Tourist traps. We typically run the other direction. Every now and then you have to bite though, right? I mean we are in Ecuador. Ecuador = Equator, so why not go check out a couple of places that highlight this feature. We were only a $15 Uber ride away, so why not take a trip to the middle of the world.
There are two places you can visit when you are checking out the middle of the world. Many people get frustrated when they go to Mitad del Mundo and find out it isn’t actually where the equator is located. That is completely reasonable, but think of it more as a historical museum than visiting the actual equator. The Intiñan Site Museum is where the actual equator is located. Find out below what each have to offer and if you should only go to one or both!
Mitad del Mundo – Middle of the World
The most popular equator line attraction is called Mitad del Mundo, which means middle of the world. This spot is $10/adult to enter and $5/child. It’s main feature is a huge monument that commemorates a French group that was in Ecuador in 1736 measuring the earth.
The monument is large and impressive. You can make your way to the top if you pay a little more or walk on the “equator” line. While it isn’t the actual equator (the real one is just around the corner) it is where it was believed to be located before there were more advanced ways to measure it. It’s more of a historical monument.
Other attractions that can be found in Mitad del Mundo include a little chocolate museum that shows you how chocolate is made, a very very small beer museum (not a museum, really, but you can drink the beer there! 😃), and an exhibit of ancestral homes where you can see how people lived in Ecuador many years ago. There are a few playgrounds for the kids to play on, a number of restaurants, and lots of souvenir shops.
In summary, it is very touristy, but we felt it was worth it. If you are in Quito and you don’t go to the middle of the world, it just feels wrong.
Intiñan Site Museum – The True Middle of the World
Our next stop, literally right next door, was to the Intiñan Site Museum. This one cost slightly less than the Mitad del Mundo… I believe it was $15-$20 for all of us to enter and be guided around. This is where the real equator line is!
Well, we think so anyway. There was also a random guy who came up to us after we got out of our Uber claiming that the “real” equator line was on top of a hill off in the distance. He was willing to take us there for $25. We did not take him up on the offer. 🙄
Anyways, look at us in the middle of the world on the actual equator line!!!!
This museum includes a guided tour that talks about the history of certain traditions in Ecuador (for example shrunken heads!) and also includes cool little experiments that you can do on the actual equator. We all got a kick out of these experiments.
We were able to balance an egg on a nail, attempt to walk the equator line with our eyes closed, and watch how water drains when it’s on the line, in the Southern Hemisphere and also in the Northern Hemisphere. One of the other experiments had all of us line up in the Southern Hemisphere and hold our arms straight out. Then, our guide tried to push them down with both hands. She couldn’t do it, even Isaac! Then we moved to the Northern Hemisphere and did the same thing, but she only pushed our arms down with one hand. She was able to push all of our arms down with minimal effort. Can you explain that one?
Which Would We Recommend?
Of the two sites, my favorite was the Intiñan Site Museum. Not only is it the real equator line, but it was more interactive and entertaining. If you have the time though, checking out both of the sites to the middle of the world is worth it.
Check out other day trips in and around Quito:
- Take the TelefériQo for the Best Views of Quito
- What to See in Quito’s Historic Downtown?
- A Must Visit to the Pristine Lagoon of Quilotoa
- “The Best” Day of Adventures at Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
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