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Major city · Ecuador

Papallacta

Spend a half‑day to a full day in Papallacta for the thermal baths and a quick hike in the Cayambe‑Coca reserve; no need to stay overnight unless you want spa luxury.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Papallacta is a small Andean village known for its hot springs and the nearby Reserva Ecologica Cayambe‑Coca. The main attractions fit into a half‑day visit, with optional spa accommodation for extra comfort. Buses from Quito arrive regularly, and local taxis are cheap but may overcharge, so agree on price first.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Sep (dry, cooler evenings)
avoid Apr–May (more rain)
Airport
UIO
Nights
0–1 (optional spa stay)

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Papallacta: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
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

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

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 Papallacta911 ▾
  • 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 Papallacta, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
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.

Termas de Papallacta hot springsReserva Ecologica Cayambe‑Coca
Airports
UIO Mariscal Sucre International Airport (About 2 h by bus via Quito; take a bus from Quito's northern terminal to Papallacta)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    20°C (68°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    21°C (70°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Apr–May. Month by month →

Warmest Jun (22°C (72°F)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Papallacta: 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

15°C (59°F)

5°C (41°F)

12 rd

Feb

16°C (61°F)

5°C (41°F)

11 rd

Mar

18°C (64°F)

6°C (43°F)

10 rd

Apr

20°C (68°F)

7°C (45°F)

12 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

8°C (46°F)

13 rd

Jun

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

8 rd

Jul

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

7 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

7 rd

Sep

21°C (70°F)

8°C (46°F)

9 rd

Oct

20°C (68°F)

7°C (45°F)

11 rd

Nov

18°C (64°F)

6°C (43°F)

13 rd

Dec

16°C (61°F)

5°C (41°F)

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

Walk from the bus stop to the baths (≈5 min) or take a short taxi ride ($1.50, agree price).

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, not ride time

Reserva Ecologica Cayambe‑Coca

go

Door to door: ≈30 min total

Taxi from the bus stop (≈5 km (3.1 mi))

Entry fee was $5 in 2007; check current price.

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.

Hostal/Restaurante Antisana

≈200 m from the baths, $17 pp includes breakfast, private bathroom.

Hostal Coturpa

Budget option in town, $15 pp includes breakfast, hot water.

Termas de Papallacta Hot Springs Resort

More upscale spa resort, price higher; check current rates.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$25–35 excl. bed
Mid
$35–55 excl. bed
High
$55+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hostal room (private bathroom)1 × 1 night × US$15US$15
Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$20US$20
Bus Quito → Papallacta1 × US$3 · checkUS$3
Taxi bus stop → Termas1 × US$2 · checkUS$2
Thermal baths entry1 × US$9 · checkUS$9
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$5
Trip total≈ US$54 per person per day, bed includedUS$54

2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Bus Quito → Papallactacheck$2.50
Taxi bus stop → bathscheck$1.50
Thermal baths entrycheck$8.50
Trout dish (local restaurant)$5–8

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Papallacta is generally safe; main risk is minor taxi overcharging and altitude‑related discomfort; stay hydrated.
  • Taxi drivers may try to raise the fare; confirm $1.50 before boarding.
  • Reserve entry fees may have changed since 2007; verify current price.

Emergency numbers

Police / Fire / Ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

PapallactaPapallacta

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police / Fire / Ambulance911

Embassy

US consulate in Quito; see /ecuador for details.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Quito → Papallacta bus: about $2.50 per person, 2‑hour ride (check)
  • Taxi bus stop → Termas: about $1.50, 5 min (check)

Say or show

  • Hola — Hello (ola)
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (¿Cuánto cuesta?)
  • Quisiera una habitación — I would like a room (Quisiera una habitación)
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 Papallacta. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep (dry, cooler evenings) · avoid Apr–May (more rain) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 1 day-trips, door to door
  6. 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Add a spa‑day package at Termas de Papallacta for a comfortable overnight stay.
  2. Combine with a visit to the nearby town of Baeza for a cultural side‑trip.

Meanwhile

Back to Ecuador

Sources

Ask about Papallacta

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