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Ecuador🇪🇨 | citiesRiobambaChimborazo base, Devil’s Nose train, Saturday market, wide grid streets | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Riobamba
👍 Recommendedcity ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Riobamba used to be the town you changed buses in, a grey, chilly stop on the way to somewhere else. Now travelers arrive on purpose, and the city rewards them. It sits in the central highlands of Ecuador, in the shadow of Chimborazo, with a grid of wide colonial streets and almost no tourist hustle. It suits climbers, train fans and anyone who likes real markets over souvenir stalls. Nightlife is quiet and the sights are modest. I bought a plain bowl of hornado from a market stall, pointed at what the woman beside me was eating and got the same plate, which cost little and beat any sit-down option for value. Spend your time on the mountains and trains, not on fancy meals. Saturday's market spills across the plazas with piles of potatoes and woolen shawls.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 city in EcuadorReasons people choose to visit here

Riobamba works for backpackers because it puts you at the foot of Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak, without the price markup of bigger tourist hubs. Hiking, climbing and cycling operators sit within a few blocks of one another, so you can compare guides on foot and sort out a trip in an afternoon. The city is flat, compact and easy to cover, and the altitude gives you a natural acclimatization stop before harder days on the volcanoes. Come on a Saturday if you can, when the indigenous market fills the plazas and the whole region seems to arrive with goods on its back. The railway history adds a second draw for anyone who likes slow, scenic travel. Nightlife is mellow, so this is a place for early starts rather than late nights. Plan on two to four days, longer if you want to climb. Buses … read more 👉
Riobamba works for backpackers because it puts you at the foot of Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak, without the price markup of bigger tourist hubs. Hiking, climbing and cycling operators sit within a few blocks of one another, so you can compare guides on foot and sort out a trip in an afternoon. The city is flat, compact and easy to cover, and the altitude gives you a natural acclimatization stop before harder days on the volcanoes. Come on a Saturday if you can, when the indigenous market fills the plazas and the whole region seems to arrive with goods on its back. The railway history adds a second draw for anyone who likes slow, scenic travel. Nightlife is mellow, so this is a place for early starts rather than late nights. Plan on two to four days, longer if you want to climb. Buses connect it with Quito, Baños and Cuenca, so it slides into a north to south highland route without detours.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Chimborazo Volcano Reserve: Technically outside the city limits, but the access point for the whole region, it is the reason most people come. Go early on a clear morning for the best views. Reserve entry is free, and a visit takes half a day.
  2. Parque Sucre and the Cathedral area: The old center around the cathedral, whose baroque stone facade was moved from the original Riobamba after the 1797 earthquake. The cathedral's stone facade is carved in detail. Free, 30 to 45 minutes, best in the morning.
  3. Saturday Market at Plaza Roja: The big weekly market sells produce, wool goods, guinea pig and hornado. Arrive before 10 AM. Entry is free and meals cost a few dollars. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
  4. Riobamba Train Station: The historic station recalls the railway that made the city a hub. The Devil’s Nose train
… read more 👉
  1. Chimborazo Volcano Reserve: Technically outside the city limits, but the access point for the whole region, it is the reason most people come. Go early on a clear morning for the best views. Reserve entry is free, and a visit takes half a day.
  2. Parque Sucre and the Cathedral area: The old center around the cathedral, whose baroque stone facade was moved from the original Riobamba after the 1797 earthquake. The cathedral's stone facade is carved in detail. Free, 30 to 45 minutes, best in the morning.
  3. Saturday Market at Plaza Roja: The big weekly market sells produce, wool goods, guinea pig and hornado. Arrive before 10 AM. Entry is free and meals cost a few dollars. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
  4. Riobamba Train Station: The historic station recalls the railway that made the city a hub. The Devil’s Nose train itself leaves from Alausí, about 1 to 1.5 hours south, at about US$30 for foreigners.
  5. Parque Maldonado: A leafy plaza with a monument to independence and benches for people watching. Free, 20 to 30 minutes, lovely in the late afternoon.
  6. Parque La Libertad and the Convento de la Concepción museum: A religious art museum with colonial paintings and sculptures in a former convent. Entry is around US$3 to 5. Allow 1 hour, visit on a weekday morning.
  7. Loma de Quito viewpoint: A hilltop lookout with views over the city rooftops toward Chimborazo and Tungurahua on clear days. Free, 1 hour round trip, best at dawn or dusk.
Day trips from Riobamba include the Devil's Nose train at Alausí, the hot springs near Guano, the handicraft village of Guano itself and the Colta Lagoon with its old Balbanera church. If time is short, skip Parque Maldonado, as the other plazas and the market give you the same atmosphere with more going on.
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Things to do in Riobamba

Chimborazo Private Transfer from Riobamba – Carrel Refuge Visit

Chimborazo Private Transfer from Riobamba – Carrel Refuge Visit

5.0(8) 5h
From €54
per personViator
"Private Chimborazo Tour for 2 people"

"Private Chimborazo Tour for 2 people"

5.0(6) 8h
From €73
per personViator
Chimborazo Volcano and Condor Cocha Lagoon Day Tour

Chimborazo Volcano and Condor Cocha Lagoon Day Tour

4.0(2)
From €127
per personViator
Riobamba's Heritage Walking Tour

Riobamba's Heritage Walking Tour

0.0(0) 3h
From €50
per personViator
Chimborazo Summit - 2 Days Private Tour

Chimborazo Summit - 2 Days Private Tour

0.0(0) 48h
From €419
per personViator
3-Day Altar Volcano Trekking Tour to Laguna Amarilla from Riobamba

3-Day Altar Volcano Trekking Tour to Laguna Amarilla from Riobamba

0.0(0) 72h
From €476
per personViator
2 days - Trekking snowy the Altar Volcano & Yellow Lagoon Visit

2 days - Trekking snowy the Altar Volcano & Yellow Lagoon Visit

0.0(0) 48h
From €264
per personViator
Full-Day Ghost Hideout Tour from Riobamba

Full-Day Ghost Hideout Tour from Riobamba

0.0(0) 6h
From €145
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

Riobamba is a grid city, so you can cover its main areas on foot in a day and spend almost nothing doing it. Start in the center and fan out.
  • Centro Histórico: Around Parque Maldonado and the cathedral, you get colonnaded plazas, the Sunday-style bustle of bakeries and cheap set-lunch counters. Walk it, because a taxi saves you maybe five minutes and costs more than the lunch.
  • La Estación: The old railway station sits on the edge of the center and is where you board the scenic train when it runs. It is a short stroll from the plaza, so skip the cab and pocket the money.
  • Mercado La Merced and Mercado San Alfonso: Dive into fruit stalls, hornado counters and indigenous women in felt hats. Come on Saturday, when the Plaza Roja market swells and the whole district hums. Everything is within walking
… read more 👉
Riobamba is a grid city, so you can cover its main areas on foot in a day and spend almost nothing doing it. Start in the center and fan out.
  • Centro Histórico: Around Parque Maldonado and the cathedral, you get colonnaded plazas, the Sunday-style bustle of bakeries and cheap set-lunch counters. Walk it, because a taxi saves you maybe five minutes and costs more than the lunch.
  • La Estación: The old railway station sits on the edge of the center and is where you board the scenic train when it runs. It is a short stroll from the plaza, so skip the cab and pocket the money.
  • Mercado La Merced and Mercado San Alfonso: Dive into fruit stalls, hornado counters and indigenous women in felt hats. Come on Saturday, when the Plaza Roja market swells and the whole district hums. Everything is within walking distance of the plaza.
  • Parque Sesquicentenario and the northern avenues: Wider streets, newer cafés and a calmer evening. It is a 15 to 25 minute walk from the center, or a short, cheap bus ride if you are tired. Nightlife here stays modest, mostly a few bars.
  • Villa La Unión and the outskirts: Hillside lookouts with views toward Chimborazo on clear mornings. Reach them by a quick taxi, which is worth the few dollars for the view.

⌛️ 1 dayHow to make the most of one day

7:00 AM, Riobamba Train Station: Start here because the early light is gentle and the area is calm. Look at the old platforms and check posted schedules for any rides you want to book. Then walk about ten minutes into the center.
8:30 AM, Parque Sucre and the Cathedral: Admire the carved facade, then grab a coffee and a pastry from a nearby bakery. Wander the plaza as the city wakes up.
10:00 AM, Convento de la Concepción museum: Browse the colonial religious art in the quiet cloisters. It is a small but rich collection, and you will meet few other visitors.
12:00 PM, Market lunch: Walk to a covered market and order a plate of hornado or a bowl of soup. Pointing works fine when the menu is not posted.
2:00 PM, Parque Maldonado: Rest on a bench and watch families, shoeshiners and students cross … read more 👉
7:00 AM, Riobamba Train Station: Start here because the early light is gentle and the area is calm. Look at the old platforms and check posted schedules for any rides you want to book. Then walk about ten minutes into the center.
8:30 AM, Parque Sucre and the Cathedral: Admire the carved facade, then grab a coffee and a pastry from a nearby bakery. Wander the plaza as the city wakes up.
10:00 AM, Convento de la Concepción museum: Browse the colonial religious art in the quiet cloisters. It is a small but rich collection, and you will meet few other visitors.
12:00 PM, Market lunch: Walk to a covered market and order a plate of hornado or a bowl of soup. Pointing works fine when the menu is not posted.
2:00 PM, Parque Maldonado: Rest on a bench and watch families, shoeshiners and students cross the plaza. It is an easy, slow break after lunch.
4:00 PM, Loma de Quito: Take a short taxi up to the hilltop. This is off the standard route, and you may have the viewpoint nearly to yourself. On a clear afternoon Chimborazo glows above the city.
6:30 PM, Dinner near Calle Primera Constituyente: Walk back down and eat at a simple restaurant. Turn in early, since tomorrow's mountain plans start at dawn.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

June to September is the driest stretch for Riobamba, and it is when Chimborazo most often shows itself.
  • Dry Season (June to September): Mornings are crisp and clear, with days around 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F) and nights near 3 to 6°C (37 to 43°F). Windy afternoons are common. Expect more climbers and higher prices for mountain tours.
  • Wet Season (October to May): Showers arrive most afternoons, with peaks in March and April. Highs stay similar, about 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F), but clouds often hide the volcanoes. Tours are cheaper and trails emptier.
  • December and January: Often drier than the surrounding months, with clearer mornings and holiday crowds around Christmas and New Year.
  • Daylight: Close to 12 hours all year, with dusk arriving fast and the cold following.
  • Festivals: Carnival in February
… read more 👉
June to September is the driest stretch for Riobamba, and it is when Chimborazo most often shows itself.
  • Dry Season (June to September): Mornings are crisp and clear, with days around 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F) and nights near 3 to 6°C (37 to 43°F). Windy afternoons are common. Expect more climbers and higher prices for mountain tours.
  • Wet Season (October to May): Showers arrive most afternoons, with peaks in March and April. Highs stay similar, about 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F), but clouds often hide the volcanoes. Tours are cheaper and trails emptier.
  • December and January: Often drier than the surrounding months, with clearer mornings and holiday crowds around Christmas and New Year.
  • Daylight: Close to 12 hours all year, with dusk arriving fast and the cold following.
  • Festivals: Carnival in February or March and the city’s April founding celebrations bring parades, packed hostels and higher prices.
Book Chimborazo transport the evening before and start early, since clouds usually roll in by late morning.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The historic center is the best place for a budget bed in Riobamba, with dorms and simple private rooms mostly in the US$8 to 15 range. Hostel numbers are modest, so in peak climbing months and festival weeks you should book ahead.
Staying within a few blocks of Parque Maldonado puts you near the bus companies, markets, cheap lunch counters and ATMs, and you can walk to nearly everything. Streets are well lit and fairly quiet at night, though the area around the markets gets rowdier early in the morning with delivery trucks and vendors setting up.
The streets around the old railway station are the … read more 👉
The historic center is the best place for a budget bed in Riobamba, with dorms and simple private rooms mostly in the US$8 to 15 range. Hostel numbers are modest, so in peak climbing months and festival weeks you should book ahead.
Staying within a few blocks of Parque Maldonado puts you near the bus companies, markets, cheap lunch counters and ATMs, and you can walk to nearly everything. Streets are well lit and fairly quiet at night, though the area around the markets gets rowdier early in the morning with delivery trucks and vendors setting up.
The streets around the old railway station are the second option. They are calmer, still walkable to the plaza in about 10 minutes, and handy for early train departures. Choice is thinner and some rooms are more basic, but prices tend to be a little lower.
Avoid sleeping right at the main bus terminals unless you have a very early departure. They are functional but noisy, and the surrounding blocks are less pleasant after dark. A taxi from either terminal to the center costs only US$1.50 to 3.
Best hostels in Riobamba


Best quality hotels in Ecuador

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

Walking is the easiest way to get around Riobamba, because the flat grid puts the plazas, markets, station and most budget beds within about 15 minutes of each other. Traffic is moderate and city buses are frequent, though you rarely need them.
  • Walking: Free and fastest for the center. Stride the grid, duck into markets and you will beat any vehicle on the short hops. At 2,750 meters (about 9,000 feet) expect to breathe harder on hills.
  • City buses: Roughly US$0.30 to 0.35 a ride, they run from early morning until about 9 or 10 pm. They are slow and crowded at peak hours, but for reaching the outer terminals or northern districts they give you the best value.
  • Taxis: Most trips within town cost US$1.50 to 3, and the minimum fare is about US$1.50. Use them after dark or with a heavy pack, and agree
… read more 👉
Walking is the easiest way to get around Riobamba, because the flat grid puts the plazas, markets, station and most budget beds within about 15 minutes of each other. Traffic is moderate and city buses are frequent, though you rarely need them.
  • Walking: Free and fastest for the center. Stride the grid, duck into markets and you will beat any vehicle on the short hops. At 2,750 meters (about 9,000 feet) expect to breathe harder on hills.
  • City buses: Roughly US$0.30 to 0.35 a ride, they run from early morning until about 9 or 10 pm. They are slow and crowded at peak hours, but for reaching the outer terminals or northern districts they give you the best value.
  • Taxis: Most trips within town cost US$1.50 to 3, and the minimum fare is about US$1.50. Use them after dark or with a heavy pack, and agree on the price or insist on the meter. For a group of three or four, they beat the bus on convenience for almost the same money.
  • Intercity buses and rides to the volcano: The main terminals handle buses to Quito (about 4 to 5 hours, US$5 to 7), Baños (about 1.5 hours, US$1.50 to 2) and Cuenca (about 5 to 6 hours, US$7 to 9). For Chimborazo, a shared pickup or taxi costs about US$25 to 40 round trip for the vehicle, and splitting it makes this the smartest spend.
  • Tourist train: The Devil’s Nose train runs from Alausí, not Riobamba, at about US$30 for foreigners. It is slow, but the views of the Andes justify it for one outing.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A backpacker in Riobamba spends roughly US$32 to 35 a day, and the table below uses US$33 with a high-season dorm bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm (high season)US$10 to 14Simple dorms near the center, often with breakfast
Dorm (off-season)US$8 to 11Discounts are common outside June to September
MealsUS$8 to 12Almuerzo US$2.50 to 4, market hornado US$3 to 5
Local transportUS$1 to 3Buses US$0.30 to 0.35, short taxis US$1.50 to 3
City transport passUS$0None exists, you pay per ride
Activities and entry feesUS$5 to 8Chimborazo shared transport, museums a few dollars
MiscellaneousUS$3 to 4Snacks, water, laundry, SIM top-up
Total Daily BudgetUS$33High-season dorm, average spending on the other rows
Eat your main meal at lunch, when the set menus cost half of what the same dishes cost in the evening.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsEasy escapes and nearby places

Riobamba is an excellent base for day trips, since volcanoes, hot springs and indigenous villages all sit within about two hours.Chimborazo Volcano: Ecuador’s highest peak, at 6,263 meters, is about 1 to 1.5 hours away. Most people ride up to the refuge at 4,800 meters and walk to the higher one at 5,000, bringing real cold-weather layers. Shared transport costs roughly US$10 to 20 each, and entry to the reserve is free. Go June to September or December for the clearest mornings, and spend a day in town first to avoid altitude headaches.
Guano: This artisan town is only 15 to 20 minutes north by bus for about US$0.40. Its workshops make hand-knotted carpets and leather goods, and you can watch the weavers at work. Go on a weekday morning when shops are open, and haggle politely.
Baños: About … read more 👉
Riobamba is an excellent base for day trips, since volcanoes, hot springs and indigenous villages all sit within about two hours.Chimborazo Volcano: Ecuador’s highest peak, at 6,263 meters, is about 1 to 1.5 hours away. Most people ride up to the refuge at 4,800 meters and walk to the higher one at 5,000, bringing real cold-weather layers. Shared transport costs roughly US$10 to 20 each, and entry to the reserve is free. Go June to September or December for the clearest mornings, and spend a day in town first to avoid altitude headaches.
Guano: This artisan town is only 15 to 20 minutes north by bus for about US$0.40. Its workshops make hand-knotted carpets and leather goods, and you can watch the weavers at work. Go on a weekday morning when shops are open, and haggle politely.
Baños: About 1.5 hours by bus (US$1.50 to 2) brings you to waterfalls, thermal baths and swing rides. A day works if you leave early, but most first-timers cram too much in and miss the last bus back. Entry to the baths is a few dollars.
👉 Explore BañosAlausí and the Devil’s Nose: About 1 to 1.5 hours south by bus (US$2 to 3), Alausí is the starting point for the famous train descent. Tickets run roughly US$30 to 40, so buy them ahead in busy months.
👉 Explore Alausí

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Riobamba

Riobamba’s signature is hornado, slow-roasted pork served with llapingachos (cheesy potato patties), mote and a crunchy skin that crackles. Look for it at the market food stalls around La Merced, where a full plate costs roughly US$3 to 5. The city is also famous for Riobamba’s proverbial chicha de jora and for empanadas de viento, huge puffy cheese pastries dusted with sugar, sold from sidewalk carts for about US$0.50 to 1.
Look for tripa mishqui, grilled intestines sold in the evenings, if you are feeling adventurous. Warm up with canelazo, a hot cane-spirit and cinnamon drink, or fresh jugos from market counters. Set lunches, called almuerzos, cost US$2.50 to 4 and are the best value of the day. Small cafés around the plaza serve strong Andean coffee and baked goods in the morning, and bars stay low-key, mostly local beer and chatter.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Riobamba is calm and one of the easier Andean cities for solo travelers, with petty theft the main issue. Keep phones and cameras out of sight around the markets, bus terminals and crowded buses, where pickpocketing and bag-slashing happen, and wear your daypack on your front. After dark, stick to the lit streets of the center and take a taxi for anything beyond a few blocks, especially in the outskirts and around the terminals. Solo women generally report few problems, though you will get stares and the odd call. Taxis are the usual annoyance: insist on the meter or agree the fare first. The bigger risks are natural. Altitude, sun and fast-changing weather on Chimborazo catch out more people than crime does, so acclimatize, wear sunscreen and carry a warm layer.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Riobamba

Two to three days covers Riobamba well. One day for the markets and center, one for Chimborazo (a 1 to 1.5 hour ride up), and an optional third for Guano or the Devil’s Nose train from Alausí, about 1 to 1.5 hours south.
Yes, Riobamba is among the calmer cities in the Andes for solo travelers. Petty theft in the markets and bus terminals is the main risk, so use taxis (US$1.50 to 3) after dark and keep your daypack in front. The biggest hazard is actually altitude at 2,750 meters and higher on Chimborazo.
Riobamba is known for sitting at the foot of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest volcano at 6,263 meters, and for its Saturday market at Plaza Roja. It is also the gateway to the Devil’s Nose train route and has the nickname “Sultan of the Andes.” Its hornado and empanadas de viento are local favorites at US$0.50 to 5.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ecuadorian cities near Riobamba

Explore more nearby:

  • Ambato—Fruit orchards, flower trade, hillside parks| 46 km away
  • Cuenca—Panama hat workshops, blue cathedral domes, Tomebamba riverside, Inca ruins| 143 km away
  • Guayaquil—Guayas riverfront, iguana park, painted hill steps, Galápagos gateway| 149 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Riobamba is best in the early morning, when the air is crisp and Chimborazo often shows itself before clouds roll in. I would plan a Saturday here for the market, then leave the afternoon open. Nightlife is thin, so bring a book and warm layers.

✈️ When did I visit Ecuador?
Ecuador I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ecuador, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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