Getting Around Riobamba
Riobamba sits in the Chambo River Valley of the Andes at an elevation of 2,754 m, and it serves as an important regional transport center on the Pan-American Highway. For a visitor, the good news is that the city is compact and its main sights cluster together, so most of your day-to-day movement happens on foot. For everything else, buses and taxis are cheap, plentiful, and easy to use.
Walking
The main tourist area is very walkable. Many of Riobamba's attractions, including the cathedral and the city's museums, sit within easy walking distance of one another, and the historic center has a number of well-preserved churches to wander between. Sidewalks are abundant and there are pedestrian-friendly zones, though you should watch your step in places where the pavement is uneven.
Two practical cautions: the altitude is a real factor if you are not yet acclimated, so build in time to adjust; and the city's historic core is the natural base for exploring on foot. Pick up a map at the tourist information center at the corner of Av. Daniel León Borja and Brasil.
Rail
Riobamba has no metro or tram system, and there are no regular scheduled passenger trains serving the city anymore. What does exist is excursion rail: Tren Ecuador runs tourist trains from Quito and Guayaquil, including the Tren del Hielo I from Quito to Riobamba. Note that the Naríz del Diablo train no longer runs from Riobamba, so confirm current arrangements before planning around it. If you do take the train, the Estación Riobamba is centrally located on Av. Daniel León Borja. Sitting on the roof of the train was prohibited for safety reasons some years ago, so expect to ride inside.
Buses and Public Transport
Riobamba has an extensive city bus network and no metro, so buses are the workhorse of local public transport. A single ride costs as little as 30 cents, which makes them an economical way to cover longer stretches of the city. Long-distance buses also connect Riobamba to most major destinations in Ecuador, including Latacunga, Quito, Guayaquil, and Baños, so the bus terminal is your link to the rest of the country.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful and metered, and they are readily available both for travel within the city and for trips beyond it. Most trips within town should run about $1.50. Minimum fares are $1.20 until 19:00 and $1.30 after 19:00, so expect to pay the minimum on short hops, especially at night.
Cycling
Dedicated bike lanes are not widespread, but cycling is considered practical for getting around the city and its surroundings. Bike rentals and cycling tours are available, for example through RIOCYCLING. Be prepared for hilly terrain and cobblestone streets, and for traffic that can be busy at times.
Getting Into the City from the Airport
In practice, most visitors reach Riobamba overland: long-distance buses connect the city to Quito, Guayaquil, Latacunga, and Baños, and excursion trains run from Quito and Guayaquil. If you are arriving by air, plan your onward leg as a bus or train connection from one of those cities rather than expecting a direct airport transfer.
Practical Tips
- Base yourself in the historic center, where the main sights are walkable and the tourist information center can supply a map.
- Carry small change for buses, which cost as little as 30 cents a ride.
- Budget around $1.50 for a typical taxi trip in town, and remember the higher minimum fare applies after 19:00.
- Allow time to acclimatize to the altitude before tackling long walks or the city's hilly cycling routes.
- Book excursion rail in advance and confirm current schedules, since regular passenger trains no longer serve the city.