Otavalo, Ecuador was originally meant to be a quick stop during my four-week backpacking trip throughout the country. However, I quickly fell in love with the small town and drastically extended my stay. Here are some of the best things to do in and around Otavalo, Ecuador.
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Visit Otavalo’s Saturday Market
South America is chock full of giant outdoor markets. However, Otavalo boasts the largest in the continent! The market overflows with vendors every Saturday, selling items ranging from Ecuador’s famous textiles to food, drink, and even livestock.
Tips for the Market
• Bartering is expected! Western tourists will often be offered prices exponentially higher than locals, so (kindly) talk the price down. Locals barter, so you should too!
• The city bus runs to the market for less than $1, but you can score a free ride if you stay at the Rose Garden Hostel!
• Many textile vendors will claim to sell 100% alpaca wool items. However, this is usually untrue. Most items are blends, so be careful if you are looking for 100% alpaca. Check out this article to help! (I referred back to this article myself during my trip. Thanks, Ecuador Abroad!)
Hike and Admire Otavalo’s Nature
Otavalo is surrounded by nature, including two mountains and a volcano! There, you can hike to see waterfalls, volcanic craters, and stunning nature. During my time in Otavalo, I hiked the Peguche waterfall and Cuicocha Lake.
The Peguche waterfall is a really popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Try to go early if you want photos without others or a quiet hike by yourself! The hike itself is very easy and can be completed by novice hikers.
Cuicocha Lake is a different story. While wildly beautiful, this 8.6 mile (14km) hike can be very challenging. Hikers will experience an 1800 foot (550m) change in elevation, ultimately reaching an altitude of 11,500 feet (3500m). At the time, I lived in Florida, which has an elevation of of….12 feet. Even though I had been in Ecuador for nearly a month, this hike was extremely difficult due to the minor altitude sickness I experienced! Unfortunately, I made this already difficult hike even harder by making some really stupid mistakes.
You do NOT have to complete the circle to enjoy the views at Cuicocha. The volcanic crater lake is easily seen from the visitor’s center and the trails next to it. Even if you are not an avid hiker, I highly recommend seeing the stunning lake!
Wander the Streets of Otavalo
Otavalo is an easily navigated town. Full of authentic Ecuador food, locally made textile and leather goods, and friendly locals, I thoroughly enjoyed just wandering aimlessly! Most of the restaurants are family-owned, so you are guaranteed a fresh, local meal. Just be cautious about drinks made with tap water as they can make you sick!
Visit the Parque Cóndor
The Parque Cóndor, or the Condor Park, is a local bird sanctuary in Otavalo. Unfortunately, due to timing, I was unable to visit. Bummer!
The park is full of rescued birds of prey from illegal traders, captivity, or other poor environments. Those that can be are rehabilitated and released to the wild. It’s one of the few places in the world to see so many of these endangered birds up close. The Andean Condor is also the largest flying bird in the world!
I would have loved to visit, but the hours of the park just did not line up with our time in Otavalo. You can find their hours of operation and tickets here!
Where to Stay in Otavalo
Exhausted from the rest of my trip in crowded city hostels, I chose to stay in the HosterÃa Rose Cottage in Otavalo. The hostel sits on a hill overlooking the rest of the city and surrounding nature. The resulting views are absolutely breathtaking!
The hostel is just outside of the city so you will need to take the bus or a cab down. However, both options are comfortable and affordable! I found the quiet and views welcoming and relaxing after a long trip.
Otavalo felt like a home away from home to me. Something about this small town was so welcoming that I never wanted to leave! The small city has a piece of my heart, and I will definitely be back someday.
Have you ever visited Otavalo? What did you think?
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Ecuador is the best! I didn’t go to Otavalo on my last trip, but I’m definitely hoping to return and include this gorgeous place. Thanks for the post, super helpful tips!
Thanks so much for reading! Ecuador was absolutely incredible and I will definitely be back to Otavalo as soon as I can!
Glad my article on textiles helped! Otavalo is definitely a cool place, we’re actually planning on moving up there sometime in the next year.
I absolutely loved Otavalo! And we referred back to your article during the big Saturday market. Good luck with your move!