Riobamba Travel Guide
City City in Chimborazo Province, Ecuador
Riobamba functions as the Andean base for Chimborazo climbs and the Devil’s Nose railway. The central plaza wakes with bakeries and transit offices; climbers and rail passengers gather here before ascents, scenic train rides and long days in high paramo landscapes.
Why Visit Riobamba? #
Riobamba is a draw for travelers keen on high-Andean landscapes and indigenous markets, sitting in view of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak. The city’s colonial streets and San Juan market showcase local crafts and Andean produce, while hearty specialties like hornado (roast pork) reflect the region’s culinary roots. Outdoor activities, from volcano treks to nearby haciendas, pair with cultural festivals and markets that highlight indigenous Highland traditions.
Who's Riobamba For?
Riobamba sits under Chimborazo and is the go‑to base for high‑altitude climbs and glacier views. Organized climbs and day hikes into the paramo are common, plus nearby train trips over the Devil’s Nose.
The surrounding páramo landscape and volcanic vistas are spectacular for wildlife and scenic drives. Chimborazo Provincial Park and nearby highland ecosystems offer distinct Andean flora and clear mountain air.
Riobamba is a practical, budget‑friendly hub with hostels and frequent buses to Alausí and the Devil’s Nose train. Local markets and affordable eateries make overlanding through the central sierra easy.
Andean specialties like hornado, roasted potatoes and local cheeses are well represented at Riobamba’s markets and family restaurants. Try traditional highland dishes after a day of hiking.
Top Things to Do in Riobamba
All Attractions ›
- Reserva de Producción Faunística Chimborazo - High-altitude reserve protecting vicuñas and Mount Chimborazo's slopes; iconic Andean landscape near Riobamba.
- Catedral Metropolitana de Riobamba - 19th-century cathedral anchoring the central plaza, noted for its architecture and murals.
- Parque Maldonado - City's main square where locals gather, surrounded by cafes and historic buildings.
- Museo de la Ciudad (Casa Museo) - Small municipal museum inside a colonial home showcasing regional history and artifacts.
- Museo de la Ciudad (Casa Museo) - Small municipal museum inside a colonial home showcasing regional history and artifacts.
- Guano (artisan town) - Nearby town famous for straw hats, leather goods, and scenic viewpoint over the valley.
- Iglesia de Balbanera - Historic parish church often overlooked, reportedly one of Ecuador's oldest colonial churches.
- Iglesia de Balbanera - Historic parish church often overlooked, reportedly one of Ecuador's oldest colonial churches.
- Alausí - Nariz del Diablo train ride - Thrilling mountain railway descent near Alausí, accessible by bus or organized excursions.
- Baños de Agua Santa - Adventure hub with waterfalls, hot springs, and zip-lines about two hours away.
- Laguna de Colta - Spiritual crater lake where locals make offerings, surrounded by alpine farmland and hills.
- Guano - Short drive to a craft town known for straw hats, leatherwork, and valley viewpoints.
Where to Go in Riobamba #
Centro Histórico
Riobamba’s historic centre is compact and walkable, with colonial-era streets, a main plaza and cafés. It’s the best place to acclimatise and organise excursions to Chimborazo or the Devil’s Nose railway. Nights are mellow; days are for wandering and booking train trips.
Top Spots
- Parque Sucre - main square and meeting point in the old town.
- Cathedral of Riobamba - historic church overlooking the plaza.
- Local craft shops - sellers of woollens and Andean handicrafts.
Chimborazo Foothills
This zone sits where the city gives way to highland roads leading up toward Chimborazo. Travellers come here to catch views and to start mountain excursions. It’s rural, cool and a practical staging area for altitude acclimatisation.
Top Spots
- Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve (gateway) - access point for highland drives.
- Highland viewpoints - short drives offer great mountain views and photo stops.
- Andean haciendas - rural stops serving local food.
Rail & Market Quarter
Around the station and central market is the practical side of Riobamba - busy, a little rough and full of travellers buying bus tickets or catching the scenic train. It’s noisy during the day but convenient for onward journeys.
Top Spots
- Railway station area - departure point for the famous rail routes toward Alausí.
- Mercado Central - busy market for fresh produce and local snacks.
- Transport hubs - where buses leave for nearby towns and tourist sites.
Plan Your Visit to Riobamba #
Best Time to Visit Riobamba #
The best time to visit Riobamba is the dry season (June-September) when clear skies and cooler days reveal superb views of Chimborazo and make outdoor activities more reliable. From October-May the Andes get frequent afternoon rains and cloud cover-landscapes are greener but trails slippery and weather changeable.
Best Time to Visit Riobamba #
Riobamba's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 7°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (541 mm/year).
January
January is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 69 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. The driest month with just 23 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Riobamba
Riobamba is most commonly reached overland from Ecuador's main international airports in Quito (Mariscal Sucre, UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE). The city is served by regular interprovincial buses and occasional tourist trains (notably the Devil's Nose/ Nariz del Diablo excursion from nearby Alausí).
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO): From Quito’s Mariscal Sucre you can take a taxi or airport shuttle to Quito’s main southbound bus terminal, Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe (taxi ~USD 20-30, 30-45 minutes), then catch an interprovincial bus to Riobamba from Quitumbe (see bus details below; buses typically take 4-5 hours and cost around USD 4-8). Alternatively arrange a private transfer Quito-Riobamba (commonly USD 100-180, ~3.5-4.5 hours) if you prefer door-to-door service.
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE): From Guayaquil airport take a taxi or airport shuttle into the city to the Terminal Terrestre (taxi ~USD 10-20, 20-40 minutes) and then a direct interprovincial bus to Riobamba (buses typically take 5-6 hours and cost around USD 6-12). Private transfers from Guayaquil to Riobamba are also available and usually cost more than bus fares but save time on connections.
Train: Tourist train services operated by Ferrocarriles del Ecuador (Tren Ecuador) serve scenic routes in the Chimborazo area; the most relevant for visitors is the Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) stretch running from Alausí station toward Sibambe. This is a tourist service rather than a regular commuter train, schedules are seasonal and must be booked in advance; journey times for the Devil’s Nose excursion are a couple of hours and fares vary by class (commonly in the low tens of USD).
Bus: Interprovincial buses run to Riobamba from Quito (departing Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe) and Guayaquil (Terminal Terrestre de Guayaquil), and also from nearby Ambato. Typical travel times are ~4-5 hours from Quito and ~5-6 hours from Guayaquil; fares usually fall in the USD 4-12 range depending on company and service level. Riobamba’s local Terminal Terrestre (Terminal Terrestre Riobamba) is the main arrival point; from there use local buses or taxis to reach the city centre.
How to Get Around Riobamba
Getting around Riobamba is straightforward: walking and taxis are the most convenient inside the centre, while intercity buses are the budget option for reaching/from other cities. For sightseeing the tourist train (Devil's Nose) is a highlight, and renting a car is useful if you want to explore the surrounding highland countryside on your own schedule.
- Intercity buses (USD 4-12) - Intercity buses are the most practical and affordable way to reach and move between towns from Riobamba. Regular services run to/from Quito (Quitumbe), Guayaquil, Ambato and other Andean towns; expect comfortable buses on long-distance routes with luggage storage. Tickets are usually purchased at the terminal on the day or in advance for peak times; fares typically range from USD 4-12 depending on distance and company.
- Urban buses (USD 0.25-0.50) - Riobamba has a network of small urban buses and colectivos that connect neighbourhoods and the Terminal Terrestre with the historic centre. Services are inexpensive but can be slow and crowded during peak hours; routes are often informal so ask drivers or locals for the correct bus. Keep small change (fares are low) and watch your belongings during busy trips.
- Taxis (USD 1.50-5) - Taxis are plentiful, convenient and inexpensive for short trips across town; flag one down on the street or find one at taxi stands near the main plaza and bus station. Negotiate a fare or ensure the driver uses the meter; short rides inside town commonly cost a few dollars. For early-morning departures or remote drop-offs, agree a price in advance.
- Train (Tourist: Devil's Nose) (USD 10-35) - The tourist train operated by Tren Ecuador that runs the Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose) section out of Alausí is the main rail attraction near Riobamba. This scenic outing is a must for many visitors and is run as a packaged excursion with set departure times; book ahead, especially in high season. The train is not a regular commuter option for daily travel but is excellent for a half- to full-day sightseeing trip.
- Car rental / Private transfer (USD 30-70/day (rental); USD 100-180 (private transfer Quito-Riobamba)) - Renting a car gives the most flexibility for exploring the Chimborazo region, surrounding volcanoes and small villages on your own schedule; roads are generally good though mountain driving can be slow. Expect daily rental rates in the moderate range and confirm insurance and altitude-related coverage; private transfers from Quito or Guayaquil are widely available if you prefer not to drive. Private transfers to/from Quito commonly cost significantly more than the bus but save time and hassle.
- Walking - Riobamba's compact historic centre is best explored on foot - plazas, churches and museums are within easy walking distance of each other. Walking also helps you acclimatize to the altitude (keep a steady pace) and spot local food stalls and markets that buses and cars miss. Wear comfortable shoes and layers: weather can change quickly in the highlands.
Where to Stay in Riobamba #
- Hostal La Torre - Basic rooms near cathedral
- Hostal La Posada - Cheap, clean, central location
- Hotel Capital Riobamba - Comfortable rooms, good service
- Hotel Riobamba - Reliable mid-range option
- Hotel Universitario Riobamba - Upscale rooms, polished service
- Hotel Andino Riobamba - Premium amenities and views
- Hotel Capital Riobamba - Central, easy to reach attractions
- Hotel Riobamba - Near transport hubs and restaurants
- Hotel Capital Riobamba - Family rooms and good breakfast
- Hotel Riobamba - Spacious options, safe location
- Hotel Capital Riobamba - Stable Wi‑Fi, quiet lounges
- Hotel Riobamba - Reliable internet in common areas
Where to Eat in Riobamba #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Riobamba's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Riobamba #
Riobamba’s nights are relaxed and centred on the historic main square (Parque Maldonado) - restaurants, a few bars and weekend live music make evenings pleasant for locals and visitors. The town is a good place to enjoy a beer or a late dinner before early mountain excursions. Practical tip: most places wind down by 11-12pm; follow local dress codes (neat casual) and keep an eye on closing times on weekdays.
Best Bets
- Parque Maldonado (Plaza) - Central square - restaurants and weekend live music near the park.
- Main pedestrian streets around the plaza - Evening cafés and late‑night restaurants clustered around the square.
- Local night market stalls - Street food and snacks - perfect for casual late bites.
- Small bars near Avenida Ordoñez Lasso - Casual bars frequented by locals and students.
- Weekend live‑music venues - Look for occasional live sets at restaurants on weekends.
- Hotel bars near Parque Maldonado - Safe, comfortable spots for drinks and later transport arrangements.
Shopping in Riobamba #
Riobamba’s shopping scene mixes traditional markets and small artisan shops that sell Andean textiles, woolen goods and local agricultural products. The Mercado Central is the best place to find ponchos, hats and woven souvenirs; leather and silver pieces appear in several downtown stalls. Expect friendly bargaining and good value for handicrafts from Chimborazo communities.
Best Bets
- Mercado Central Riobamba - Traditional market for textiles, produce and Andean handicrafts.
- Plaza de la Independencia area - Shops and boutiques selling leather and artisan goods nearby.
- Local artisan stalls - Handwoven ponchos, hats and alpaca knitwear from local artisans.
- Downtown souvenir shops - Small stores with silver jewellery and carved gifts.
- Chimborazo craft cooperatives - Cooperative stalls offering regionally made textiles and crafts.
- La Estación shopping area - Cluster of shops near transport hub selling local products.
