115km (71 miles) N of Quito, 535km (332 miles) NE of Guayaquil, 20km (13 miles) N of Otavalo
Often overlooked by tourists, Ibarra is the capital of Imbabura province and the main business, transportation, and governmental hub for Ecuador's northern highlands. Founded in 1606, Ibarra was almost completely destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1868. Ibarra is nicknamed "La Ciudad Blanca" (The White City), owing to the surviving whitewashed colonial-era buildings that define its downtown. In fact, many of the newer constructions have also been built in a neo-colonial style and painted white.
Perhaps the biggest draw in Ibarra is its satellite burg, San Antonio de Ibarra (5km/3 miles south of downtown), a small, artistic community renowned for its woodcarving and artisans. Another of Ibarra's biggest attractions, Laguna Yahuarcocha, also lies just outside the city.
