Park or nature areaOutline guide

Laguna Cuicocha

Lake in Ecuador

Photo: Dick Clark, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Laguna Cuicocha is a crater lake in Andean Highlands region of Ecuador.

Getting there and around

Getting there

Bus from Otavalo to Quiroga (20 min, $0.30). In Quiroga you try to find people to share a taxi to go to the laguna (20 min, $4).

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Mariscal Sucre International Airport

Quito · International · UIO

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Read before you go to Laguna Cuicocha

Articles and travel topics about Laguna Cuicocha and Ecuador.

Travel tips

Haciendas of Ecuador

Ecuador has historical and renovated haciendas or traditional ranches. Haciendas often cover large areas of land and incorporate agricultural operations and other businesses.

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Nature & adventure

Ecuador national parks

Ecuador has 11 national parks and other types of reserves protecting an area of 26 million hectares (almost 20% of the country's total territory). The parks include some of Ecuador's most spectacular natural wonders.

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Nature & adventure

Galapagos wildlife

The wildlife is the prime reason for visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The logistics of travelling to and around the islands as well as information on the islands is given in the Galapagos Islands article…

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Itineraries

Quilotoa Loop

The Quilotoa Loop is a challenging 3-to-5-day hike in Ecuador that takes you through high Andean villages and past Laguna Quilotoa, a crater lake surrounded by volcanic peaks.

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Understand

Get inBus from Otavalo to Quiroga (20 min, $0.30). In Quiroga you try to find people to share a taxi to go to the laguna (20 min, $4).

Fees and permitsFree. The park is open from 08:00 to 16:00 every day. Camping is prohibited and no permits can be obtained.

SeeTake the outstanding hike around the lagoon 4½ hours with some time to stop. The trail is very clearly marked and the path is well prepared. Can be done counterclockwise (as indicated) or clockwise.

DoThere is a boat, $1.25 per person, but it rarely runs on weekdays as there aren't really that many tourists. You can of course pay for all the seats, or go on the weekend if you want to do this for sure.

BuyA couple of vendors outside the main "La Muelle" complex.

EatExpensive but quality restaurant at La Muelle ($7 entrees and $1.2 for a beer). There is another restaurant called El Mirador up the hill.

SleepCamping is prohibited in the entire park.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Laguna Cuicocha" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Cuicocha", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Dick Clark, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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