Timeline
17:16
Arrive early to grab a coffee or snack inside the zoo entrance. The zoo opens at 09:30 on weekends, so you have plenty of time to settle in before the light changes.
17:46
Find a quiet spot near the western-facing enclosures. As the golden light begins around 17:49, the long shadows will stretch across the animal habitats, creating a calm atmosphere before the crowd arrives for sunset.
18:16
Watch the sun set toward the W. The sky will shift from gold to deep blue as the last light fades over the Andes, visible from the zoo's elevated positions.
19:01
Stay for the twilight. The zoo closes at 17:00 on weekdays and 17:00 on weekends, so ensure you check the specific closing time for your visit day. If it is still open, enjoy the quiet dusk; if closed, exit and find a nearby café to reflect on the view.
Local tip
Check the zoo's opening hours for your specific day of visit. The zoo is closed on Mondays and has different opening times for weekdays (08:30) versus weekends (09:30).
Check before you go
- Verify the zoo's opening hours for your specific day. It is closed on Mondays. Weekday hours are 08:30-17:00, while weekend hours are 09:30-17:00. Since sunset is at 18:16, the zoo will likely be closed by the time the sun sets, so plan to enjoy the golden light period while inside, or exit just before closing to find a nearby spot for the actual sunset.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Quito (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).