Central Highlands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 156

Visitor Information
All arrangements for tours, destinations, and accom-
modations within the Central Highlands are best made
in Quito (see pages 94-97 for more details) or Baños for
excursions farther south and east (see page 192).
Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba also have tour oper-
ators that operate in this region (see pages 174-75). While larger cit-
ies provide most modern services, the smaller towns, such as
Machachi, may have post and communications options (an Andinatel
office). Although telephones are available at mid-level to high-end ac-
commodations, such as Hacienda La Ciénega, the more remote re-
treats, such as Yanahurco, depend on radio contact with Quito.
Modern services are available inLatacunga, Ambato, andRiobamba.
Latacunga
In Latacunga, most services are centrally located near Parque
Vicente León and the cathedral, which is at Quito and Maldonado.
Telecommunications (Andinatel) and the post office are located
at Quevedo and Maldonado. There are a few Internet cafés nearby.
The Banco de Pichincha and Banco Popular are both located on
Parque Vicente León; and Filanbanco is on Quito and Guayaquil.
Other than small stores, there is a Saturdaymarket on the Plaza de
San Sebastián and quality artesanía (crafts) are sold in the Tuesday
market at the Plaza de Santo Domingo (on Calle Guayaquil, between
Orellano and Quito). Buses traveling through Latacunga stop right
on the Pan-American at 5 de Junio; from there you can walk over the
river into downtown or catch a taxi. Plaza El Salto, on Amazonas and
Valencia, has taxis and camionetas (trucks for hire) nearby.
Ambato
In Ambato, the post office is adjacent to Parque Montalvo, at
Castillo and Bolívar, and is open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. The
Andinatel telephone office is openMon-Fri, 8 am-9:30 pmat Castillo
03-31 and Rocafuerte. The new Café Internet is open 8 am-8 pm
daily at Castillo 06-48 and Cevallos. Banks that provide ATM ser-
vices and/or change travelers checks include Banco de Guayaqui l,
at Sucre and JLMera; Banco del Pacífico , at Cevallos and Lalama;
Banco del Pichincha , at Parque Cevallos on Lalama and Cevallos;
and Cambiato , at Bolívar 694 and JLMera, for travelers checks/cur-
rency exchange. The Ministry of Tourism office, at Guayaquil and
Rocafuerte (near the Hotel Ambato), is openMon-Fri. For shopping ,