Skip to content
Please select your location:

A couple of hours north of Quito, the small town of Otavalo, nestling in among the surrounding hills and mountains, is famous for its bustling indigenous market, which dates back to pre-Inca times.

Known to be one of the most colourful and vibrant markets in Latin America, the stalls are spread over three main squares and spill over into the adjacent streets.

Traditional dress

Otavalen girlThe Otavalenos host the market in their distinctive traditional dress — the men sport calf-length white trousers, rope sandals and ponchos and wear their hair in ponytails; the women wear delicately embroidered blouses and dark skirts, long hair in swinging braids, and their wrists are adorned by red beads.

Barter for one of the many high-quality crafts and textiles on offer, or just soak up the atmosphere with a stroll around the market.

Visiting Otavalo

Getting a good feel for the town and market can be done in a day trip from Quito, but by far the best way to enjoy the market and the countryside around Otavalo is to stay in one of the charming haciendas nearby.

These colonial farming estates have been converted into secluded hotels with comfortable rooms, home-cooked food, and tranquil gardens full of grazing llama and exotic hummingbirds.

For those who love the great outdoors we can arrange walks by stunning crater lakes and through sleepy villages.

Speak to someone
who's been there
Holly, an Audley Travel specialist

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Otavalo by contacting one of our Ecuador specialists

Map of Otavalo

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Otavalo

    Accommodation choices for Otavalo

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Otavalo. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing Otavalo

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Otavalo, and which use the best local guides.

    • Otavalo market visit
      Stall at Otavalo Market

      Otavalo market visit

      Otavalo market visit

      The market features a dazzling array of crafts, textiles and jewellery, all of which are of high quality and good value.

      View details

    Price range

    We create trips as individual as you, so you won't find any set prices on our website. Your specialist will design your journey from scratch, selecting every element around your passions and preferences. The result is a unique itinerary with a unique price. This itinerary is just an idea, and our guide pricing is an indication of how much this kind of trip might cost, depending on factors like when you travel, how far in advance you plan, where you stay, and what you choose to experience.