Latacunga (Cotopaxi)

Latacunga is an Andean city at about 2800 m., capital city of the Cotopaxi province. It is easily accessible, either by bus, individual car or a shared taxi; the trip from Quito usually takes 1 hours and 30 minutes.

Latacunga is ideal for spending a day or two, before heading to nearby destinations, such as the Quilotoa lagoon or the Cotopaxi National Park. But it is also destination with its own merits and worth visiting.

One of the aspects for which Latacunga is known is its popular annual festival known as the “Mama Negra”, celebrated both in September and in November. This festival is recognized as an intangible heritage and fuses Indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions, focusing on the veneration of the Virgin of Mercy for the protection during the eruptions of the Cotopaxi Volcano.

Latacunga has a small, but well-preserved historic center, with churches and squares. For instance, there is the Santo Domingo Church, known for having been a meeting point where locals gathered to declare the City’s independence from Spain

When visiting Latacunga, you should try its traditional dishes, for which it is widely recognized across the country. One of them is the famous “Chugchucaras”, a dish that consists of pork meat and skin, potatoes, ripe plantain, and various types of corn. Another traditional dish you cannot miss is the “Allullas”, a sort of bread made from wheat flour, lard, salt, sugar, and milk.

Nearby destinations

Besides its own attractions, Latacunga is a base city as well. For instance, tourists aiming for mountaineering or hiking activities find it an adequate site to spend the night in, for it helps with prior altitude acclimatization.

From Latacunga, places like the Cotopaxi Volcano, the Yambo Lagoon, or the Quilotoa Lagoon are easily accessible. A few minutes from Latacunga, you can also visit popular markets in towns like Zumbahua or Salcedo, known for its traditional crafts.