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Otavalo
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V!VA User‘s Description
Set in a valley in the northern Andes, Otavalo is right at the top of any Ecuador traveler's must-see list, famous throughout South America for its weekly Otavalo market where one can find an overwhelming variety of Andean crafts and is reportedly the biggest of its kind in Latin America. Every Saturday from about 8 a.m., the local craftsmen pour into the town and unfold their wares in the Plaza de Ponchos and surrounding streets, the whole area exploding into a hodgepodge of colourful rugs, clothes, paintings and other crafts. There is also an animal market early on Saturday mornings which is worth a visit.
All Activities in Otavalo
Parque Cóndor Otavalo
Parque Cóndor is a non-profit wildlife refuge for owls and raptors, including the endangered Andean ...
Lagunas de Mojanda
One of the most popular spots for hiking is the area around Lagunas de Mojanda. Seventeen kilometres f...
Otavalo's Markets
The Otavaleños have been long renowned for their weaving skills, and over the last couple of decades ...
Top Rated Hotels
98% - 6 ratings
Casa Mojanda
Located in the hills just over 3km outside Otavalo on the road to Lagunas de Mojanda, Casa Mojanda is an interes...
90% - 13 ratings
Hacienda Guachalá
The chapel of the hacienda was originally built in 1580 and Guachalá dates back to 1700. In its heyday, Guachal...
89% - 5 ratings
Top Rated Restaurants
Hacienda Guachalá
The chapel of the hacienda was originally built in 1580 and Guachalá dates back to 1700. In its heyday, Guachal...
89% - 5 ratings
Buena Vista
On the second floor of a building on the edge of the Plaza de Ponchos, Buena Vista certainly lives up to its nam...
70% - 10 ratings
Pizza Siciliana
Pizza Siciliana’s warm atmosphere, famous pizzas and wood-burning stove have been enticing both foreigners and...
86% - 3 ratings
Top Rated Tours
0% - 0 ratings
Top Rated Schools
Otavalo Spanish Institute
If you want to pick up Spanish quickly and effectively, you should go find the Otavalo Spanish School. With leve...
0% - 0 ratings
Learning Leatherworking From A Master
Learning how to work with leather in a workshop that could be fifty years old seems idyllic and romantic, and in...
0% - 0 ratings
Top Rated Services
Internet in Cotacachi
ChikiNET has zippy internet in a room where your back's to the wall. The local kids who gather around to watch t...
0% - 0 ratings
Internet
Libreria y Papeleria la Unica has eight computers and a connection that's about average for Ecuador....
0% - 0 ratings
Manufacturas "Flores"
One of several leather shops on Ca. 10 de Agosto, Manufacturas Flores can be easily recognized by the hand-craft...
0% - 0 ratings
Traveler Reviews of Otavalo
Will definitely visit again!
100%The people were very friendly and helpful---letting me take my time and trying on clothing,jewelry, etc. Am learning Spanish and they were patient with me. If you speak Quechua, even better! Don't miss the pie shop along the side of the market--great place to eat and can sit and people-watch from there. Hostels are clean and inexpensive. Take the time to go to Peguche, an interesting village not far from there.
Saturday Market
75%I´ve been to Otavalo a few times, the market is there every day, but is much more extensive on Saturdays. I´m not a big fan of markets, but it is very interesting to wander around. In addition to the touristy market where you can buy all kinds of souvenir goods, there is also a fruit and vegetable market, and just on the approach to Otavalo from the south, an animal market. I was warned off buying Panama Hats in the market, I was told that they are not good quality. Don´t know how true this is, but worth bearing in mind perhaps.
South American Journey
100%A GREAT place to see. A South America must see!
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