Travel Guide to Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas

Getting There

• Car

  From Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, take the E28 highway heading west toward Quito. Continue on E28 for about 45 kilometers until you reach the junction with E35. Turn left to join E35 towards Ambato. After approximately 30 kilometers, watch for signs indicating Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas. Follow the signs and continue driving for another 10 kilometers until you reach the entrance to the reserve. Note that there may be an entrance fee to access the park, typically around $5 per person.

• Public Transportation

  To travel by public transport, start at the main bus terminal in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Look for buses heading to Ambato, which depart frequently throughout the day. The journey will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Once you arrive in Ambato, take a taxi or a local bus towards La Maná, asking the driver to drop you off at the entrance to Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas. Be prepared to pay the taxi fare, which should be around $10-15, or the local bus fare, which is typically under $2. Entrance to the reserve will also incur a fee, usually around $5.

• Combined Transport (Car & Taxi)

  If you have access to a car but prefer not to drive the entire way, you can drive from Santo Domingo to Ambato (approximately 1.5 hours). Once in Ambato, park your car at a secure location and take a taxi to Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas. The taxi ride will take about 30 minutes and should cost between $10-15. Make sure to confirm the taxi fare before starting the trip. Don't forget that there may be an entrance fee to the reserve, which is typically around $5.