National park · Ecuador
Laguna Cuicocha
Visit Laguna Cuicocha for a 4½‑hour loop hike: start at the visitor centre, walk clockwise or counter‑clockwise (≈2 km (1.2 mi), moderate) and return before noon; boat ride optional ($1.25).Visit Laguna Cuicocha for a 4½‑hour loop hike: start at the visitor centre, walk clockwise or counter‑clockwise (≈1.2 mi (2 km), moderate) and return before noon; boat ride optional ($1.25).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Above 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.
- Andean Highlands ↗Quito sits at about 2,850 m; give the first day to acclimatisation before any hike above 3,500 m.
- Andean Highlands ↗Ecuador uses the US dollar; carry small notes and coins for buses and markets.
At a glance
- Country
- Ecuador
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Small crater lake park (approximate).
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Quito
Laguna Cuicocha is a high‑altitude crater lake in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador, offering a clearly marked 4½‑hour rim trail with panoramic volcano views, optional short boat rides, and bird‑watching opportunities; entry is low‑cost and camping is prohibited.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2026
Small crater lake park (approximate).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Quito.
Why go
- A clear‑marked 4½‑hour loop around a volcanic crater lake with panoramic views of Cayambe and Cotacachi.
- Bird‑watching and high‑altitude flora on the rim trails.
- Optional short boat ride on the lake ($1.25).
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry mornings, cooler.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarDry, occasional showers.
- AprIncreasing rain.
- MayStart of wet season.
- JunDry, clear skies.
- JulDry, stable weather.
- AugDry, good for hiking.
- SepDry, less tourists.
- OctRain increases.
- NovWet season begins.
- DecCool, occasional rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High‑altitude birds (e.g., Andean lapwing)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Alpine flora (páramo grasses, frailejones)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre (La Muelle) | Ticket office, restrooms, small market, start/end of loop trail. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Rim trail | 4½‑hour loop around the crater with rain shelters. | Open; no guide needed. |
| Lake boat area | Small boat service on the lake (weekends). | Pay per ride. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the crater lake (approximate).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$2 | person | Estimated 2026 entry fee (check). |
| Boat on lake | US$1.25 | person | Runs mainly weekends. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$2
- US$1.25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Prohibited throughout the park.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission.
- Fire
- Open fires are forbidden.
Where to stay
Near the park
Quiroga town
Budget hostels and guesthouses 5 km (3.1 mi) from the park.Budget hostels and guesthouses 3.1 mi (5 km) from the park.
Near the park
Otavalo
Larger range of hotels and hostels, 20 km (12 mi) away.Larger range of hotels and hostels, 12 mi (20 km) away.
Safety
Altitude low
Weather change medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car or taxi; short walks only.
- Rim trail includes steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Do not litter; use provided bins.
- Support local vendors at La Muelle.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Laguna Cuicocha?
Entry is about $2 per person (2026 estimate); check at the visitor centre for the exact fee.
What are the best hikes in Laguna Cuicocha?
The main 4½‑hour rim loop, done clockwise or counter‑clockwise, is the most popular and well marked.
When is the best time to visit Laguna Cuicocha?
Dry season June to September offers clear skies and stable weather; early mornings give the best views.
Can I camp inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited throughout Laguna Cuicocha National Park.
Is a guide required for the rim trail?
No, the trail is self‑guided and clearly signposted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Sources
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