Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Machachi & Aloasí
A bit farther south lies Machachi , a small town just north of the
main turnout for Cotopaxi National Park. Although not a destination
itself, Machachi is coming into its own as a departure point for trips
into the backcountry, especially Cotopaxi National Park. And foreign
travelers can give eternal thanks to Machachi for its mineral spring
water and Agua Gutig bottling plant. Safe drinking water never
seemed so precious as when traveling through Ecuador.
Aloasí , a village just north and across the highway from Machachi,
offers an even nicer rural setting, accommodations and home base for
exploring the region, especially around Volcán Corazón and the
Ilinizas.
Latacunga
A couple of hours south of Quito is Latacunga, the capital of the prov-
ince of Cotopaxi. With nearly 40,000 people, it is historically interest-
ing - dating back to the pre-Incan Puruhá Indians - but lacks
character or much to see and do. An erupting Cotopaxi Volcano has
reduced Latacunga to ashes three times in the last two centuries. Al-
though it was rebuilt each time, the town has lost much of its original
architecture and, as a result, is now quite modern, in a developing-
country sort of way. It has a nice central plaza, gardens and a few re-
stored colonial structures worth visiting.
Use Latacunga as a stopping point during the
magnificent drive through the Avenue of the
Volcanoes or as a base for local excursions,
including Lake Quilotoa, the native markets of
Pujilí
and Saquisilí,
and
surrounding
indigenous villages.
Most of the activity, including tourist services, centers around
Parque Vicente León , at Quito andMaldonado. Themain church is
here, along with several hotels and restaurants (there are also a few
farther northwest toward Río Cutuchi and the railroad tracks). Other
points of interest include the Casa de laMarqueses deMiraflores ,
at Orellana and Echeverría, which has a museum in a nicely reno-
vated colonial mansion. The highlight includes a display on the
Mama Negra festivities that occur on September 24, paying homage
to slaves brought over by the Spanish during the colonial era. Casa
de la Cultura , at Vela 3-49 and Salcedo, is the best museum in town,
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