Riobamba

Riobamba is a city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador. It is known locally as the "Sultan of the Andes". Riobamba sits in a valley surrounded by several large hills and snowcapped mountains. It's perhaps best known as the former starting point of the train ride to Nariz del Diablo, which now leaves from Alausi. Though it has a population of around 150,000 people, it is a rather sleepy place, and now mostly serves as a base for outdoor recreation activities in the surrounding area.

Get in

By bus

There are connections to most major destinations in Ecuador, including Quito (3 hours), Guayaquil (4 hours) and Baños (1½ hours).

By train

There aren't regular scheduled passenger trains to Riobamba anymore, however Tren Ecuador runs excursion trains from Quito and Guayaquil, and the Tren del Hielo I from Quito to Riobamba. The Naríz del Diablo train no longer runs from Riobamba. The railway station Estación Riobamba 📍 is centrally located at Av Daniel León Borja.

Get around

A bus costs 30 cents. Taxis are plentiful; most trips within town should be $1.50. Minimum fares are $1.20 until 19:00 and $1.30 after 19:00.

The main tourist area is very walkable - ask for a map at the tourist information center at the corner of Av. Daniel León Borja and Brasil.

See

On a clear day don't miss the view of the surrounding mountains. The best views in the city are from Parque 21 de Abril, close to the train station.
Museo de la Ciudad is free and has an eclectic mix of art styles and content - paintings, sculpture, photography, furniture, etc.
Iglesia San Antonio is next to Parque 21 de Abril. Like many of Riobamba's churches, it seems to open only for services and not for tourism. However, it has glass doors, so you can at least see the inside of the church even though you can't enter.
Teatro Leon across from Parque Sucre - notable architecture!
La Catedral (the Cathedral), along one side of Parque Maldonado. Appears to only open for services, but also has glass doors so you can see inside without entering. A side chapel to the left of the main door seems to be open more frequently.

Do

Climb or hike Chimborazo, -1.469167°, -78.8175°. Riobamba is the nearest city to Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest mountain at just about 6,263 m (20,548 ft). The mountain's peak is Earth's further point from its center, kilometers farther than the Everest's. This is because the Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid, i.e. it is a little bit "thicker" near the equator. To climb to the top of Chimborazo you will need a guide and equipment. There are several tourist agencies in Riobamba where you can get both of these services for a price of about $450 per person for a group of two or more. Climbing solo with a guide will cost closer to $600. Climbs leave at about 00:00 (midnight) in order to summit at sunrise and make the descent by late morning. A round trip should take about 9-10 hr. Even if you're not a mountain climber or on a budget, you can still hike Chimborazo: buy a ticket from Riobamba's bus station to Guaranda (1 hr, $2.5, every 30 min). Ask the bus driver to drop you off at the Chimborazo entrance (free but you need to register) at 4300 m (14100 ft). Then either hike till the first refuge (3 hr if you follow the road, 1:30 hr if you go straight) at 4800 m (15750 ft) or share a taxi ($15). From there you can hike to the second refuge (Whymper at 5000 m, 16400 ft) and finally to the (very) small lake at 5100 m (16700 ft). You are not allowed to go further without a guide. There are very good chances to see vicuñas (same family as the llamas - nicknamed the "Andes damsels") between the entrance and the first refuge, so it can be a good idea to go back by foot.) Some agencies offer mountain biking down the first refuge. You may also combine the above with an alternative trail, going from the first refuge to community tourism Casa Condor, via Templo Machay and the árbol solitario Quichuar (9 km, 6 hr - as written on sign close to for refuge). Casa Condor is close to the road, you may take your bus from there. $5-600 2022-11-28
Tours in Chiva Express Train to Devil's Nose . Metropolitan Touring's Chiva Express is a typical, old-fashioned Latin American bus, with plenty of room on the roof for bags of grain, bananas and the odd chicken. In Quito, these buses have taken on a new lease of life as party vehicles with adapted, high-sided roofs. The Chiva idea had been adapted to the historic train ride from Quito to Guayaquil. Passengers will enjoy an exclusive and unique trip through the Andean countryside and the coastal lowlands visiting the Devil's Nose track on board of Chiva Express.
Riobamba used to be the terminus for the most famous train route in Ecuador, the Nariz del Diablo (Devil's nose). It now operates from Alausi, a two-hour bus trip from Riobamba, to Sibambe.
Riobamba is close to Sangay National Park, which contains several mountains and volcanoes including Tungurahua, Sangay and El Altar.
Stroll through the markets. Riobamba has 7 daily markets, 3 of which (San Alfonso, San Francisco, and La Merced) are in the main tourist area. All are authentic local markets, with some mix of vegetables, fruit, meat, dairy, and more. There's also a weekly market on Saturdays in Plaza Roja.
Explore the parks. There are at least 6 parks scattered through town (Parque 21 de Abril, Parque Guayaquil, Parque Sucre, Parque Maldonado, Parque La Libertad, Parque La Madre). Some have sculptures, others are notable for the architecture of the buildings surrounding them. And as of Jan 2023, most if not all have free WiFi - connect to RiobambaDigital network to get online.

The official Riobamba tourism website may also give additional ideas, including the Inca trail trek (2-3 days): https://riobamba.com.ec/

Buy

On Saturdays there is a small artisan market. It seems to be mainly aimed at locals rather than tourists, and is certainly more authentic than Otavalo.

Between Pinchincha street and España you can find the best boutiques for people of any age. Or if you like malls, check out El Mall Del Centro locate on Leon Borja and la circumbalacion by La Plaza de Toros

Eat

Riobamba does not lack for restaurants. No matter what your tastes, check out Calle 10 de Agosto/Calle Daniel Leon Borja (Riobamba's main avenue) for all your dining needs. Lunch costs around $2-5, and dinner is normally from $3-6.

Cake at the Cafeteria Londres on García Moreno between 10 de Agosto and Primera Constituyente.
D’Baggio (Miguel A León y 10 de Agosto) A pizza joint, attempting to look like a quaint Italian eatery, but endearing. The pizzas are completely homemade in an area in the front of the restaurant. As you sit and wait for you meal, you can watch the chef flipping the dough in the air, and whipping pizzas in and out of the wood oven. The pizzas, all made with fresh ingredients, will run you between $6 and 12. Family size are more expensive. The restaurant also has a selection of pastas and salads.
San Valentin Club, bar/diner at Leon Borja and Vargas Torres with a nice burrito and lasagna and something to wet your whistle. Prices are fairly standard, $4-5 for a dinner.
Pollo Ejecutivo, located on Calle Daniel Leon Borja across from Parque Guayaquil, is the best of the myriad fried chicken places in town. It's greasy, crispy, and delicious. Meals cost from $2-$3.
Hornado (roasted pork) is a specialty of Riobamba. There are many good restaurants specializing in this dish, though hygiene standards may vary. Usually offered in several portion sizes (~$3.5-5), with some standard offering of sides.
If you’re about to take a bus at the terminal, there is a food court (patio de comida) 100m west of the entrance. You may find dozens of options for very decent prices. There seems to be no vegetarian options on menu, but it can easily be arranged.

Drink

"La Avenida" is the teens' favorite spot to relax and de-stress from the week's work. Parties start around sundown and go from El Parque Infantil all the way to La Estación del Tren. And if you're lucky to be around Las Fiestas del Abril, or Riobamba's independence day week, they hold a lot of activities and parades all that week just to celebrate another year of freedom.

Drinking and partying in Rio (as the natives call Riobamba) isn't so hard to do. There are many places where you can go and enjoy a good drink. There is the bar El Tentadero and for the younger generation, Las Pipas. Both are across Plaza de Toros on 10 de Agosto.

Sleep

Hotel Metro, Av. León Borja y Lavalle, 03-961-714 (next to the train station). Basic rooms have a tiny private bathroom. The shower takes ages to warm up, if at all. Rooms at the front are noisy, especially in weekends. $5 per person 2023-02-10
Hotel Gran Imperial, Rocafuerte 22-15 (corner of 10 de Agosto), +593 3-294-4407. One of the cheapest decent hotels in town. Most rooms are shared bathrooms, balconies and large windows. $5
Hotel Tren Dorado, Carabobo 22-35 (half a block from the train station), -1.669483°, -78.653131°, +593 97 943 5244. Modern hotel with a variety of different rooms. Most of cable TV. Good hot water. Nice beds. Wi-Fi. On-site veggie-optional restaurant offers early breakfasts for those catching the train. $12/night 2017-03-18
Hotel Boutique San Pedro de Riobamba, Av. Daniel León Borja 29-50 (Across the street from the railway station), -1.669406°, -78.653554°, +593 3-294-0586. Small boutique hotel in an renovated 19th century house, includes a very nice courtyard with restaurant. 2017-03-18
Hotel Glamour, 1ra Constituyente 37-85 y Brasil (near the bus terminal), -1.665411°, -78.657517°, +593 3-294-4407. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. More than 40 bedrooms, a restaurant, lobby and conference hall, internet, free breakfast, cable TV, bilingual front desk, online booking, hot water. Somewhat rundown and loud. From $15 2017-03-18
Hotel el Zeus, 10 de Agosto (after the bus terminal and before el Parque Infantil). Sometimes hosts celebrities and athletes. Rooms start from $40 a night 2023-02-10
Hotel Velanez Suite, Juan Lavalle 17-52. Very good value for the price. Rooms are clean and comfy (and the kitsch decoration is lovely). The staff is very kind and willing to help. Breakfasts are huge and good. $15-30

Go next

Ambato, to the north (1 hr by bus) Cuenca, to the south (6 hr by bus, $6 with the cooperative Patria)

Riobamba - city in Ecuador, capital of the Chimborazo Province