Monument to the Equator Tours

Mitad del Mundo Monument featuring a city
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Stand with one foot in each hemisphere at this monument to the site where the equator is marked, then spend time in the accompanying planetarium and museum.

While Quito may not be unique in its position on the equator, the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Monument made it the most famous example of a city in two hemispheres. The monument is built on the historic site where a French explorer calculated the line of the equator in 1736. Visit the 98-foot (30-meter) monument and stand with one foot in each half of the world.

See the enormous tribute to the equatorial line and its calculation, and walk along a painted line that represents the equator. Recent technologies have located the equator about 787.4 feet (240 meters) north of this line, but the monument makes for a fun representation of the hemispheric halves of the earth. Walk along the line and have your photograph taken straddling the middle of the world. Take the elevator to the top of the monument and enjoy panoramic views of the northern and southern hemispheres.

Visit the monument to see the equatorial village, a small scale-model of colonial Quito, which includes homes, a church and a bullring. Visit the Ethnography Museum and the Planetarium to learn about the region’s indigenous history, colonization and Ecuador’s place on the world map.

Stop by one of the bars or restaurants to enjoy a refreshing drink or snack on the equatorial site. Browse the gift and souvenir stores located on-site. Purchase an official certificate stating that you have visited the equator at the Mitad del Mundo Monument. Visit the smaller nearby monument that commemorates Ecuadorian soldiers who lost their lives in war.

The Mitad del Mundo Monument is located near San Antonio de Pichincha, 19 miles (30.6kilometers) north of Quito. The monument and museums are open daily, but hours vary throughout the seasons. The small admission fee includes entry to the monument complex. The Ethnographic Museum and Planetarium have separate admission fees. Visit the monument on the weekend, when the bars come to life with local folk music and dance shows.

Plan a trip to see Monument to the Equator

Hotel Mama Cuchara
Hotel Plaza Grande
Casa El Edén
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Reviews of Monument to the Equator

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
196
" "5 - Excellent 66.89419795221843%
4 - Good
77
" "4 - Good 26.27986348122867%
3 - Okay
15
" "3 - Okay 5.1194539249146755%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 1.3651877133105803%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.3412969283276451%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jul 18, 2019

Please be aware the Monument to the Equator was built long before the correct location (approximately 1/2 mile away) was confirmed via more accurate method.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Feb 17, 2019

Mitad del Mundo is pretty much a scam. The equator is 240 meters north of the monument. Many shops trying to take your money. $5 entry fee per adult is steep.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 13, 2019

Very "touristy" but still worth it -- learned a lot about the equator and chocolate making.

3/5 - Okay

TerriOi
Feb 6, 2019

Dont go on a Sunday if you can help it

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 9, 2018

City bus will gte you there for very little cost, as opposed to hiring a taxi for $20-25.

4/5 - Good

Timoteo
Sep 25, 2018

Fun tricks, good history

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