Cidade Turismo
Ecuador

Before you go

Your trip to Latacunga.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Latacunga – Cotopaxi Destination Baños and the Avenida dos Vulcões Capital

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO) Quito · 100 km
  • Aeropuerto Internacional Cotopaxi (LTX) 3 km
  • Terminal Terrestre de Latacunga 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. The most used airport is Mariscal Sucre in Quito, about 100 km away; Latacunga also has an airport with few flights. From Quito, buses from the Quitumbe terminal take about an hour and a half via the Pan-American. The region’s volcanoes have activity phases: check before going whether the park and trails are open.

How many days

Two days: one for Cotopaxi National Park and another for Quilotoa, with a stop in town. For the Quilotoa Loop, allow an additional two to three days.

When to go

Mild days and cold nights year-round; cold and windy at Cotopaxi and Quilotoa. From June to September the sky is usually clearer. Visitors coming from lowlands often feel the altitude for the first few days; start slowly.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No public service to the center. For Cotopaxi there is no public transport inside the park: go with a tour, driver or car. For Quilotoa, there are buses and pickup trucks from the terminal.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Latacunga
  1. Morning
    Cotopaxi National Park

    Set out early for Cotopaxi and walk around the Limpiopungo lagoon, with the volcano in front of you.

  2. Afternoon
    High parking

    If it's open and you are acclimatized to the altitude, go up to the high parking and walk as far as you feel comfortable.

  3. Late afternoon
    Latacunga center

    Return to Latacunga and walk through Parque Vicente León.

  4. Evening
    Chugchucara

    Have a chugchucara for dinner in town.

2 days in Latacunga

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Cotopaxi

    Cotopaxi National Park and the Limpiopungo lagoon.

  2. Afternoon
    Refuge

    Ascent to the José Rivas refuge, if open, or a walk on the páramo.

  3. Late afternoon
    Latacunga

    Historic center and Parque Vicente León.

  4. Evening
    Latacunga

    Dinner in the center.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Quilotoa

    Road via Pujilí and Zumbahua to Quilotoa, with views of the crater.

  2. Afternoon
    Descent to the lagoon

    Descend to the lagoon and return on foot or by mule; see the Tigua paintings.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return

    Return to Latacunga or overnight at a lodge on the rim.

  4. Evening
    Departure

    Continue to Baños or Quito.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Quito to Latacunga?

By bus from the Quitumbe terminal, about an hour and a half via the Pan-American Highway.

Can you do Cotopaxi and Quilotoa in the same day?

It's rushed: they head in opposite directions from Latacunga. It's best to allow a day for each.

Where to stay near Cotopaxi?

In Latacunga, or at haciendas and lodges on the páramo near the park entrance.

Does Latacunga have an airport?

Yes — the Aeropuerto Internacional Cotopaxi, with few flights; most travelers arrive via Quito.

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