Cotopaxi Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
Highest active volcano in the world
About Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi, the central feature of the national park, is nearly5,900 m(19,400 ft) in height and is one of the highest active volcanoes on earth. As of February 2023, its present activity includes heavy clouds of ashes, which are not dangerous (although some contain sulfur dioxide) but require appropriate equipment (scarf or mask and sunglasses to cover eyes, mouth and nose). The landscape of the park is typical of active volcanic areas, and there are several peaks in the protected zone well over 4,000 m in altitude. With most of the park well above3,500 m(11,500 ft) in altitude, the vegetation is typical of the tropical high Andes with scrubby woodlands in protected valley areas and open grasslands covering the lower slopes of Cotopaxi and other peaks. The landscape of the Páramo is an impor
Top Attractions in Cotopaxi
Explore the best things to see and do in Cotopaxi:
- ★Climb Cotopaxi
- ★Climb Rumiñahui Volcano
- ★Cotopaxi Museum and Visitor Center
- ★Explore the park on horseback or mountain bike
- ★Inca ruins
- ★Limpiopungo Lagoon
Where to Stay in Cotopaxi
- 🏨Camp at Area Nacional de Recreación El Boliche
- 🏨Camp in Santa Ana del Pedregal
- 🏨Camp within the park
- 🏨Refugio José E. Rivas
- 🏨Secret Garden Cotopaxi
- 🏨Tambopaxi
Cotopaxi Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: