{"id":1306212,"date":"2026-10-12T08:38:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306212"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:00:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:00:28","slug":"latacunga","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/latacunga\/","title":{"rendered":"Latacunga"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306049,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country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guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things to do in Latacunga","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"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.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1306241","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Plan the loop | #do\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"5 | Days with the loop and Cotopaxi","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Base camp for the Quilotoa Loop","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"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.\r\n\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\nMost 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.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Language | Spanish and Kichwa\r\nCurrency | US dollar. Bring cash for the loop\r\nAltitude | Around 2,800m, up to 4,000m on the loop\r\nFrom Quito | Bus, about 2 hours\r\nGetting around | Buses and taxis\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Drink bottled or purified water\r\nTipping | 10% is often included on the bill\r\nHow long to stay | Five days with the loop\r\nBest months | June to September","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay in the centre, close to the square and the buses. Many hostels store bags while you walk the loop.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"14","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"","hw_hub_city_areas":"Centro | Convenient, buses, bag storage | The streets around the main square, with hostels that store bags for the loop. | -0.9340 | -78.6150 |  | \nQuilotoa Loop villages | Trekking, homestays | Sigchos, Isinliv\u00ed, Chugchil\u00e1n and Quilotoa, with family-run hostels on the trail. | -0.8590 | -78.9010 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"A volcano day, a crater lake and villages in between.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in Latacunga","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Walk the Quilotoa Loop. The classic route starts with a bus to Sigchos, then walks over three days via Isinliv\u00ed and Chugchil\u00e1n 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.\r\n\r\nAt 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 Jos\u00e9 Ribas refuge at around 4,800 metres. Summit climbs need a certified guide and acclimatisation.\r\n\r\nIn town, the main square and the market are worth a wander. On Thursdays, the Saquisil\u00ed market, around 20 minutes away, is one of the biggest traditional markets in the highlands, with animals, food and crafts.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Quilotoa Loop | Three or four days between villages\r\nQuilotoa crater | A green lake in a volcano\r\nCotopaxi National Park | Lagoon walks and the refuge\r\nSaquisil\u00ed market | Thursdays, 20 minutes away","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Latacunga","hw_hub_city_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_city_free_body":"The Quilotoa Loop trails themselves are free, and you pay only for buses, beds and meals. Quilotoa charges a small fee at the crater.\r\n\r\nEntry to Cotopaxi National Park is free, though you need transport to get there.\r\n\r\nIn Latacunga, the main square, churches and market cost nothing, and the Saquisil\u00ed market on Thursdays is free to explore.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Loop trails | Free to walk\r\nCotopaxi | Free entry\r\nSaquisil\u00ed market | Thursdays\r\nTown square | Churches and the market","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Latacunga","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_city_food_body":"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.\r\n\r\nOn 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.\r\n\r\nThe town market has cheap almuerzos and fruit.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Chugchucara | Fried pork with everything\r\nAllullas | Biscuits with string cheese\r\nLoop hostels | Dinner and breakfast included\r\nSnacks | Carry them on the trail","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Latacunga","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Latacunga is quiet at night, with a few bars near the square. Most travellers are preparing for or recovering from the loop.\r\n\r\nIn the villages, evenings are spent around the hostel fire, sharing dinner with other walkers.\r\n\r\nNights are cold at this altitude, so bring warm clothes.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Bars | A few near the square\r\nHostel fires | Evenings on the loop\r\nCold nights | Bring warm layers\r\nEarly starts | For the trail and Cotopaxi","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Latacunga","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"The centre is walkable, and taxis are cheap. Buses to the start of the loop, Sigchos, and to Quilotoa and Chugchil\u00e1n leave from the bus terminal. Ask your hostel for current times, as there are only a few each day for the villages.\r\n\r\nBuses from Quito's Quitumbe terminal take around two hours, and buses to Ba\u00f1os around two. Many buses on the Pan-American Highway drop off on the main road rather than in the centre.\r\n\r\nCotopaxi National Park is under an hour away by tour or taxi; buses drop you at the park road but not inside.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"From Quito | Bus, about 2 hours\r\nTo Sigchos | Bus to start the loop\r\nTo Ba\u00f1os | Bus, about 2 hours\r\nCotopaxi | Tour or taxi","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Latacunga","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Latacunga costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Latacunga and the loop are very cheap. Dorm beds in town start around \u20ac7, and village hostels on the loop include dinner and breakfast for a little more.\r\n\r\nBuses cost very little, and Cotopaxi is free to enter; tours there are the main extra.\r\n\r\nEcuador uses the US dollar. Bring enough cash for the loop: there are no ATMs in the villages.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Dorm bed | From around \u20ac7\r\nLoop hostels | Dinner and breakfast included\r\nCotopaxi tours | The main extra\r\nCash | No ATMs on the loop","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Latacunga","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Latacunga and the loop are safe. Take normal care with your belongings, and leave your big bag at a hostel in town.\r\n\r\nAltitude 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.\r\n\r\nSome 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.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nAltitude | Up to 4,000m on the loop\r\nWeather | Layers, rain gear and sun cream\r\nCotopaxi | Check the volcano status","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Latacunga","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Worth leaving town for","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Crater lakes, volcanoes and highland markets.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Quilotoa crater | About 2 hours | Bus | A crater lake at almost 4,000 metres, with a rim hike. |  | 1306348\nCotopaxi National Park | Under 1 hour | Tour or taxi | Limpiopungo lagoon and the walk to the Jos\u00e9 Ribas refuge. |  | 1306367\nBa\u00f1os | About 2 hours | Bus | Waterfalls, hot springs and adventure sports. |  | 1306356","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Latacunga","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"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.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs in Latacunga, rounded. It is colder on the loop.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 19 | 2 | Afternoon rain\r\nFebruary | 19 | 3 | Carnaval\r\nMarch | 19 | 2 | Rainy\r\nApril | 19 | 2 | Rainy\r\nMay | 19 | 2 | Rain easing\r\nJune | 19 | 3 | Dry season begins\r\nJuly | 19 | 4 | Dry, windy, busy\r\nAugust | 19 | 4 | Dry and clear\r\nSeptember | 19 | 4 | Dry. Mama Negra\r\nOctober | 20 | 3 | Mixed\r\nNovember | 20 | 3 | Mama Negra parade\r\nDecember | 19 | 3 | Mixed","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"The Mama Negra and highland markets.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"manual","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Barcelona","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/europe\/spain\/barcelona\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Mama Negra | September, and again in November | Latacunga | A famous parade mixing Indigenous, African and Spanish traditions, with costumed dancers and music. |  | \nSaquisil\u00ed market | Every Thursday | Saquisil\u00ed | One of the biggest traditional markets in the highlands. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Latacunga and Quilotoa Loop prices.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Cotopaxi tours cost extra.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 8 | 8 | 3 | 3\r\nMiddle of the road | 15 | 12 | 5 | 12\r\nComfortable | 30 | 25 | 10 | 35","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in Latacunga, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Latacunga","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/ecuador\/latacunga\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Latacunga questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"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.\r\nDo 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.\r\nHow do I get from Quito to Latacunga? | By bus from the Quitumbe terminal, around two hours.\r\nCan 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.\r\nHow high is the Quilotoa Loop? | It reaches almost 4,000 metres. Acclimatise in Quito first and walk slowly.\r\nWhere can I leave my bag during the loop? | Most hostels in Latacunga store bags for free or a small fee.\r\nWhen 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.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare hostels in Latacunga: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Latacunga | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/ecuador\/latacunga\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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