Quito: San Francisco de Quito was founded in 1534 by Sebastián de Benalcázar. The city was built on the ruins of the old city of Quito, one of the capitals of the Inca Empire, which sits at 2800 m above sea level. Ecuador ’s capital is situated in the Inter Andean valley. It is the pride of Ecuadorians and an object of international admiration. Quito, capital of Ecuador was declared a Cultural Patrimony of Mankind by UNESCO.

Besides its amazing landscapes, surrounded by hills and several snow capped mountains, Quito is known for its treasures of Colonial churches, paintings, sculptures and carvings. The Spanish Colonial Period extends from the XVI to the XVIII Century. The excellent workmanship of Ecuadorian colonial art combines the European Renaissance and Baroque styles with the indigenous and mestizo influences. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the Roman Catholic Church became the center of religious instruction and promotion of arts.

As part of the acculturation of the indigenous people, the Spanish established painting and sculpture schools where Spanish artists trained the indigenous population in the arts. As a result, the Quitenian School (Escuela Quiteña) became famous in Latin America for its talented artists, including Bernardo de Legarda and the indigenous artists Caspicara and Pampite. Miguel de Santiago, Javier de Goribar, Manuel Samaniego and Padre Bedón were other outstanding representatives of this school of art. Scholars consider that their contributions to colonial art are some of the most valuable in America. Thus, UNESCO declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978.

Quitsa-to, the original name of the city, means "middle of the Earth" in the antique ‘tsafiqui’ language. Quito is the only site on the planet where the Equator crosses over highlands. On the rest of the Earth’s surface, it crosses through jungle or ocean. Therefore, the pre-Inca cultures could develop their astronomical knowledge assisted by the clear landmarks surrounding the city: the Pichincha volcano (15,000 ft) to the West, the Antisana (18,700ft) to the east, and the peak of the snow-caped Cayambe (18,725 ft) to the Northeast, almost precisely on the Equator. The city itself emerges over 9,184 ft above sea level; it is the second highest capital in the world. Thus, Quito is the best natural astronomical observatory on the planet.

The school in Quito: The school in Quito is located in a residential neighborhood, just a few blocks from Parque Carolina. We operate in a very spacious house with naturally well-lit classrooms, a social area, cafeteria, and gardens.
Our programs: In Quito, we offer individual classes or group classes for friends that are traveling together, as well as classes for groups and individuals who wish to study with other students with similar levels of Spanish ability. We also offer different options of accommodation: homestay, student apartment, or in a hotel.

Surpacifico Quito Activities: Our staff is able to arrange a variety of activities in and around Quito: tours of museums and ancient churches in the famous colonial downtown section of Quito; viewings of films from Latin-America and Ecuador; recommendations for restaurants that serve indigenous and Spanish cuisine; or visits to the Mindo ecological reserve (distinguished worldwide for its incredible number of bird species), Pasochoa mountain, Inca archeological sites or artisan towns like Otavalo.