Flats, rooms, and residences near the USFQ

Flats and rooms for students near the USFQ

The first thing you need to know is the location of the campus, so that you can then look for suitable accommodation near the place where you’ll be studying.

Where’s the University of San Francisco de Quito located?

It has a main campus in the Ecuadorian capital and two other locations, one in the Galápagos and another in the Amazon. Here’s the most important information about these locations:

Campus in Cumbayá

This is the institution's main campus and the largest one. As its name suggests, it’s located in Cumbayá, east of Quito. It’s a quieter area than the city centre and is surrounded by nature.

The campus in Cumbayá stands out for its design. In fact, Times Higher Education included it among the most beautiful campuses in Latin America, highlighting its spacious grounds, green areas, sports facilities, modern laboratories, and modern classrooms. It also has one of the largest libraries in the country and a wide range of dining options, with up to seven restaurants.

Please note that USFQ has a free transport service called "Pancho Bus", which operates on predetermined routes connecting the campus with the centre of Quito. It’s subject to availability, so you’ll need to find out if it’s interesting to you.

Locations in the Galápagos Islands

In the Galápagos Islands, USFQ has two campuses:

• One on the island of San Cristóbal, which offers programmes in Business Administration and Environmental Management. It has the Galapagos Science Centre (GSC), which houses four laboratories dedicated to research in terrestrial ecology, marine ecology and oceanography, microbiology and molecular biology, and visualisation and data science.
• Another is located on the island of Santa Cruz, offering programmes leading to a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Higher Technology in Tourism, and Technology in Information Technology and Programming.

Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS)

This USFQ site is located in the Amazon region of Ecuador, about 300 kilometres from Quito. It comprises more than 600 hectares of rainforest, and its main activities are related to biodiversity research and education.

Best neighborhoods to live near USFQ

In this section we focus on the institution's Cumbayá Campus. Some of the most convenient neighbourhoods to live near this campus are:

Cumbayá

Living here is the most obvious choice for those who want to be close to the institution's main campus. It’s the centre of the Tumbaco valley and is a safe area, with private housing developments and a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere. It has several shopping centres, good restaurants, and services. The centre of Quito can be reached in approximately one hour by public transport.

Iñaquito and areas to the north of Quito

Although a little further from campus, neighbourhoods such as Iñaquito, La Carolina, El Batán, and Monteserrín are well connected to the USFQ campus. They have a livelier atmosphere than Cumbayá and offer a wide range of services, shopping centres, and nightlife.

Student residences near the USFQ

There are some private residences near the institution, although they are not the most common accommodation option. For this reason, students who want to experience living with other young people often look for rooms in shared flats.

Erasmus in the University of San Francisco de Quito

Some information to bear in mind during your exchange at the Ecuadorian institution:

• There are loads of student clubs to encourage socialising outside of class. And there's something for everyone! From acting and astronomy to board games, languages, sports, dancing, and other recreational activities, you're sure to find one to join.
• “Global Dragons” is a USFQ programme that connects local and international students to share experiences and cultures. It aims to help students from Quito become global leaders while helping to integrate exchange students.

FAQ about the University of San Francisco de Quito