Discover local flora and fauna at the botanical gardens and reptile house, join a game of Ecuadorian soccer and enjoy the sights at this central urban park.

Parque La Carolina, known as “New York’s Central Park in Quito,” is a multipurpose park in the heart of Quito’s shopping district. The park features lush green spaces with tree-lined paths and plenty of facilities for relaxation and recreation, including a botanical garden, exhibit center and sports fields. Visit this park for peaceful green scenery in the center of Quito.

Stroll along the park’s network of pathways and enjoy the sunshine with locals and other visitors. Stop by the numerous sports areas to join local Quiteños in a game, or watch a friendly competition. Bring your own equipment and play basketball, tennis or volleyball on the park’s courts. Soccer is the country’s most popular sport, and locals can often be seen playing here.

Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on the wide, flat lawns, which are also ideal for flying kites. Walk to the small pond on the park’s southern side. Here, you can rent a paddleboat to enjoy views of the park from the water.

While in the park’s southern quarter, visit the Jardín Botánico de Quito (Botanical Garden of Quito), a lush garden dedicated to native plants from the Andes and Ecuadorian highlands. This immense garden also includes an orchid collection featuring more than 1,200 species, educational studies on local ecosystems and a small café.

Find the La Carolina Vivarium located to the west of the park and meet some of the country’s local snakes and lizards. Visit the nearby Ecuadorian Museum of Natural Science to learn about the country’s fascinating natural past, present and future.

Parque La Carolina is centrally located in Quito’s business district, close to several shopping malls, cafés and restaurants. The park is open daily. There's no fee to enter, but the park’s attractions have individual admission costs and opening times. The park is easily accessible via the city’s public transportation system and street parking is available for a fee.