Otavalo Vacations

4.7

3 reviews

Lying 55 kilometres north of Quito, Otavalo is the tourist capital of Ecuador. It's the place where the most famous, attractive and colourful market in the whole country is held.

Visit Otavalo

Art & Culture
Handicraft
Essential

Otavalo: How to get there?

1 hour 30 minutes by bus from Quito

Otavalo: When to go?

Saturdays from June to September

Otavalo: For how long?

One day

Learn more about your destination

See travel guide

Otavalo: What to see in the surroundings?

What our travelers think about their stay

Anonymous traveller

Seasoned Traveller

Otavalo is famous for its Saturday market. It's an unmissable opportunity to meet and explore the Quechua culture during a trip to Ecuador.

My suggestion

Get to Plaza Poncho early to get the best prices. Stay for lunch and try "la fritada" a typically Quechua dish.

Anonymous traveller

Seasoned Traveller

Otavalo is home to the biggest market in Ecuador and one of the most important in South America. Although there are markets every day, the highlight is Saturday.

My suggestion

If you do want to be there for a Saturday market, arrive a day or two in advance so that you can find a place to stay. If you want to avoid hordes of tourists, go there during the week. There's still loads to see!

David Debrincat

Seasoned Traveller

Lying 55 kilometres north of Quito, Otavalo is the tourist capital of Ecuador. It's the place where the most famous, attractive and colourful market in the whole country is held.

My suggestion

The market takes place every Saturday. However, I strongly advise you to arrive the evening before and stay overnight so that you can be amongst the first there the next day.

Ecuador: our articles for your vacation

Guayaquil, pearl of the Pacific

Humidity, blasts of hot air, heavy traffic... Embark for Guayaquil, the largest city of Ecuador even though Quito is the capital. We're off for a visit of the "Pearl of the Pacific", from its landscaped river promenade (the Malecón 2000) to the cerro Santa Ana, not to mention the city centre!

Leaving Puerto López for the little Galapagos

In this article you will find a presentation of Isla de la Plata, nicknamed "the poor-man's Galapagos", which can be reached from Puerto López.

Cuyabeno, the jewel of the Amazon in Ecuador

Ecuadorian Amazonia possesses the densest biodiversity in the world. With its 6034 square kilometres, the reserve is an incredible mix of rivers and flooded forests (due to the large quantities of annual rainfall in the Amazon). The result? A part of the Amazon that is unique and which will not leave you unaffected...