Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOURS TO QUILOTOA
If you're travelling alone or want to see Quilotoa without the inconvenience of relying on
public transport, take a
guided tour
from Latacunga. A one-day tour to the lake costs $40,
or three days to do the entire loop costs $130.
TOUR OPERATORS
Tierra Zero
Padre Salcedo, at Quito
T
03 280 4327.
Tova Expeditions
Guayaquil 5-38, at Quito
T
03
281 1333.
Volcan Route
2 de Mayo, at Guayaquil
T
03 281 2452,
E
volcanroute@hotmail.com.
All these operators also offer hiking and climbing tours
to Cotopaxi.
6
AMBATO
Some 47km south of Latacunga, most
tourists pass through
AMBATO
en route to
Baños or Riobamba. There's little to hold
your interest for more than a few hours
and the downtown area suffers from
traffic problems, which can ruin the
experience of wandering around what is,
in parts, a beautiful city.
Baños don't leave from the bus station. Take a taxi ($1.50)
to Mercado Mayorista where buses to Baños pass several
times per hour (45min; $0.80).
Tourist information
The tourist o
ce on Guayaquil, at
Rocafuerte (
T
03 282 1800), is open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
and has maps and brochures.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Ambato tends to cater for the business
community, so mid-range hotels are more expensive, while
cheaper options tend to be seedy. You're better off heading
to Baños or Riobamba.
Hotel Ambato
Guayaquil, at Rocafuerte
T
03 242 1793,
W
hotelambato.com. The best in town with spectacular
views of
the
river and a gourmet restaurant. Breakfast
included.
$68
Pirámide Inn
Av Cevallos, at Mariano Egüez
T
03
242 1920. Well-appointed rooms with hot
wat
er, private
bathroom and cable TV. Breakfast included.
$30
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Of most interest in the
Parque Juan
Montalvo
is the
Casa de Montalvo
(Mon-Fri 9am-noon & 2-6pm, Sat
10am-1pm; $1), the former residence
of Ambato's most famous literary son.
A liberal, he was forced into exile by
conservative president Gabriel García
Moreno in 1869. The house has a
collection of photos, manuscripts,
clothing and a life-size portrait.
Unnervingly, Juan Montalvo's body is
on display in the mausoleum. His face
is covered by a death mask but his
decayed fingers are visible. On the other
side of the park is the city's huge but
rather ugly modern
cathedral
, rebuilt
after the devastating 1949 earthquake.
The interior is more impressive, with
huge bronze statues and fabulous
acoustics during Mass. Escape the city's
bustle by visiting the riverside gardens
of
La Quinta de Juan León Mera
(Av Los
Capulies; Wed-Sun 9.30am-5.30pm;
$1), just 2km from the centre (30min
walk or $1 taxi ride).
EATING AND DRINKING
Café Marcelos
Castillo, at Rocafuerte
T
03 282 8208.
Renowned locally as one of the best places to eat in town.
Choose from a wide range of meats, snacks and delicious
ice cream. $6-10.
Café la Catedral
Bolívar. This friendly little café, in
a small mall opposite the cathedral entrance, is ideal for
good-value lunches ($2.50-4).
La Fornace
Av Cevallos 17-28. Delicious pizza baked in
a massive brick oven as well as great pasta dishes ($3-6).
Parrilladas El Gaucho
Bolívar, at Quito. The best spot to
pig out on huge portions of steak and barbecued meats
($7-10).
SALASACA
On the road between Ambato and
Baños, it's worth stopping at
SALASACA
,
famous for its tapestries. The indigenous
people who live here look noticeably
different, dressed in black ponchos and
white hats. They originate from Bolivia,
driven here by the Incas in the fifteenth
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus
Ambato's bus station is 2km north of the centre
and an important hub. There are regular services to
and from Quito, Guayaquil, Latacunga, Riobamba, Puyo,
Cuenca and Loja. To get to the centre of town costs $1.50
by taxi or you can catch a local bus. Note that buses to
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