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Weather in Cotacachi
Leather craft town beneath an icy volcano
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About Cotacachi
A remarkable destination worth exploring.
Best months to visit
August, September
Things to do in Cotacachi
Explore
Dine
Culture
Nature
Shopping
Day trips
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
19C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
February
19C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
March
19C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
April
19C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
May
19C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
June
19C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
July
20C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
Recommended
August
21C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
Recommended
September
22C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
October
21C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
November
20C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
December
19C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
Cotacachi is a tidy Andean town in northern Ecuador renowned across the country for its leather workshops, where generations of artisans have turned out jackets, bags, and boots sold from shopfronts lining the main streets. Beyond the leather, it's the gateway to Cuicocha, a strikingly blue crater lake ringed by a hiking trail with views over twin volcanic islands and the surrounding Imbabura highlands. A short, easy add-on to Otavalo, with a noticeably calmer pace.
Best areas to stay in Cotacachi
Town centre
Streets lined with leather shops and workshops, centred around the main plaza.
Laguna Cuicocha
A volcanic crater lake about 30 minutes from town, with a hiking trail around the rim and boat trips on the water.
Surrounding countryside
Patchwork farmland and small indigenous villages on the slopes of Cotacachi volcano.
Intag Valley
A subtropical valley a few hours away, known for cloud forest reserves and hot springs, popular as a longer excursion.
Getting to Cotacachi
✈
Flights
Fly to Quito (UIO), then take a bus (around 2 hours) to Cotacachi via Otavalo.
⏱
From London
~14–18 hours total from London including connections
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Getting around
The town is compact and walkable; taxis or organised tours reach Laguna Cuicocha and surrounding villages.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Cotacachi?
June to September offers the driest weather for hiking around Cuicocha, though Cotacachi's high-altitude climate stays cool and changeable year-round.
How do I get to Cotacachi?
Buses run frequently from Otavalo (about 20–30 minutes) and from Quito (around 2 hours), making it an easy day trip from either.
What's the food scene like?
Simple highland Ecuadorian fare — soups, grilled meats, and cuy (guinea pig) in some traditional restaurants — plus cafés around the main plaza.
Is Cotacachi good value?
Very much so — leather goods are well-priced compared to elsewhere, and accommodation and food are inexpensive even by Ecuadorian standards.
What language is spoken in Cotacachi?
Spanish and Kichwa are both spoken; English is limited outside a few tourist-oriented shops and lodges near Cuicocha.
Traveler reviews
★★★★☆
Bought a leather jacket made to measure in a day — incredible value and quality compared to back home.
Susan R. · July 2023
★★★★★
The hike around Cuicocha lake was stunning, with the blue water and volcanic islands below. Took about four hours at an easy pace.
Andres P. · September 2024
★★★★☆
Quieter and more relaxed than Otavalo's market days — a nice contrast and easy to combine in one trip.
Karen B. · April 2023
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