Intinan Museum
Intinan Museum, San Antonio de Pichincha: Hours, Address, Intinan Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Intinan Museum
Intinan Museum
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located close to the Equator Monument, this onsite museum features interactive exhibits on how the Incas determined the middle of the earth, plus interesting science experiments such as balancing an egg on a nail and the affects of the Coriolis force on earth.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,438 reviews
Excellent
1,515
Very good
684
Average
171
Poor
41
Terrible
27
County-Hunter
Tacoma, WA2,946 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
We wanted to see the actual equatorial line so we skipped Mitad del Mindo and came here instead. It was sort of cheesy but in a funny and informative way. You park the car and lay your entrance fee and a guide takes you around the site. You see diaromas on Ecuadorian life including shrunken heads. The highlight for us was the equator. They do some ticks mine flushing the toilet to see which way it swirls and you get to balance an egg on a nail. It may not be entirely authentic but it is fun. If you have time, I would recommend going to both sites, but if you want to see the real equator, you have to come here.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jim B
Parker, CO117 contributions
Jun 2021
Our travel agent suggested we skip this stop because it was "cheesy." As a group of professional navigators (naval aviators, a ship driver, and a submariner), we all had to go. Boy, was our travel agent wrong! This was a very fun and informative outing.
Our museum guide gave us a tour of the four regions of Ecuador through the eyes of their indigenous people that would have been enough to make this stop worthwhile. Then we went to the equator exhibits. He was fun while being very informative.
Picture 10 septuagenarians getting excited about watching water swirl in both directions, balancing an egg on a nail head, and beating the Coriolis Effect with our eyes closed. Us kids had a blast playing at the Equator. I think you will too.
Our museum guide gave us a tour of the four regions of Ecuador through the eyes of their indigenous people that would have been enough to make this stop worthwhile. Then we went to the equator exhibits. He was fun while being very informative.
Picture 10 septuagenarians getting excited about watching water swirl in both directions, balancing an egg on a nail head, and beating the Coriolis Effect with our eyes closed. Us kids had a blast playing at the Equator. I think you will too.
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
im4yanks
Santa Barbara, CA19 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
I was going to avoid all of the equator related activities during my trip to Ecuador, but our private guide actually suggested this as a stop on our way to Mindo. We weren’t expecting much, and yes it is a little cheesy, but we actually really enjoyed it and took some fun photos. The guide the museum provides was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable without being annoying at all. He was great! The tour’s not long, but it is worth a stop! $4pp
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brandon
Miami, FL115 contributions
Nov 2020
The equator line marked in this museum is more recently and accurately calculated than the one in Mitad del Mundo. So, I do recommend visiting this site; however, take their presentations with a grain of salt. Most of their presentations are not scientific based. I give them only 3 stars because they should tell their visitors the truth about their presentations.
Written December 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mrc282
United States3,893 contributions
Jul 2021
OK, so both Mitad del Mundo and Intinan Museum are about the equator. Here, you also get to watch a bunch of demonstrations that show what happen along the equator line.
It is slightly better than Mitad del Mundo which I find a little cheesy.
I have been to several places along the equator zone so still dont quite get it why it is made to be a bigger deal in Ecuador. Anyways, it is a fun distraction for a couple of hours, but I think there are other places I enjoy better at Quito.
It is slightly better than Mitad del Mundo which I find a little cheesy.
I have been to several places along the equator zone so still dont quite get it why it is made to be a bigger deal in Ecuador. Anyways, it is a fun distraction for a couple of hours, but I think there are other places I enjoy better at Quito.
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
christa Eiriksson
Bellingham, WA7 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Absolutely, one of the best, most educational and fascinating museums! We had an enlightening laughter filled experience. This museum has indigenous staff, that are multilingual! Kids and adults will have a blast and enjoy the beautiful setting. The Original monument was off by a couple degrees but, with the use of US military GPS it was corrected recently and the new park is BEHIND the old one. You will be directed to the Village Intinan by the staff in the plaza at the old marker. Both museums are great but the plaza park had more shopping and eateries. The Village Intinan is where the real fun and cultural experience is💕🌎you can book a taxi out of Quito or plan a tour. It is only 1 1/2 hours drive north of Quito and it's a nice scenic ride. I feel it is A MUST DO TRIP😲😎
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
tfizzle
Portland, OR1,934 contributions
Oct 2021
Really outstanding cultural and Equator museum and this is the real equator. the other more popular museum about 100 meters away was thought to be the center but this is and they have great games for you to play, such as balancing an egg, the Coriolis effect (water swirls in different directions N/S of the line) inability to balance and walk with your eyes closed and so much more. but they also take you through some currated cultural exhibits of different indigenous people. Our guide was great. Entry is $4, but remember to tip the guide. This was our highlight of the day.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Richard D
Ciutadella, Spain589 contributions
Jul 2021
This museum has a variety of displays that are more or less informative. Some are there for shock value and have little to do with the equator, such as a display on some on stuffed anacondas and head shrinking. Others are more informative such as some a brief discussion of the Coriolis force and the direction of rotation of water drains.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
George S
Miami Beach, FL900 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
This is basically an outdoor museum with two missions: hi-light the culture of the indigenous peoples of Ecuador and demonstrate of the physics associated with the line of Equator. The guides did an excellent job in describing the various qualities of the indigenous peoples including the shrunken heads. They also went through various experiments and demonstrations regarding the equator’s properties. They also had the visitors pose and straddle the purportedly true Equator. However, this is not the true line and like the Mitad del Mundo site a few kilometers away, the true demarcation between the north and south is some hundreds of meters away. In any case, the lectures and experiments were fun and worthwhile. I would come here rather than visit Mitad.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Whissely
Sao Paulo, SP358 contributions
Feb 2020
They’ve got lots of activities to demonstrate that you are on the equator and I’m sure kids will love the activities. The place does need some revamping though to make it more professional and to be able to handle larger crowds. I wouldn’t buy any souveneirs there though - much better shopping in Quito.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sylvie L
Toronto, Canada37 contributions
museo intiñan mitad del mundo
Hi!
Is the water demonstration ongoing or at specific times? Their website does not mention anything and we are going early in the morning. We have a busy schedule and my son MUST see the water turning clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Thanks!
TravelswithSheila
4 contributions
It’s part of the guided tour
Sylvie L
Toronto, Canada37 contributions
museo intiñan mitad del mundo
Hi!
Is the water demonstration ongoing or at specific times? Their website does not mention anything and we are going early in the morning. We have a busy schedule and my son MUST see the water turning clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Thanks!
Jim H
Huntley, IL219 contributions
Ongoing
prettyvacant27
Edmonton, Canada139 contributions
How much is the entrance fee and where to pay? I might be travelling by myself so is it better to take a taxi or bus?
Thanks in advance for your help
Robert D
Dallas, TX216 contributions
The entrance is about $8 and that includes a guide. we went by car so I do not know about the buses.
Cecilia M
263 contributions
hola. queria saber si hay transporte publico que nos deje alli? estaremos alojados en el centro historico. gracias
museo_intinan
Quito, Ecuador
Hola buenas tardes, muchas gracias por tu pregunta. Existen dos alternativas de transporte público, una es tomar el autobús MITAD DEL MUNDO (letrero amarillo) que sale desde el hospital del IESS, Calle 18 de Septiembre (para que te ubiques eso es cerca del Parque El Ejido), ese bus te deja exactamente en la puerta de nuestro museo.
Otra opción es tomar el metrobus que va por LAS AMÉRICAS, hasta la estación final del Norte llamada OFELIA, en esa estación debes buscar en donde salen los buses a la MITAD DEL MUNDO. Hay dos que te dejarán en el redondel de la Mitad del Mundo, de allí tendrás que caminar 250 metros para llegar a nuestro museo, pero existe uno que dice MITAD DEL MUNDO - CALACALÍ, ese te dejará en la puerta de nuestro museo.
Esperamos haber ayudado y por supuesto, estaremos encantados de recibirles!...
Jennifer R
Guayaquil64 contributions
Hola Nia.
Quisiera Saber si la entrada a Este Museo Tiene algun Costo???
museo_intinan
Quito, Ecuador
4 dólares para adultos y 2 dólares para niños entre 6 y 12!...
Tercera edad nacionales también $2!...
Le esperamos!
BJ B
Concord, NH11 contributions
How do I get there using public transportation? How long does it take to get there? Does a bus run on Sundays? How long should I plan to spend at the museum? I have one full day in Quito. There is so much to see and my list is already jam packed with beautiful "must sees". Thanks. BJ
Erin P
New Orleans, LA29 contributions
Hiring a guide is a great idea if you have only one day in Quito. Our guide took us to the Centro Historico to see the beautiful churches and colonial architecture, as well as the Intinan Museum. The museum will take 1-2 hours, depending how long you linger in the exhibits. I don't know about public transit to that area of Quito. You should also consider a visit to the Teleferico while in Quito for an impressive view of the city with towering volcanoes in the background.
Karen2921952
Israel48 contributions
Hi! Can anyone recommend a tour company to use? We have seen it advertised on the hop on-hop off bus tour. Would you quote the price for the tour, as well.
Thanks!
John D
Orlando, FL1,021 contributions
Can't really add anything new to what's already been written. We took a taxi and it was a great, fun experience.
Miquelon2000
Calgary, Canada27 contributions
Is there a post office selling stamps at Middle of the World site?
loonietunes123
Manchester, UK74 contributions
There's definitely a post box , my friend sent her postcards there but she had already out the stamps on them in Quito.
Frequently Asked Questions about Intinan Museum
- Intinan Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Intinan Museum 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 56 Intinan Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Intinan Museum:
- Full Day Middle of the World, Cable Car and Quito City Shared Tour (From $69.00)
- Full Day Quito City Tour Including Teleférico and Mitad del Mundo (From $118.00)
- Private Quito City Tour, Historical Center, Equator Museum, and Pululahua Crater (From $112.55)
- Private Tour: The Middle of the World in half-day (From $48.97)
- Private Tour: Middle of the World & Pululahua Crater. All entrances included! (From $85.00)
- Hotels near Intinan Museum:
- (0.18 mi) Chaupimundo Lodge
- (0.54 mi) Hotel Sol y Luna
- (2.65 mi) El Crater Hotel
- (9.33 mi) San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve
- (0.14 mi) Ainoa Home
- Restaurants near Intinan Museum:
- (0.08 mi) Calima Restaurant
- (0.07 mi) El Organico - Ecuadorian Star Coffee & Chocolate
- (0.07 mi) Coby's
- (0.11 mi) Cafe Guayasamin
- (0.13 mi) Yaravi Restaurant