7 Weekend Getaways for Digital Nomads Living in Tumbaco

As a digital nomad living in Tumbaco, you have the unique opportunity to blend work and travel seamlessly. Nestled in the Andean foothills, Tumbaco offers a tranquil lifestyle with easy access to Quito and the surrounding regions. When the weekend rolls around, you might be looking for a change of scenery or an adventure to recharge your batteries. Here are seven fun weekend getaways, including popular spots and hidden gems, all within reach of your Tumbaco home base.

Mindo

Mindo is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This small town in the cloud forest is known for its rich biodiversity, including hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, and orchids. Visitors can enjoy activities such as zip-lining, hiking, bird watching, and visiting butterfly farms and chocolate factories. The serene environment makes it an ideal spot to unwind and connect with nature.

How to Get There: The best way to reach Mindo from Tumbaco is by car or bus, which takes approximately 2 hours. Buses depart regularly from Quito's Carcelén bus terminal.

Travel Tip: Don't miss the chance to take a cable car across the cloud forest canopy for breathtaking views and access to remote hiking trails.

Where to Stay: Consider staying at the Dragonfly Inn or El Monte Sustainable Lodge, both offering comfortable accommodations and a chance to wake up to the sounds of the forest.

Where to Eat: El Quetzal de Mindo is famous for its homemade chocolate and offers a delightful chocolate tour and tasting experience.

Otavalo

The market town of Otavalo is renowned for its vibrant indigenous culture and the famous Otavalo Market, where you can find textiles, handicrafts, and jewelry. It's a fantastic place to experience Ecuadorian culture, shop for unique souvenirs, and enjoy the local cuisine. Nearby, you can visit the serene Cuicocha Crater Lake or hike the surrounding mountains.

How to Get There: Otavalo is about a 2-hour drive from Tumbaco. Buses are available from Quito's Carcelén bus terminal, offering a scenic route to the town.

Travel Tip: Visit on a Saturday when the market is at its most vibrant and extensive, spilling into all the streets and plazas of the town center.

Where to Stay: Hacienda Cusin and Hostal Doña Esther are both charming accommodations that reflect the local culture and offer a comfortable stay.

Where to Eat: The Café Pachamama is a cozy spot known for its delicious fusion cuisine and offers a great view of the bustling market.

Quilotoa

The Quilotoa Loop is a self-guided trek that takes you through stunning Andean landscapes and remote indigenous villages. The highlight is the Quilotoa Crater Lake, a breathtaking turquoise lake inside a volcanic crater. Hiking around the crater rim provides spectacular views, and you can also descend to the lake's shore. This destination offers a glimpse into rural Ecuadorian life and landscapes.

How to Get There: The journey to Quilotoa from Tumbaco takes about 3.5 hours by car. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Latacunga and then transfer to a local bus heading to Quilotoa.

Travel Tip: Spend a night in one of the villages along the loop to fully experience the local hospitality and culture.

Where to Stay: Hostal Chukirawa and Quilotoa Crater Lake Lodge both offer stunning views of the lake and comfortable lodging.

Where to Eat: Most accommodations offer home-cooked meals, but Café Taita Cristobal in Quilotoa village provides a warm atmosphere and traditional dishes.

Papallacta

Papallacta is famous for its thermal baths, set against a backdrop of the Andes. The hot springs are rich in minerals and offer a therapeutic experience. Besides soaking in the thermal pools, you can explore the surrounding paramo ecosystem with its unique flora and fauna or indulge in spa treatments. Papallacta is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.

How to Get There: A drive from Tumbaco to Papallacta takes about 1.5 hours. Buses are also available from Quito's Quitumbe bus terminal.

Travel Tip: Visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds and have a more peaceful experience in the hot springs.

Where to Stay: Termas de Papallacta offers a range of accommodations from hotel rooms to cabins, with direct access to the thermal pools.

Where to Eat: The restaurant at Termas de Papallacta serves up local trout, a regional specialty, in a variety of delicious dishes.

Yunguilla Valley

The Yunguilla Valley is an off-the-beaten-path destination known for its pleasant climate and rural charm. It's an excellent spot for agro-tourism, with opportunities to visit local farms and learn about sustainable agriculture. The area also offers hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching. It's a peaceful retreat from the digital world, allowing you to connect with the land and local communities.

How to Get There: The Yunguilla Valley is about a 2-hour drive from Tumbaco. Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore this rural area.

Travel Tip: Participate in a local community tourism project to get an authentic experience of rural life and contribute to sustainable development.

Where to Stay: There are several community-run guesthouses and eco-lodges in the valley, such as the Yunguilla Community Guesthouse, which offers a homely stay and the chance to engage with locals.

Where to Eat: Many accommodations provide home-cooked meals using fresh, local ingredients. Be sure to try the region's cheese and dairy products, which are a local staple.

Maquipucuna Reserve

The Maquipucuna Reserve is a hidden gem for those interested in conservation and biodiversity. This ecological reserve is home to a vast array of wildlife, including spectacled bears, and offers guided nature walks, bird watching, and a chance to participate in conservation projects. The cloud forest environment is a serene escape for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.

How to Get There: Located about 2 hours from Tumbaco by car, the reserve is best accessed by private vehicle due to its remote location.

Travel Tip: Stay overnight at the reserve's lodge to experience the cloud forest's nocturnal sounds and early morning wildlife activity.

Where to Stay: The Maquipucuna Ecolodge provides rustic yet comfortable accommodations and the opportunity to wake up surrounded by the cloud forest.

Where to Eat: Meals are typically provided by the ecolodge, featuring local and organic ingredients, often sourced directly from the reserve's garden.

Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve

Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is one of the few inhabited volcanic craters in the world and offers a unique landscape to explore. Visitors can hike or horseback ride through the crater, visit local farms, and enjoy panoramic views from the rim. The reserve is also a great place for bird watching and photography, with its diverse ecosystems ranging from cloud forests to dry grasslands.

How to Get There: The reserve is a short 1-hour drive from Tumbaco, making it an easy day trip or overnight destination.

Travel Tip: Visit the Intiñan Solar Museum located near the crater's entrance, where you can learn about the equatorial line and indigenous cultures.

Where to Stay: There are a few hosterías within the crater, such as El Crater Hotel, which offers stunning views and a unique experience of staying inside a volcanic crater.

Where to Eat: El Crater Restaurant not only provides a scenic dining experience but also serves up a mix of traditional Ecuadorian and international cuisine.

These weekend getaways offer a mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation, all within reach of Tumbaco. Whether you're looking to connect with nature, dive into local traditions, or simply take a break from your screen, there's a destination nearby to suit your needs.