Centro
Convenient, buses, bag storageThe streets around the main square, with hostels that store bags for the loop.
Town guide
Things to do in Latacunga
The gateway to the Quilotoa Loop and Cotopaxi: a quiet colonial town in the central highlands, and the place to start the best value trek in Ecuador.
5
Hostels in the city
9.6
Average, from 1,593 reviews
5
Days with the loop and Cotopaxi
Base camp for the Quilotoa Loop
Latacunga is a small colonial city at around 2,800 metres on the Avenue of the Volcanoes, south of Quito. It is not a big sight in itself, with a pleasant main square, whitewashed churches and a busy market, but it is the base for two of the highlights of Ecuador: the Quilotoa Loop and Cotopaxi National Park.
The Quilotoa Loop is a multi-day walk between Andean villages, through deep canyons and farmland, ending at the rim of Quilotoa, a volcanic crater filled with a lake of startling green and blue. You sleep in family-run hostels in the villages, with dinner and breakfast included, and need no guide. Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, is under an hour away, with a lake, hiking and a walk up to a mountain refuge.
Most travellers spend a night in Latacunga before and after the loop, leaving their big bags at a hostel. Give the whole area five days: one in town, three or four on the loop, and a day for Cotopaxi.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the centre, close to the square and the buses. Many hostels store bags while you walk the loop.
Quilotoa Loop villages
Trekking, homestaysSigchos, Isinliví, Chugchilán and Quilotoa, with family-run hostels on the trail.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 5 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Latacunga
Walk the Quilotoa Loop. The classic route starts with a bus to Sigchos, then walks over three days via Isinliví and Chugchilán to the crater rim at Quilotoa, with a steep final climb. Each stage takes around four to six hours through canyons, fields and villages. Many people walk it in the other direction, or shorten it, and buses link the villages if you need them. Download an offline map and get directions from your hostel, as the paths are not always marked.
At Quilotoa, walk down to the lake and back up, or hike part or all of the way around the crater rim, which takes around five hours. Visit Cotopaxi National Park on a tour or by taxi: walk around the Limpiopungo lagoon and climb from the car park to the José Ribas refuge at around 4,800 metres. Summit climbs need a certified guide and acclimatisation.
In town, the main square and the market are worth a wander. On Thursdays, the Saquisilí market, around 20 minutes away, is one of the biggest traditional markets in the highlands, with animals, food and crafts.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Quilotoa Loop trails themselves are free, and you pay only for buses, beds and meals. Quilotoa charges a small fee at the crater.
Entry to Cotopaxi National Park is free, though you need transport to get there.
In Latacunga, the main square, churches and market cost nothing, and the Saquisilí market on Thursdays is free to explore.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Latacunga's dish is the chugchucara: fried pork, crackling, corn, potatoes, empanadas, plantain and popcorn on one big plate. It is served in specialist restaurants on the main road. Allullas, crumbly biscuits, are sold with string cheese at the bus stops.
On the loop, village hostels include dinner and breakfast, usually soup, rice and meat or vegetables, so you do not need to carry much food. Bring snacks and water for the walking days.
The town market has cheap almuerzos and fruit.
Nightlife
Going out
Latacunga is quiet at night, with a few bars near the square. Most travellers are preparing for or recovering from the loop.
In the villages, evenings are spent around the hostel fire, sharing dinner with other walkers.
Nights are cold at this altitude, so bring warm clothes.
Getting around
Getting around
The centre is walkable, and taxis are cheap. Buses to the start of the loop, Sigchos, and to Quilotoa and Chugchilán leave from the bus terminal. Ask your hostel for current times, as there are only a few each day for the villages.
Buses from Quito's Quitumbe terminal take around two hours, and buses to Baños around two. Many buses on the Pan-American Highway drop off on the main road rather than in the centre.
Cotopaxi National Park is under an hour away by tour or taxi; buses drop you at the park road but not inside.
Costs
What Latacunga costs
Latacunga and the loop are very cheap. Dorm beds in town start around €7, and village hostels on the loop include dinner and breakfast for a little more.
Buses cost very little, and Cotopaxi is free to enter; tours there are the main extra.
Ecuador uses the US dollar. Bring enough cash for the loop: there are no ATMs in the villages.
Safety
Safety and scams
Latacunga and the loop are safe. Take normal care with your belongings, and leave your big bag at a hostel in town.
Altitude is the main risk. The loop reaches almost 4,000 metres at Quilotoa, and the Cotopaxi refuge is at around 4,800 metres. Acclimatise in Quito first, walk slowly and drink water. Weather changes fast, so carry layers, rain gear and sun cream.
Some village dogs are territorial; a walking stick helps. Cotopaxi is an active volcano and the park closes if activity rises, so check before you go. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth leaving town for
Crater lakes, volcanoes and highland markets.
Quilotoa crater
A crater lake at almost 4,000 metres, with a rim hike.
Cotopaxi National Park
Limpiopungo lagoon and the walk to the José Ribas refuge.
Baños
Waterfalls, hot springs and adventure sports.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Mama Negra and highland markets.
September, and again in November
Mama Negra
Latacunga
A famous parade mixing Indigenous, African and Spanish traditions, with costumed dancers and music.
Every Thursday
Saquisilí market
Saquisilí
One of the biggest traditional markets in the highlands.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Latacunga, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Sustainable
Tambopaxi Lodge
Dorms from €27 a night
See dates and book
COTOPAXI Wasi Andina Lodge
Dorms from €25 a night
See dates and book
Cuscungo Cotopaxi
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Golden Rest Ecuador
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Hostal Cafe Tiana
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
When to go
June to September is the driest and clearest, the best for the loop and Cotopaxi. The rest of the year has afternoon rain and cloud, but mornings are often clear.
Jan
Afternoon rain
Feb
Carnaval
Mar
Rainy
Apr
Rainy
May
Rain easing
Jun
Dry season begins
Jul
Dry, windy, busy
Aug
Dry and clear
Sep
Dry. Mama Negra
Oct
Mixed
Nov
Mama Negra parade
Dec
Mixed
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs in Latacunga, rounded. It is colder on the loop.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Latacunga and Quilotoa Loop prices.
Treat these as a guide. Cotopaxi tours cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Latacunga questions
The ones we get asked most.
What is the Quilotoa Loop?
A three or four-day walk between Andean villages, ending at the Quilotoa crater lake. You sleep in village hostels with dinner and breakfast included, and need no guide.
Do I need a guide for the Quilotoa Loop?
No. Download an offline map and ask your hostel for directions. The paths are not always marked.
How do I get from Quito to Latacunga?
By bus from the Quitumbe terminal, around two hours.
Can I visit Cotopaxi from Latacunga?
Yes, it is under an hour away. Entry is free, but you need a tour or a taxi. Check the volcano's status first.
How high is the Quilotoa Loop?
It reaches almost 4,000 metres. Acclimatise in Quito first and walk slowly.
Where can I leave my bag during the loop?
Most hostels in Latacunga store bags for free or a small fee.
When is the best time for the loop?
June to September, the dry season. Start early on walking days, as afternoons can bring cloud and rain.
Also trending this week
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare hostels in Latacunga: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.