Carry-On Packing List for Quito: Altitude Guide

Quito is one of South America's most dramatic capitals — a UNESCO World Heritage historic centre perched at 2,850 metres in a valley of the Andes, surrounded by volcanoes. Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) sits even higher than the city, at around 2,400 metres, making it one of the higher-altitude international airports in the world. The altitude is the single biggest factor to plan around when packing for this destination.

Airline Carry-On Quick Reference

Airline	Cabin Bag Size	Weight	Notes
LATAM	55 × 35 × 25 cm	8 kg	Main regional carrier from Lima, Bogotá, Santiago
Avianca	55 × 35 × 25 cm	8 kg	Hub in Bogotá (BOG); connects Quito to North America and Europe
American Airlines	56 × 36 × 23 cm	No weight limit	Via Miami (MIA) or Dallas (DFW)
Copa Airlines	55 × 35 × 25 cm	10 kg	Via Panama City (PTY)
Air France / KLM	55 × 35 × 25 cm	12 kg	Via Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS)
Iberia	56 × 45 × 25 cm	10 kg	Via Madrid (MAD)

LATAM and Avianca are the dominant regional carriers in Ecuador and apply a strict 8 kg limit. American Airlines offers no weight limit in economy which is useful for carry-on-only travel. Copa through Panama City is a convenient connection point for travellers from Central America and the Caribbean.

Altitude: The Most Important Thing to Know

Quito sits at 2,850 metres (9,350 ft) above sea level. For context, most European ski resorts top out below this altitude. Many travellers arriving from sea level or low-altitude cities experience altitude sickness (called soroche locally) within the first few hours of arrival.

Common symptoms:

• Headache (often the first sign)
• Shortness of breath on minimal exertion
• Fatigue and weakness
• Dizziness
• Disrupted sleep
• Mild nausea

What to do on arrival:

• Rest for the first few hours — do not plan strenuous sightseeing on day one
• Drink significantly more water than usual (altitude causes dehydration)
• Avoid alcohol on the first night — it worsens altitude symptoms considerably
• Eat light meals — a heavy meal can worsen nausea
• Drink coca tea (mate de coca), widely available in Quito hotels and cafés — it is a traditional Andean remedy and mildly helps

Diamox (acetazolamide): This is a prescription medication that some travellers take preventatively before arriving at altitude. It works by stimulating faster, deeper breathing. Consult your doctor before travel if you are concerned about altitude sickness, especially if you have any cardiac or respiratory conditions. Do not take it without medical advice.

Most healthy travellers acclimatise within 24–48 hours and feel normal after the first day of rest.

Quito's Climate: Eternal Spring with an Afternoon Catch

Quito's altitude creates what locals call an "eternal spring" — temperatures stay within a narrow band year-round. Days are mild (15–20°C / 59–68°F) regardless of season. Evenings cool to around 10–12°C. The climate does not vary dramatically between months — there is no hot season and no true cold season.

What does change is daily weather. A clear sunny morning can become a heavy afternoon rainstorm within a couple of hours. This pattern is common throughout the year, though the wetter months run from October to May. Pack for daily variability rather than seasonal extremes.

UV Warning: The Equatorial Altitude Combination

This is something many travellers underestimate. Quito sits almost exactly on the equator — meaning the sun passes directly overhead. At 2,850 metres, there is significantly less atmosphere to filter UV radiation. The combination produces UV index readings of 10–12+ on clear days, regularly among the highest recorded anywhere on earth.

You will not feel particularly hot in Quito — the temperature is mild. But you can burn badly within 20–30 minutes of outdoor exposure. This applies even on overcast days when UV still penetrates cloud cover.

UV protection essentials:

• SPF 50+ sunscreen (apply before leaving your accommodation, reapply midday)
• Wide-brim hat or cap
• UV-blocking sunglasses (polarised recommended — the Andes light is intense)
• Long sleeves if spending extended time outdoors

This is not optional. Sunburn at altitude is more severe and heals more slowly than at sea level.

What to Pack for Quito

Clothing strategy: light layers, not heavy gear

The goal is layering for mild temperatures that swing 8–10 degrees through the day, plus weather protection for sudden showers. You do not need winter clothes. You do not need summer clothes. You need efficient layering.

• 4–5 lightweight tops (t-shirts or light long-sleeves; cotton or moisture-wicking)
• 1 fleece or lightweight sweater (evenings and air-conditioned interiors)
• 1 waterproof outer layer or packable rain jacket (afternoon showers are the norm)
• 1–2 pairs of comfortable trousers (jeans work but dry slowly; travel trousers are better)
• 1 smart-casual outfit for restaurants or colonial centre evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip — the historic centre has steep streets and uneven colonial cobblestones; do not underestimate this
• Avoid flip-flops as your primary shoe — the terrain rewards ankle support

Sun and altitude health kit (carry on your person):

• SPF 50+ sunscreen
• UV sunglasses
• Altitude medication if prescribed
• Ibuprofen or paracetamol (for altitude headaches)
• Electrolyte sachets
• Any personal prescription medication in original packaging

Keep these accessible in your cabin bag or a small day bag — not buried in luggage.

Beyond Quito: Day Trips and Onward Journeys

The Mitad del Mundo: The equatorial monument is 26 km north of central Quito — an easy half-day trip. No special packing required beyond sun protection.

The Amazon (jungle lodges): Most Amazonian lodges in Ecuador are reached via short domestic flights from Quito to Coca (OCC) or Lago Agrio (NTE). For jungle travel, add to your packing:

• DEET insect repellent at 50%+ concentration
• Long-sleeved lightweight shirts (protection, not warmth)
• Quick-dry trousers that tuck into socks
• Rubber boots are usually provided by lodges

The Galápagos Islands: Galápagos flights operate from Guayaquil (GYE), not Quito. Most travellers fly Quito to Guayaquil (30–45 minutes on LATAM or Avianca), then onwards to Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY). Check all carry-on allowances for each leg of this routing — the Galápagos carriers may have different limits.

Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) Tips

The airport is located in Tababela, about 37 km from central Quito — allow 45–60 minutes from Miraflores/La Mariscal in normal traffic, longer during rush hours. The terminal is modern and well-organised. Altitude at the airport itself is lower than the city, so most travellers do not feel altitude effects at the airport.

Immigration queues can be long for international arrivals — allow extra time if connecting domestically. Security is standard; liquids under 100 ml in a clear bag applies for international departures.

Bottom Line

Quito rewards travellers who pack smart and plan for altitude. The city is genuinely extraordinary — the most intact colonial centre in the Americas, dramatic Andean scenery, and a gateway to two of the world's most unique ecosystems (Amazon and Galápagos). Give yourself one rest day on arrival, pack layers rather than extremes, take UV protection seriously, and carry altitude medication if your doctor recommends it. LATAM and Avianca both enforce 8 kg strictly — weigh your bag before the airport.