Otavalo

Otavalo is a feast for the senses. On Saturdays, the popular market fills the streets, inviting visitors to feel beautiful handwoven textiles, smell and taste delicious local foods, listen to the lively bartering in Quechua, and witness an explosion of colour and activity.

The town is well known for its traditional music, and many locals are passionate about preserving this art form. Using instruments crafted only in the Andean regions, the music has a distinctive and soulful sound that sets Otavalo apart.

The market is also a great place to observe traditional dress, especially that of Otavalo women – embroidered blouses, heavy skirts, colourful waistbands, and strings of beads worn as symbols of age and wisdom.

Set in an attractive valley, Otavalo also offers opportunities for horse riding and hiking, ideal for enjoying the dramatic mountainous backdrop. Popular nearby day trips include the Peguche Waterfall, Lagos de Mojanda, and the Museo Viviente Otavalango.

For an authentic experience, consider staying a few nights in a rustic hacienda. These centuries-old buildings have been carefully restored and offer some of the warmest, most attentive hospitality in all of Ecuador.