Latacunga, Ecuador

Capital City

At 9,383 feet above sea level, Latacunga's frigid, windswept climate is a constant test. The city of 77,267 people sits in the shadow of the active Cotopaxi volcano, which has repeatedly devastated the area with eruptions. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the historic downtown constrained to just 30 squares. However, the lively festivals and unique local cuisine like chugchucaras may appeal to the adventurous expat seeking an authentic Ecuadorian experience. Latacunga is not for the faint of heart.