For any Ecuador experts on here -
I have 6 full days in Ecuador. I will spend 1.5 to 2 days in Quito. So I'm not sure what to do with the rest of the time. These are the three options I came up with:
1. Otavalo, the nearby lakes and maybe Mindo.
2. Latacunga and the Quilotoa Loop, though I'm not really crazy about spending hours on buses between villages.
3. Banos and Puyo.
I've seen many colonial mountain towns and markets across Latin America, so I'd like to see something different this time, which is why I am leaning toward #3.
Any thoughts?
Where in Ecuador?
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Thank you Katherine. Do you know anything about Puyo? Is it worth visiting? And do you think Cotopaxi is good as a day trip from Quito?
Hi there I would say Puyo is not worth visiting, but Cotopaxi definitely is! You could stay in a hacienda in the Andes for one night, which will give you the complete experience, or if not a day trip works too! I would do either Mindo or Baños. Due to your limited time I would say Mindo is a better option since it's closer to Quito. And Otavalo is a definite yes as well, the biggest indigenous market in Ecuador. Safe travels!
Hey, you should also try going to Papallacta thermal baths (Napo province). Those will be volcanic pools straight form the Cayambe and the Antisana and only at a 1 ½ hrs drive from Quito. If the sky is open enough, you will get great view of the Antisana Volcano peak. Still, that highway landscape is beautiful and once on Papallacta you can stay at a hotel - spa or return back to Quito, as they are not rally that far away.
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