Latacunga sits on a high, cold, windy plateau south of Quito, on the road toward Cotopaxi. It is a working Andean city rather than a resort town, and travellers generally use it as a base for the volcano, the surrounding parks and the nearby markets.
For a visitor, the useful distinction is simple: the historic downtown, where the main square and the oldest buildings are, versus the streets around it where most of the practical places to sleep are found. This guide covers which parts of the city to base yourself in, and what to expect at each budget level.
1. Around the main square and the historic downtown
The historic downtown is the natural base. It extends across roughly thirty squares and holds the city's prominent buildings, including Saint Francis's church, the municipal palace built of pumice stone, and the main square with its statue. Staying here puts you within walking distance of the centre's sights and the market life around them.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to be on foot in the evening. Accommodation in and immediately around this area ranges from simple, inexpensive rooms to mid-range places, and at least one option is described as nicely located near the main square, with staff who help guests organise their own trips to the surrounding parks. Expect cold, windy weather at this altitude regardless of where you sleep.
2. The streets just off the centre, along Calle Quito
A short step from the square, along Calle Quito and the side streets near Padre Salcedo, you find a cluster of places to stay that sit between the budget and mid-range brackets. This is still central, but slightly removed from the busiest part of the downtown.
It suits travellers who want the centre within walking distance without being directly on it, and those who value an on-site restaurant. One mid-range option here has a restaurant serving affordable food, and a cheaper place stands next door, so the same street covers more than one budget. This is also where you find hostels that arrange mountaineering trips to Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, the Illinizas and Rumiñahui, which makes it convenient if climbing is the reason for your visit.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dormitory beds in hostels and very cheap double rooms, often in the streets around the centre. Some hostels double as organisers of guided mountaineering trips.
- Mid-range: private double rooms in small hotels, sometimes with a restaurant on site and breakfast included as an option.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself around the main square and the historic downtown. It puts the churches, the municipal palace and the main square within walking distance, and it keeps you close to the places that help arrange trips to Cotopaxi and the surrounding parks. From here the rest of the city and the onward transport are easy to reach.
When is it busiest, and does that affect where I should stay?
The Fiesta de la Mama Negra takes place twice a year, in September and around Ecuador's Independence Day. Both involve long parades that can close roads and make routes impassable at times, so if you are travelling then, expect disruption in the centre and plan around it.
What is the weather like, and does it change where I should base myself?
The climate is cold and windy, driven by the snow-covered heights nearby and the barren, pumice-covered tableland the city stands on. Wherever you stay, pack for cold conditions; a central location at least keeps you from long walks in the wind.
Can I stay somewhere that helps me organise trips to the volcano?
Yes. Some hostels in the city offer services for organising mountaineering to Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, the Illinizas and Rumiñahui, and staff at some central hotels help guests plan trips to the surrounding parks by themselves.
How do I get to Latacunga and onward from it?
It lies about an hour and a half south of Quito on the Pan-American Highway, and it has a railway station on the line between Quito and Guayaquil. The local airport is not used for international passenger flights.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide.