Quito is one of the best base camps in South America for day trips. In a single day you can soak in volcanic hot springs, walk through the biggest indigenous market on the continent, or hike to 4,810 meters (15,780 ft) on an active volcano — and still be back for dinner. Here are the 10 best things to do around Quito in 1 day, with real distances, prices and how to get there by bus, car or organized tour.
Quito has a lot to offer for travellers, the most popular activities are visiting the Historic Center, the Middle of the World and the Teleférico. There are also many things you can do outside of the city in one day, for those that want to get out and explore the surroundings of Quito. It is possible to leave in the morning and return to Quito in the late afternoon.
Quick answer: 10 best day trips from Quito
- Papallacta Hot Springs – thermal baths about 1 hour east
- Otavalo – South America’s biggest indigenous market, 1.5–2 hours north
- Cotopaxi National Park – hike to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,810 m
- El Boliche & the Train of the Volcanoes – scenic train ride, Thursday to Sunday
- Quilotoa – turquoise crater lake, roughly 3.5 hours south
- Waterfalls of Sangolquí – Valle de los Chillos, 45–60 minutes
- Pasochoa – extinct volcano and wildlife refuge
- Ilaló – hiking volcano between Cumbayá and El Tingo
- Antisana Ecological Reserve – páramo and wildlife, private transport needed
- Mindo – cloud forest, ziplining and birdwatching, about 2 hours northwest
Here are our recommendations about what to do around Quito in 1 day, in more detail:
Papallacta Hot Springs
Papallacta is a small town on the way from Quito to the Amazon. It is located in the Andes 43.5 miles (70km) east of the capital at an altitude of 10,827 feet (3,300 meters).
You can reach Papallacta by car in 1 hour. You can also take a bus from Quitumbe Terminal in the south of Quito (see our full guide to Quito’s bus stations), or from Cumbayá (for example from Scala Shopping) in the direction of Papallacta or Baeza. Those buses can leave you at the entrance to Papallacta, and from there you can find a taxi to take you the rest of the way to the thermals.
The main attractions of the town are the hot springs and the spa of Termas Papallacta. The water comes from the Antisana Volcano, and it is also a good place for hiking. From Papallacta you can go further east to reach the Amazon.
Otavalo
Otavalo is a town 56 miles (90km) north of Quito, easily accessible by bus from the Terminal Terrestre de Carcelén.
In Otavalo you will find the biggest indigenous market of South America. The busiest day is Saturday, though you can visit any day of the week as the market runs every day. It is famous for its textiles, handicrafts, food, spices and other products local to Ecuador.
Other attractions in Otavalo are the Peguche Waterfall and the Condor Park (with several birds and, of course, condors). On the way to Otavalo you can visit Laguna San Pablo for beautiful lake views. Close to Otavalo are the Cuicocha Lake and the Mojanda Lakes if you have more time to explore the area.
Community Adventures offers day tours to Otavalo that visit the market, Cuicocha Lake and the town of Cotacachi, where you can explore the local leather workshops.
Cotopaxi
One of the highlights of every visit to Ecuador is a tour to Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is the second highest volcano in Ecuador at 19,347 ft (5,897 meters), and it is still active.
The volcano is famous for its almost symmetrical cone that starts at 12,467 ft (3,800 meters). The panorama is spectacular, and you may spot wild animals like llamas, wild horses, and if you are lucky, foxes, pumas or condors.
A visit to the park usually includes hiking to the José Rivas Refuge at 15,780 ft (4,810 meters). The starting point is the parking lot at 15,092 feet (4,600 meters); the hike takes about an hour, depending on your pace.
At the José Rivas Refuge you can buy hot drinks and soup, and it is possible to stay overnight — many climbers do this before attempting the summit.
Back at the parking lot, many tours offer mountain bike rides downhill to Limpiopungo Lagoon at 12,769 ft (3,892 meters), one of the starting points to climb Rumiñahui volcano.
You can visit Cotopaxi National Park by car, or by bus from the Quitumbe bus station in the south of Quito to Machachi and then a pickup truck into the park. You can also take a bus to El Chaupi and then a pickup truck. Community Adventures also runs daily tours to Cotopaxi.
El Boliche – Train Ride
El Boliche is a recreation area next to Cotopaxi National Park, covering 392 hectares at an altitude between 11,430 and 12,224 ft (3,484 and 3,726 meters). It is known for its pine and cypress trees and is a great spot for shorter hikes.
It is accessible by car or bus (the same buses that go to Cotopaxi National Park — ask the driver to stop at the small road that leads from the Panamericana highway to El Boliche). From there you can take a taxi to the park entrance.
A nice alternative to El Boliche is the Train of the Volcanoes (Tren de los Volcanes), which runs Thursday to Sunday (and on national holidays) from Chimbacalle station in the south of Quito to El Boliche. During the ride you can enjoy the Andean panorama while Spanish and English speaking guides explain the history of Ecuador, the construction of the railway and the Andes. The train also stops in Machachi and Tambillo, where you can learn about local culture. Lunch is included.
Quilotoa
Quilotoa is a crater lake formed by the eruption of the Quilotoa volcano 600 years ago. It is 2 miles (3km) wide and 250m deep (820 ft). The water has a greenish, turquoise color due to its mineral content.
It is a popular tourist attraction, but you’ll also find local people collecting the mineral-rich water for their animals.
You can hike down from the crater rim (about 3,800m / 12,467ft) to the lagoon (about 3,500m / 11,482ft) in roughly 30 minutes; the way back up takes 1–2 hours. You can also hike around the rim (10km total).
At the lagoon you can hire kayaks, or hire mules if you don’t feel like hiking back up. Quilotoa is also the start or end point of the multi-day Quilotoa Loop Trek.
In the village next to the crater you’ll find hostels and restaurants; there is also a small hostel inside the crater next to the lagoon, and camping is possible.
You can reach Quilotoa by bus from Latacunga, or a bus to Zumbahua and then a pickup truck. Another option is a day tour from Quito — Community Adventures runs daily tours that include a local community visit and market alongside Quilotoa.
Waterfalls of Sangolquí (Valle de los Chillos)
Not far from Quito you can visit several impressive waterfalls in Sangolquí. The main inconvenience is that they aren’t easy to reach without a car.
To reach the “Gran Cascada de Pita” (Pita River Waterfall), take a bus from Marín bus station towards “El Choclo” or “El Colibrí” (companies like Amaguaña or General Pintag; behind the Catholic University of Quito the Vingala bus also goes to El Colibrí and El Choclo). On weekends, small green private buses run to the parking spot, and at 8am there’s also a Cooperativa Lorenzo bus.
The entrance fee is USD 2. Bring hiking boots, and rubber boots in the rainy season. It’s a great place for hiking, swimming and camping.
Pasochoa
Like the waterfalls, Pasochoa volcano is in Valle de los Chillos. Take a bus to Sangolquí or Amaguaña (for example Cooperativa Amaguaña), then a taxi or pickup truck.
Pasochoa is an extinct volcano (4,200m / 13,779 ft) southeast of Quito, inside the Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge, with a collapsed, semicircular crater.
The refuge is one of the last original Andean forests, home to Polylepis trees and several orchid species. You may spot different bird species and, with luck, pumas, foxes and white-tailed deer. It’s a popular hiking destination with several trails, including a route to the summit.
Ilaló
Another popular hiking spot is the extinct volcano Ilaló, located between Cumbayá/Tumbaco to the north and El Tingo to the south. Several trails lead up to the Cross of Ilaló; the most popular starts in El Tingo, accessible by bus from La Marín in Quito (Cooperativa Terma Turis).
Ilaló is 3,188m (10,459 ft) high. From El Tingo you’ll need about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the cross. The trail starts on the right side of the church in El Tingo’s main square, where you can stock up on supplies. After 20 minutes you’ll pass a second church with small shops (not always open early in the morning).
Start early to avoid the midday heat — there is little shade on the way up. From the top you’ll have great views of Cotopaxi, Antisana, Pichincha, Corazón, Pasochoa, Sincholagua and Iliniza Norte.
Antisana Ecological Reserve
Antisana is a volcano located 50km (31 miles) southeast of Quito, inside the Antisana Ecological Reserve, at 5,704m (18,714 ft). It’s a wonderful place to experience the páramo of the Ecuadorian Andes.
You can hike or mountain bike in the reserve, and with luck spot pumas, foxes, condors, white-tailed deer and spectacled bears. Private transport is required to get there.
Mindo
One of the most popular day tours from Quito goes to Mindo, 80km (50 miles) northwest of the capital.
In and around Mindo you’ll find the Chocoan lowlands and the Tropical Andes, two of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the world. Mindo is known for its cloud forest, with 500 bird species, 90 butterfly species and over 170 orchid species.
Mindo is also great for adventure sports like tubing, ziplining and waterfall visits. You can take a bus from Terminal Terrestre La Ofelia (company Flor del Valle), or join a Community Adventures day tour that includes a waterfall hike, ziplining and a chocolate factory visit.
How to book these day trips
Most of these excursions — Otavalo, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Mindo — can be booked as guided day tours directly through Community Adventures, the in-house travel agency of Community Hostel Quito, so you don’t have to plan bus routes or transfers yourself. If you’re staying in Quito’s Historic Center, ask at reception or check our hostel page for availability and current rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from Quito?
Cotopaxi National Park and Otavalo Market are the two most popular single-day excursions from Quito, since both are reachable in under 2 hours and can be booked as guided tours.
Can you visit Cotopaxi in one day from Quito?
Yes. Cotopaxi National Park is about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Quito. Most tours include hiking to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,810 meters (15,780 ft) before returning to the city the same evening.
How do I get to Papallacta from Quito without a car?
Take a bus from Quitumbe Terminal (south Quito) or from Cumbayá toward Papallacta or Baeza, then a short taxi from the drop-off point to the hot springs. The full trip takes about 1.5–2 hours each way.
Is Quilotoa doable as a day trip?
Yes, though it’s the furthest option on this list at roughly 3.5 hours each way from Quito. Many travelers join an organized tour to make the long drive worthwhile.
Do I need a car for these day trips?
No. All 10 destinations are accessible by public bus, taxi or an organized day tour. A private vehicle is only strictly necessary for the Antisana Ecological Reserve.
Here are our recommendations for the 10 best things you can do around Quito in just 1 day — or more, if you have the time. As you can see, there is a lot to see and do just by leaving Quito in the morning and returning in the afternoon or evening. It’s up to you: trail rides, relaxing in the hot springs of Papallacta, or trekking and biking.
