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
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Best as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guayaquil | 149 km SW | 2 hr 20 min | Long day or overnight |
| Cuenca | 142 km S | 2 hr 15 min | Long day or overnight |
| Ambato | 46 km N | 55 min | Half-day trip |
| Quevedo | 114 km NW | 1 hr 45 min | Full-day trip |
| Latacunga | 81 km N | 1 hr 15 min | Full-day trip |
| Daule | 148 km W | 2 hr 20 min | Long day or overnight |
| Milagro | 116 km SW | 1 hr 50 min | Full-day trip |
| Babahoyo | 98 km W | 1 hr 30 min | Full-day trip |
| El Empalme | 129 km NW | 2 hr | Full-day trip |
| Balzar | 142 km W | 2 hr 15 min | Long day or overnight |
| Ventanas | 93 km W | 1 hr 25 min | Full-day trip |
| La Troncal | 114 km SW | 1 hr 45 min | Full-day trip |
| Azogues | 121 km S | 1 hr 55 min | Full-day trip |
| Naranjito | 106 km SW | 1 hr 40 min | Full-day trip |
Drive times are estimates from the distance. Check live traffic before you leave.
The best day trips from Riobamba
- 1
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car149 km south-west of Riobamba4 hr 40 min round tripKnown for Faro del Cerro Santa Ana.
Also nearby: Eloy Alfaro.
- 2
Cuenca, Ecuador
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car142 km south of Riobamba4 hr 30 min round trip - 3
Ambato, Ecuador
Half-day tripAbout 55 min by car46 km north of Riobamba1 hr 50 min round trip - 4
Quevedo, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car114 km north-west of Riobamba3 hr 30 min round trip - 5
Latacunga, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car81 km north of Riobamba2 hr 30 min round trip - 6
Daule, Ecuador
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car148 km west of Riobamba4 hr 40 min round trip - 7
Milagro, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 50 min by car116 km south-west of Riobamba3 hr 40 min round trip - 8
Babahoyo, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car98 km west of Riobamba3 hr round trip - 9
El Empalme, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr by car129 km north-west of Riobamba4 hr round trip - 10
Balzar, Ecuador
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car142 km west of Riobamba4 hr 30 min round trip - 11
Ventanas, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car93 km west of Riobamba2 hr 50 min round trip - 12
La Troncal, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car114 km south-west of Riobamba3 hr 30 min round trip - 13
Azogues, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car121 km south of Riobamba3 hr 50 min round trip - 14
Naranjito, Ecuador
Full-day tripAbout 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.
- 07:30Leave Riobamba
- 09:50Arrive in Guayaquil (2 hr 20 min drive)
- 10:05Faro del Cerro Santa Ana
- 12:05Lunch
- 13:20Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Guayaquil
- 15:50Head back to Riobamba
- 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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