Centro Comercial Iñaquito (Av. Amazonas #36-152 y Naciones Unidas, Quito) – located within a financial district in the northern part of Quito, this shopping center has over 150 retailers (both regional and international brands – from Bulova to Fossil), along with a multiplex movie theater, and restaurants & fast food eateries (ranging from Tony Roma’s […]
Centro Comercial el Bosque (Av. Del Parque y Alonso de Torres, Quito) – located toward the westernmost part of Quito, this mall (opened in 1982) has over 400 retailers (mostly regional). El Bosque mall is known for holding various promotional events (especially during the holidays), in order to maintain its competitiveness against other Quito-area shopping […]
Centro Comercial el Condado (Av. Mariscal Sucre, Av. John F. Kennedy, Quito) – located in the northernmost part of Quito, this shopping mall was opened in 2007 and now has some 180 retailers (mainly local & regional brands – along with some international ones, like Adidas, Casio, Converse, Lee, and Puma). There’s also an “iStore” […]
Tierra Mia (Av. Rodrigo de Chavez OE4 -18 y Av. Mariscal Sucre, Quito) – located in the south Quito district of La Mascota, this nightspot often books live Latin music acts (from Salsa to folkloric artists), and caters to a more mature crowd (30 and over).
Siete (República 476 y Pradera, Av. de la República Quito) – originally known as “Blues”, this venue plays electronic dance and House music (which tend to appeal to Ecuador’s upper & middle class college student types). Crowds come here as late as 3:00 am (making this one of the few “after hours” nightspots in Quito).
Central Restaurante (Santa Isabel 376, Miraflores, Lima) – this restaurant, launched by famed Lima chef and restaurant owner Virgilio Martínez, serves a variety of dishes (using both local and international ingredients – including vegetables, herbs & spices grown at the restaurant’s very own garden), with a menu that changes six times a year. Such ingredients […]
Casa Hacienda Los Condes (Antigua Hacienda San Isidro, Av. Paz Soldan 290, Lima) – this one-time colonial manor was once used as a reception hall by the South American liberator José de San Martín. It’s now an upscale restaurant that serves a variety of local & international dishes. Realistically, patrons come here as much to […]
Canta Rana (Genova 101, Barranco, Lima) – this well-regarded restaurant is known for its ceviche (Peru’s national dish), and at reasonable prices. Because of its popularity, diners are advised to get there before 12 Noon or after 3 pm (to get a table). First-time diners are advised to ignore the restaurant’s Spartan reputation, which is […]
Astrid & Gastón (Calle Cantuarías 175, Lima) – located in Lima’s diplomatic district, this has been rated one of the best restaurants in Lima. Among the recommended dishes are Peking style coy (Guinea Pig) and Lomo Saltado (a delicious sirloin steak stir fry served with sautéed red onions and fresh plum tomatoes and French Fries […]
Cali Salsoteca (Panama 418 e/Tomás Martínez y Imbabura, Guayaquil) – located in the heart of Guayaquil’s Zona Rosa (and a block away from Malecon 2000), this is a major Salsa nightspot. For non-Hispanic visitors, a visit here will expose them to contemporary Latin music (which is prevalent in various Latin countries, as well as Puerto […]