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Cuicocha Lake (Laguna Cuicocha) is a large lake that sits inside a volcanic crater. It’s part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve (Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas).
Visiting the Park
Admission to the park is free, and boat rides to the small islands in the middle of the lake are possible for a small fee. Some trails around the lake let visitors explore further. There is a lodge and restaurant on site along with a small craft market. Overall, it’s a tranquil place to spend some time.
Getting There
To get to Cuicocha Lake, you must pass through the small town of Quiroga. There’s nothing of interest in town but the main plaza is beautiful. The bus to get there leaves frequently from Otavalo’s bus terminal and continues onto Cotacachi.
Quiroga is also the best place to find transportation to Laguna Cuicocha. We hired a taxi to take us to the lake, wait a half hour, and return us to nearby Cotacachi.
Next Time
Next time I pass through this part of Ecuador, I will definitely spend more time around the lake. It was very quiet when we visited and boats weren’t running, so it would be nice to take a short cruise and visit the islands. I would also like to walk on some of the trails.
