Ecuador - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 593

& Bus Terminal

this traditional town's nineteenth-century
architecture and wide avenues lined with
huge palm trees make it a pleasant
stopover for a day or so. It's also the best
base to climb towering Volcán
Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest
mountain.

Alta
Montaña

RIOBAMBA

Plaza de Toros

Parque 21
de Abril
ACCOMMODATION
Imperial
El Libertador
Montecarlo
Ñuca Huasi
Oasis
Los Shyris
Tren Dorado
Troje

MAYO R RUIZ

4
1
6
3
7
5
2
8
EATING & DRINKING
El Delirio
Pizzería d'Baggio
El Rey de Burrito
San Valentín
Sierra Nevada
El Tentadero

Julio Verne

Train
Station

6

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
The best sightseeing is centred around
Parque Maldonado . he Catedral is the
only building in town that survived the
1797 earthquake, and was painstakingly
moved and reconstructed when the town
was rebuilt in a new location. The
Basilica , nearby on Parque La Libertad, is
the only round church in Ecuador. A
couple of blocks further north, inside the
Monasterio de las Conceptas, the Museo
de Arte Religioso has a large collection of
religious art (entrance on Argentinos;
Tues-Sat 9am-12.30pm & 3-6.30pm;
$3). On Saturdays, Riobamba has one of
the largest markets in the region,
spreading out northeast of Parque de la
Concepción. On clear days, walk up the
hill to Parque 21 de Abril for views of
Chimborazo.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus Riobamba's main bus terminal is 2km northwest of
the centre. From the Oriente (and from Baños if the road
passing Tungurahua is open) you arrive at the Terminal
Oriental (Espejo, at Luz Elisa Borja); take a regular bus
($0.25) to the centrally located train station. A taxi into
town from the terminal costs $1.
Destinations Ambato (hourly; 1hr); Baños (hourly via
Ambato; 2hr); Cuenca (hourly; 6hr); Guayaquil (hourly;
4hr 30min); Quito (hourly; 4hr).
By train See box, p.598.

5
2
1
4
6
3

Monasterio de
las Conceptas

Parque
Sucre

Museo de
Arte Religioso PLAZA LA

CONCEPCÍON

La Concepcíon

Mercado
La Merced

Parque
Maldonado

Catedral

Museo de la Ciudad

Municipio

PLAZA SAN
FRANCISCO

Mercado
San Francisco

Parque de
la Libertad

La Basílica

0 200

metres

Imperial 10 de Agosto, at Rocafuerte T 03 296 0429. One
of the best deals in town, with colourful decor, s pacio us
rooms, friendly service and surprisingly low prices. $12
Ì El Libertador Av Daniel León Borja 29-22 T 03 294
7393. The best mid-range deal. For more comfort, this
colonial-style hotel has spacious, tastefully furnished
rooms with cable TV. $25
Montecarlo 10 de Agosto 25-41 T 03 296 1557, W hotel
montecarlo-riobamba.com. To treat yourself, try this restored
historic house aro und a pleasant flower-filled courtyard.
Breakfast included. $33
Ñuca Huasi 10 de Agosto 10-24 T 03 296 6669. For those
on a very tight budget, tr y the se basic rooms in a tatty but
characterful old building. $10
Oasis Veloz, at Almagro T 03 296 1210. South of the
Basilica in a quiet area of town, this is an excellent mid-
range choice. Tastefully decorated rooms, with a garden,
courtyard an d kit chen. Book in advance as there are only
eight rooms. $24
Los Shyris 10 de Agosto, at Rocafuerte T 03 296 0323.
An excellent b udg et deal with private baths, cable TV
and hot water. $18

ACCOMMODATION
Most accommodation is situated close to the train station.
The area can be noisy so it's best to stay off the main road
or ask for a back room.

Ì TREAT YOURSELF
Troje Km4.5 Via Riobamba a Chambo
T 03 262 2201, W eltroje.com. If you have
spare cash, go south of town to enjoy
the sauna and spacious grounds of thi s
upmarket hostería . Breakfast included. $55