Nestled within an ancient crater, this stunning high-altitude lake is only a few kilometers away from Cotacachi, a town famous for its leather goods. The lake, Cuicocha, translates to “Lake of the Cuy” in Quichua. The word cuy refers to guinea pigs, and there’s some debate over the name’s origin. Some say it comes from the abundance of guinea pigs that once inhabited one of the lake’s islands, while others believe that one of the islands resembles the shape of a guinea pig. Regardless, the name Cuicocha has stuck over time.
We found that Cuicocha shares similarities with the more popular Laguna Quilotoa, but it offers a unique charm of its own. Located just outside Otavalo, it’s an easily accessible day trip for those looking to explore more of Ecuador’s natural beauty.
While Otavalo is primarily famous for its bustling market, there’s so much more to explore beyond the city’s borders. For those like us who aren’t as interested in shopping, Laguna de Cuicocha offers an incredible escape. The lake is surrounded by a dramatic ridge that you can hike around, often without encountering another soul.
Despite its relatively small size, the beauty of Laguna de Cuicocha makes it absolutely worth the visit. In this guide, I’ll share everything we learned about hiking here, including trail recommendations, directions, and some helpful travel tips to make your adventure even more enjoyable.
Getting to Laguna de Cuicocha
Laguna de Cuicocha is a perfect day trip from Quito, located 107 kilometers away, and just 25 kilometers from Otavalo. We chose to rent a car for our journey, which gave us a lot of flexibility, especially since it only took us about 40 minutes to reach the lake from Otavalo. If you’re planning to drive, make sure to use the correct pin for the official entrance; otherwise, Google Maps might take you to unofficial parking spots where you’ll need to pay extra.
If you’re using public transport, the cheapest way to get there is to start early from Otavalo’s main bus station. The buses to Cotacachi leave frequently, with about two departures every hour, and the trip takes roughly 30 minutes. Once you arrive in Cotacachi, just head over to the line of taxis on the other side of the charming central plaza. We found the drivers to be very familiar with the route to “Laguna Cuicocha,” making it super convenient.
When we were ready to leave, we arranged with our taxi driver to pick us up at a set time. If you prefer, you can also ask a driver to wait for you at the lake for an extra $10 per hour, which is a great option if you want to hike around the crater without feeling rushed.
Entrance Fee
Although Laguna Cuicocha is part of the Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas, there’s currently no entrance fee to visit, which is great news if you’re traveling on a budget. We were pleasantly surprised by this since many parks have started charging fees lately. Just make sure to bring your IDs with you, as they are required for entry.
When we arrived at the entrance, we simply had to sign in, which took only a minute. It’s a hassle-free process that lets you get straight to exploring this stunning spot!
Laguna de Cuicocha Route
There are two ways to hike the Laguna Cuicocha, either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Clockwise Route
We were dropped off right at the trailhead, which is about 2 kilometers up from the Visitor’s Center. The hike starts with a bit of a challenge, making your way through grassy meadows that can get a bit steep. But once you reach the lake’s rim, it’s pure magic. The views are incredible, and the path turns into a more gradual ascent as you circle the lake. We took our time soaking in the sights, snapping photos, and just enjoying the fresh air.
Once we made it back to the Visitor’s Center, we took a leisurely stroll down to the park gate. This is where you can wait for taxis heading back — super convenient if you haven’t pre-arranged a ride.
Counterclockwise Route
We initially thought about taking the other route, which gives you instant views of the lake but involves a relentless climb. Instead, we were dropped off at the Visitor Center and headed to the trailhead on the right, which made for a more enjoyable start. As we hiked around the far side of the lake, the landscape opened up into grassy meadows with a few challenging inclines. Eventually, the trail led us back down to the Visitor’s Center where we could easily find taxis to head back.
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Interestingly, they’ve now made it a one-way, counterclockwise route, likely due to pandemic restrictions. It actually simplifies the hike — no need to decide which path to take!
Laguna de Cuicocha Hike
The entire circuit around the crater lake stretches about 14 kilometers and generally takes 3 to 5 hours to complete. We were glad we planned ahead and arranged for our driver to pick us up in five hours.
The trail starts at an elevation above 3,000 meters and climbs to 3,512 meters at its highest point. Though it’s a straightforward path with minimal technical difficulties, the altitude can be challenging for some. The biggest issue most people face is catching their breath at this elevation. I’d recommend taking ChlorOxygen 1-2 weeks in advance to help adjust to the altitude, especially if you’re planning to hike other volcanoes in Ecuador.
This route is ideal for acclimatization if you’re considering climbing higher peaks. Since it’s a loop, you’ll have a mix of ascents and descents, with most of the uphill sections coming early on.
After about an hour of hiking, we reached a pair of gazebos — a perfect spot to take a break and enjoy some shade. At this point, we couldn’t resist pulling out our cameras; the lake views just kept getting better.
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While most of the tough climbs were behind us by this point, a few steep sections remained. But from here, the trail became more enjoyable, with numerous lookout spots offering stunning photo opportunities. We found a couple of grassy areas ideal for a picnic, soaking in the noon sun, which made the lake look even more vibrant and blue.
The views were simply breathtaking. Since our ride back wasn’t scheduled for a few more hours, we took our time to relax and savor the scenery. If you want an extra adventure, you can even descend all the way to the lake and hop on a water taxi for just $6 to enjoy a ride on the serene waters.
Laguna de Cuicocha Travel Tips
- Shops are not present in the vicinity, so carry food and drink with you. Although there is a restaurant on-site, it appears to be a bit drab.
- Don’t forget your hat and sunscreen – they’ll come in handy throughout your Ecuador vacation.
- The terrain is not challenging, but excellent walking shoes are required.
- To prevent plastic waste, always use refillable water bottles.
- Do not litter on the path and return your rubbish to the Visitor’s Center upon your descent or back to Otavalo.
- Bring enough money and change for the trip to Cuicocha and return.
Bottom Line
Laguna de Cuicocha is truly a fantastic escape into nature! If you’re already in Otavalo and have some extra time, this stunning lake is absolutely worth the visit. Whether you’re an adventurous spirit or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, Laguna de Cuicocha offers a serene experience that shouldn’t be missed.We’ve visited Laguna de Cuicocha as a part of our 15-day trip to Ecuador Mainland and you can check this part in my video:
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