02 Mar Middle of the World in Ecuador: The Inti Ñan Museum

Have you ever wanted to stand on the equator? Well, you can make all of your dreams come true at Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (aka Middle of the World City) and the Inti Ñan Museum in Ecuador. Ciudad Mitad del Mundo has a painted yellow line to represent the equator, a monument, and a variety of museums, restaurants, and shops. However, this line is actually not entirely accurate. Once technology became a bit more advanced, it was discovered that the true equator line is approximately 800 feet (~250 meters) to the north. They therefore painted another line (this time in a red color) to distinguish the true equator line, which was calculated using GPS. Additionally, they constructed the Inti Ñan Museum around the accurate equator line, which includes informational and interactive exhibits.

Contents:

1) General Visitor Information

2) Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (aka Middle of the World City)

3) Inti Ñan Museum

4) Equator Line and Sign

5) Walking Straight Down a Line

6) Standing an Egg Upright on a Nail

7) Water Demonstration with Coriolis Effect

1) General Visitor Information

Mitad del Mundo, or the Middle of the World, in Ecuador is located around 45 minutes outside of Quito by car. For reference, the distance is approximately 16 miles (~26 kilometers). Therefore, a perfect way to spend your next free evening or entire day, if you are in the Quito area, is to head out to Mitad del Mundo to see the equator line and its various attractions.

On the other hand, I recommend you check out the attractions of El Virgen del Panecillo and Basilica del Voto Nacional when you have a free day in the city of Quito.

While the equator line does run through other countries, Ecuador seems to be one of, if not the, country with the most pride concerning the fact they are located on the equator.

Getting to the Middle of the World from Quito

You have a couple of options for how to get to Mitad del Mundo, or the Middle of the World, from Quito. First, you can drive your own car. It is not too far outside of Quito, only about a 45 minute drive. Second, you can take public transportation. There is a bus that runs from the northernmost stop of Quito’s bus line at Ofelia station to Mitad Del Mundo. If you are coming from the city, you will thus need to head north on Quito’s bus line to Ofelia station and then hop on the bus heading to Mitad del Mundo. This option will only cost you a couple of dollars.

Third, you can take a taxi. This is going to be the fastest option if you do not have a car. However, you will be paying for the convenience at about $20 each way for a total of around $40 round trip. Fourth, you can book a tour. A few tour companies offer tours to Mitad Del Mundo from Quito, and they will possibly even pick you up from your hotel in the morning. Additionally, the tour might include visiting other nearby attractions. While this will be the most expensive option, it is convenient and also allows you to see other nearby attractions.

My recommendation, no matter the method of transportation, is that you make a day trip to Mitad del Mundo and also stop by Otavalo Market. It is only another two hours down the road, and you can then grab some souvenirs for friends and family at the largest market in South America.

Decorations at Ciudad Mitad del Mundo

Is the “Middle of the World” the Actual Equator?

This is where things get a bit complicated. The answer is yes and no. First, the line running through Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is not actually the equator. This line was first calculated many years ago and believed to be the spot of the equator. They thus built a bunch of attractions around it in addition to a large monument. However, as technology developed, they were able to figure out the true spot of the equator.

The true equator line is actually just over 800 feet (~250 meters) to the north of this spot. They thus painted a red line here to distinguish the equator. Furthermore, they built the Inti Ñan museum, which boasts an array of interactive and informational exhibits.

Like I said, it is a bit complicated. Ciudad Mitad del Mundo was first constructed around what was believed to be the equator line. However, the equator line was actually found to be just 800 feet (~250 meters) to the north. They then built the Inti Ñan museum around the true equator line.

I will share some information about both of these locations in the following two sections. Nevertheless, you should plan to visit both of them while you are in the area because why not?! They are essentially right next to each other, and you can engage in all of the activities and attractions they both have to offer.

Sign celebrating the equator at the Middle of the World

2) Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (aka Middle of the World City)

Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is the official name for the area built around the first equator line and monument. While that equator line is not geographically correct, it is still a great place to visit to snap a picture as well as to enjoy the other attractions offered.

First, there is a yellow line painted where the equator runs (or so they thought – the correct equator line can be found near the Inti Ñan museum). You can get some pretty cool photos with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern Hemisphere. It is probable that none of your friends will know this is not the true equator line.

Second, there is a monument to mark the equator that stands around 100 feet (~30 meters) tall. Third, there are a variety of museum exhibits. For example, there is a planetarium, art exhibits, beer museum, and even more. You can easily spend a whole day wandering around Ciudad Mitad del Mundo simply because there is so much to see and learn.

Fourth, there are some shops and restaurants. Stop to grab a bite to eat or pick up a souvenir to commemorate your visit.

Entrance Fee for Middle of the World

There is a small entrance fee to visit Ciudad Mitad del Mundo in Ecuador. However, I think it is well worth it for the variety of activities and attractions offered, as mentioned above.

For adults, the entrance fee is $5 per person. For children aged six to 11 years old and older individuals, the entrance fee is $2.50 per person. As a note, Ecuador’s currency is US dollars.

Opening Hours for Middle of the World

Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and its attractions are open on Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The weekend has a bit of extended hours, for they are open on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Ecuador flag swaying in the breeze

3) Inti Ñan Museum

The Inti Ñan Museum at the Middle of the World in Ecuador is built around the second equator line that was established. This is the line that is geographically correct, for it was calculated using GPS technology. Not only can you visit the equator here, but you can also enjoy the other attractions and activities offered.

For example, there is an outdoor museum with all kinds of informational exhibits on a few of Ecuador’s indigenous tribes. Ready for some great news?! A guided tour, in either Spanish or English, is included within the cost of the entrance fee for the museum. You can learn about their typical housing structures, burial rituals, and more. One of the most interesting aspects of the museum is the shrunken heads exhibit.

If you have to choose between Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and the Inti Ñan Museum, I would recommend the Inti Ñan Museum. Not only is the equator line here geographically accurate, but there are also a few interactive exhibits. Keep reading below to learn more about them.

Entrance Fee for Inti Ñan Museum

There is a small entrance fee to visit the Inti Ñan Museum in Ecuador. Nevertheless, I am happy to pay a few dollars to say I stood on the equator! Moreover, you can also spend your time learning about the Ecuadorian culture, as mentioned above.

For adults, the entrance fee is $4 per person. For children, the entrance fee is $2 per person. Please note that the entrance fees for Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and the Inti Ñan Museum are charged separately.

Opening Hours for Inti Ñan Museum

The Inti Ñan Museum and its attractions are open on Monday through Sunday from 9:30am to 5:00pm.

Decorations at Ciudad Mitad del Mundo

4) Equator Line and Sign

What is a visit to the Middle of the World in Ecuador without a classic picture by the equator line as well as the sign? You can find the accurate equator line as well as a sign by the Inti Ñan Museum.

Thankfully they have made it incredibly easy to find the equator by painting it a big, red line. You can thus take a picture with both feet on the equator, one foot in the Southern Hemisphere and one foot in the Northern Hemisphere, etc. Feel free to get a bit creative! Additionally, there is a sign that states the line is the Middle of the World with a 0 degree latitude.

This attraction in Ecuador is known as the Middle of the World, but did you know that Ecuador also has an attraction known as the Swing at the End of the World? The swing is located in the town of Baños, which also holds the stunning Pailón del Diablo waterfall.

Red line denoting the equator at the Middle of the World in Ecuador

5) Walking Straight Down a Line

The Inti Ñan Museum at the Middle of the World in Ecuador is full of unique little activities, including a test to see if you have good balance. The test is simple: walk straight down a line on the equator with your eyes closed and arms straight out to the side.

It is said that walking straight down a line is a lot harder at the equator due to gravitational forces impacting your balance. I tried to walk straight down the line and failed to do so. However, my balance is not great in general.

The question is…do you have good enough balance to counteract the gravitational forces messing with you at the equator?

Trying to walk in a straight line on the equator

6) Standing an Egg Upright on a Nail

Another interactive exhibit at the Inti Ñan Museum is egg balancing. Trying to stand an egg upright on a nail might sound like a bit of an odd activity at first, and it kind of is. When I first saw people trying to do this, I did not understand the reasoning behind it. However, it is said that balancing an egg on a nail is easier on the equator than in other places in the world. The gravitational pull of the sun is stronger due to the fact it is right overhead. This is even more exaggerated during the spring and fall equinoxes.

Nevertheless, is this actually true? There are a lot of skeptics out there that argue this is just a myth. Therefore, I guess you will have to plan a visit in order to figure it out for yourself.

When I visited, I had no luck with getting the egg to balance. My competitive spirit urged me to stay there until I was able to do it, but a line of people started to form behind me. I thus had to wave the white flag and give up so others could try their luck. Nevertheless, I had fun trying to do it.

7) Water Demonstration with Coriolis Effect

Lastly, the Inti Ñan Museum contains a water demonstration. An employee will demonstrate the Coriolis effect by pouring water down a drain. Now, what is the Coriolis effect you might ask?

The Coriolis effect is responsible for making water flow in different directions down the drain. The water will drain counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere compared to clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Additionally, the water does not flow in any direction on the exact equator line. Instead, it falls directly down into the drain.

Again, some people are skeptics and say that the Coriolis effect does not work on such a small amount of water. My recommendation? Visit the Inti Ñan Museum at Mitad del Mundo (aka Middle of the World) in Ecuador to form an opinion for yourself!

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Head over to Peru to visit one of the seven wonders of the world: Making the Most of Machu Picchu in Peru.

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