natural wonder
Cuicocha
A crater lake at 3,068 m in the Cotacachi caldera with two forested lava-dome islands, ringed by a 12 km rim trail. Volcanic gas still bubbles from the lake bed.
12 km · about 20 min drive
South AmericaEcuadorImbabura
Cotacachi
Imbabura, Ecuador · South America
About Cotacachi
Cotacachi is worth a stop: 5 minutes from San Roque, 12km from Cuicocha.
Cotacachi is in Imbabura, Ecuador, with about 8,200 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is San Roque, about 4 km away.
Cotacachi is a town that is the seat of Cotacachi Canton, Imbabura Province, Ecuador, in South America. Cotacachi is located at an altitude of 2,418 metres (7,933 ft) and had a population of 10,526 in 2022.
Cotacachi is an artisan city that is famous for its leather goods and handicrafts. Cotacachi residents are alsoRead more
well known for their carne colorada (filet of pork cooked in red achiote sauce), and queso de hoja (soft cheese wrapped in a plant leaf).
The city of Cotacachi holds a UNESCO medal for being free of illiteracy. In 2000 the entire canton was declared the first ecological county of South America.
Cotacachi was designated a Pueblo Mágico (magical town) by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) in 2019. It is one of the country's five original Pueblos Mágicos.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Cotacachi?
Within an hour or so of Cotacachi: Cuicocha (12 km), Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) (40 km).
Where is Cotacachi?
Cotacachi is in Imbabura, Ecuador, about 4 km from San Roque.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 8,238
- Continent
- South America
- Country
- Ecuador
- Region
- Imbabura
- Timezone
- America/Guayaquil
- Coordinates
- 0.2995, -78.2656
Tags
Worth the detour from Cotacachi
2 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World)
A monument marking the equatorial line where you can stand in both hemispheres simultaneously, just north of Quito.
40 km · about 45 min drive
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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