Nariz del Diablo
Alausi is the terminus for the most famous train route in Ecuador, and that is run almost exclusively as a tourist attraction. It is part of the former Quito-Guayaquil railway that is gradually being restored. The passengers used to ride on the roof of the train from Riobamba to the Nariz del Diablo Devil's nose. However, this is now prohibited due to recent deaths but is still allowed on special tourist trains. The scenery along the way is amazing; the best views are supposed to be at the right side. Some people have complained of the soot from the engine and so perhaps the best carriage to be on is the one in the middle, as the engine is moved from the front to the rear for the return journey. As the passengers are almost entirely tourists, expect children begging for candies along the track, and correspondingly a candyseller on the train.
The train will make a stop in Guamote and Alausi before heading down the switchbacks to Sibambe. There will be a small break to take some photos before heading back to Alausi and Riobamba. Most people choose to get off at Alausi and take a bus to Cuenca or back to Riobamba. The price is $11 for a ride from Riobamba down the Devil's nose and back to Alausi and $3.50 more to go all the way back to Riobamba.The train departs Riobamba at 6:30-7:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Tickets go on sale on the day prior to departure and the ticket office hours are "usually" between 3 and 6 p.m. Read: This is not 100% reliable. Tickets are quickly sold out, so be there early, preferably when the office opens. A safer way to ensure a ticket is to book through a travel agency in Quito, or book in advance two or three days in advance. If tickets are sold out in Riobamba, it's possible some may still be available in Alausi.
LATEST UPDATE: June 23, 2011 - The train currently DOES NOT start from Riobamba because the section of track between Riobamba and Alausi is being modified for a new line. The train now starts from Alausi and there are 3 departures Tue-Sat, at 8am, 11am and 3pm. Tickets CAN be bought in advance at the Riobamba train station and costs $20. You can step in anytime to buy tickets I went at 11am, you will need to show your passport. Note that it takes 2.5 hrs to reach Alausi by bus from Riobamba and you need to be at the Alausi train station at least 20 mins in advance, so figure at least 3+ hrs to get to Alausi. Buses leave for Alausi every 30 minutes.
Riobamba is close to Sangay National Park, which contains several mountains and volcanoes including Tungurahua, Sangay and El Altar.
Night Life is also the best if you're a party person. La 10 de Agosto is the teens favorite spot to relax and de-stress from the weeks work. Tht night life starts around sun down and it goes from El Parque Infantil all the way to El Estation del Tren. And if your lucky to be around Las Fiestas del Abril, or Riobamba's indepedance day week, they hold a lot of activities and parades all that week just to celebrate another year of freedom.