Major city · Ecuador
Zumbahua
Half a day is enough: walk the square, see the market, then take the $1 bus or a $2–3 camioneta 12 km (7.5 mi) to Lake Quilotoa and sleep there or return.Half a day is enough: walk the square, see the market, then take the $1 bus or a $2–3 camioneta 7.5 mi (12 km) to Lake Quilotoa and sleep there or return.
Zumbahua is a small Andean town on the Quilotoa Loop, about 3 h by bus from Latacunga and 12 km from the crater lake. Everything sits within a few minutes on foot. Most travellers pass through in half a day, or use it as a cheap bed before or after Lake Quilotoa.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Feb–Apr (wettest on the loop)
- Airport
- UIO
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Zumbahua911 ▾
- Police, fire and 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 Zumbahua, 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
- SafetyPetty theft is the main risk: keep cash and your phone out of sight in the market, and walk in daylight.
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 and 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 Quito Mariscal Sucre (About 2.5–3 h by road via Latacunga; the practical arrival point).
- Getting aroundThe town is small and flat enough to walk; market, bus stop and guesthouses are all within a few minutes on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or hot drink$1–2
- Street or quick mealSet lunch (almuerzo) in a local eatery$2.50–4
- Metro or bus rideBus to Lake Quilotoa$1
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per personUS$6
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomUS$18
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomUS$30
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$12 · Mid US$20 · High US$35
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 Quito Mariscal Sucre (About 2.5–3 h by road via Latacunga; the practical arrival point)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°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
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Feb–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jul (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Mar (17 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zumbahua: 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
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
17 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
17 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 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 small and flat enough to walk; market, bus stop and guesthouses are all within a few minutes on foot. No local taxis — camionetas (pickup trucks) are hired for the lake.
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: About 45 min by bus; 30 min by camioneta
Bus from the town square, about $1, or a hired camioneta for $2–3
12 km (7.5 mi). Buses run in daylight only; the crater rim walk takes 3–4 h, so start early or sleep at the lake.7.5 mi (12 km). Buses run in daylight only; the crater rim walk takes 3–4 h, so start early or sleep at the lake.
Door to door: About 3 h
Direct bus from the town square
The main transport hub for the loop and the onward link to Quito.
Door to door: About 4–5 h
Bus to Latacunga, then change
Doable in a day but tiring; better as an onward leg than a return trip.
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.
Near the main square
A few small hotels and guesthouses, roughly $6–8 per person for a basic room; ask to see the room first.
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
- $12–20 excl. bed
- Mid
- $20–35 excl. bed
- High
- $35+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × US$6 | US$6 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$12 | US$12 |
| Bus to Lake Quilotoa, both ways1 × US$2 | US$2 |
| Camioneta to Lake Quilotoa, one way1 × US$3 · Negotiate before you get in. | US$3 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$4 |
| Trip total≈ US$42 per person per day, bed included | US$42 |
Basic room near the square; ask to see it first.
2026 estimate in US dollars; long-distance buses to Latacunga or Quito excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Set lunch (almuerzo) in a local eatery | $2.50–4 |
| Coffee or hot drink | $1–2 |
| Guesthouse bed | $6–8 |
| Bus to Lake Quilotoa | $1 |
| Camioneta to Lake QuilotoaPer vehicle, not per person — agree the price first. | $2–3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM in town: bring enough cash for your whole stay, including the bus and any camioneta.
- Nights are cold at about 3,000 m; ask for extra blankets.
- Buses to Lake Quilotoa run during the day only — check the last return before you leave.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance (ECU 911)
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ZumbahuaZumbahua
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance (ECU 911)911
Embassy
US embassy in Quito; consulates in Guayaquil (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Zumbahua → Lake Quilotoa: about $1 one way, daylight only
- Camioneta Zumbahua → Lake Quilotoa: $2–3 per vehicle, negotiate first
- Bus Zumbahua → Latacunga: about $2–3, roughly 3 h
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Aceptan tarjetas? — Do you accept cards? (ah-sep-tan tar-he-tas)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del bus? — Where is the bus stop? (don-de es-ta la pa-ra-da del bus)
- ¿Hay un cajero cerca? — Is there an ATM nearby? (eye oon ka-he-ro ser-ka)
- Quisiera una habitación por una noche — I would like a room for one night (kee-syeh-ra oo-na a-bee-ta-syon por oo-na no-che)
No ATM in town: carry cash.
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 Zumbahua. 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 · avoid Feb–Apr (wettest on the loop) · 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
- 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
- secondaryWikidata — Zumbahua
- officialEcuador Ministry of Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage: Zumbahua, revision 3715128 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Zumbahua
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