The Best Weekend Getaways From Quito
Quito is an ideal location from which to explore other areas of Ecuador, a relatively small country. Just hours from the capital, you can check out volcanoes, the cloud forest and the ‘Swing at the End of the World’ in Baños.
1. Mindo Cloud Forest
Forest
Mindo, a tiny town where you can explore the best of the cloud forest in Ecuador, lies only two hours from Quito. It is famous for its butterfly garden where you can feed and see butterflies in all sizes and colours, and if you are there at the right time, you can even watch them hatch.
Mindo is also known for its waterfalls, which are accessible via an easy hike that takes less than three hours. It’s also an excellent place to see Ecuadorian orchids, the Frog Concert, and hummingbirds and taste Ecuadorian chocolate at El Quetzal, which is also a great hostel. Mindo is very safe and is a perfect getaway if you want to stay in a relaxing environment away from cars, noise and pollution.
Baños
Baños is three hours south of Quito and has plenty of hostels and hotels in all price ranges. It is most famous for the ‘Swing at the End of The World’, hot springs and waterfalls. It is a great getaway from the capital if you are looking for an adventure and want to have fun with friends. Some of the activities available include zip lining, bungee jumping and cycling.
Baños is also the only place where you can find melcocha, which is a type of hard candy made out of sugar cane. If you walk around the street early in the morning, you can even see street vendors making it.
Another must-do in Baños is to explore the Ruta de las Cascadas and check out the breathtaking Pailon del Diablo, which is reachable via a Chiva (party truck) or by renting a bike. Also, do not forget to check out Casa del Arbol or the previously mentioned ‘Swing at the End of the World’. You can visit from 5:45 am to 6 pm. If you want it all to yourself, it is best to get there first thing in the morning on a weekday.
2. Cotopaxi National Park
Park
It’s possible to see both Quilotoa and Cotopaxi in one weekend, but only if you do minimal hiking and stay the night in either Quilotoa or Cotopaxi.
3. Quilotoa Lagoon
Hotel
Quilotoa Lagoon is a water-filled caldera and is approximately three hours from Quito. When it’s sunny, the colour of the lake becomes a beautiful turquoise hue. It is an ideal destination if you want to experience something extraordinary; it’s not a tourist trap. You can walk around the lake in approximately five hours, or you can head to the lookout, which takes no more than one hour. It is free to camp down by the lake, but you will need to bring enough food and water. There are also plenty of hostels nearby, including Hostal Princesa Toa.
Otavalo and Cotacachi
Otavalo lies roughly 90 minutes from Quito and is most famous for its handicraft market in the Plaza de Los Ponchos. It is a large and colourful market that is open every day, with the busiest time on Saturdays. The indigenous Otavalo people, who are native to the Andes and speak the Kiwcha language, make all the textiles by hand. If you’re worried about being able to communicate, many of them also know how to speak Spanish and English. You can stay the night in Otavalo in a hostel or a guest house such as El Andariego. It’s also possible to head straight to Cotacachi and stay the night there so that you can be ready for the next day’s activities.
Cotacachi is a 20-minute drive from Otavalo and is a popular town with expats. If you only have time to do one thing here, you should check out the Crater Lake Cuicocha. You can walk around the crater in about five hours. There are also ferries that go to the islands in the crater. You can see Cuicocha in one day and then stay the night at the breathtaking Hotel La Mirage Garden.
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>
All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.