Local Attractions

Right across the street from the hostel, you'll find the beautiful plaza and church of San Francisco. Take some time to walk around town and take your pick of the many different restaurants specializing in various local and regional dishes. Afterwards, satisfy your curiosity by window shopping down the famous 10 de Agosto where local craftsman proudly display the fruits of their labor. There are so many things to do and see you might not know where to begin. So, let us help you!

Cuicocha One of the greatest local attractions is Lake Cuicocha. It is a three kilometer wide crater lake at the foot of the Cotacachi volcano. Whether you've rented a car or grabbed one of the local taxis, it's about a 20 minute drive from the hostel. The crater was created by a massive phreatic eruption about 3100 years ago. The volcano itself has been dormant ever since. At the center of the lake you'll see three "islands" which are actually domes formed by lava that have since become the forest and plant covered land masses you see today. After taking in the beautiful scenery, head back to the hostel for a well-deserved rest before heading out again to continue your adventure.

Otavalo Located in a valley, is a town surrounded by the peaks of various mountains and volcanoes making the view absolutely spectacular. Its native inhabitants are famous for their textiles. Their end products can be seen and purchased at the Plaza de los Ponchos, an open market, throughout the week, although Saturday is the busiest day.

Ibarra Take a left at Pinsaqui and you'll find yourself in the capital city of the Imbabura province. It lies at the foot of the Imbabura volcano and is a market town popular with tourists. It boasts fine weather, colonial white-washed houses (giving it the nickname, The White City) and cobbled stone streets. The Santo Domingo church even houses a museum holding a collection of beautiful paintings.