Discover the Majestic Cotopaxi National Park

Getting There

• Car

  If you're traveling by car from the Amazon region to Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, start by heading to the nearest major city, such as Tena. From Tena, take the E45 highway south towards Quito. After approximately 180 kilometers, you will reach the city of Ambato. From Ambato, continue on the E35 highway heading north towards Quito. Keep an eye out for signs indicating 'Parque Nacional Cotopaxi' as you approach the park, which is located about 50 kilometers south of Quito. The entrance to the park is well-marked and requires a small entrance fee of around $2 per person.

• Public Transportation

  To reach Parque Nacional Cotopaxi via public transportation, start from Tena and take a bus to Quito. Buses frequently run between these cities and the trip takes approximately 5-6 hours. Upon arriving in Quito, head to the Quitumbe bus terminal and catch a bus heading to Latacunga, which is about 2 hours away. Once in Latacunga, transfer to a local bus or taxi that takes you directly to the entrance of Parque Nacional Cotopaxi. Expect to pay around $1-2 for the bus from Quito to Latacunga and a small fee of $0.50 for the local bus to the park.

• Taxi or Rideshare

  If you prefer a more comfortable option than public transportation, consider hiring a taxi or using a rideshare app from Quito to Parque Nacional Cotopaxi. This option is more expensive, with costs ranging from $50 to $80 for a one-way trip, but it provides direct access to the park. The drive will take about 1.5 hours if traffic permits. Make sure to negotiate the price before starting the journey or confirm the fare through the rideshare app.