The oldest street in Quito, La Ronda is well known for both its commercial activity and its regular outdoor entertainment options. During the day, food vendors selling cheap local fare line the street, sharing the space with traditional craftsmen and the families of children who play hopscotch on the sidewalk. When night falls, bars and restaurants open their old wooden doors, filling the street with live music. Saturday nights are especially vibrant on La Ronda as the “Patrimonial Night” Festival features theater and dance performances inspired by local legends. For these events, visitors of all ages come to witness the spectacle, often dressed in traditional Ecuadorian garb. With such a wide range of activity on the street, there is never a drought of visitors on the thoroughfare.

Located in a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Ronda is a quaint and well-preserved street in the historic center of Quito. Spanning only a few uphill blocks, its narrow cobblestone street was originally a footpath by which locals could access the Pichincha River. In the early 1900s, as wealthy communities began to relocate along the water in La Ronda, the area eventually became the bohemian center of the city, as famous poets, painters, and musicians flocked to the area because of its thriving night scene until the end of the 20th century when the area fell into disrepair. Government efforts to restore La Ronda, beginning in 2006, have helped return the street to its former position as Quito’s foremost destination for bohemian art and culture.

Image credits: Agencia de Noticias ANDES via Flickr, Agencia de Noticias ANDES via Flickr, Quito Turismo via Flickr, amalavida.tv via Flickr, Quito Turismo via Flickr, Sheep “R” Us via Flickr

Website: www.quito.com.ec