National park · Ecuador
Laguna Quilotoa
Enter Laguna Quilotoa for $2 (bus fare) or $10 for a horse ride up; hike the crater rim (3.5–4.5 h) in the dry season (June–September) and avoid crowds by starting early.
- 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.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Apr–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
- 3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
- Approx. 3 km² of crater lake and surrounding protected area (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Apr–Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
Laguna Quilotoa is a volcanic crater lake at 3,900 m in the Andes, offering steep hikes to the water and a rim trail with panoramic views; the site is managed by the Reserva ecológica Los Illinizas.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²) · national park since 2020
Approx. 3 km² of crater lake and surrounding protected area (check).
Why go
- A volcanic crater lake at 3,900 m with panoramic mountain views.
- Short steep hike down to the lake (45 min) and rim trail (3.5–4.5 h).
- Local indigenous villages offering cultural encounters and crafts.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold nights, possible snow.
- FebCold, less rain.
- MarTransition to drier season.
- AprDry, clear skies.
- MayDry, good visibility.
- JunDry, ideal for hiking.
- JulDry, stable weather.
- AugDry, clear.
- SepDry, less crowds.
- OctStart of wet season.
- NovRain possible.
- DecCold, occasional snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hummingbirds, eared doves, falconsMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Mountain rabbit, occasional mountain wolf (lobo del páramo)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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
From Latacunga
Bus to Quilotoa village (asphalt road), then walk 5 min to trailhead.
1h45m
From Zumbahua
Taxi or rideshare to Laguna (≈$5).
30m
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Quilotoa village | Gate, information office, craft market, accommodation. | Open to visitors. |
| Crater rim trail | 3.5–4.5 h loop around lake, multiple viewpoints. | Open; stay on marked paths. |
| Lake shore | Short descent to water, optional canoe rental. | Open; no swimming restrictions. |
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; approximate centre of the crater.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance (park gate) | Free | person | No formal entry fee; bus fare covers transport. |
| Bus from Latacunga to Quilotoa | US$2 | person | February 2018 price, check current rate. |
| Horse ride up from lake | US$10 | person | Arrange with local handler. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$2
- US$10
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
- Stay on trails
- Protect fragile vegetation and avoid cliff danger.
- No open fires
- Only designated cooking areas in villages.
- Leave no trace
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
In the park
Quilotoa Cabanas
Basic ensuite cabins, $15 per person, breakfast & dinner included.
In the park
Hosteria Alpaka Quilotoa
Dormitory beds $15, guide and horse hire available.
In the park
Hostal Chukirawa
$44 double room, meals included.
Safety
Altitude and rapid weather change medium
Steep, unpaved paths medium
Getting lost on rim high
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
- Village and information office reachable by car; short walks.
Visiting lightly
- Buy food and crafts from local indigenous vendors.
- Use horse rides instead of private vehicles to reduce emissions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Laguna Quilotoa?
There is no formal entrance fee; a bus from Latacunga costs about $2, and a horse ride up from the lake is $10.
What are the best hikes in Laguna Quilotoa?
The crater rim loop (3.5–4.5 h, moderate) and the descent to the lake (45 min down, 90 min up) are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Laguna Quilotoa?
The dry season June–September offers clear skies and stable weather; start early to avoid crowds.
Can I stay overnight near the lagoon?
Yes, several cabins and hostels in Quilotoa village offer basic rooms from $15 per person.
Is camping allowed at the lake?
Camping is permitted near the lagoon but there is no drinking water; bring your own supplies.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go