Major city · Ecuador
Chugchilán
Chugchilán is the best base for the Quilotoa Loop: stay 2 nights, hike the crater lake and canyons, then move on.
Chugchilán is a small Andean village at the centre of the Quilotoa Loop, a circuit of high-altitude hikes, crater lakes and deep canyons. It is not a destination on its own but the most practical place to sleep, eat and arrange guides for the loop. Most travellers stay two nights: one to arrive and settle, one full day to hike to Laguna Quilotoa or the Toachi canyon, then leave the next morning.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry, clear skies)
- avoid Feb–Apr (rainy, trails muddy)
- Airport
- UIO
- Nights
- 2
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 Chugchilán911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Chugchilán, 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
- SafetyChugchilán is safe for tourists; the main risks are altitude sickness, slippery 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
- 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) (About 4–5 h by bus and taxi via Latacunga; no direct public transport.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealMeal at a lodge (set menu)$5–8
- Metro or bus rideBus Chugchilán–Latacungacheck$3–5
- Budget bedDorm bed in a lodge, a night, per personUS$10
- Mid-range bedPrivate room with meals, a night, per roomUS$50
- High-end bedPrivate room with meals, a night, per roomUS$80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$25 · Mid US$60 · High US$120
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) (About 4–5 h by bus and taxi via Latacunga; no direct public transport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Avoid
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
not flagged
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
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Feb–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)), coolest Jun (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Mar (16 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chugchilán: 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
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
16 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
16 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Aug
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 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 village is walkable. For the loop, hire a guide or join a group from your lodge. Buses to Latacunga leave from the main square a few times a day (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Laguna Quilotoa
goDoor to door: About 4–5 h one way on foot
Hike from Chugchilán, about 3–4 h one way; or take a bus to Zumbahua and walk 1 h
The crater lake is the loop's highlight. Start early, carry water and snacks.
Sigchos
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus from Chugchilán, about 1 h
Small town with a market and access to the Toachi canyon.
Latacunga
goDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus via Zumbahua or Sigchos, about 3 h
Nearest city with banks, supermarkets and connections to Quito and Baños.
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
Most lodges and hostels are within a 5-minute walk of the main square; all include meals.
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
- $25–40 (includes meals and dorm bed)
- Mid
- $50–80 (private room with meals)
- High
- $100+ (guided hikes, private transport)
Trip budget
| Private room with meals1 × 2 nights × US$50 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$60 | US$240 |
| Guide for Quilotoa hike (half-day, per person)2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Horse rental for the loop (half-day)2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$42 |
| Trip total≈ US$116 per person per day, bed included | US$462 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a lodge (set menu) | $5–8 |
| Bus Chugchilán–Latacungacheck | $3–5 |
| Guide for a day hike | $15–25 per person |
| Cheese from the factory | $3–5 per wheel |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: the village sits at about 3,200 m; the hike to Quilotoa reaches 3,900 m. Acclimatise in Quito or Latacunga first.
- Rain gear is essential even in the dry season; weather changes fast.
- No ATM in Chugchilán. Bring enough cash from Latacunga or Quito.
- Mobile reception is patchy; download offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChugchilánChugchilán
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The US embassy is in Quito; most other countries have embassies there as well. No consulate in Chugchilán.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Chugchilán → Latacunga: about $3–5, about 3 h (check)
- Taxi Chugchilán → Quilotoa viewpoint: about $20–30 (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el bus? — Where is the bus? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el boos)
- Necesito un guía — I need a guide (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon GEE-ah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
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 Chugchilán. 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, clear skies) · avoid Feb–Apr (rainy, 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 each Quilotoa Loop trailhead with verified trail conditions and guide contacts.
- Eat pages for the cheese factory and village comedores.
- Sleep pages with altitude notes and meal inclusion details.
Sources
Ask about Chugchilán
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