AlausíAlausí at a Glance
Costs: Typical budget US$40-80/day - reasonably affordable with budget hotels, local food and paid scenic train rides.
Safety: Generally safe - normal precautions - generally safe; watch for petty theft in busy areas and at train stations.
Best Time: June-September (dry season) - dry season gives clearer mountain views and better train operations.
Why Visit Alausí?
Alausí is best known as the starting point for the famous Devil’s Nose train, a steep switchback ride that carves dramatic views from the Andes. Beyond the railway, the town’s Andean vistas, indigenous Kichwa markets and colonial-era streets give travelers a sense of highland Ecuadorian life. Visit for the scenic railway experience, local market crafts and the chance to encounter traditional music and food in a compact mountain town.
Best Things to Do in Alausí
Archaeological Site
Ingapirca
Pre-Columbian Inca stone ruins and temple complex
Area
Nariz del Diablo
Steep mountain railway section famed for dramatic switchbacks
Alausí Bucket List
Don't Miss
Devil’s Nose (Nariz del Diablo) train ride - Iconic switchback railway descent offering dramatic mountain engineering and village views.
Alausí Railway Museum - Small museum detailing the history of the Andean railway and local stories.
Plaza de Alausí and San Pedro Church - Historic central plaza with colonial-era San Pedro church and daily market.
Hidden Gems
San Cristóbal viewpoint - Short hike up for sweeping views over the valley and rail line.
Local textile workshops - Artisans producing embroidered garments and traditional Andean textiles for sale.
Los Encuentros waterfall - Nearby cascade reached by a pleasant walk through Andean farmland.
Day Trips
Ingapirca archaeological site - Pre-Incan and Incan ruins offering insight into highland indigenous history.
Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve - Drive to high-altitude slopes for unique páramo landscapes and Andean fauna.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Alausí
Alausí sits high in the Andes with cool, changeable weather year-round; the dry season (Jun-Nov) offers the most reliable sunshine for the famous Devil’s Nose train. The wet months (Dec-May) make the landscape especially green but wetter underfoot.
Wet Season
Cloudy afternoons with frequent showers; trails can be slippery but waterfalls and Andean scenery are lush and dramatic.
Dry Season
Generally sunnier and drier with crisp days-ideal for train rides and highland hikes, though nights stay cool.
Cool Highland Season
Year-round (cool nights most noticeable June - September)
5-20°C (41-68°F)
Constantly mild to cool conditions; pack warm layers for chilly nights and sudden weather swings at altitude.
Alausí's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 8°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (592 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 9° - 20° | 15° | 63 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| February | Acceptable | 10° - 20° | 15° | 90 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.1h |
| March | Acceptable | 10° - 20° | 15° | 111 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.0h |
| April | Acceptable | 10° - 20° | 15° | 103 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.9h |
| May | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 49 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.9h |
| June | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 23 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.4 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.9h |
| July | Very Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 12 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.9h |
| August | Very Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 13 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.9h |
| September | Very Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 27 mm | overcast | 79% | 2.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.0h |
| October | Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 34 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.3 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.1h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 22° | 15° | 24 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.3 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.1h |
| December | Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 43 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
How to Get to Alausí
How to Get Around Alausí
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Where to Stay in Alausí
Budget
Alausí town centre - $10-35/night
Alausí has several budget hostels and simple guesthouses popular with train travellers. Budget stays are common and often bookable during tourist season.
Mid-Range
Alausí near train station - $35-80/night
Mid-range hotels in Alausí offer comfortable rooms and easy access to the Devil’s Nose train; family-run hotels and boutique inns are available but limited in number.
Luxury
Riobamba / Cuenca (regional) - $100+/night
There are few true luxury properties in Alausí. Travellers seeking upscale accommodations should consider staying in larger Ecuadorian cities and taking day trips to Alausí.
Where to Eat in Alausí
Andean & Highland Dishes
Alausí’s restaurants favour hornado roast pork, locro soups and hearty Andean stews; meals pair with local corn breads and mountain produce.
Train-Day Eats
Cafés and roadside stands near the Devil’s Nose railway serve quick lunches, snacks and cooling drinks for travelers on the scenic train route.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Alausí’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Alausí
Evenings are low-key, with a handful of cafes, restaurants and small bars clustered near the plaza. Nightlife caters more to travelers and families than to late-night clubbing.
Shopping in Alausí
Small artisan stalls and the municipal market sell regional handicrafts, knitted goods and local snacks geared toward tourists and residents. Shops around the central plaza are the best place to look for souvenirs and snack foods.