Helpful Information when visiting Latacunga

Helpful information when visiting Latacunga: Elevation, weather: Latacunga’s elevation is approximately 2,750 mt. (9,022 ft.) above s ea level. FHC / HPSN is located in the Belisario Quevedo Parish, in the town of Illuchi, 7 kilometers south of the city of Latacunga, the capital of Cotopaxi province. Average temperatures are 8 – 20 d egrees C ( 46 – 68 F). In general the climate is p leasant, b ut often chilly and windy in certain seasons. Be prepared for occasional rain showers. Salcedo: is a s mall, pleasant town about 30 min. from Latacunga. Often, adopting families choose to stay a t lodging options in this quieter, less congested location. Local t ransportation: a taxi from Latacunga to FHC/HPSN is a 15-­‐20 minute ride and costs a pproximately $3.00. A taxi to the town of Salcedo is about a 20 minute ride and costs $4.00 to $5.00. Public bus: From Latacunga, a public bus ride to the bus stop at Belisario Quevedo, is approximately a 30 min. ride and costs.25. From the bus stop at Belisario Quevedo, it is a 10 minute walk to FHC/HPSN. Convenience store: The closest small, convenience-­‐type store is about a 15 minute walk, or five minutes by car from F HC/HPSN. Latacunga Park: The Parque de la Laguna (Laguna Park) in Latacunga is a p leasant outing for families and children. By taxi, it is about a 30 minute drive. Salcedo: Parque de la Familia (Family Park) is a well-­‐equipped park and playground for children in north Salcedo. It is located behind the Salcedo Hospital, turning west off the Panamerican Highway, between Hostería Rumipamba d e las Rosas and the Salcedo Hospital. Supermarkets: The closest small supermarket in Latacunga, Despensa AKI, is 20 minutes b y taxi, and is located at the corner of Ave. Nacional and Ave. Atahualpa. There is also a Despensa AKI in north Latacunga. The Santa María Supermarket is located on the west side of the Panamerican Highway and Ave. 5 d e junio, at the entrance to the bridge into the city of Latacunga, about 18 minutes b y taxi, and 30 minutes by bus from FHC/HPSN. It is located 1 block north of the Latacunga bus terminal. Pharmacy: The closest pharmacy is 15 min. by taxi, located at Ave. Unidad Nacional, just a cross the street from the Despensa AKI in Latacunga. In Salcedo, small pharmacies can be found within a block or two of the town square. Lodging in Salcedo: Most families find that staying in Salcedo is more tranquil than staying in Latacunga (noisier and congested), and is almost equal distance to FHC/HPSN. Hotel Jarfi is 20 minutes b y car from F HC/HPSN, overlooking the central park/square in Salcedo. The owners, Mónica and Julio, are friendly and very helpful. They have visited F HC/HPSN and know the ministry well. They do not speak English, but usually a shop keeper n ext door or an employee can h elp out with some English. Rooms are simple, clean and comfortable. A restaurant is on the premises and food is better than a verage for the area. If you choose to take a bus to Hotel Jarfi/ town square in Salcedo from FHC/HPSN, it will cost .30 and takes approximately 30 minutes. B & B Hostería Rumipamba de las Rosas is a more expensive lodging alternative, located about 18 minutes from FHC/HPSN, a t the north entrance to Salcedo. A restaurant is on the premises; food is good. Green spaces, outdoor p lay areas and a s mall lagoon provide opportunities for walking and exploring while still on the h otel property. It is two b locks from the Family Park (mentioned above), and next door to the Salcedo Hospital. Hotel Makros is located in Latacunga, about 35 minutes from F HC/HPSN b y car, on Juan Abel Echeverría Street and Quito Street, on a busy downtown s treet. The closest park is a 15 min. Walk, and 8 – 10 min. by taxi, d epending on traffic. Rooms are comfortable, s imilar in s tyle and décor as Hotel Jarfi, but the location is more congested and noisier. Shopping: The city of Latacunga has s mall variety stores located along the city s treets. Similar s mall specialty shops can b e found along the town center streets of Salcedo. For a large shopping mall, Mall de los Andes is similar to U.S. shopping malls. Driving distance is one h our in taxi. Bus fare is $1.00 from FHC/HPSN to the Ambato bus terminal. At the bus terminal, take a taxi to the mall (15 min., $1.50). The Mall has a food court, movie theater, pharmacy, and other shops.