Visiting Cascada de Peguche from Otavalo, Ecuador
Peguche Waterfall alias Cascada de Peguche is a pleasant trip within a market town Otavalo in Ecuador. Read our travel guide on how to visit Peguche Waterfall from Otavalo on a budget, entrance fee, how to get there, and what to expect.
Otavalo is one of the top travel destinations in Ecuador. For many, it is one of the first stops in the country because of the proximity to the borders with Colombia, and the rest of the travelers usually visit Otavalo on a day trip from Quito, the capital city of Ecuador.
Even though Otavalo's highlight is the indigenous culture and well-known markets that can be seen in only one day, we think this town nestled in rolling green hills deserves a bit more of your time.
If you decide to spend at least one night in Otavalo, you'll have a wonderful time.
And if you are looking for tips on activities and top things to do in Otavalo, you've come to the right place. In this travel guide, we'll share with you tips on visiting Peguche Waterfall from Otavalo, also known as Cascada de Peguche.
There are more things to do, such as the trip to Laguna Cuicocha, but you can read more about this site in our more detailed post dedicated to the hike itself.
Here, we would like to focus solely on Peguche Waterfall and practical information you might be looking for, such as how much it costs, how to get there, and what to do there.
PEGUCHE WATERFALL
To be honest, we've never heard about Peguche Waterfall before we arrived in Otavalo.
Sometimes, places that would normally be one of the main reasons to visit a destination are somewhere else easily overshadowed because of other top-rated attractions.
This is actually the case of Cascada de Peguche. Today we are grateful that we included this place in our Ecuador itinerary, and our travelers' instinct led us there.
Peguche Waterfall is 18 meters high and surrounded by lush green vegetation, which creates a very photogenic spot.
Fortunately, there's much more to do than take one photo of the waterfall and return to Otavalo, which is only 3.3 kilometers away.
HOW TO GET TO PEGUCHE WATERFALL FROM OTAVALO
There are several options on how to get from Otavalo to the waterfall. Thanks to the town's proximity, you can either walk, take a bus, hire a cab, or more active travelers can even hire a bike. It is also possible to take a tour from Quito that has this waterfall on the itinerary.
Walk | If you have enough time, walking to Peguche Waterfall is definitely the most budget-friendly alternative. It is 3.3 kilometers one way, and it is up to you if you decide to hike in both directions or if you return by bus.
We found the area around Otavalo quite safe for independent hiking.
The first part of the trail will lead you through the suburbs (we recommend grabbing a stick to protect yourself against strayed dogs), and the rest will take you along the river, and you will also have to cross the swing bridge.
The path is flat and should not take you more than 45 minutes one way. The trail is well-marked, but to stay safe, use the Maps.me app.
Bus | We took a bus to Peguche Waterfall as we were short on time, and it was super-easy. If you want to follow our steps, go to Otavalo's bus terminal, and find a bus company called Imbaburapac cooperative to take you to the entrance.
The easiest way is to ask around what is the right bus.
The bus leaves the terminal every thirty minutes, and the ticket costs $0.35. The journey would in a car have taken 5 minutes, but as the bus drives around the suburbs and stops a lot, it takes fifteen to twenty minutes to reach Peguche Waterfall.
Taxi | If you prefer an individual approach, the fastest way to get to Cascada de Peguche is by taxi.
The trip costs anything between $2 and $3, depending on your hotel's location, but it is still a very reasonable price, especially if you share the ride with more travelers.
Bike | Biking is another alternative. Otavalo is a very lively town that welcomes travelers. Therefore, you'll find here many travel agencies, where it is possible to rent a bike for a few hours, but even for longer.
Tour | If you find Peguche Waterfall interesting but simply do not have that much time, consider this well-rated day tour from Otavalo that also includes a quick stop by the waterfall.
ENTRANCE FEE
Peguche Waterfall is a free attraction. Being said that, the donation is appreciated, but it is only up to you. Commonly, visitors pay $1 in the box, so make sure you have change with you.
If you are a budget traveler looking for free things to do in Otavalo, then Peguche Waterfall is a must-visit place.
At the time of our visit, we had to write down our names in a book, but then we could walk freely around. We understood that the site is open 24/7.
PEGUCHE WATERFALL HIKE
The waterfall entrance is lined with stalls, but we appeared in a completely different world once we registered ourselves, surrounded only by greenery.
Once you get in the park, keep in mind that the area is important to indigenous people, and the waterfall is even considered a sacred and spiritual site, so behave respectfully.
The walk to the waterfall is enjoyable as the trail leads via the park, which is well taken care of, and you can admire the fauna and flora, especially eucalyptus trees that are abundant here.
We headed to the waterfall first, although it was possible to turn and get deeper into the park.
We knew for a while we were getting closer thanks to the sound of the water. When we reached the bridge, we decided to cross it, and we immediately got a stunning view of the waterfall.
It is possible to get closer, there is one large boulder that actually works well for posing, but you must accept that you will be soaked. Once you get enough photos, you have several options.
On your left-hand side, when facing the waterfall, is a short trail to a viewing platform - definitely worth it. On your right-hand side is another trail that leads above the waterfall and further to the ridge.
If you want to climb further, it is definitely possible; just make sure you come well-prepared.
We walked about half of the distance, where we reached a small cave. We took off shoes and sneaked through the cave, where we found a few more photo opportunities.
When you look behind yourself at the base of the waterfall, you will find a small settlement, where locals sell food and their handicrafts as well. Admittedly, we did not buy anything.
Instead, we walked back in the entrance direction, but we turned left after some time and walked on a path that led us deeper to the park. We even came across a pool, but it was not that warm, so we only took off shoes and refreshed ourselves for a bit.
Then, we found a path back to the main trail and headed to the bus stop.
The whole visit took us a bit more than two hours. In case you want to see Peguche Waterfall and do not plan to hike around at all, reserve at least one hour of your time.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHERE TO STAY IN OTAVALO
If you decide to stay in Otavalo overnight, it is good to know that the options are plentiful for the town's size, and most of the hotels and hostels are within walking distance from the bus terminal.
The town gets busy during the market days and in general between Friday and Sunday when people from Quito seek their weekend getaway.
So make sure to book your accommodation in advance, especially if you are a budget traveler.
We've handpicked the best three hotels in Otavalo for every type of traveler; feel free to get inspired.
Budget | Hostal La Rosa Otavalo - If you want to save money but still enjoy clean and comfortable accommodation, this is the place, plus the location is awesome.
Mid-range | Hotel El Indio Inn - Perfect location for exploring all major sights, hot shower, clean rooms, and helpful staff - this is the best hotel for a very reasonable price in Otavalo.
Luxury | Dona Esther Otavalo - A charming hotel in the center of Otavalo, good breakfast and tasty food, excellent clean rooms, and a roof garden with amazing views.
BEST TIME TO VISIT PEGUCHE WATERFALL
Peguche Waterfall, same as Otavalo, is an all-year-round destination. The temperature usually sits around 18 degrees; the only thing that changes is precipitation.
It normally rains the least from June to October, but short afternoon showers are not uncommon in the region.
On the other hand, to see the waterfall at its best, it is good to visit it either after the torrential rain or rainy season.
Even though visiting Peguche Waterfall does not take that long, bring a rain jacket, and an extra layer as the weather might be sometimes cooler.
You do not need hiking boots even if you want to climb high above the waterfall, but we recommend comfortable sneakers.
It might be a good idea to bring a small mirrorles camera.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
