Overview
Riobamba has a quiet atmosphere and serves as a base for outdoor trips. Chimborazo climbs and Sangay National Park's volcanic landscapes are key draws.
Mountains · Culture · Food · Museums
Did you know?
- Roasted pork called hornado anchors the local specialty restaurants.
- Independence week brings parades during Las Fiestas del Abril.
- Daily markets include San Alfonso and La Merced, while Plaza Roja hosts a Saturday market.
Why Go
Riobamba is a city of around 150,000 people in Ecuador's Andean highlands, nicknamed the "Sultan of the Andes" for its dramatic setting in a valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Though once famous as the departure point for the legendary Nariz del Diablo train, the line now runs from nearby Alausi. The city maintains a sleepy, authentic atmosphere and serves primarily as a base for outdoor recreation, including climbs of Ecuador's highest peak Chimborazo and access to Sangay National Park's volcanic landscapes.
Getting In
The main bus terminal handles connections throughout Ecuador. Alausi, the departure point for the Nariz del Diablo train, is a 2-hour bus ride away. Buses to Ambato take 1 hour to the north, while Cuenca lies 6 hours south with fares around $6 via cooperative Patria.
Getting Around
The main tourist area is very walkable—ask for a map at the tourist information center at the corner of Av. Daniel León Borja and Brasil. Local buses cost 30 cents, while taxis are plentiful with most in-town trips around $1.50. Minimum taxi fares are $1.20 until 19:00 and $1.30 after 19:00.
When To Go
Riobamba celebrates Las Fiestas del Abril, or the city's independence week, featuring numerous activities and parades. The weather in the Andean highlands is cool year-round, with clearest mountain views typically in the dry season.
Where To Stay
Budget accommodation options include Hotel Metro ($5 per person, next to train station with basic rooms and tiny bathrooms), Hotel Gran Imperial ($5, corner of 10 de Agosto with balconies and shared bathrooms), and Hotel Tren Dorado ($12/night, half block from train station with hot water and free WiFi). Mid-range options include Hotel Velanez Suite ($15-30 with huge breakfasts) and Hotel Glamour (from $15, near bus terminal with free breakfast). Hotel el Zeus starts from $40/night and sometimes hosts celebrities and athletes.
Food And Drink
Calle 10 de Agosto and Calle Daniel Leon Borja form Riobamba's main dining corridor. Lunch typically costs $2-5 while dinner runs $3-6. Local specialties include hornado (roasted pork) for $3.50-5 at specialized restaurants. D'Baggio serves homemade pizzas ($6-12) with visible wood-oven preparation. Pollo Ejecutivo near Parque Guayaquil offers fried chicken meals for $2-3. The bus terminal has a food court 100m west of the entrance with decent prices but limited vegetarian options. "La Avenida" from El Parque Infantil to La Estación del Tren is the popular evening gathering spot.
Things To Do
The best city views of surrounding mountains are from Parque 21 de Abril, close to the train station. Museo de la Ciudad offers free entry with an eclectic collection of paintings, sculpture, photography, and furniture. The city has 7 daily markets (San Alfonso, San Francisco, and La Merced are in the main tourist area) plus a Saturday market at Plaza Roja. Six parks scattered through town—Parque 21 de Abril, Parque Guayaquil, Parque Sucre, Parque Maldonado, Parque La Libertad, and Parque La Madre—offer free WiFi on the RiobambaDigital network as of January 2023. Riobamba is the nearest city to Chimborazo (Ecuador's highest mountain at 6,263 m) and close to Sangay National Park containing Tungurahua, Sangay, and El Altar volcanoes.
Safety
Riobamba is generally considered safe for travelers, though standard urban precautions apply. The main tourist area is walkable and well-traveled. Hygiene standards vary at local hornado (roasted pork) restaurants.
Connectivity
As of January 2023, most parks in Riobamba offer free WiFi via the RiobambaDigital network. Additional connectivity options are typically available at cafes and hotels.
Go Next
Ambato lies one hour north by bus, offering another glimpse of Ecuador's highland culture. To the south, Cuenca is a 6-hour journey costing approximately $6 with the cooperative Patria—a popular destination for colonial architecture and artesian markets. The Nariz del Diablo train now departs from Alausi, a 2-hour bus ride away, connecting to Sibambe through dramatic mountain terrain.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Sleep
Hotel Boutique San Pedro de Riobamba
Small boutique hotel in a renovated 19th century house, includes a very nice courtyard with restaurant.
Sleep
Hotel Glamour
More than 40 bedrooms, a restaurant, lobby and conference hall, internet, free breakfast, cable TV, bilingual front desk, online booking, hot water. Somewhat rundown and loud.
Price when recorded: From $15
Sleep
Hotel Gran Imperial
One of the cheapest decent hotels in town. Most rooms are shared bathrooms, balconies and large windows.
Price when recorded: $5
Sleep
Hotel Metro
Basic rooms have a tiny private bathroom. The shower takes ages to warm up, if at all. Rooms at the front are noisy, especially in weekends.
Price when recorded: $5 per person
Sleep
Hotel Tren Dorado
Modern hotel with a variety of different rooms. Most of cable TV. Good hot water. Nice beds. Wi-Fi. On-site veggie-optional restaurant offers early breakfasts for those catching the train.
Price when recorded: $12/night
Sleep
Hotel Velanez Suite
Very good value for the price. Rooms are clean and comfy (and the kitsch decoration is lovely). The staff is very kind and willing to help. Breakfasts are huge and good.
Price when recorded: $15-30
Sleep
Hotel el Zeus
Sometimes hosts celebrities and athletes.
Price when recorded: Rooms start from $40 a night
Eat
Cafeteria Londres
Popular spot for cake on García Moreno between major streets.
Before you go
Connectivity
Most parks offer free WiFi via RiobambaDigital network as of January 2023.
Culture
Las Fiestas del Abril celebrates Riobamba's independence week with activities and parades.
Food
Lunch runs $2-5, dinner $3-6. Local hornado (roasted pork) specialty restaurants offer meals for $3.50-5.
Transport
Local buses cost 30 cents. Taxis within town run $1.50, with minimum fares of $1.20 before 7 PM and $1.30 after.
