www.ecuadors.org

[Malek]

Can anyone recommend accommodation in Latacunga or around the circuit please? Also, do you know if Banos is reasonably safe to stay in now?

[Tuptim]

2 weeks ago I stayed in the "Hotel Central" in Latacunga. It is in the same building as the bigger "Hotel Cotopaxi" but with a separate entrance-around the corner. My room faces the main plaza, which was great for people watching but a bit noisy to sleep. However the staff was very friendly and accommodating.

I did not do the Quilotoa Loop so I do have any recommendation. One friend I met on the road did stay in the Black Sheep Inn and liked it, but thought it's rather expensive.

After Latacunga I spent 4 nights in Banos. As far as safety (from the Tunguragua eruption) there was no major problem while I was there. It was only one night when the wind changed direction that it blew a lot of ashes/dust into town. My eyes and throat were quite irritated so I went and bought a dust mask to wear for that evening. There was no danger though, just minor annoyance. One thing I observed is that the whole town of Banos was pretty much deserted, and it will probably continue this way for some time to come. Other than some small groups of Ecuadorian visitors on the weekend, there are hardly any foreigners in town. Some business owners I talked to said business is down 90%. It was a rather eerie feeling, but overall I had a good time in Banos.