Quilotoa Lake is a lake caused by a volcanic eruption in 1280. The nearby Quilotoa volcano had erupted, causing a 3-mile wide crater lake to be formed. The lake is about 3 hours from Quito and only accessible by bus, making the lake less visited than other tourist destinations in Ecuador. The lake is at an altitude of 13,000 feet, high in the Andes Mountains. It is well-known for its blue waters and its natural beauty. There is a 4.7 mile hike around the crater that shows the blue waters and abundant plant life of the lake. Kayaking on the lake is popular, but swimming is prohibited because of the high levels of acid caused by the volcanic eruption. It is near many Andean villages in the mountains, and you can hike through them and learn about the rich history and culture of Ecuador. Quilotoa Lake is very important to Ecuador because of its natural beauty and the cultural diversity that surrounds it.