Territory capital · Ecuador
Guamote
Spend a half‑day in Guamote to see the Thursday market and volcano views; add a quick bus ride to Riobamba if you have extra time.
Guamote is a small Andean town of ~3,000 people, known for its indigenous Thursday market, panoramic volcano scenery and the Devil's Nose train. It fits into a day‑trip from Riobamba or a brief stop on a highland itinerary.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry, sunny)
- avoid Dec–May (rainy season)
- Airport
- CUE
- Nights
- 1
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 Guamote911 ▾
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 Guamote, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for altitude effects and keep valuables secure on buses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.Ecuador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and 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.
- AirportCUE Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Cuenca) (about 5 h bus from Guamote).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; hire a car at the railway station for farther sites.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local café$1–2
- Street or quick mealStreet snack (empanada, fruit)$0.5–1
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket to Riobambacheck$5
- Budget bedInti Sisa basic room, a night, per personUS$12
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$15 · Mid US$25 · High US$40
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- CUE Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Cuenca) (about 5 h bus from Guamote)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–May. Month by month →
Warmest May (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Guamote: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 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; hire a car at the railway station for farther sites.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Riobamba
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Local bus from Guamote, about 45 min
Main hub for further transport and larger market.
Devil's Nose train stop
goDoor to door: ≈30 min including boarding
Board the Nariz del Diablo train from Guamote station (Sun, Wed, Fri)
Scenic ride with steep gradients; short experience.
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.
Inti Sisa Guesthouse
Three blocks from the railway station; basic rooms, meals included.
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
- $10–15 excl. bed
- Mid
- $15–25 excl. bed
- High
- $25+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inti Sisa basic room1 × 1 night × US$12 | US$12 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$15 | US$15 |
| Local bus to Riobamba (round‑trip)1 × US$5 · check | US$5 |
| Devil's Nose train ticket (one way)1 × US$3 · check | US$3 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$4 |
| Trip total≈ US$39 per person per day, bed included | US$39 |
Includes simple breakfast.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a local café | $1–2 |
| Street snack (empanada, fruit) | $0.5–1 |
| Bus ticket to Riobambacheck | $5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude around 2,600–4,500 m; acclimatise if coming from sea level.
- Limited services after sunset; plan meals and accommodation ahead.
- Train schedule (Devil's Nose) runs only Sun, Wed, Fri; confirm times locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GuamoteGuamote
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in Quito; Ecuadorian emergency number 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Guamote ↔ Riobamba bus: about $5 each way (check)
- Devil's Nose train (one way): about $3 (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oˈla)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwanˈto ˈkwes.ta)
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (ˈdon.de esˈta el merˈka.do)
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 Guamote. 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, sunny) · avoid Dec–May (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Inti Sisa for a relaxed stay and local meals.
- Combine with a visit to nearby lakes of Atillo (car hire).
Sources
Ask about Guamote
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