Quilotoa Lagoon

Quilotoa, a village and a lake with the same name, is an increasingly popular tourist destination in Ecuador. Located southwest of Quito, it makes for a pleasant trip past the indigenous villages that populate the countryside.
Quilotoa Lagoon was formed by the collapse of a now-extinct volcano. The resulting crater is filled with a breathtaking emerald-green lake, the color resulting from volcanic minerals.
Walking paths meander up and down along the crater, and the complete walk around the rim takes approximately four hours. It’s also possible to descend from the rim of the crater to the lake below, which takes about 30 minutes, although to get back up takes about an hour. You can also hire a mule for $5 for the trip back up.
There are buses that take visitors directly to the lagoon, but the area can also be accessed by foot from nearby towns. This trip is also an excellent opportunity for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Passing the green valleys, high mountains, deep canyons and cultivated fields is a delight to the eyes. The small villages where people still tend their own farmland are charming to explore.

Practical Info

Quilotoa is located in Cotopaxi province.