Riobamba
Tourism Sites
Explore the Riobamba Market
🧠 Fact: A vibrant market offering local produce, textiles, and traditional foods.
💡 Tip: Try the local delicacy, hornado (roast pork), from one of the food stalls.
Info - Riobamba’s markets are a vibrant reflection of Ecuador’s Andean culture. Mercado La Merced and Mercado San Alfonso bustle with stalls selling everything from fresh produce and Andean grains to textiles, pottery, and herbal remedies. Saturdays bring the famous animal market, where locals trade livestock in a lively, colorful gathering. Markets here aren’t just for shopping — they’re a chance to immerse yourself in indigenous traditions, sample street food like hornado (roast pork), and witness age-old barter practices. The lively energy and authentic atmosphere make it a must-experience facet of Riobamba’s cultural life.
Ride the Devil’s Nose Train
🧠 Fact: An engineering marvel with a zigzag track descending steep slopes.
💡 Tip: Book tickets in advance, as this popular attraction can sell out.
Info - The Devil’s Nose Train, or Nariz del Diablo, is one of Ecuador’s most iconic railway experiences, known for its dramatic switchbacks along a sheer cliff face. Starting from Alausí near Riobamba, the route descends through tight mountain gorges and zigzags down steep slopes. The engineering marvel was designed to conquer the Andes’ most challenging terrain. Today, it’s a heritage tourist ride offering panoramic views of river valleys, rugged canyons, and Andean villages. The journey includes cultural performances and stops at local markets, making it a thrilling mix of history, scenery, and tradition.
Riobamba
🧠 Fact: : Situated near Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest volcano, offering stunning mountain landscapes.
💡 Tip: Take a train ride through the "Devil's Nose" for a unique and scenic journey.
Info - Riobamba, nicknamed the “Sultana of the Andes,” is a historic city set against a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes in Ecuador’s central highlands. Known as the starting point for mountain adventures, including Chimborazo Volcano, it charms visitors with its colonial churches, bustling markets, and Andean traditions. The city’s Plaza Sucre and La Concepción Church showcase its colonial past, while nearby villages specialize in crafts and festivals. Riobamba is also famous for its railway history and serves as a laid-back, culturally rich base for highland explorations and mountaineering adventures.
Visit Chimborazo Volcano
🧠 Fact: The closest point on Earth to the sun due to the equatorial bulge.
💡 Tip: Acclimate to the altitude before attempting hikes.
Info - Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain at 6,263 meters, is a towering inactive volcano often snow-capped and visible from Riobamba. Due to the Earth’s equatorial bulge, its summit is the closest point on the planet to outer space. Adventurous travelers trek to its refuges, starting from the Carrel Refuge at 4,850 meters. Even without summiting, the reserve offers wildlife spotting, including vicuñas, and sweeping Andean vistas. Chimborazo’s grandeur makes it a favorite for mountaineers and nature lovers alike, offering a glimpse into Ecuador’s high-altitude ecosystems and ancient volcanic landscapes.