Cotopaxi National Park in Babahoyo

Stunning, impressive, the place to go if your visiting Quito or Ecuador. I hope I return someday to climb the Cotopaxi.

Better go with your own or rent car up to the mountain. If you are lucky, you might see the mountain foxes. It is cold up there so better bring your jacket.

A must go too experience for those that love nature and hikes!!!!

Cotopaxi is a stunning volcano and the surrounding area is equally as scenic. Well worth the trip.For those visiting independently and without a vehicle, heres some useful info to help you plan your visit:You can hire a driver and truck at the little tourism office beside the roundabout off the Panamerican highway (near Rondador Cotopaxi Lodge). The cost is between $25-$35 USD per person depending on the number of people (minimum 2, maximum 4). Those travelling solo will pay more. Theres a $1 entry fee to the park.The driver will take you to the Limpiopungo Lagoon where you stop for photos. On a clear day, the views of Cotopaxi from here are incredible. And youll also spot birds out on the lagoon.The driver will also take you to the carpark below the Jose F. Rivas refuge, where you can walk up to and get closer to the top of the volcano. Its roughly a 50 minute walk. At the refuge you can enjoy a hot drink, soak up the birds eye views or walk further along from the refuge to get closer to a glacier. We tried, but didnt get very far as it looked too steep and unsafe.All in all, the trip takes around 3-4hrs and the driver will drop you back off at the roundabout.We rocked up at the roundabout around midday and had no problems booking a driver. And luckily, the weather in the afternoon was better than it had been in the morning. So dont be put off by all the blogs telling you to get there by 10am.Its definitely worth staying somewhere nearby so you dont have to carry your luggage with you. Plus, depending on where you stay, you get to see Cotopaxi at sunset. Enjoy!

Great Experience to climb Cotopaxi !

Stunning natural landscape. I came to climb the mountain itself from the refuge. This I managed in unseasonably poor weather. No views 😪

Beautiful place, nice camping opportunity with campfire options.

Bring hot clothes, and hope for a clear day

Amazing natural reserve! You can take many kinds of hikes/tours at different difficulty level

Fantastic park. Closes at 5 with a large barrier preventing exit. Camping area available for 3$ near second building that offers food service.

If the weather cooperates you will get stunning views of the volcano. The roads are dirt and very rough so be prepared. Its a high altitude environment so be ready for all types of weather and rapid changes on temperature. If you have the right vehicle you can drive up to 15,000 feet.

Only when coming here do you realise the full extent of the diversity of terrains and climates in Ecuador. Flora and fauna mix here with unbelievable panoramas. Note that the road to the refuge is in bad condition and it is advised to come there with an all wheel drive vehicle or an organised tour. We saw wild foxes and stallions. Also climbed to the refuge which took us about 35 minutes at a fast pace but definitely take your time if you need it to avoid altitude sickness. I recommend coming back down running through the straight ridge that goes to the parking, it feels like skiing but be careful not to fall as it will hurt a lot ;)

Beautiful park for a hike. Cotopaxi volcano was in full view at noon. Had lunch in one of the many rest areas. Great experience. Maybe one day Ill climb the volcano. 😍

The Cotopaxi is a beautiful active volcano, you can reach the parking lot by car, and then you can walk up to the refuge if you hike more you can reach the glacier.

The park was closed all day December 21, 2020 with no indication as to the reason. After extensive research, there is no explanation to be found online or posted at the gate. I’m not sure how we would have known it was closed. I’d recommend somehow checking beforehand before making the trip.

Beautiful volcano and scenery all around. We paid for a guided tour with a drive through the park and a hike up to the Refugio, where you can stamp your passport, have a hot chocolate, and sign your name on your countrys flag. You can also go horseback riding here and enjoy the scenery among the wild horses (we arranged this through the hacienda where we stayed). The altitude is high so you have to be careful to take it easy as you acclimate, but its a lovely place to visit and enjoy nature.

Hyperventilated at least 3 times on my way to the base camp (altitude got to me), but is was so worth it! And then going down again in the middel of a snowstorm, my personal fight with the elements, loved it! Finally on the MTB cycling all the way back to the village. The thrill, the speed, the gorgeous views along the way... This is adventure, this is living!

Beautiful environment. You can drive your own car up to the laguna.

Perhaps the largest refuge ever. Never stayed at one this big before, and because of the amount of people coming through... It probably be the warmest one you stay at too. Bunk beds were comfortable , bathrooms are outdoors but the one inside the main hut will open at night for the midnight trekkers attempting a summit climb.- Bring your own toilet paper and wet wipes- Bring snacks if youre tired of Snickers and Doritos- Dont forget your sleeping bag- I used a lock (like a luggage oneto store my items in these wooden storage areas below each bunk bed.- Be organized – there are a lot of other trekkers trying to sleep. The more organized you are the less noise youll make if youre getting up before most others

Wonderful place, beautiful view of the Cotopaxi volcano.

We took a tour bus after initially contemplating a drive ourselves. Much better to take a good tour - as they are able to describe there landscape and sights to see. Secondly, the drive up the mountain is mostly gravel. Even if one is an experienced driver this is not for the faint of heart. You need to know when to toot your horn at each turn and if the weather is as bad as it was when we went you can barely see 10 get ahead.We booked through Viator - who did not stress the need for good clothing choices. Make sure you have warm coats and gloves. Water proof jacket is a must.After a painful 45 min walk uphill we reached the refuge center. It was a test of our strength and Im proud to have done it with my teenager.

When you are lucky to get a view of cotopaxi you will See the perfect volcan, for me, but i would recommend it anyway to go there, it was cloudy, foggy, sunny raining and snowing on cotopaxi but the colors and the height were always incredible. Roads are good, had just a basic car, no 4wd.

Amazing view. DO NOT MISS IT ! take your time and climb to the glacier, be sure you are okay with the altitude

If you coming come with a car! The cheapest trip that i found was 30 dollars for 2 peoples.If you like challenge you can make it for free in that way:We arrived from quito with a bus stop on the road walk to the other side of the road where you can find sellers of the trip.From there we took a car that cost us 1 dollar for each to the entrance of the park.There you will find a lot of peoples with a car and just ask them to join.Make it before the park worker write the names of people in the car.Other way is if you like to treck it will take you 30 kilometers to the top(you can sleep there).Take with you hot closes because it is very cold upstairs.

Very nice views and an enjoyable hike.

Place definitely worth a visit. Stunning views, awesome fauna and flora all around. Id recommend at least a 4x4 car if youre planning to explore the Park further to the 1st. refuge.

Amazing place to spend a few nights camping and hiking.

A must do trip if in Ecuador. Climbing to the cabin is very challenging but worth it for the view. Take your time and ensure you come prepared with something to cover your head, mouth, and eyes. If you are from a low altitude area, make sure you give yourself some time to adjust to the altitude before attempting this hike.

Great visit for a small trip from Quito. Definitely worth the trip. The only thing is try to go on a clear day. For me it was cloudy but it cleared up enough for photos. If you wanna make it to the REFUGIO (base campI suggest going there early. The wind chill is cold so take some thick sweaters. If you forget they sell some at the entrance. Hen you go in you have to park and register with the park ranger. Take an I’d and take picture of the car plate.

Very high up. We were told we reached 4,500 meters, which is about 14,700 feet. Very good view. We did it on horseback, much better than walking.

Breathtaking scenery, be ready for extreme conditions.

Beautiful. Clean. Great experience. So glad we came.

Easy accessible volcano slope with ice and sometimes with snow in the hour of car riding from Quito. Suitable trekking boots and sticks needed. Cell phone may be not usable because of the lack of cell operator capacity in the park.

Amazing experience and such a majestic presence of this volcano in the Cotopaxi park. Climbing it was a physical struggle that I will never forget but will forever cherish its beauty.

A stunning place where words and photos cannot do it justice you have to see it for yourself. Theres so many different views and landscapes to see. Theres wildlife, for expample I saw deer, a fox, wild horses, and cows. For beautiful views i stoped at the lagoon and cotopaxi and was plenty satisfied with the beauty of just these two places.

A very nice place. Dont underestimate the hikes there. It is just 45 minutes to one hour to the refugio, but it is very challenging.Furthermore, I definitely recommend the horseriding for both beginners and experts.

Beautiful national park. Very well managed and respected for the national treasure that it is.

Amazing, simply beautiful. Wanderbus tour.

Such a beautiful place. Find a guide and a ride right off of the highway. 20-25 dollars a person. Climb your way to the lodge or all the way to the top! Be prepared for the cold and lack of oxygen.

Beautiful park, beautifully preserved. A must visit

Really gorgeous park with the towering peaks surrounding you in every direction. A lot of people, but also lots of space!

Sublime way to be one with natureClimbing with the guide and light of the gorgeous moon slowly takes you from 4800 to almost 5900 meters at the summit of this mighty active volcanoIf you are lucky, you will enjoy an hallucinating 360 degree view of the Andes and valleysDont miss this experience!!!

You need a bit of luck with the weather, but if you get to see the volcano through the clouds, it is quite beautiful. Hiking up the volcano to the refuge is very doable, and hiking a bit further to the mini glacier is too, and is worth it.

Great hiking, but check rules about needing a guide before you drive all the way up.

Wonderful place to hike.

Its a great place landscape-wise, however, it needs more signaling, toilets are a desastre (mainly at the Jose Rivas settlementand theres no first aid spot. Theres no clear info about opening hours at the registration point.

Great views of Cotopaxi. You can actually drive and park close to the volcano. It is windy and cold though, so be prepared. I would advise you to bring gloves too, if you dont have pockets to hide your hands!

Incredible, breathtaking, majestic, magical

A must go if you are in the area. The landscapes and scenery are unique and it is an unforgettable experience. You can go with your own car, but make sure it is in top condition because the road is sometimes bumpy because of the weather and is strong enough to drive on steep hills. You can hire a guide/driver and a 4WD for USD$65 or just the guide for USD$40 (ask for Jovani, as I had a marvelous time with himor if you are experienced and know the are you can go by yourself (just paying the entrance fee). Be careful and stop a couple of times along the road to adjust to elevation! If you bring your kids, let them control the pace as they sometimes struggle with elevation sickness.

Stunning views, what an experience!