, partied there for many nights to my heart's content but not this place. Horrible. It needs a good clean.
Written January 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff C
Colorado Springs, CO37 contributions
May 2012
The Mariscal District used to be nearly crime free but immigration policy changes in 2008 (no visas required) saw an influx of people who gravitated to the area for its tourist population and the petty crime problem exploded. I will not go there at night anymore. It's generally safe during the day and there's a lot to do and see for the Quito tourist. The vacancy rate and movement of restaurants out of the District are indicative of the problem. The National Police are trying to reverse the problem with more police presence but it still remains the place to go at night if you want to lose your passport and wallet. Contrast the Mariscal to the Centro Historico where the police have made it mostly safe to walk around at night and there is hope that the Mariscal will return to its former self as a great place to visit day and night.
Written May 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hardoil
Toronto, Canada160 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
Mariscal is where the action is in Quito and where the crowds are. On weekends the sidewalks and streets are jammed with tourists and locals. Locals now outnumber the tourists as many people avoid a visit here. Too many muggings, too many robberies and too many bad reviews. However, if you are looking to dance and party into the wee hours of the morning this is the place to come. Or, if you want to get something decent to eat after 6:00 pm you will probably end up here. There are lots of bars, nightclubs and restaurants to choose from. However BE WARNED that this is not the place to get “blasted” and then try to stumble back to your hostel or hotel. Never bring your passport (a photocopy of it is all you ever need) your purse, or your wallet. Just bring enough cash in small bills with you to cover your evening’s expenses. Leave your expensive cell phone, camera, ipad, etc. in your pack at your hostel. If you are foolish enough to bring these items be prepared to have them stolen. If you look carefully you will see that tourists are watched and followed if they appear to be drunk or if they display any expensive items. My advice is to take a cab to Plaza Foch and stay within 2 blocks of the plaza. There is a large police presence here. Avoid the dark side streets and stay where the crowds and cops are. This is also the best place to get a cab for the trip back to your hotel. The cabs do not use their meters at night so be sure to tell the driver where you are going and establish the price BEFORE you get into the cab. If you use your head and limit your alcohol intake, Mariscal is safe enough in spite of all the bad reviews. I have been there 5 times in the last month to have a drink and meet friends without incident. If you are looking for a decent cup of coffee there is a Juan Valdez on one corner of plaza Foch. The deserts are good too. Right next door is a great sandwich place and an ATM in a well lit area.
Written June 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ACaminar
12 contributions
Some cleverly designed restaurants and modern open air spaces, good mix of foods. Good places to grab a coffee, and Magic Bean has killer breakfasts. Plenty of places to drink, but poor as a place to meet ecuas. Bad things happen at night, more likely the later is gets. The cops are useless, and there is an experienced core of both professional and drug-addled criminals practiced in the area.
Written March 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annabel R
75 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Walking along Cristabol Colon in La Mariscal district in Quito in the middle of the day and my travel friend and I got a whole lot of liquid poo/feces thrown at us - all over our backpack and clothes and hair.. then a guy suddenly appeared with a bottle of water and tissues suggesting we take off all our bags so he could help us wash them. Thankfully we saw through this trick and ran off to a park in disgust at being covered in liquid poop! the guy gave us a filthy look as we politely declined to take off our bags and left him (thankfully we'd previously read about people spitting and throwing sauce at your bags etc in an attempt to get you to remove them so someone could steal your valuables bag whilst you are distracted).
The most disappointing part was that the street was full of people and no locals did anything yet they must have seen the people throw stuff at us as my friend caught a glimpse out of her eye of a dude throwing the stuff and hiding...
Shame that this tainted our trip to Quito!!
The most disappointing part was that the street was full of people and no locals did anything yet they must have seen the people throw stuff at us as my friend caught a glimpse out of her eye of a dude throwing the stuff and hiding...
Shame that this tainted our trip to Quito!!
Written July 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brockhouston
San Diego, CA
Hi. We will be spending a day in Quito with a 10 and a 13 year old. Is the Mariscal District a area that would be interesting/suitable for them OR is there a better area. They are experienced international travelers and enjoy new experiences. Thanks, Brock
Jasmine V
Brisbane, Australia30 contributions
Hi, are there trails you can do yourself or are all tours guided?
borike66
Quebradillas, Puerto Rico1 contribution
is there a one day private tour from quito to bano
Mariscal District (Quito) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Mariscal District
- We recommend booking Mariscal District tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Mariscal District tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Mariscal District:
- (0.01 mi) NU House Boutique Hotel
- (0.02 mi) Hostal el Relicario
- (0.03 mi) Hotel Boutique Portal de Cantuña los invita a conocer el centro de Quito
- (0.03 mi) Spacious and cozy apartment with beautiful view
- (0.04 mi) Yellow House Hotel
- Restaurants near Mariscal District:
- (0.00 mi) Quito Pub Beer
- (0.01 mi) Marenostrum
- (0.01 mi) Camino Del Sol
- (0.01 mi) Players Sports Bar and Grill
- (0.01 mi) Arkanus
- Attractions near Mariscal District:
- (0.01 mi) Plaza Foch
- (0.04 mi) Gulliver Expeditions
- (0.07 mi) Responsible Travel
- (0.06 mi) Luis Tipan Travel
- (0.07 mi) Finn McCool's
Mariscal District Information
Excellent Reviews | 26 |
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Very Good Reviews | 59 |
Mariscal District Photos | 57 |