Ecuador Indigenous Markets

It is important to visit Otavalo to have a true understanding of the Ecuadorian culture and people. In Otavalo you can visit the famous Indigenous Market where you will find a huge assortment of indigenous handcrafts, also the landscapes, mountains and people make Otavalo a place that you will always want to return to. With 60.000 habitants, Otavalo is located two hours north of Quito in the Northern Sierra at 2.580 meters above sea level. Otavalo hosts the largest and most famous Indigenous handcrafts market in South America. The Plaza de los Ponchos public market (open weekdays as well) offers millions of handcrafted items made of cotton, wool, wood, leather, ceramics, etc., and attracts thousands of tourists and visitors. The Indigenous people of Otavalo are famous artisans and handcraft merchants; almost every house in Otavalo is a workshop or an art gallery.”

As one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, with a nearly perfect conical shape, Cotopaxi attracts more visitors than any other volcanoes in Ecuador. This is the classic volcano people imagine when they think of volcanoes.