How to get to Quilotoa?

Information about how to get by Car or Public Bus to Quilotoa Lagoon

In this article you will read about how to get to the Quilotoa by private car or on your own by traveling by public bus to Quilotoa Lake from Quito, Cuenca or Guayaquil.

If you do not have enough time, best option is catch a private One Day Tour to Quilotoa.

How to get to Quilotoa by car?

There are two ways to get to Quilotoa by car. On the way to Sigchos or Zumbahua.

Sigchos - Quilotoa

The road from Sigchos to Quilotoa is less then other. Part of this road is gravel and ballast. Is not really well marked. On the Sigchos - Quilotoa the time of the trip is a kind of longer.

To get to Quilotoa through Sigchos you must take the highway "Panamericana Sur E35" in the direction to south to Latacunga city. On the sector "El Progreso" (Progreso Gas Station) is the detour to Sigchos which goes (156km) through villages of Toacazo > Sigchos > Chugchilan > Quilotoa.

Map Quito - Sigchos - Quilotoa

Zumbahua - Quilotoa

The Zumbahua highway is the most used to reach Quilotoa Lake in Ecuador. The entire road is paved and it is the same one that public buses travel to all near communities.

To get to Quilotoa through the Zumbahua's road, drive along the highway "Panamericana Sur E35" towards to Latacunga until the overpass, where you must take the detour towards Zumbahua-La Maná, until you reach the town of Zumbagua. From the town of Zumbagua is 18km to the entrance to the Quilotoa in the Ilinizas Ecological Reserve. The path is Pujilí -> Zumbahua -> Quilotoa

Mapa Quito - Zumbahua - Quilotoa

Bus to Quilotoa

You can get to Quilotoa by public transport from Quito, Cuenca or Guayaquil. However there is no direct bus from any of the cities mentioned above, so you have to make a connection along the way.

This option is viable any day of the week. Please note that buses may be full during holidays and weekends.

How do I get from Quito to Quilotoa?

First, you must reach the Quitumbe Bus Station (Terminal Terrestre de Quitumbe) located on south of Quito. The easiest, safest and cheapest way is to take the Quito Metro (Quito Subway) for $0.45 cents ticket (sold on any subway entrance) heading south to the final stop (Quitumbe station).

Second, on the Quitumbe Bus Station, you have to take a bus to the city of Latacunga. The ticket costs between $3-$4 dollars with Cooperativa Latacunga, Transportes Cotopaxi and Transportes Ciro (located on second floor). The trip is about 1 hour and 30 minutes

Third, once you arrive at the Latacunga Bus Station (Terminal de Buses Latacunga) there are two options to get the Quilotoa area. Take the direct bus to the Quilotoa or a bus to Zumbahua (and from Zumbahua another bus or a taxi truck to the Quilotoa main entrance). Obviously, the best option is to travel on the direct bus to the Quilotoa, however sometimes there are no seats available and in that case you can have a good alternative on the route through Zumbahua.

The last stretch of the road from Zumbahua to Quilotoa is approximately 15 km (some walk, others take a taxi truck or one more bus… more adventurous people try the hitchhiking trick).

Transporte Vivero (Schedule Direct Bus Latacunga - Quilotoa)

> 06:00 / 07:30 / 08:00 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 12:45 / 13:30 / 14:00 / 14:30 / 15:00 / 15:30 / 16:45 / 18:30 / 17:30

Buses Prices to Quilotoa

Bus Quito -> Latacunga (price per person: $3-$4)
Bus Latacunga -> Quilotoa (price per person: $2-$4)
Bus Latacunga -> Zumbahua -> Quilotoa (price per person: $2-$5)

Quito Metro - Subway Stations Map

Download Quito Subway Stations Map

Quito Subway Schedules

Monday to Friday: 5:30am – 10:00pm
Saturdays: 7:00am – 11:00pm
Sundays & Holidays: 7:00am – 10:00pm

> Travel from Guayaquil to the Quilotoa

• By bus from Guayaquil to Riobamba (4h:30min) and from Riobamba a bus to Latacunga (2h:15min).

• By bus from Guayaquil to La Maná (4h:30min), and from La Maná a bus to Zumbahua (1h:45min).

> Travel from Cuenca to the Quilotoa

• By bus from Cuenca to Riobamba city (4h:45min), and then a bus to Latacunga (2h:15min).

• By bus from Cuenca to Ambato city (5h:45min), and then a bus to Latacunga (1h:15min).

★ Also you have the option to take a private van in Cuenca to go to Riobamba, Ambato, Latacunga and Quito. Prices are more expensive compared buses but the journey is better enough.

What do I need to travel on bus to Quilotoa?

✓ Cash and some coins.
✓ Water, fruits or snacks.
✓ Make sure luggage is well stored.
✓ Start the trip very early to avoid setbacks.
✓ The Bus doesn't stop to go to the bathrooms.

On Saturdays you can look the Zumbahua indigenous market on the way to the Quilotoa.

A Journey on Bus to the Quilotoa Lagoon...

Visit the Quilotoa Volcano by bus is an intense experience in the ecuadorian highlands. The trip becomes longer because buses stop on the way, giving time to observe landscapes and villages. Traveling by bus to Quilotoa Lake will immerse you into a folkloric atmosphere of a local daily life.