Day trips

The 14 Best Day Trips from Riobamba

Drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan for every place worth the trip.

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There are 14 good day trips from Riobamba, Ecuador, led by Guayaquil, Cuenca, Ambato. The closest is Ambato, about 55 min by car, and 1 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Day trips from Riobamba at a glance

DestinationDistanceDrive timeBest as
Guayaquil149 km SW2 hr 20 minLong day or overnight
Cuenca142 km S2 hr 15 minLong day or overnight
Ambato46 km N55 minHalf-day trip
Quevedo114 km NW1 hr 45 minFull-day trip
Latacunga81 km N1 hr 15 minFull-day trip
Daule148 km W2 hr 20 minLong day or overnight
Milagro116 km SW1 hr 50 minFull-day trip
Babahoyo98 km W1 hr 30 minFull-day trip
El Empalme129 km NW2 hrFull-day trip
Balzar142 km W2 hr 15 minLong day or overnight
Ventanas93 km W1 hr 25 minFull-day trip
La Troncal114 km SW1 hr 45 minFull-day trip
Azogues121 km S1 hr 55 minFull-day trip
Naranjito106 km SW1 hr 40 minFull-day trip

Drive times are estimates from the distance. Check live traffic before you leave.

The best day trips from Riobamba

  1. 1

    Guayaquil, Ecuador

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car149 km south-west of Riobamba4 hr 40 min round trip

    Known for Faro del Cerro Santa Ana.

    Also nearby: Eloy Alfaro.

  2. 2

    Cuenca, Ecuador

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 15 min by car142 km south of Riobamba4 hr 30 min round trip
  3. 3

    Ambato, Ecuador

    Half-day trip
    About 55 min by car46 km north of Riobamba1 hr 50 min round trip
  4. 4

    Quevedo, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 45 min by car114 km north-west of Riobamba3 hr 30 min round trip
  5. 5

    Latacunga, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car81 km north of Riobamba2 hr 30 min round trip
  6. 6

    Daule, Ecuador

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car148 km west of Riobamba4 hr 40 min round trip
  7. 7

    Milagro, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 50 min by car116 km south-west of Riobamba3 hr 40 min round trip
  8. 8

    Babahoyo, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car98 km west of Riobamba3 hr round trip
  9. 9

    El Empalme, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr by car129 km north-west of Riobamba4 hr round trip
  10. 10

    Balzar, Ecuador

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 15 min by car142 km west of Riobamba4 hr 30 min round trip
  11. 11

    Ventanas, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car93 km west of Riobamba2 hr 50 min round trip
  12. 12

    La Troncal, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 45 min by car114 km south-west of Riobamba3 hr 30 min round trip
  13. 13

    Azogues, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 55 min by car121 km south of Riobamba3 hr 50 min round trip
  14. 14

    Naranjito, Ecuador

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 40 min by car106 km south-west of Riobamba3 hr 20 min round trip

A sample day trip: Riobamba to Guayaquil

A realistic pace for Guayaquil, 149 km from Riobamba. Packy AI builds this for any place on the list, with a route, opening hours and timings you can edit.

  1. 07:30Leave Riobamba
  2. 09:50Arrive in Guayaquil (2 hr 20 min drive)
  3. 10:05Faro del Cerro Santa Ana
  4. 12:05Lunch
  5. 13:20Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Guayaquil
  6. 15:50Head back to Riobamba
  7. 18:10Home in Riobamba

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Riobamba?
The best day trips from Riobamba are Guayaquil, Cuenca, Ambato, Quevedo, Latacunga. The closest is Ambato, about 55 min away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Riobamba?
Ambato is the closest, 46 km north of Riobamba, roughly 55 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Riobamba?
One place is within about an hour's drive of Riobamba: Ambato (55 min).
What is the biggest city near Riobamba for a day out?
Guayaquil is the largest city in day-trip range, 149 km south-west of Riobamba and about 2 hr 20 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
How far is too far for a day trip from Riobamba?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Guayaquil at 149 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.

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