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Middle of the World City: Stand on the Equator

Experience the thrill of straddling the world at Ecuador's Mitad del Mundo, a monument to geography and culture near Quito.

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Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, just north of Quito, marks the spot where the equator divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The site features a monument, museum, planetarium, and cultural exhibits, offering visitors a chance to stand with a foot in each hemisphere.

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Local tips

  • Wear sunscreen and a hat, as the equatorial sun can be strong, even on cloudy days.
  • Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends and holidays.
  • Explore beyond the main monument; the complex offers museums, shops, and cultural exhibits.
  • Try traditional Ecuadorian dishes like grilled guinea pig, fritada, or potato locro at the local restaurants.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Intiñan Museum for a different perspective on the equator.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Quito, take the Metrobus to La Ofelia station, located in the north of the city. From there, transfer to the 'Mitad del Mundo' integrated bus. The bus will drop you off directly in front of the complex. The journey to Ofelia can take up to an hour, and the connecting bus takes approximately 40 minutes. The first bus ticket costs $0.35 USD and the second is $0.25 USD one way.

  • Taxi/Uber

    A taxi or Uber from Quito city center to Mitad del Mundo takes approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect to pay between $10 and $20 USD for a one-way trip. This is a more comfortable but also more expensive option.

  • Driving

    If driving, head north of Quito on Avenida Mariscal Sucre or Avenida Occidental. Then, take Avenida Manuel Córdova Galarza (Route 28) to Mitad del Mundo. Ample parking is available. Parking costs $2-3 USD.

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Discover more about Middle of the World City

Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City) is a popular tourist complex located just north of Quito, Ecuador. It commemorates the 18th-century French Geodesic Mission that sought to define the equatorial line. Although modern GPS measurements place the actual equator about 240 meters north of the monument, the site remains a symbolic and engaging destination. The main attraction is the 30-meter-high monument, topped with a metallic globe. A yellow line marks the approximate location of the equator, inviting visitors to capture the classic photo of standing in both hemispheres simultaneously. The monument houses the Ethnographic Museum, with exhibits on Ecuadorian culture. The complex includes a replica of a colonial town, with houses serving as restaurants, handicraft shops, and a post office. Visitors can enjoy traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, browse local crafts, and sometimes catch live performances of indigenous music and dance. Other attractions include a planetarium and the Entomological Museum (Insectarium). While in the area, consider visiting the Intiñan Site Museum, which claims to be on the true equator, and the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve.

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