Best Things to Do in Alausí, Ecuador: Devil’s Nose & More

Last Updated: October 2026

After our awesome time in Baños, it was time to move on again. So, we hopped back on the Wanderbus to make our way to our next destination, Alausi. Alausi is a tiny town in Ecuador that is largely popular due to one thing, el Nariz del Diablo (the Devil’s Nose). The Devil’s Nose is a famous train ride that showcases some of the breathtaking scenery of the Andes.

Because we were travelling on the Wanderbus, instead of using the local buses, we had to wait two days for another Wanderbus to arrive in Alausi. That meant we would spend a total of two nights there. We had read that it was a quiet town and that it was easily done in half a day. Still, we didn’t mind because we were planning to take a couple of days to relax anyway, before moving on yet again, this time to Cuenca.

Plus, once we reached Alausi, we were actually quite glad that we’d decided to stay longer because we really liked the feel of the town. It was so quiet and after the last train had returned, it was so sleepy that it felt like we were the only ones left in town! We were hungry for some downtime and we really liked its low-intensity vibe. Also, it turned out that there is more to Alausi than just the train ride.

Best Things to Do in Alausi

1- Ride the Famous Devil’s Nose Train

The famous Devil’s Nose Train (Nariz del Diablo) is undoubtedly one of the main reasons travellers visit Alausí, and it’s an experience not to be missed!

This spectacular railway journey takes you through the dramatic Ecuadorian Andes, passing steep mountainsides, deep valleys and breathtaking scenery. The railway is particularly famous for its incredible zigzag track, an impressive feat of engineering designed to navigate the steep terrain.

The round trip from Alausí to Sibambe takes approximately 2.5 hours, with plenty of opportunities to admire the spectacular landscapes along the way.

Our Experience on the Devil’s Nose Train

We absolutely loved this train journey! As the train slowly made its way through the mountains, we enjoyed incredible views of the surrounding valleys and countryside.

One of the highlights was stopping at the Devil’s Nose viewpoint to admire the scenery and take photographs.

We then continued to Sibambe Station, where we were welcomed by traditional Indigenous dancers who even encouraged visitors to join in. It was great fun!

During our visit, there was also a small museum, a café and time to explore before boarding the train for the return journey to Alausí.

Devil’s Nose Train Tickets and Timetable

After several years of closure, the Devil’s Nose Train resumed operations, with services restarting in June 2026 following repairs to the railway.

As of October 2026, trains operate Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays, with departures at 8 am, 11 am and 2 pm.

The return journey takes approximately 2.5 hours, and tickets for international visitors cost around US$30 per adult, excluding taxes and booking fees.

You can check availability and book tickets through the Devil’s Nose Train online booking page.

Schedules and prices can change, so always confirm the latest information before travelling.

Our Tips for Riding the Devil’s Nose Train

Book the earliest departure. The manager at our hostel recommended the morning train for better weather, and he was absolutely right! We enjoyed mostly sunny skies early in the morning, but by midday, clouds had rolled in and visibility was much poorer.

Choose your seats carefully. When we booked, we selected the seats marked A (for abyss), which offered fantastic views down into the valley. Seat selection is still available online, although the seating layout may have changed since our visit.

Book in advance. We found online booking relatively straightforward, even with our very limited Spanish. Google Translate was certainly useful!

Bring your camera and a warm jacket. The scenery is spectacular, and temperatures in the mountains can be chilly, especially during early morning departures.

2- Explore the Colourful Streets of Alausí

Alausi might be small but that doesn’t mean it’s not a nice place to visit. Like so many places in Ecuador, it’s really colourful and many of its buildings are more than 100 years old. You can start your walk at the train station and get lost in its colourful streets. Enjoy the street art, relax in the public parks and do some people watching, and check out the old railway bridge. You can also head to the Mercado Central (market) to get an insight into the local community and to buy some fresh fruit or veggies.

We felt very safe everywhere we went, people were very friendly and we enjoyed just wandering around town. With two days there, we ended up walking around the town a couple of times. 

3- Visit Mirador San Pedro for Panoramic Views

For some great views over the town, climb a few sets of stairs up to the Mirador San Pedro. The statue of San Pedro can be seen anywhere in town, it’s impossible to miss. Just follow it and eventually you will reach the bottom of the stairs leading up to it. At the base of the statue is a small square, surrounded by a nice grassy area where you can relax and enjoy the views, perhaps with a picnic lunch or a takeaway morning latte.

4- Hike to the Devil’s Nose Viewpoint

If you can’t afford the $33 train ride, don’t despair, you can still enjoy the views by hiking. There is a really nice hike you can do that apparently offers even better views of the Devils’ Nose than the train. Unfortunately, we didn’t get around to it as Simon wasn’t feeling well on our second day in Alausi but we wish we’d had the chance to do it. Our hostel in Alausi (Community Hostel) even offers a free guided hike to it every morning at 8 am.

5- Enjoy a Peaceful Walk Along the Chanchán River

For an easy walk outside of town, walk past the old railway bridge, keep going down the hill past the football stadium and eventually, you will get to the river Chanchán. It’s a nice, peaceful walk. 

How to Get to Alausí, Ecuador

Alausí is located in the Ecuadorian Andes, approximately 4–5 hours south of Quito and 3–4 hours north of Cuenca by road.

By bus: Local buses are the cheapest way to reach Alausí, with connections from Riobamba, Cuenca and other nearby towns. Depending on your departure point, you may need to change buses.

We travelled to Alausí with Wanderbus, stopping here on our journey between Baños and Cuenca. It was a convenient way to explore Ecuador without having to organise local transport.

How Long to Spend in Alausí

Most visitors come to Alausí for the famous Devil’s Nose Train, and one full day is enough to enjoy the train ride and explore the town’s main attractions.

However, we’d recommend staying overnight if you have the time. We spent two nights in Alausí and loved having the opportunity to wander through its colourful streets, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and explore beyond the train station.

Is Alausí Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Although Alausí is best known for the Devil’s Nose Train, this charming Andean town has much more to offer.

With its colourful colonial buildings, friendly locals, beautiful mountain scenery and relaxed atmosphere, Alausí is a lovely place to slow down and experience a quieter side of Ecuador.

We particularly enjoyed exploring the town on foot and discovering its viewpoints. If you’re travelling between Baños and Cuenca, Alausí is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

Exploring more of Ecuador? Alausí is a fantastic stop between two of our favourite destinations! Head to Baños, Ecuador’s adventure capital, for spectacular waterfalls, hot springs and mountain scenery, or continue south to Cuenca, one of Ecuador’s most beautiful colonial cities, famous for its charming historic centre and nearby Cajas National Park.

Where to stay in Alausi? 

Community Hostel Alausí – Our Favourite Budget Stay

We stayed at Community Hostel Alausí during our visit and absolutely loved it! In fact, it was one of the best hostels we’ve ever stayed in.

The accommodation was spotlessly clean, quiet, spacious and incredibly comfortable, with both private rooms and dormitory options available. It was excellent value for money and a fantastic base for exploring Alausí.

And whatever you do, don’t skip breakfast if it’s available! We paid a little extra for ours, and it was easily the best breakfast we’d had during our travels around Ecuador. That’s saying something! 😂

Alternatively, you can search for hotels using the search box below.

Where to eat in Alausi?

La Estacion Del Tren 

This little cafe is right next to the train station. The owner is really friendly and speaks very good English. We had two lovely lunches there. Try one of their chilli and lemon beers, they’re very nice! 

El Meson del tren 

A few steps from the train station, this restaurant serves traditional Ecuadorian food. The portions are large and the food is well priced.

FAQs About Visiting Alausí, Ecuador

Is the Devil’s Nose Train Running?

Yes! The famous Devil’s Nose Train resumed operations in 2026 after several years of closure. Services operate on selected days, so check the latest timetable and book ahead.

Can You Visit Alausí Without Taking the Train?

Absolutely! You can explore the colourful historic streets, visit Mirador San Pedro and enjoy the beautiful Andean scenery without taking the train.

Is Alausí Safe for Tourists?

Alausí is generally a quiet town, but it’s important to take normal travel precautions. Keep valuables secure, avoid isolated areas after dark and check current travel advice before visiting Ecuador.

What Is the Altitude of Alausí?

Alausí sits at approximately 2,340 metres above sea level. You may notice the altitude if you’re arriving from lower elevations, so take your time when walking uphill and stay hydrated.

Exploring more of Ecuador? Don’t miss Quito, Ecuador’s fascinating capital city, with its beautifully preserved colonial centre, impressive churches and spectacular Andean setting. It’s another must-visit destination on any Ecuador itinerary!

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