Otavalo was not a city very high on my radar when visiting Ecuador. It’s rather small, and I did not find many articles on it when researching where to go on my month-long backpacking trip. However, when I realized it hosted the largest market in South America, I needed to go!
A Guide to the Otavalo Market
Otavalo‘s marketplace has vendors available every day of the week. However, the largest market takes place every Saturday. This is when every vendor comes out with their goods, food, and even livestock to sell to visitors and locals alike.
Ecuador is well known for its textiles, and the Otavalo market is the best place to get them! You can see locals hand-weaving, knitting, and crocheting everything from clothes, to bags, to blankets all over the market. Buyers are expected to haggle as well, so practice your Spanish numbers to get a great deal! I came home with a knitted llama sweater, a woven tie for a Christmas present, and a backpack that I adore.
The food stalls are incredible at the market as well. Fresh fruits and vegetables are sold next to spices that I had never seen before. My lunch was cooked right in front of me and was one of the best meals I have ever had for about $2. Ice cream, candies, and fresh juices are sold in carts in between the colorful textiles and jewelry.
Note: Be very careful about drinks with ice or water and snow cones. They look tempting, but they may not have been made with bottled water. The local tap water may get you sick!
The market is an all-day event outside in the strong Ecuador sun, so plan accordingly! Outdoor vendors only accept cash, but indoor vendors may take credit cards. There is a bank with multiple ATMs right next to the main entrance. It can get very crowded, so keep an eye on your bags and purchases from pickpocketers!
How to Get to the Otavalo Market
To get to Otavalo from another city in Ecuador, you can either take a taxi or a bus. A bus is much cheaper but can be daunting to find and ride without speaking Spanish. The bus costs about $2.50 for a 2-hour ride from Quito or about $5 for a 6-hour ride from Baños. A taxi will cost about $60-70 from Quito but will be much more comfortable and a bit quicker.
Once in Otavalo, every taxi will know how to get to the market. Some hostels, such as the HosterÃa Rose Cottage will even drive you to the Saturday market, free of charge. There are also local buses that will drive you to the market for less than $1. Few people in Otavalo speak English fluently, but every single person I met there was incredibly kind and helpful. Taxi drivers did not try to rip us off like in Quito or other larger cities.
Final Tips for the Largest Market in South America
While visiting the market, definitely take your time and haggle to get the best price. Locals sometimes jack up the prices for western tourists, and it’s not rude to haggle it down. Just be friendly about it! Vendors will even lower the price further if you decide it’s too expensive and begin to walk away. They definitely want to make that sale and work with you.
Many visitors seek out alpaca wool textiles in Otavalo. Be careful of scammers who claim their products are 100% alpaca for a low price. More than likely, it’s an alpaca/sheep’s wool blend. Here‘s an article I found extremely helpful if you are after a true alpaca blanket or sweater. Because true alpaca products are pricey even by US standards, I bought textiles with a blend of wool. They are all incredibly soft, and I wasn’t super particular about what wool was in them.
The Otavalo Saturday market is a sight to behold. With stands as far as the eye can see, it’s easy to get lost in the bright sea of textiles, jewelry, leather, and food. It definitely holds up to the title of the largest outdoor market in South America! Try not to spend all of your money here! (Easier said than done.)
Is Otavalo on your bucket list? Let me know!
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