Mercado in Otavalo

Bus ride to Otavalo from Quito is about 2 hours. It is a gorgeous ride through the Andes Mountains with sites of volcanoes, lakes, and villages.


Otavalo is a small village located in the Provincia de Imbabura.




To get a true Ecuadorian market experience, Otavalo on Saturday is the destination. Every Saturday, Amerindians from close by villages gather to produce & sell everything from handicrafts, jewelry, textiles, Panama hats, bags, ponchos, blankets, clothing, livestock, leather goods, shoes, and much more!

The colors of the market are extraordinary! There are colorful bags, blankets, and even the people themselves are quite colorful.

Saturday is not only a market day, it is also a social day for the indigenous peoples. The most important thing when buying things in the market is bargaining. You have to be stern and stand your ground for sure. Perfect example-I was buying a bracelet and it was around $4.00. How much did I pay for it? $1.50.  You talk them down as much as possible, if you are still not satisfied put the item down like you are not going to buy it-and the villagers will make a deal with you. I bought a lot at the market and barely spent over $20. Jewelry was my favorite. I bought earrings made from natural materials such a orange peels & tagua (also know as ivory palms), a  white-beaded necklace, and a few bracelets. I also purchased a blue skirt, pajama pants, and a scarf.

 Other than shopping in the market, the town of Otavalo itself is beautiful. There are great places to eat and things to do such as horseback riding through the mountains. Traveling to Otavalo has now become apart of another culture experience that I have here in Ecuador!