Riobamba Travel Guide 2026: Top Attractions, Local Food & Travel Tips | Trip.com

Riobamba
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Riobamba

About Riobamba

5℃

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Recommended stays in Riobamba

Discover the most popular places to stay in Riobamba, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers

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Hotel Spa Mansion Santa Isabella in Riobamba

Hotel Spa Mansion Santa Isabella

8.6/1027 Reviews

Gabriel.n: El hotel está muy bien ubicado. El personal es muy simpático y servicial. El desayuno buffet es muy completo. Hotel muy recomendable.

Av. Jose Veloz 28-48 y

From TRY 3,577

Asher Hospedaje y Turismo in Riobamba

Asher Hospedaje y Turismo

9.4/109 Reviews

Guest User: A chic place! A stunning service, comfortable beds, delicious breakfast, thank you for the hospitality!

Ernesto Noboa

From TRY 1,416

Quindeloma Art Hotel And Gallery in Riobamba

Quindeloma Art Hotel And Gallery

9.2/1050 Reviews

kkkkkkkkkkkkuuuuuuu: The local hotel is very good, and the overall decoration also has a retro atmosphere. The hotel is very large, and there are different styles of small rest spaces at each end, adding color to the hotel. The pool is also large, divided into regular and slightly warm and slightly cold three temperatures. Each room of the hotel is decorated differently, very exquisite hotel, worth exploring. It is Valentine's Day dinner to be booked in advance. I went down at 20:30 and there were still people who didn't have a lot of empty tables, but I didn't book and didn't give it to the performance restaurant. It's really late to eat locally...

Argentinos y, Ave Carlos Zambrano

From TRY 7,041

Must-try food in Riobamba

Want to eat like a local? Don't miss out on these top Riobamba dishes and foodie spots.

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Bars/bistros

Western cuisine

Quick bites

Traveller photos and experiences

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Ecuador Sangay Laguna Sardinas Cliff Mossy Cloud Forest — traveler post in Riobamba

Ecuador Sangay Laguna Sardinas Cliff Mossy Cloud Forest

#easytravelpost Sangay National Park is huge and roadless on the western side, but Laguna Sardinas is the accessible tarn above the Río Upano, reached from Alao village (Avenue of the Volcanoes side). I busbed Quito→Riobamba (Terminal Riobamba, $4, 3 h, card ok), Riobamba→Alao colectivo (2 h, $3 cash), slept at Alao community house ($8 cash, no card), and started at 4:30 am on the 11 km trail to Sardinas at 3,400 m. First 5 km is cloud forest—moss on trunks so deep it peels like velvet, bromeliads at eye level, a spectacled bear print in the mud at 2,900 m (I backed off the ridge, correct call alone). The lake is a glacial tarn under a 300 m cliff of Sangay's old lava, moss dripping off the lip. No fee, but Alao asks you to register and hire a guide ($15/day, split groups) because the bear zone is real—I skipped the guide, regretted it at the print, hired a kid with a slingshot for the last 2 km back. Payment: Riobamba card, everything past it cash. Carry 3.5 L, boil the lake water. Kindness: the Alao cook gave me a fist of toasted maize and said "the bear smells fear, not maize." If a UNESCO park can't staff a bear zone, should solo hikers be banned, or just blessed with maize?

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Ecuador: Oxygen and Altitude on the "Roof of the World" — traveler post in Riobamba

Ecuador: Oxygen and Altitude on the "Roof of the World"

#kindnessontheroad Climbing Volcán Chimborazo, whose peak is the farthest point from the Earth’s center, is no joke. At over 6,200 meters, the air is thin—dangerously thin. I started feeling the effects of altitude sickness about 300 meters below the summit: a pounding headache, nausea, and a strange, detached feeling. My guide, José, a seasoned mountaineer from Riobamba, noticed my staggered steps. He stopped, unclipped my backpack, and pulled out an oxygen canister—the small, personal kind. He didn't ask if I needed it; he just placed the mask over my face and gave me three long bursts. "Respira profundo," he instructed. The relief was immediate. The fog in my brain cleared enough for me to focus on placing one foot in front of the other. He stayed with me, setting a painfully slow pace, ensuring I drank water regularly. He also pointed out the rare paramo vegetation, explaining how the plants retain water in the harsh climate. Because of his vigilance and the oxygen boost, I managed to reach the Whymper Hut and back safely. If you plan to tackle Chimborazo or Cotopaxi, spend at least a week acclimatizing in the Andes, consider hiring a certified ASEGUIM guide, and never underestimate the need for an emergency oxygen supply. How do you prepare for high-altitude climbs?

biuni88biuni88
Mount Chimborazo, the highest point in the center of the Earth — traveler post in Riobamba

Mount Chimborazo, the highest point in the center of the Earth

#Hiking When you think of the highest mountain, you probably think of Everest, right? But if you base it on the center of the Earth, the highest mountain is Chimboraso. Hiking Chimboraso is not that difficult. Enter the entrance, hitchhike or walk to the first shelter, and from there, walk for 50 minutes to reach the 5000m point. If you walk for about 10 minutes from the 5000m point, there is a lake at 5100m. That is the highest point you can access by trekking. You might be worried because it is 5100m, but the slope is almost nonexistent and the path is short, so it is really easy!

bremad1bremad1

Riobamba FAQ

What currency is used in Riobamba?

The standard currency in Riobamba is USD

How do I exchange currency in Riobamba?

Current exchange rate approx.: TRY ≈0.02USD (actual exchange rates depend on the bank). Currency exchange tips:
1. Exchange currency at your local bank before departure, as rates are usually better than at the destination.
2. You can also withdraw cash from local ATMs.
3. Avoid exchanging currency at airports or hotels, as they offer the worst rates.

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