OTAVALO

A two-hour drive north of Quito through the is the town of Otavalo. Set in a valley surrounded by lovely lakes and the Andes peaks of Imbabura, Cotacachi, and Mojanda volcanoes, Otavalo is a popular destination for visitors to Ecuador. One of the main attractions is the local market, the largest handicraft market in South America.

The Otavalo Market serves as a gathering place for both trade and social activity. Official market day is Saturday when people from all over the country come to sell produce, livestock, and handicrafts. During the market's peak, almost one third of the town becomes full of stalls selling textiles, tagua nut jewelry, musical instruments, leather goods, indigenous costumes, hand-painted platters and trays, purses, clothing, spices, and spools of wool.

Smaller versions of the market can be found in Otavalo every day of the week. Visitors are expected to dicker over prices and asking for a discuento.

The best way to experience Otavalo is to visit the area for a few days while spending the night at one of the area's beautiful Haciendas. This allows you to visit the market, the nearby craft villages as well as rent mountain bikes, horses or hike through the enchanting countryside discovering the culture and natural beauty of the Otavalo Valley.

Read more about visiting Otavalo on our blog Visiting Otavalo

Otavalanos

The men and woman of Otavalo Valley are some of the most successful indigenous groups in Latin America. Known for their handicraft work this group has found a way to blend their cultural heritage and the modern business world without loosing their cultural heritage.

Many Otavalanos continue to wear in their traditional dress. Men can be identified by their white calf-length pants, blue ponchos and have long pigtails, and felt hat. Women wear long layered skirts, white cotton blouses adorned with ornate embroidery, rows of beaded necklaces and bracelets, a variety of hats and woven cloth tied over the shoulders to carry babies, or other items.

Haciendas

During colonial times a hacienda system was established throughout Ecuador. Wealthy people of from Spain were given large land grants. The owner of the Hacienda would utilize indigenous labor to make the estate self-sufficient.

Over the years these pure-blooded Spanish Hacienda owners were able to gain great wealth and power. As their wealth grew so did the haciendas many becoming elaborately decorated, furnished with incredible artwork, and adorned with elaborate gardens in order to provide the family with a private oasis.

When the colonial system ended in the 19th century, land reforms caused the break up of these massive estates and granted farm land to the local people who had been tending the plantations for generations. The main house and a smaller plot of land remained in the hands of the pure-blooded Spanish descendants of the original owners. who have now opened the doors to tourists. Visitors are welcome to tour the facilities, enjoy a traditional meal, or spend the night while catching a glimpse of the wealth of colonial Ecuador.

Otavalo Market

On Saturday mornings the market begins early as local villagers arrive in town with fresh produce and animals to trade and sell. Early risers can see the trading of cattle, pigs, chickens, and guinea pigs along the Pan American highway west of town between 6 am-11 am.

The produce market is in the center of town. The products are for supply the villagers with their groceries for the week. Produce stands have an awe-inspiring collection of fresh fruits and vegetables. There is the typical produce one might see in a supermarket but at a closer look you can see a variety of tropical fruits, corns and more than 50 types of potatoes from tiny ones the size of grapes to large one the size of a loaf of bread.

The handicraft market is the highlight for most tourists. Known for being the largest handicraft market in South America. Visitors are able to bargain for carpets, blouses, vests, jackets, hammocks, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, hats, musical instruments as well as a variety of other locally made goods.

Haggling for prices is expected and part of the fun. Never accept the original price offered and expect to pay approximately 1/3 less. A smaller version of the market is offered everyday of the week primarily for tourists.

After a busy day of shopping treat yourself to a slice of pie at the Shenandoa Pie Shop. Located at Salinas 515 and Jaramillo (near the Mercado Indigena) for years this was one of the only places to get a good piece of pie in the Sierras. On weekends people from Quito would make the drive to Otavalo just to get a piece. Their pies are still some of the best around and offer a variety of flavors including many of the local fruits.

Recommended Hotels

La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa - A rare five-star resort in Ecuador, La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa offers 23 unique suites, each anointed with a garden view, fresh-cut flowers, and its own eclectic mix of local and European art.

Hacienda Cusin -a restored 17th century country estate located a 20-minute walk from Otavalo.

Hacienda Zuleta - Historic Luxury meets modern adventure, recognized by National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler and dozens of other publications as one of the most exciting and authentic places to visit in South America.

Hacienda Pinsaqui - one of Ecuador's oldest Haciendas located north of the Otavalo Market.