Major city · Ecuador
Guano
Half-day stop from Riobamba: see the museum, climb the hill for volcano views, buy shoes or rugs, eat cholas and fritada. Not an overnight destination.
Guano is a small town at the foot of El Altar volcano, 20 minutes from Riobamba. It is known for shoe shops, handwoven rugs, the local sweet roll called chola, and pork fritada. The main draw is a short hill climb with views of Chimborazo, Tungurahua and El Altar, plus a small museum with pre-Columbian pottery and a monk mummy. Most travellers visit as a half-day trip from Riobamba.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry, clearer views)
- avoid Mar–May (rainy season)
- Airports
- Cotopaxi (LTX) · José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Guano911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Guano, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).Ecuador-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.Ecuador-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.Ecuador-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.Ecuador-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ecuador-wide
- SafetyGuano is a safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.Ecuador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; national strikes can shut roads for days.Ecuador-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLTX Cotopaxi International Airport (Latacunga) (About 2.5 h by bus; check).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LTX Cotopaxi International Airport (Latacunga) (About 2.5 h by bus; check) · GYE José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (Guayaquil) (About 4 h by bus; check)
Map of Guano
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Guano
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Riobamba · 9.9 km straight line
- Santiago de Bolivar · 10.0 km straight line
- Baños · 31 km straight line
- Ambato · 38 km straight line
- Guamote · 40 km straight line
- Guaranda · 41 km straight line
- Salinas de Guaranda · 47 km straight line
- Puyo · 71 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Mar–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jun (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Mar (18 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Guano: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
18 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
18 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
16 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. The bus from Riobamba drops you near the main square and the hill staircase.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
Bus from Guano, about 20 min, $0.25
Base for Guano; also has the train to the Devil's Nose.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Guano town centre
A few basic hostales; most visitors sleep in Riobamba and day-trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $15–25 (day-trip, no bed)
- Mid
- $25–40 (day-trip, no bed)
Trip budget
| Day-trip (no overnight)1 × 1 night × US$0 | US$0 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$15 | US$15 |
| Bus Riobamba–Guano round trip1 × US$1 · $0.25 each way | US$1 |
| Museum entry1 × US$1 | US$1 |
| Chola (one roll)1 × US$0 | US$0 |
| Fritada plate1 × US$4 · $3–4 | US$4 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$2 |
| Trip total≈ US$23 per person per day, bed included | US$23 |
Sleep in Riobamba or elsewhere.
2026 estimate in USD; day-trip from Riobamba, no bed.
Prices of common things
| Bus Riobamba–GuanoOne way, about 20 min | $0.25 |
| Museum entry | $1 |
| Chola (sweet roll) | $0.25 |
| Fritada plate (pork, corn, plantain) | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Shoe sizes rarely above EU 42 (US men's 10).
- Hill climb has many steps; take water.
- Fritaderias may close by early evening; check.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GuanoGuano
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Riobamba–Guano: $0.25, about 20 min
- Museum entry: $1
- Chola roll: $0.25
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (KWAN-toh)
- ¿Dónde está el bus a Riobamba? — Where is the bus to Riobamba? (DON-deh es-TAH el BOOS ah ree-oh-BAHM-bah)
Spanish is the main language; English is not widely spoken.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Guano. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (dry, clearer views) · avoid Mar–May (rainy season) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Guano
Loading…
Was this useful?