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Ibarra, Imbabura's provincial capital, is also known as the "White City," due to its colonial whitewashed buildings (though some visitors find it a bit more lackluster than it sounds). Cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs and horse-drawn carts add to the historic ambiance. In the past, busloads of travelers came to Ibarra to hop aboard the train, which rolled its way down from the Andes to the coastal town of San Lorenzo, 193 miles away. Unfortunately, the rails are currently under

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Ibarra, Imbabura's provincial capital, is also known as the "White City," due to its colonial whitewashed buildings (though some visitors find it a bit more lackluster than it sounds). Cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs and horse-drawn carts add to the historic ambiance. In the past, busloads of travelers came to Ibarra to hop aboard the train, which rolled its way down from the Andes to the coastal town of San Lorenzo, 193 miles away.
Unfortunately, the rails are currently under construction, and only a truncated version (the autoferro) runs as far as Primer Paso 45 kilometers away. Even without rail trail, however, Ibarra is a peaceful, pleasant place to spend a day or two. Take a stroll to the Basílica de La Merced, with its lofty red-and-gold altarpiece, then head to the old infantry barracks near Parque La Merced and snack on nogadas and arrope de mora, some of Ibarra’s sweeter specialties. After your sweet-tooth fix make your way to Plaza de la Ibarreñidad and stop by the Museo Banco Central, where you can brush up on your Ecuadorian archaeology and Northern Highlands history while browsing an array of pre-Inca and Inca artifacts.
If history isn’t your thing, check out Mercado Amazonas on Avenida Pérez Guerrero, or the crafts market on Plaza Atahualpa. And no trip to the White City would be complete without sampling its most famous specialty: helados de paila. This sweet, fluffy sorbet-like treat is whipped up in oversized copper pans, known as pailas, and sold at a number of heladerías in town. For day tripping outside the city, head to the peaceful shores of Laguna Yahuarcocha, or the woodcarving capital of San Antonio de Ibarra. Ibarra is also en route to Esmeraldas, if you want a quick dip in the ocean.


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Hacienda Cusin - Otavalo Ecuador Hotel
Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17th-century Andean estate at 8,500 feet, close to the Equatorial Line and 90 minutes north of Quito, Ecuador. Snow-capped mountains and the famous Otavalo markets are nearby.
haciendacusin.com
Hotels in Ibarra

Hotel Ajavi

Hotel Ajavi is one of Ibarra's nicest hotels and has many luxury features - you would pay double for similar accommodation in a bigger city like Quito. The hotel's ammenities include: a huge ...
Hotel
Ibarra, Ecuador

Hacienda Chorlavi

If you interested in rustic accommodation that's still comfortable and charming, then Hacienda Chorlavi is the place to unpack. The hotel consists of a converted colonial hacienda, complete with ...
Hotel
Ibarra, Ecuador

Imbabura

Those on a budget, or visitors interested in spending the night in a converted colonial building, should make their way to Imbabura. The hotel has an interior courtyard, soaring ceilings and a ...
Hotel
Ibarra, Ecuador

Los Almendros

Los Almendros is an excellent family-run restaurant adjacent to the Parque Pedro Moncaro. The set menu four-course lunch is $4 and worth every penny! Delicious food and very ...
Hotel, Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

Salinas Valley

Salinas, located just 30 kilometers from Ibarra, gets its name from the high concentration of mineral salts in the area soils. Up until fairly recently, people were still extracting mineral salt by ...
Hotel
Ibarra, Ecuador
Restaurants in Ibarra

Café Arte

Local hotspot Café Arté lives up to its name with good food, great art and eclectic music. A variety of rotating artwork--from modern paintings to photo exhibits-- cover the walls. The funky decor ...
Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

Restaurant El Chagra

The specialty at El Chagra is true Ecuadorian cuisine. Located on the main street of Olmedo 748, El Chagra is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant draped in old-school décor. The restaurant has orange ...
Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

La Esquina

La Esquina is one of the more modern cafés/heladerías in Ibarra and offers up a short menu of Ecuadorian specialties, such as humitas, quimbolitos and empanadas. The eatery also offers a ...
Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

Bar Bud

This American- and European-style bar occupies two floors in a tiny building on Plaza Ibarrenidad and offers a full bar with all sorts of cocktails - from Peruvian Pisco Sours and Cuba Libres to a ...
Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

Café Pushkin

This small but friendly café is a great place to enjoy an early morning breakfast or mid-afternoon snack. In the mornings, Ibarran locals filter in to grab a bite to eat before starting the day, and ...
Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

Donde El Argentino

Donde... is a charming little restaurant tucked away in the corner of a quiet plaza, far from tour buses and boisterous backpackers. The obscure façade hides an absolutely irresistible atmosphere ...
Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

El Encuentro

From the street, this place may seem deserted, but make the short jaunt down the narrow pathway, past the pleasant garden area, and you’ll find a laid-back, but lively bar buzzing with ...
Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

Los Almendros

Los Almendros is an excellent family-run restaurant adjacent to the Parque Pedro Moncaro. The set menu four-course lunch is $4 and worth every penny! Delicious food and very ...
Hotel, Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador

Café Pushkin

This small but friendly café is a great place to enjoy an early morning breakfast or mid-afternoon snack. In the mornings, Ibarran locals filter in to grab a bite to eat before starting the day, and ...
Restaurant
Ibarra, Ecuador
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