Quito is not a city most travelers associate with shopping — and that’s exactly why it surprises so many visitors who take the time to explore beyond the historic churches and colonial plazas. The Ecuadorian capital has a genuinely varied retail landscape: modern international malls anchored in the financial district, sprawling local markets selling everything from Andean textiles to fresh produce, artisan stores in La Floresta and the Historic Center packed with handcrafted goods, and a growing independent retail scene that reflects the city’s evolving urban identity.
Whether you’re looking for high-end international brands, authentic Ecuadorian crafts to bring home, or just a reliable place to pick up everyday items during your stay, Quito has more to offer than most visitors expect. This guide covers everything you need to know — where to go, what to buy, and how to get the most out of shopping in Quito without wasting time or overpaying.
Shopping in Quito: Understanding the Landscape
Quito’s shopping is split between two distinct worlds that rarely overlap: the modern commercial north and the traditional market south.
The northern financial district the area around La Carolina Park, Av. Naciones Unidas, and Av. de los Shyris is where you’ll find the city’s major malls, international chains, supermarkets, and upscale retail. This is the most practical area for visitors staying in the financial district, with everything from electronics to clothing to pharmacies within a short walk or Uber ride.
The Historic Center and surrounding neighborhoods have a completely different shopping character: local markets, street vendors, artisan workshops, and small independent stores that have operated in the same location for generations. Shopping here is slower, more negotiation-oriented, and infinitely more atmospheric.
Understanding which type of shopping you’re looking for and therefore which part of the city to head to — saves significant time and disappointment.
Major Shopping Malls in Quito
Quicentro Shopping
Quicentro Shopping is the most important commercial mall in Quito and the natural anchor of the northern financial district’s retail scene. Located on Av. Naciones Unidas, just minutes from La Carolina Park, it houses over 200 stores across multiple floors, including international fashion brands, electronics retailers, a large supermarket, a food court, and a multiplex cinema. For travelers staying in the La Carolina area, Quicentro is the most practical day-to-day shopping destination. Need a phone charger, a specific medication, a pair of shoes, or a sit-down meal between errands? Quicentro has all of it under one roof. The mall is modern, well-maintained, air-conditioned — a genuine relief on warmer Quito afternoons — and easily accessible on foot or by Uber from most northern hotels. Key stores include Zara, Nike, Adidas, a large Supermaxi supermarket, various Ecuadorian clothing brands, and a wide selection of restaurants on the top floor food court. The mall gets busy on weekends, particularly Saturday afternoons, so weekday mornings are more comfortable for browsing. Location: Av. Naciones Unidas and Av. de los Shyris, La Carolina Hours: Monday Saturday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM / Sunday 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Getting there: Walking distance from most La Carolina hotels / 5 min Uber
Mall El JardÃn
One of Quito’s oldest and most established malls, Mall El JardÃn sits on Av. República at the intersection with Av. Amazonas. It’s slightly smaller than Quicentro but equally well-stocked, with a strong mix of national and international brands across fashion, beauty, electronics, and home goods. El JardÃn is particularly strong for Ecuadorian clothing brands and local cosmetics, making it a good destination if you want to explore domestic retail rather than international chains. The food court is well-regarded and popular with local office workers at lunchtime. Location: Av. República 500 and Av. Amazonas Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Getting there: 10 min Uber from La Carolina ($2–3 USD)
Centro Comercial Iñaquito (CCI)
CCI is one of the most complete shopping centers in the northern city, located directly adjacent to La Carolina Park on Av. Amazonas. Its location — literally bordering the park — makes it one of the most convenient retail destinations for travelers staying in the financial district. The mall has a strong supermarket (Supermaxi), a wide variety of mid-range clothing stores, a pharmacy, a food court, and service businesses like banks, optical stores, and mobile phone carriers. It tends to be less crowded than Quicentro and has a more local, neighborhood feel. Location: Av. Amazonas and Av. Naciones Unidas, adjacent to La Carolina Park Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Getting there: Walking distance from La Carolina hotels
Condado Shopping
Located in the northern Condado neighborhood, Condado Shopping is one of Quito’s newer and more upscale malls. It caters to a higher-income demographic and has a strong selection of premium brands, international restaurants, and entertainment options. If you’re looking for a more refined shopping experience or need to find specific luxury goods, Condado is worth the slightly longer trip. Location: Av. Occidental and De Los Granados Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Getting there: 20 min Uber from La Carolina ($4–6 USD)
Local Markets in Quito Worth Visiting
Mercado Iñaquito
For travelers who want to experience everyday Quito, Mercado Iñaquito is one of the most accessible local markets in the northern city. Located just a few blocks from La Carolina Park, it operates primarily as a food market fresh produce, meats, fish, dairy, and prepared foods but also has sections selling household goods, clothing, and handicrafts. Weekend mornings are the best time to visit, between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Prices are significantly lower than supermarkets and it’s one of the better places in the northern city to eat an inexpensive local breakfast. Location: Near Av. de los Shyris and Iñaquito | Hours: Daily 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Getting there: Walking distance from La Carolina hotels
Mercado Artesanal
La Mariscal If you’re buying handicrafts, textiles, or souvenirs, the Mercado Artesanal in La Mariscal is the most complete artisan market in the northern city. Located on Av. Jorge Washington, it brings together dozens of vendors selling Ecuadorian crafts from across the country: hand-woven textiles from Otavalo, Panama hats from Montecristi, tagua nut jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, and leather goods. Prices here are negotiable — vendors expect some bargaining, particularly for multiple purchases. Location: Av. Jorge Washington and Juan León Mera, La Mariscal | Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Getting there: 10 min Uber from La Carolina ($2–3 USD)
 Parque El Ejido Art Market
Every Saturday and Sunday morning, the northern edge of Parque El Ejido transforms into an open-air market where Ecuadorian artists sell original works directly to the public. Oil paintings, watercolors, sculptures, photography, and mixed media work — all priced reasonably and available directly from the artist. Location: Parque El Ejido, Av. Patria | Hours: Saturday–Sunday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Getting there: 15 min Uber from La Carolina ($2–4 USD)Â
Mercado Central and Historic Center Markets
The Mercado Central on Pichincha Street is the main food market of the old city, with an enormous variety of local products and one of the most atmospheric lunch scenes in Quito. The second floor is lined with market restaurants serving set lunches (almuerzos) for $2–3 USD. Getting there: 20 min Uber from La Carolina ($4–5 USD)
What to Buy in Quito: The Best Ecuadorian Products
Panama Hats
Despite the name, Panama hats are Ecuadorian — specifically from the coastal city of Montecristi. Quito has multiple reputable stores selling authentic toquilla straw hats at various quality levels. Good quality everyday hats are available from $30–80 USD. A genuine Panama hat should be rollable without creasing.
Otavalo Textiles
Hand-woven textiles from the Otavalo indigenous community — including blankets, ponchos, scarves, and table runners — are available throughout Quito’s artisan markets. The Mercado Artesanal in La Mariscal has the best selection in the northern city.
Tagua Nut Jewelry TaguaÂ
the seed of a South American palm — is sometimes called “vegetable ivory.” Ecuadorian artisans carve tagua into jewelry, figurines, and decorative objects. It’s a uniquely Ecuadorian product, lightweight for travel, and genuinely beautiful.Â
Chocolate
Ecuador produces some of the world’s finest cacao, particularly the rare Arriba Nacional variety. Quito has several specialty chocolate stores selling single-origin bars and gift boxes. It’s one of the most practical and universally appreciated gifts to bring home from Ecuador.
Coffee
Ecuadorian coffee has improved dramatically in quality, with specialty farms in the Loja and Pichincha regions now producing internationally recognized beans. Specialty coffee shops and organic food stores in Quito sell packaged local coffee that travels well.
Shopping Near Hotel Finlandia: What's Within Reach
One of the practical advantages of staying in the La Carolina financial district is the density of retail options within walking distance or a short Uber ride. Quicentro Shopping and CCI are both accessible on foot. Mercado Iñaquito is a short walk away for fresh produce and local breakfast. Mall El JardÃn is 10 minutes by Uber. For travelers who want to combine a shopping morning with other activities, La Carolina Park is directly adjacent to CCI. Our guide to things to do near Hotel Finlandia covers the full range of activities available within the immediate area. If you’re planning a day that combines shopping in the northern malls with a visit to the artisan markets or Historic Center, read our guide to the best restaurants in Quito for lunch options between neighborhoods. To understand the full layout of the city before you plan your day, our guide to the best area to stay in Quito breaks down every neighborhood in detail. When you’re ready to book your stay in the heart of Quito’s commercial district, explore our hotel rooms in La Carolina — steps from the city’s best shopping, parks, and restaurants. For up-to-date store directories, the Visit Quito official tourism guide and the Quicentro Shopping official website have current listings.
Better than most travelers expect, and different from what most assume. Quito won’t compete with Bogotá or Lima for sheer retail scale, but for what it does have — a well-developed mall infrastructure in the north, genuinely excellent artisan markets, and some of the best handicraft and food products in South America — it punches well above its weight. The key is knowing what you’re looking for and where to find it. International brands and convenience: Quicentro and CCI. Authentic Ecuadorian crafts: Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal and Parque El Ejido. Local food products and market atmosphere: Mercado Iñaquito and Mercado Central. Original art: El Ejido on Saturday or Sunday morning. Build a half day around it, combine it with a park visit or a neighborhood lunch, and you’ll find that shopping in Quito is genuinely one of the more enjoyable ways to spend time in the city.