How to get to Quilotoa?
This guide covers everything you need to reach Quilotoa, whether driving your own car or taking public buses from Quito, Cuenca or Guayaquil (bus requires connections).
If you dont have enough time, the best option is the One Day Private Tour to Quilotoa.
How to get to Quilotoa by car?
To get to Quilotoa by car there are two routes, the Sigchos and the Zumbahua.
Sigchos - Quilotoa
The Sigchos-Quilotoa is less traveled road. You may encounter stretches of gravel or unpaved road along this route. The journey is longer on the Sigchos-Quilotoa Highway.
To reach Quilotoa via Sigchos, take the Panamericana Sur Highway E35 toward Latacunga. In the "El Progreso" area, take the road to Sigchos, which runs (156 km) through the communities of Toacazo -> Sigchos -> Chugchilan -> Quilotoa.
Zumbahua - Quilotoa
The Zumbahua-Quilotoa Highway is the most popular route to reach Quilotoa. It's the same route used by public buses, motorcycles and bicycles.
To reach Quilotoa by Zumbahua way, take the Panamericana Sur E35 (South Panamerican E35 Highway) toward Latacunga (to the overpass road), then take the E30 Zumbahua-La Maná detour until you reach the town of Zumbagua. From this town, it's 18 km to the entrance to Quilotoa at the Ilinizas Ecological Reserve.
Bus To Quilotoa
Yes, you can get Quilotoa by public transportation from Quito, Cuenca, or Guayaquil. There is no direct bus to Quilotoa, so you'll need to transfer along the way.
How to travel by bus to Quilotoa?
First, you must get to the Quitumbe Bus Station, located at south of Quito. The easiest, safest, and cheapest way (the ticket is $0.45) is to take the Quito Metro (subway) south to the last station "Quitumbe" (where the Quitumbe Bus Terminal is also located).
From the Quitumbe Bus Station, take a bus to the city of Latacunga. The ticket is between $3 and $4 USD dollars with Cooperativa Latacunga, Transportes Cotopaxi, and Transportes Ciro (find them on the second floor). The entire trip from Quito to Latacunga takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the Latacunga Bus Station.
Once at the Latacunga Bus Station, there are two options: a direct bus to Quilotoa or the bus to Zumbahua (and from Zumbahua pick up another bus or taxi to Quilotoa). Obviously, the best option is to take the direct bus to Quilotoa but sometimes there are no seats available, and the only way is to take the route to Zumbahua.
To reach Quilotoa from Zumbahua, take a bus to Zumbahua from the Latacunga Bus Terminal-Station. Once in Zumbahua, there's a bus that goes to Quilotoa or a pickup-taxi (no ticket needed). From Zumbahua to Quilotoa is approximately 15 km.
↪ Vivero's Transport (Latacunga - Quilotoa Direct Bus Schedule)
06:00|07:30 | 08:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:45 | 13:30 | 14:00 | 14:30 | 15:00 | 15:30 | 16:45 | 17:30|18:30
↪ Bus Ticket Prices to Quilotoa
- Quito -> Latacunga ($3~$4 per person).
- Latacunga -> Quilotoa ($2~$4 per person)
- Latacunga -> Zumbahua - Quilotoa ($2~$5 per person)
Some bus companies sell tickets online or through third-party apps; otherwise, tickets must be purchased in person at the bus counter on the station.
Quito Metro -Subway- Stations
Quito's Metro -subway- goes through the main areas of the city, facilitating the movement of residents and travelers between the north and south of Quito.
Quito Subway Schedules
- Business Days: 5:30 – 23:00 hours.
- Saturdays: 7:00 – 23:00 hours.
- Sundays and Holidays: 7:00 – 22:00 hours.
Travel from Guayaquil to Quilotoa
⮞ By bus from Guayaquil to the city of Riobamba (4h:30min) and, from Riobamba another bus to Latacunga (2h:15min).
⮞ By bus from Guayaquil to the city of La Maná> (4h:30min), and from La Maná another bus to Zumbahua (1h:45min).
Travel from Cuenca to Quilotoa
⮞ By bus from Cuenca to the city of Riobamba (4h:45min) and, from Riobamba another bus to Latacunga (2h:15min).
⮞ By bus from Cuenca to the city of Ambato (5h:45min) and, from Ambato another bus to Latacunga (1h:15min).
From Cuenca, there are also private vans that go to Riobamba, Ambato, Latacunga, and Quito. The price ticket is higher, but the trip is more comfortable and takes less time.
What I need to travel by bus to Quilotoa?
- Water, fruit or snacks.
- Some cash or coins.
- Make sure luggage is properly stored.
- Start your trip early to avoid setbacks (during connections).
- Be ready before boarding the bus (it doesn't make any stops along the way).
On Saturday you can visit the Zumbahua indigenous community market.
Go to Quilotoa on your own...
For both locals and foreign tourists, traveling to Quilotoa by bus or private vehicle will be an interesting and unique experience. By bus, the trip is longer due to stops along the way, but it allowing you to admire the landscapes and the native people, in the folkloric atmosphere of the Ecuadorian Andes region in South America.