The town of Otavalo hosts what is probably the most famous market in South America. Visitors from around the globe flock to its main square to bargain for the amazing goods on sale, and to enjoy the surrounding landscape of this fertile and beautiful region. Located under two hours from Quito, with flower plantations and dramatic landscapes along the way, the Otavalo region makes an ideal short trip from the capital - not to be missed!

The busiest day of the week is Saturday, when the handicrafts market merges with the local one, making for a bewildering selection of goods for sale. On other days of the week, only the square known as the Plaza de los Ponchos has handicrafts, but there’s still plenty to peruse.

Otavalo Market   Otavalo Information   Getting There   Quito to Otavalo Route

When to Go: Saturday is the biggest market day, with an animal market at the crack of dawn. It's best to stay the night on Friday at one of the numerous hostals, hotels and haciendas.

Money: There some casas de cambio for changing cash and travellers' cheques, but the rates will probably be better in Quito. For buying goods, stick to cash greenbacks. Credit cards are accepted at the larger hotels and some restaurants.

Emergency Telephone: 2920 101 (Police).

Otavalo Market   Otavalo Information   Getting There   Quito to Otavalo Route

Estimated time from Quito to Otavalo: approx. 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Distance from Quito to Otavalo: 95 Km.

Bus Companies: Flota Imbabura (2951 440), buses leave all day from the Terminal Terrestre Cumandá ($3 approx). Expreso Turismo (2565 941), buses leave every 15 minutes ($2 approx.).

Taxi: Taxi Lagos (2955 150), takes passengers door-to-door for around USD 7 per person. Car: Take the Panamericana Norte by following the large Avenida Amazonas and then look for signs for Ibarra, then continue heading north passing Guayllabamba and Cayambe.

Fiestas: Otavalo's largest festival is for the Fiesta del Yamor (3-14 September) and Inti Raymi for the summer solstice (end of June).

Other places to visit near Otavalo: Cotacachi, Cuicocha, San Antonio de Ibarra.

Otavalo Market   Otavalo Information   Getting There   Quito to Otavalo Route

Heading out north on the Panamericana Norte from Quito, your first port of call should be the town of Calderón, where locals are famous for the figures they sculpt using dough, known as mazapán.

Continuing north, the next stop is the valley of Guayallabamba, famous for its fruits such as the exotic chirimoya, as well as its traditional soups, locros: a great place to grab a bite to eat.

In Guayllabamba, you should consider visiting the Zoológico (Zoo), which boasts over 50 native species from around the country and the Galápagos.

Soon after the turn for Guayllabamba, the highway forks. Both roads find their way to Otavalo. Take the right one to pass through the attractive provincial town of Cayambe, close to the looming, beautiful volcano of the same name, and famous for its biscochos, great light pastries sold with dulce de leche, a treat for the sweet-toothed!

Along the Cayambe road, you'll notice huge plantations and green-houses covering the hillsides and valleys. This is the heart of Ecuador's flower industry, one of the country's newest and brightest exports. It's best to organise a visit to one of the plantation through a local tour operator, but it's well worthwhile since the variety and colours on show are dazzling.

The left fork takes you through the peculiar and arid area around Tabacundo, where you can fork off to the pre-Inca Pyramids of Cochasquí, a celestial observatory.

The two highways join up soon before the descent down to the Lago de San Pablo (Lake San Pablo) with the 'father Imbabura' volcano rising to the south, and the town of Otavalo beyond its western banks.

The San Pablo lake makes a great place for watersports, or simply relaxing on its shores. There are several nice places to stay here, with plenty of activities on offer.

Otavalo has some good restaurants, but for a grander lunch or dinner, head out to one of the nearby haciendas, such as Cusín or Pinsaquí - you may well dine where Simon Bolivar once sat.

A nice walk near Otavalo takes in the Cascadas de Peguche to the northeast of the town. Ask locals for directions. The Otavalo area is fantastic for horseriding. The local haciendas and inns can arrange a tour of a few hours or a few days for you. Mountain biking is also great fun.

Otavalo Market   Otavalo Information   Getting There   Quito to Otavalo Route