Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Malo
From: UIDE
To: UIDE
2025 • Fall
Every class was nice except a class that I don't remember the name but it was about dealing of an association of the university. It was a lot of work and you…..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
350
Where was it located?
Between La Floresta and La Mariscal
How can someone find this place?
Air Bob
Would you recommend it?
I liked to be near La Floresta because it's a safe neighborhood and it's easy to go out by something or go out to party
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
The Ecuadorian are so nice with us, if I can recommend place to go out I would say Katari and Soho those are two night club
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Every class was nice except a class that I don't remember the name but it was about dealing of an association of the university. It was a lot of work and you are no able to do whatever you want on the week end with this class.
Do you have some tips?
The campus was so nice with a lot of activities but don't take the room on the campus because it's very expensive and very far from all the night club and everything
Best trips to do?
Peru and Galapagos but all countries of South America and all the city of Ecuador or well deserved by bus or plane it's very easy to travel
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Quito?
Safer than we think and the cost of the uber are very cheap
Nathan
From: IESEG
To: University of San Francisco (USFQ)
2025 • Fall
Transport is easy there is one line of metro and buses every 2minutes. The historical center is beautiful and the museum "La capilla del hombre" is beautiful.…..
What kind of place was it?
Other
How much was the rent per month?
900 $
Where was it located?
In Quito at 25-30min from the uni
How can someone find this place?
The University propose this program of housing in host families.
Would you recommend it?
I really enjoyed going in a host family they were very kind and helpful. The breakfast and diner were inluded with private bathroom and cleaning of my clothes also. If I had to choose again I would choose it again of course.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
The most famous place to parties on Thursday is Katari there are many students. Also, Safaera and Soho are good nightclubs. There are many bars in Quito also.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I took a classe called "Ecology in Ecuador" and it was fantastic I learned about Biodiversity of Ecuador (and South America also) and how to preserve it from human's actions.
Do you have some tips?
The campus is cool and cheap to eat at lunch (4-5$). I struggled for registration but the admin Veronica who helps international students was available at all hours. After talking with the other students in Quito from Ieseg I think it was the best uni in Quito because of the courses and the proximity of the campus.
Best trips to do?
In Ecuador its very cheap to travel by taking the bus. There are so many things to see such as many volcanos (Cotopaxi, Chimburaso,...) beautiful cities (Cuenca, Otavalo,...) and the Amazone. The coast is described as dangerous but I know people that went there and had no problems it was beautiful.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Quito?
Transport is easy there is one line of metro and buses every 2minutes. The historical center is beautiful and the museum "La capilla del hombre" is beautiful. The teleferico also is good to visit and for hiking. Nevertheless, after doing this, you can struggle to find new things to do in Quito it is better to travel in the country.
Ecuador is not dangerous if you are a little bit careful its amazing!!
Maia
From: Maastricht university
To: usfq
2025 • Fall
The apartment is really nice and big. I shared it with 2 other friends. The building is safe, with guards at the entrance, and even though La Mariscal is known…..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
300/350$
Where was it located?
La Mariscal
How can someone find this place?
In Airbnb, the building is called Edificio Mariscal
Would you recommend it?
The apartment is really nice and big. I shared it with 2 other friends. The building is safe, with guards at the entrance, and even though La Mariscal is known to not be the safest neighbourhood, the apartment is next to a big street so there is always good light and people around. There are supermarkets and good shops very close. The only downside is that it is 1h bus ride to USFQ, but we still enjoyed very much the experience of living in Quito rather than Cumbaya
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Many nice free events organised around the city (check Teatro Capitol Quito on instagram for events at the theatre). Nice bars, salsotecas, ask locals for reccomendations, they know better than anyone!
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I took some very chill classes like Ecología, and Lenguas de America Latina. I also really enjoyed Sociedades Amazonicas. Generally classes taught in spanish are less work bc they are not writing intensive
Do you have some tips?
Very cool campus! Many nice cafes and green areas. If looking for cheap lunch though (2.5/3$), go just outside the Uni, on the street below the bridge to local restaurants
Best trips to do?
There are so many places to see! Like Otavalo, Mindo, Puyo, Tena, Cotopaxi, Cuenca, the coast among many others. Nature is beautiful, both the Amazon and the many vulcanos around. There is everything u could ever want
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Quito?
I don't really like big city. Lots of traffic and noise. But you learn to co-live with it :)
Ecuador is an amazing country and I am sure you will have a beautiful time if you come here! I have been learning so much and made some very good friends!
Oscar
From: San Francisco de Quito
To: USFQ
2025 • Fall
It was a housing family offered by the university that included breakfast, dinner, laundry service. I liked it because it allowed me to practice my Spanish,…..
What kind of place was it?
Other
How much was the rent per month?
700
Where was it located?
Cumbaya
How can someone find this place?
via the university
Would you recommend it?
It was a housing family offered by the university that included breakfast, dinner, laundry service. I liked it because it allowed me to practice my Spanish, and discover the traditional food every day. The only (but major) con was the location but it depends on your luck, it was in cumbaya more specifically in lumbisi which mean half an hour in bus from Quito or by uber (especially at night when the buses don't work anymore. I would recommend to live in Quito even for the USFQ because that is where most international live and even if you have to go to cumbaya to go out in clubs or other you can share Ubers with others while living in Lumbisi I would do pay my Ubers to join others. So if I had to choose again I would get an apartment or a house family in Quito.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
the best club is Katari in Cumbaya because the mood is great and there are a lot of students here. In quito you will find good clubs like Safaera or Soho.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
you can test your clases for one week and then change so choose what you like.
Do you have some tips?
The campus is great with gym, tennis courts, foot courts, beach volley, a lot o from cheap traditional ones to the food courts of the campus to the commercial center that belongs to the university with a lot of restaurants, fast food chains, Italian, French etc and supermarkets also.
Best trips to do?
It's the best of part of Quito, you have various differents opportunities for visits around the city where you can go for the week end. I would recommend Cotopaxi, The Rucu Pichincha (just one day), Baños, Otavalo for greats hikes and the market, basically all the volcans. More far you have Cuenca, the Amazon rainforest, the cost with great beaches and of course Galápagos Islands.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Quito?
the cost of living is very cheap, the most costly part will be the Ubers because it can be dangerous to walk alone by night. but all the bars are cool especially in La floresta. take a lot of pulls because it gets cold at night so you don't get cold on rooftops and all.
Gaspar
From: IESEG
To: UIDE
2025 • Spring
Let's be honest, it's not the most beautiful city in the world. Once you've visited the historic center (which is very dangerous at night and should absolutely…..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
365€/month
Where was it located?
In Quito, in the safe neighborhood of La Carolina/Bellavista
How can someone find this place?
https://www.stgallenhaus.com
Would you recommend it?
It's a very cool place where different kinds of people live. There are rooms with private or shared bathrooms. I think there are 6 rooms in total. The rooftop of the house has one of the most beautiful views in all of Quito. There's a housekeeper 5 days a week who cleans all the rooms for free once a week. There is also a paid laundry service. The owner is very friendly and helpful. The neighborhood is really cool and safe
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
The city is very lively, like most cities in South America. The best club is Katari in Cumbayá, but there are plenty of other cool places in the city.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
All the classes are really easy. The exams are done on the computer or as take-home assignments. It's easy to arrange your schedule to have less than 15 hours of classes per week, and only over 3 days.
Do you have some tips?
There are places to eat, work out, etc. on campus, which is very modern and beautiful. The only downside is that the university is far from the city, so you have to take the university’s free buses, which run throughout the city almost every hour
Best trips to do?
The coast of Ecuador is beautiful and easily accessible by bus for cheap. Then of course, there are the Galápagos Islands, which are a must, and the Amazon rainforest. Ecuador has one of the greatest landscape diversities in the world, which makes it a very enjoyable country to visit, and you’ll feel like you never really finish exploring it.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Quito?
Let's be honest, it's not the most beautiful city in the world. Once you've visited the historic center (which is very dangerous at night and should absolutely be avoided!!!), there isn't that much left to see. The Ecuadorians are some of the kindest people I've ever met. You can really feel that they want you to love their country, and they're genuinely happy to see foreigners (locals, taxi drivers, etc.). Life is definitely much cheaper compared to Europe. The weather is always the same: around 23°C during the day and 10–15°C at night. It rains from time to time but never for long. The food is good but very simple. Nothing exceptional. I recommend using Uber to get around, it's the easiest and safest option.
Don’t walk around at night (especially not alone), just take an Uber, it’s the safest and easiest option. Also, Cumbayá is a really cool area to go out, there are lots of great bars and clubs there.
