![\"touristic](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/cotopaxi-2_opt.jpg\")
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One of the top places to visit near Quito is Cotopaxi National Park. In fact, it’s one of the essential destinations to explore in Ecuador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside the park lies Cotopaxi Volcano, renowned for its iconic, perfectly conical shape and being one of Ecuador’s symbols. It stands at an elevation of 5,897 meters above sea level and remains active, with its last eruption occurring in August 2015. The park also hosts two other volcanoes: Morurco (4,880 meters) and Rumi\u00f1ahui (4,722 meters).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first thing you should know is that you need a car to visit the park. You can rent one in Quito or, upon reaching the park’s entrance, hire a 4×4 with a driver. I know they are available at the south entrance, which I recommend going to since the road is paved. I’m not sure if it’s possible to hire this service at the north entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also access the park using public transportation (although you’ll still need a car to explore the park). Public transport will take you to the highway, and from there, you’ll need to arrange transportation to the park’s entrance. Another option is to book an organized tour to Cotopaxi<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some details to help you plan your visit to Cotopaxi:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Papallacta is a small village located in the Napo province at an elevation of 3,250 meters above sea level. It’s situated approximately 67.5 kilometers from Quito, and the journey takes around an hour. The landscapes along the road to get here are truly stunning. I recommend making a stop at the Reina del P\u00e1ramo viewpoint during the trip. On a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the Antisana volcano, which stands at 5,704 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main draws of Papallacta are its hot springs, the picturesque lake, and the southern part of the Cayambe Coca National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re looking to unwind in the soothing hot springs, I highly recommend a visit to Papallacta Hot Springs. While it’s primarily a hotel, you can purchase a day pass that grants you access to the thermal pools featuring hydro-massages, therapeutic treatments, and a restaurant. The entrance fee is $23, and it covers access to the SPA area, a locker, a towel, and a swim cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don’t have a car, the best option is to book this organized tour to Papallacta Hot Springs<\/a>. The tour includes a visit to the Papallacta Lagoon viewpoint, a hike along the “La Isla” trail, and a relaxing session at Papallacta Hot Springs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By the way, I should note that there’s no gas station in Papallacta. So, if you’re planning to drive there, make sure your tank is full. Otherwise, you’ll need to head to Baeza for refueling, just as we had to do. Although I’m glad that happened because the car journey to Baeza is truly delightful. The landscapes along the way are simply magical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan to stay overnight in Papallacta and are seeking affordable accommodation, I recommend our lodging, Sol de Piedra<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Located 92 kilometers from Quito, you’ll find Otavalo, one of Ecuador’s towns with a rich indigenous culture. In fact, Otavalo is known as the “intercultural capital of Ecuador” due to its wealth of culture and history. There are plenty of things to do in Otavalo.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the highlights of this charming Ecuadorian town is the Otavalo indigenous artisan market. You can visit this market every day at Plaza de los Ponchos. Here, you’ll find a wide array of locally crafted products. We bought two beautiful blankets that we’ll always hold dear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, history and culture aren’t the only things to do in Otavalo. Nature is another strong point of this place. Don’t miss the Peguche Waterfall, Cuicocha Lagoon, Mojanda Lakes, and San Pablo Lake, which is located next to the Imbabura volcano. The waterfall and the latter lake are situated in Otavalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cuicocha Lagoon is located 17 km from Otavalo, boasting beautiful scenery and offering a circular trekking route. On the other hand, Mojanda Lakes are situated 22 km from Otavalo, with some dirt road sections. Here, too, you can enjoy hiking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u200b\u200bIf you don’t have your own transportation, you can book a guided tour to Otavalo and Cotacachi market<\/a>s. These tours often include a visit to a viewpoint for stunning views of Lake San Pablo and the Imbabura volcano. Another option is to take a bus to Otavalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan to spend the night in Otavalo, I recommend our hotel, Hostal Curi\u00f1\u00e1n<\/a>. It’s located a bit away from the town center and is on higher ground, so it’s a good choice if you have a car (the hotel offers parking). The rooms are traditionally decorated, have hot water, include breakfast, and offer excellent service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mindo, a small town located 97 km from the Ecuadorian capital, is another popular day trip from Quito. It takes almost a couple of hours to get there, and it’s a destination visited by both local and foreign tourists who are looking to enjoy nature and engage in adventure activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the typical activities to do in Mindo include hiking through the cloud forest, ziplining, birdwatching (with over 500 bird species), swimming in waterfalls, and visiting orchid gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can explore Mindo on your own or book an organized day trip from Quito<\/a>. The excursion typically includes a visit to the town of Mindo, a ride on the Mindo tarabita (a type of cable car), a hiking adventure to waterfalls, and some free time to explore the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan to spend more than a day in Mindo, you should book a hotel in advance<\/a>. Hotels and hostels are popular choices for staying in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\ude97 Need a car for your trip to Ecuador? To find the best deals, I recommend checking out Discover Cars<\/a>, a highly-rated car rental search platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another fascinating destination near Quito is the Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge. The Pasochoa volcano, standing at 4,199 meters above sea level, is an extinct caldera. Within the park’s 500 hectares, you’ll discover forests with over 60 species of native trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are hiking trails for trekking adventures, and it’s even possible to summit Pasochoa, although you’ll need to hire a guide for that. Camping is also an option within the park, in designated camping areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The visiting hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and they do not permit entry after 3:00 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are six hiking trails to explore within the Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though it’s not a day trip from Quito per se, as it’s located on the outskirts of the city, the Middle of the World is situated 30 km from the historic center of Quito, so we can consider it as another getaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The charm of this place is that it lies on the equator, right on latitude 0, which means you’ll be standing between the two hemispheres. Here’s a little secret… it’s not exactly in the middle of the world! GPS coordinates actually place it 240 meters south of the equator. Close, but not quite!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan to go, you can purchase your entrance ticket in advance or book this day trip to the Middle of the World<\/a>. It includes transportation from your Quito hotel and a guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udfe5 Remember, it’s highly important to purchase travel insurance for Ecuador<\/a> if you don’t already have medical coverage in the destination. I personally use and recommend HeyMondo, where I can offer you a 5% discount on your next travel insurance policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don’t plan to visit Ba\u00f1os de Agua Santa during the rest of your trip to Ecuador<\/a>, it’s worth making the journey from Quito, even though it’s quite a long drive, as it’s about a 3-hour journey from the Ecuadorian capital. Therefore, if you’re planning to travel around the country, I recommend including Ba\u00f1os in your Ecuador itinerary<\/a>, as it offers many attractions, and it’s better to stay for several days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ba\u00f1os de Agua Santa is a small town located at 1,820 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, and waterfalls. My favorite things to do in Ba\u00f1os<\/a> are the Pail\u00f3n del Diablo waterfall, the Manto de la Novia waterfall, La Casa del \u00c1rbol, and the Tungurahua volcano. Ba\u00f1os also offers many adventure activities such as rafting, Tibetan bridges, and ziplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This day trip to Ba\u00f1os de Agua Santa<\/a> includes transportation from your hotel in Quito, transport within Ba\u00f1os, a guide, admission to a tarabita (a type of cable car), other entrance fees, and a snack. The tour visits Pail\u00f3n del Diablo, Manto de la Novia, the Agoy\u00e1n waterfall, La Casa del \u00c1rbol, and the town of Ba\u00f1os de Agua Santa itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another more budget-friendly choice is to take a bus to Ba\u00f1os and then book a tour of the waterfalls route<\/a>. If you have your own vehicle, you can explore it on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re planning to spend the night in Ba\u00f1os, I recommend the two hotels where we stayed: Hostal Monte Carmelo<\/a> and Montano Camping & Hostel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Yanacocha Biological Reserve is an excellent destination if you love nature and birds. It is located on the western slope of the Pichincha volcano<\/a>. Here, you can engage in birdwatching, especially of species that typically inhabit the Andean region, including hummingbirds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are four different trails to explore in the reserve, which covers a total area of 964,000 hectares and ranges in altitude from 2,800 to 4,000 meters above sea level. If you’re interested in visiting the Yanacocha Reserve, you can go on your own or book an organized tour.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like with Ba\u00f1os, if you’re planning to explore Ecuador, I recommend including Quilotoa in your itinerary and exploring it at a more leisurely pace. However, if for some reason you won’t be traveling around the country but have several days in Quito, I suggest taking a day trip to this incredible lake, as it offers one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Ecuador. Keep in mind that it’s a 3-hour drive from the capital, but the stunning views make it well worth the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laguna Quilotoa is a 13 km wide water-filled caldera. You can enjoy the incredible view of the lagoon from one of the viewpoints, and you also have the option to hike around the crater or descend to the lake. Keep in mind that both activities are time-consuming, and especially the hike requires a lot of energy. If you descend to the lake, you can rent a kayak. The entrance fee is 2$ per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you only have one day, I recommend booking a day trip to Quilotoa<\/a> from Quito. This way, you won’t have to worry about organizing the transportation. The tour includes transportation, a guide, and the entrance to Quilotoa as well as access to one of the viewpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTips for visiting Cotopaxi<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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2. Papallacta, nature and hot springs near Quito<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"cayambe](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/cayambe-coca-2-2_opt.jpg\" "\\"excursiones")
Tips for visiting Papallacta<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Otavalo<\/a> and its artisan market, the most famous in South America<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"peguche](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/cascada-de-peguche-otavalo_opt.jpg\" "\\"cascada")
Tips for visiting Otavalo<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Mindo, nestled between the mountains and the coast of Ecuador<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"day](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/mindo-ecuador_opt.jpg\" "\\"mindo")
5. Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge, one of the best day trips from Quito<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"pasachoa\"](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/que-ver-cerca-de-quito_opt.jpg\" "\\"que")
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6. Day trip to Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Middle](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/mitad-del-mundo_opt.jpg\")
7. Ba\u00f1os de Agua Santa<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"day](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/excursiones-desde-quito_opt.jpg\" "\\"excursiones")
8. Yanacocha Reserve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Yanacocha](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Reserva-Yanacocha_opt.jpg\" "\\"Reserva")
9. Laguna de Quilotoa, one of the most beautiful day trips from Quito<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Laguna](\"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/laguna-de-quilotoa_opt.jpg\" "\\"laguna")
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