Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is located in the northern central part of the country, in the province of Pichincha. It’s nestled in a valley in the foothills of the Pichincha volcano, which gives the province its name. Quito’s elevation ranges from 9,350 to 10,171 feet (2,850 to 3,100 meters) above sea level, making it the second highest official capital city in the world; only La Paz, Bolivia is higher. Quito is also one of the world’s oldest capital cities, and in 1978, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s historic district is among the best-preserved areas of its kind in Latin America. It’s filled with buildings that blend subtle reminders of the city’s pre-Columbian past with the baroque influences that were brought to the region by Spanish explorers.

Quito’s timeless air offers a pleasing contrast to the city’s many modern features, which include large shopping malls, state-of-the-art buildings, a full calendar of cultural events, and an innovative culinary scene. Ecuador uses the United States dollar (USD) as its currency, although the country issues its own coins, known as centavos; these coins are identical in size and value to the coins used in the United States.

Because of its location in the Andes mountains, Ecuador has a subtropical highland climate, and the weather is almost invariably spring-like, thanks to the country’s proximity to the equator. Over the course of the year, there are two main seasons: a brief summer that occurs mid-year and lasts about four months, followed by a longer rainy season, when the weather is much cooler. Temperatures tend to be quite mild year-round, ranging from 45 °F (7 °C) to 72 °F (22 °C).

Fly to Quito, the world’s second highest capital city, with Copa Airlines. Arrive at your destination on time, and enjoy Copa’s world-class service along the way.