Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Quito

Quito doesn't reveal itself from a bus seat. The city's colonial core is a tangle of one-way cobbled lanes, and the real reward lies well beyond it — on the winding two-lane roads that climb into volcano country. Ride out to the Mitad del Mundo monument in under an hour, or point your wheels toward Laguna Quilotoa, a turquoise crater lake reached only after hours of Andean switchbacks through indigenous villages. This is what makes people **rent a motorcycle in Quito**: the freedom to chase that kind of scenery on your own schedule.

A car struggles here, and a tour bus can't follow you at all. Quito sits at 2,850 metres, squeezed into a narrow valley between ridgelines, so traffic bunches up fast in the center while the mountain roads around it stay open and dramatic. Distances to places like Papallacta or Quilotoa run 1.5 to 3 hours each way, and a motorcycle also gets you onto the gravel and páramo tracks — into reserves like Yanacocha or Antisana — that four wheels simply can't reach. For this kind of riding, a motorcycle rental in Quito beats every other way of getting around.

Top 10 things to see in Quito by motorcycle

1. Mitad del Mundo (San Antonio de Pichincha) — the equator-line monument, a classic 30–40 minute paved ride and an easy first outing.
2. TelefériQo / Cruz Loma (Volcán Rucu Pichincha) — a short climb to the cable-car station on Quito's western ridge, with panoramic views over the city and its volcanoes.
3. Parque Nacional Cotopaxi — the Panamericana leads to park gravel roads winding toward one of the world's highest active volcanoes.
4. Laguna Quilotoa (Quilotoa Loop) — a signature multi-day route through Andean backroads and indigenous villages to a turquoise crater lake.
5. Otavalo Market — about two hours north on good pavement to Ecuador's famous indigenous textile and crafts market.
6. Termas de Papallacta — cross the páramo pass toward the Amazon slope, then soak in hot springs at the end of the ride.
7. Reserva Yanacocha — a dirt-road climb on Pichincha's northwest flank into cloud forest, popular with dual-sport riders and birders.
8. Calderón — an easy, short northern loop known for its mazapán bread-dough craft figures, good for a half-day beginner ride.
9. Chaquiñán route to Cumbayá / Tumbaco — descend from the highlands into a warmer valley of cafés, a relaxed afternoon loop.
10. Reserva Ecológica Antisana — remote high-altitude páramo riding with a real chance of spotting wild Andean condors and llamas.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Quito?

You'll need a valid motorcycle licence from home, plus an International Driving Permit with the motorcycle category endorsed — a car-only licence often isn't accepted. Ecuador's legal minimum riding age is 18, but most rental companies set their own bar higher, typically 21 to 25, and may add a young-rider surcharge. Expect to leave a deposit, usually a credit-card hold that scales with the size of the bike, and bring a copy of your passport rather than handing over the original.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Quito?

An entry-level scooter or small motorcycle runs around 27 USD per day in low season, rising to roughly 35–45 USD in high season, and mid-size 125–300cc bikes cost more still. If you want a proper adventure or touring machine — a 650cc+ BMW GS, KTM or Triumph — established outfitters charge from 70 up to 150+ USD per day.

• Prices climb in June–September, the peak dry season and busiest tourist window.
• February to May is quieter and greener, with the most room on price.
• Bigger-displacement and adventure bikes always command a premium over scooters and small motorcycles.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Quito?

Book ahead for June through September, plus late December into early January and Carnival week — these are Quito's high-demand, high-price stretches, especially for the more capable adventure bikes. February to May and October to November are low season, with easier availability and better daily rates, and June to September also happens to be when the sierra's dry weather makes for the clearest, most reliable mountain riding.

Local traffic rules in Quito

Ecuador drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for rider and passenger alike, and riders are also expected to wear a reflective vest showing the plate number — ask your rental shop for one before you set off. Urban speed limits sit at 50 km/h, rising to 90 km/h on ring roads and 100 km/h on the open highway, all enforced by camera. The blood-alcohol limit is a strict 0.3 g/l, with checkpoints common at night and on holiday weekends, so plan to ride sober. Mountain roads add their own hazards — fog, sudden rain and unmarked speed bumps — so it's best to avoid riding after dark outside town.

If you want to rent a scooter in Quito or something bigger for the volcanoes, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!