Cotopaxi, Ecuador · South America
Latacunga sits on the route: 20 minutes from Pujilí, 33km from Quilotoa Crater Lake (Laguna Quilotoa).
Latacunga is in Cotopaxi, Ecuador, with about 210,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Pujilí, about 9 km away.
Latacunga (Spanish pronunciation: [lataˈkuŋɡa]; Quechua: Latakunga) is a plateau city of Ecuador, capital of the Cotopaxi Province, 89 km (55 mi) south of Quito, near the confluence of the Alaquez and Cutuchi rivers to form the Patate, the headstream of the Pastaza. At the time of census 2022 Latacunga had aRead more
population of 77,267 largely mestizo and indigenous.
Latacunga took its independence from Spain on November 11, 1820.
Latacunga is an hour and half south from Quito on the Pan-American Highway. It was previously also on the old road from Quito to Guayaquil, and has a railway station between those cities. It is 9, 383. 2 ft (2,860 m). above sea level. Its climate is cold and windy, due to the neighboring snowclad heights, and the barren, pumice-covered tableland on which it stands. The active volcano Cotopaxi is only 25 kilometres (16 mi) away, and the town has suffered repeatedly from eruptions. Founded in 1534, it was four times destroyed by earthquakes between 1698 and 1798. The neighboring ruins of an older native town are said to date from the Inca Empire.
Latacunga's most noted food is chugchucaras, empanadas, plantains, popcorn, and tostado (a type of toasted corn). Often, food is mixed with ají, a type of condiment that can be mild to very spicy depending on its preparation.
The Latacunga economy is dependent on agriculture, floriculture and commerce. It has an international airport, the Cotopaxi International Airport, that is not used for international passenger use, but as an Air Force base and some special commercial flights. The local volcanic activity has led to the accumulation of pumice deposits which are currently mined, as well as the presence of natural sparkling water, which is bottled under the brand name San Felipe.
The airplane scene in the film Maria Full of Grace was filmed out of the Latacunga airport using local extras. The landscape seen from the plane is the area surrounding Latacunga.
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Within an hour or so of Latacunga: Quilotoa Crater Lake (Laguna Quilotoa) (33 km), Cotopaxi National Park (34 km), Cotopaxi Volcano (34 km), Baños de Agua Santa (56 km).
Latacunga is in Cotopaxi, Ecuador, about 9 km from Pujilí.
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5 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
A 3 km-wide Ecuadorian caldera filled with a turquoise, mineral-stained lake, reached by a paved road that ends at a village car park metres from the rim edge at 3,900 m. Andean light shifts the water from jade to deep blue.
33 km · about 40 min drive
national park
One of the world's highest active volcanoes with a perfect snow-capped cone rising to 19,347 feet.
34 km · about 40 min drive
natural wonder
One of the world's highest active volcanoes at 5,897 meters, with a near-perfect snow-capped cone visible from Quito on clear days.
34 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
An adventure town at the base of the active Tungurahua volcano, famous for the Swing at the End of the World and the Route of Waterfalls.
56 km · about 65 min drive
waterfall
A thrilling bike ride or bus route past dozens of waterfalls including the 80-meter Pailón del Diablo, descending through cloud forest to the Amazon basin.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Other places to explore near Latacunga.
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