Chimborazo district, Ecuador

Places to visit near Riobamba

Riobamba is a city in Chimborazo district, Ecuador, home to about 124,478 people. Within 50 km by road there are 106 places to visit — 53 hill stations & viewpoints, 19 waterfalls, 17 forts & heritage and 3 caves. The must-see places are Licto Volcanic Field (16 km), Primera Iglesia Católica del Ecuador (1534) - María Natividad de Balbanera (18 km) and El Altar (33 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Riobamba on the map

Riobamba, Ecuador
Riobamba, Chimborazo district, Ecuador. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Riobamba at a glance

Location
Chimborazo district, Ecuador
Population
about 124,478
Coordinates
1.6710° S, 78.6471° W
Places within 50 km
106 (9 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; July to January, best August to November right after rains for waterfalls; year-round for caves

Top places to visit near Riobamba

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Riobamba: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Riobamba, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Riobamba

117 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Riobamba. The closest is Cachaguay (5 km); the best-known is Licto Volcanic Field (16 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Waterfalls near Riobamba

64 waterfalls within 100 km of Riobamba. The closest is Cascada Quimiag (14 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Forts & heritage near Riobamba

34 forts & heritage within 100 km of Riobamba. The closest is 21 de Abril (1 km). Best time: october to february.

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Caves near Riobamba

10 caves within 100 km of Riobamba. The closest is Templo Machay (35 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Riobamba

8 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Riobamba. The closest is Laguna Azul (Pintada) (34 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Museums near Riobamba

7 museums within 100 km of Riobamba. The closest is Museo de Arte Religioso (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Riobamba

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 56 km on the road.

  1. Start in Riobamba
  2. 1 km Museo de Arte Religioso · museum, Chimborazo
  3. 1 km 21 de Abril · heritage site, Chimborazo
  4. 17 km Primera Iglesia Católica del Ecuador (1534) - María Natividad de Balbanera · church, Chimborazo
  5. 22 km Licto Volcanic Field · viewpoint, Chimborazo
  6. 15 km Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús · church, Chimborazo
  7. 0 km Back to Riobamba

Plan a longer trip from Riobamba — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Riobamba

No traveller has reported from around Riobamba yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Riobamba

    All places near Riobamba by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Riobamba by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints53117Cachaguay (5 km)
    Waterfalls1964Cascada Quimiag (14 km)
    Forts & heritage173421 de Abril (1 km)
    Caves310Templo Machay (35 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs18Laguna Azul (Pintada) (34 km)
    Museums17Museo de Arte Religioso (1 km)
    Other attractions57Statue of the Virgin Mary (48 km)
    Churches35Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens25Reserva de Producción Faunística Chimborazo (42 km)
    Parks23Parque Palomino Flores (49 km)
    Beaches & coast03Pista de 4x4 (90 km)

    Riobamba: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Riobamba?

    Licto Volcanic Field (viewpoint, about 16 km), Primera Iglesia Católica del Ecuador (1534) - María Natividad de Balbanera (church, about 18 km), Museo de Arte Religioso (museum, about 1 km), Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (church, about 1 km), 21 de Abril (heritage site, about 1 km), Iglesia Católica El Belén | Riobamba (church, about 2 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Riobamba?

    106 places on Spotwander: 53 hill stations & viewpoints, 19 waterfalls, 17 forts & heritage, 3 caves, 1 lake.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Riobamba?

    Cachaguay, about 5 km by road; Culai (7 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest waterfall to Riobamba?

    Cascada Quimiag, about 14 km by road; Mandur (28 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Riobamba?

    21 de Abril, about 1 km by road; Busto del Dr. Telésforo Pino H. (3 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Riobamba?

    Start in Riobamba, visit Museo de Arte Religioso, then 21 de Abril, then Primera Iglesia Católica del Ecuador (1534) - María Natividad de Balbanera, then Licto Volcanic Field, then Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, and drive back — about 56 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Riobamba?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; July to January, best August to November right after rains for waterfalls; year-round for caves.

    Towns near Riobamba

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Riobamba’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Riobamba on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.