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.
14 km · about 25 min drive
South AmericaEcuadorImbabura
Otavalo
Imbabura, Ecuador · South America
About Otavalo
Otavalo is worth a stop: 10 minutes from San Juan de Ilumán, 14km from Cuicocha.
Otavalo is in Imbabura, Ecuador, with about 32,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is San Juan de Ilumán, about 5 km away.
Otavalo, capital of Otavalo Canton, has a population largely made up of the Otavalo indigenous group. It is located in Imbabura Province of Ecuador. According to the 2022 census, the town had a population of 41,718 and is situated at an elevation of 2,532 metres (8,307 ft). It is surrounded by the peaks of ImbaburaRead more
(4,630 metres (15,190 ft)), Cotacachi (4,995 metres (16,388 ft)), and Mojanda volcanoes. Mario Conejo is the current mayor of the city of Otavalo.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Otavalo?
Within an hour or so of Otavalo: Cuicocha (14 km), Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) (34 km), Basilica del Voto Nacional (57 km), La Compañía de Jesús (58 km).
Where is Otavalo?
Otavalo is in Imbabura, Ecuador, about 5 km from San Juan de Ilumán.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 32,330
- Continent
- South America
- Country
- Ecuador
- Region
- Imbabura
- Timezone
- America/Guayaquil
- Coordinates
- 0.2346, -78.2625
Tags
Worth the detour from Otavalo
5 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.
34 km · about 40 min drive
cathedral
Basilica del Voto Nacional
A neo-Gothic basilica in Quito whose gargoyles are Galapagos animals (iguanas, tortoises, boobies) and whose towers can be climbed via open planks above the nave vault.
57 km · about 65 min drive
cathedral
La Compañía de Jesús
A Jesuit church in Quito covered in gold leaf, considered one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in the Americas.
58 km · about 65 min drive
landmark
Quito Old Town
The first UNESCO World Heritage city, a colonial treasure at 2,850 meters with 40 churches, gilded monasteries, and vibrant plazas.
58 km · about 65 min drive
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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