Otavalo Marketplace
- Address:Otavalo
- Hours:Open daily
- Admission:Free
2:43 PM Sunday, May 27
Scattered clouds. Mild.
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Nestled in a valley at the foot of a volcano, Otavalo is a highland community of indigenous locals famed for their weaving skills and colorful textiles. The local people (Otavaleños) who sell their wares at the daily market, wear traditional clothing and have maintained their culture, costume and identity.
Saturday is the main market day in Otavalo but a weekday visit will be less hectic and provide more opportunity for some serious browsing. Within the market you’ll find traditional crafts, brightly-colored textiles and traditional weaving designs plus some musical instruments and carvings.
Even if souvenir shopping isn't your thing, Otavalo market is a popular day trip from Quito, and a visit to Otavalo and the surrounding area is a window into the world of some of the more traditional indigenous peoples of Ecuador.
Latest Reviews All Otavalo Marketplace Reviews »
totally enjoyed this trip. Roberto was an excellent guide - very informative. We were given plenty of time to enjoy shopping in Otavalo. I would definately recommend this trip to anyone.
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This tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Ecuador! The pick up was right on time, the bus was clean and well maintained. We got to stop off at a few spots along the way and see the beautiful mountains which were breathtaking!! The trip to Otavalo included a woman from Otavalo who sang for us and explained her native costume to us. We had plenty of time to shop around at the market and purchased a lot of really nice items.
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Fantastic marketplace, the best place for souvenirs of Ecuador. I got really cool carved gourds and traditional Ecuadorian animal masks as well as some woven jewelry. I wasn't brave enough to eat some of the street food, but my husband had some great grilled corn. It takes hours to see the whole market at Otavalo, but well worth it for mixing with the mestizo people and selecting some great crafts. Continue Reading »
Practical Info
Some visitors opt for an overnight stay in Otavalo as there are plenty of natural attractions nearby and opportunities to visit traditional craft villages. If you are traveling independently and planning an overnight stay, you will need to book in advance on the weekend when the market is at its busiest.
Otavalo market is about 2 hours by bus from the Terminal Terrestre Carcelen in Quito’s north. Alternatively tours are easily arranged in Quito.
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