Major city · Ecuador
Isinliví
One night on the Quilotoa Loop: hike in from the Guingopana Pass (3 h) or take a bus from Latacunga; stay at a hostel that includes meals.
Isinliví is a tiny Andean village on the Quilotoa Loop, a multi-day hiking trail. Most visitors come for the mountain scenery and the quiet. There is no bank, no ATM and no shop worth the name — you carry everything you need. The two hostels include dinner and breakfast, so you eat where you sleep.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry), Dec–Feb (milder rain)
- avoid Mar–May (heavy rain, trails muddy)
- Airport
- UIO
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Isinliví911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance (ECU 911)911
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 Isinliví, 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
- SafetyIsinliví is safe; the main risks are altitude (about 3,500 m), muddy trails and cold nights.
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 (ecu 911)
- 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.
- AirportUIO Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito) (Then bus to Latacunga (about 2 h) and a second bus to Isinliví (about 2 h).).
- Getting aroundOn foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a hostel$1–2
- Sit-down mealHostel dorm bed (with breakfast and dinner)$18–28
- Metro or bus rideBus Latacunga–Isinliví, one way$3 (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed (includes breakfast and dinner), a night, per personUS$18
- Mid-range bedPrivate double room (includes breakfast and dinner), a night, per roomUS$50
- High-end bedPrivate double room (includes breakfast and dinner), a night, per roomUS$60
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$50 · High US$70
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
- UIO Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito) (Then bus to Latacunga (about 2 h) and a second bus to Isinliví (about 2 h).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Mar (19 rain days), driest Jul (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Isinliví: 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
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
16 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
19 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
19 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
18 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Aug
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
16 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 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
On foot. The village is a cluster of houses; everything is within a 5-minute walk.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Quilotoa Lagoon
goDoor to door: 4–6 h
Hike from Isinliví (about 4–5 h one way) or bus via Latacunga
The crater lake is the highlight of the loop; start early.
Latacunga
goDoor to door: 2 h
Bus from Isinliví (about 2 h)
Supply stop and connection to Quito or Baños.
Quito
cautionDoor to door: 4 h
Bus via Latacunga (about 4 h total)
Doable as a day trip but long; better to stay overnight.
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.
Village centre
Both hostels are a short walk from the plaza. No other options.
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
- $25–35 (hostel dorm with meals)
- Mid
- $40–55 (private room with meals)
- High
- $60+ (private room, horse ride)
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed (includes breakfast and dinner)1 × 1 night × US$18 | US$18 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$30 | US$30 |
| Bus Latacunga–Isinliví, one way1 × US$3 · check | US$3 |
| Horse ride (half day)1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| Lunch packet from hostel1 × US$3 · check | US$3 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$8 |
| Trip total≈ US$87 per person per day, bed included | US$87 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Hostel dorm bed (with breakfast and dinner) | $18–28 |
| Private double room (with breakfast and dinner) | $42–60 |
| Lunch packet from hostel | $3 |
| Bus Latacunga–Isinliví, one way | $3 (check) |
| Horse ride (half day) | $25 (check) |
| Coffee or tea in a hostel | $1–2 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM or bank: bring enough cash from Latacunga or Quito.
- Mobile signal is weak or absent; download maps and bus schedules before you arrive.
- Trail conditions change with weather: ask your hostel about the route before setting out.
- Last bus from Latacunga leaves around 13:00 (11:00 on Saturday); confirm the schedule at the terminal.Last bus from Latacunga leaves around 1:00 PM (11:00 AM on Saturday); confirm the schedule at the terminal.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance (ECU 911)
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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IsinlivíIsinliví
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance (ECU 911)911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Latacunga → Isinliví: about $3, about 2 h (check)
- Private taxi Latacunga → Isinliví: about $50
- Private taxi Quito → Isinliví: about $100
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello (BWEH-nos DEE-ahs)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el hostal? — Where is the hostel? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el hos-TAL)
- Quisiera una habitación — I would like a room (kee-SYEH-rah OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN)
Spanish is the main language; Kichwa is also spoken. English is limited.
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 Isinliví. 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), Dec–Feb (milder rain) · avoid Mar–May (heavy rain, trails muddy) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Hostal Llullu Llama and Hostal Taita Cristobal with verified prices and meal inclusions.
- Trail condition widget: current weather and trail status from local sources.
- Bus schedule page for Latacunga–Isinliví with real-time departures.
Sources
Ask about Isinliví
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