Pululahua Volcano

Address: Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, Pichincha Province, Ecuador (near Quito)

Admission: Entry to the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve typically has a small park fee (check local CONAGEBIO or Ecuadorian park authorities for current pricing)

Pululahua is a volcanic caldera and geobotanical reserve in Pichincha Province north of Quito, Ecuador, notable for its green crater floor and agricultural use. The caldera formed by volcanic activity and today contains fertile soils used for farming and grazing.

The site features steep crater walls surrounding a sheltered interior of fields, small settlements and patches of native vegetation, with trails and roadside viewpoints on the rim. It is managed as a protected reserve because of its unique geology, biodiversity and cultural landscape.

Pululahua is located on the highlands north of the city of Quito within Pichincha Province and is accessible by road from the capital; the reserve lies among a string of Andean volcanic features that surround the Quito basin.

• Inhabited caldera: The crater is cultivated and inhabited in places, with agricultural plots and small communities operating within the caldera; roads reach viewpoints on the rim for visitors.

Pululahua is about 17-25 km north of Quito depending on route. From Quito, take the Panamericana Norte/route toward Calacalí then follow signs to the reserve; local tour operators offer day trips. Driving time is roughly 45-75 minutes depending on traffic and route.

• Drive carefully on the narrow road into the caldera - hire a local driver if unfamiliar with mountain roads.
• Try the local farmer stalls at the caldera floor for fresh vegetables grown in the volcanic soil.