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.
12 km · about 20 min drive
Imbabura, Ecuador · South America
Cotacachi is worth a stop: 5 minutes from San Roque, 12km from Cuicocha.
Cotacachi is a town located in Imbabura, Ecuador. With a population of 8,238, it is an important destination in South America.
On a road trip, Cotacachi sits in Ecuador, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Guayaquil time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Cotacachi to your route.
Cotacachi is a town that is the seat of Cotacachi Canton, Imbabura Province, Ecuador, in South America. Cotacachi is located at an altitude of 2,418 metres (7,933 ft) and had a population of 8,848 in 2010.
Cotacachi is an artisan city that is famous for its leather goods and handicrafts. Cotacachi residents are alsoRead more
well known for their carne colorada (filet of pork cooked in red achiote sauce), and queso de hoja (soft cheese wrapped in a plant leaf).
The city of Cotacachi holds a UNESCO medal for being free of illiteracy. In 2000 the entire canton was declared the first ecological county of South America.
Cotacachi was designated a Pueblo Mágico (magical town) by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) in 2019. It is one of the country's five original Pueblos Mágicos.
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Cotacachi offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Cotacachi is located in Imbabura, Ecuador, South America. The coordinates are 0.2995 latitude, -78.2656 longitude.
Cotacachi has a population of approximately 8,238 people, making it a town in Ecuador.
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2 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
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.
12 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
A monument marking the equatorial line where you can stand in both hemispheres simultaneously, just north of Quito.
40 km · about 45 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Other places to explore near Cotacachi.
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