Things to do in Otavalo
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Craft Market
Vendors hock an astounding array of wares at the crafts market on Plaza de Ponchos each and everyday, but Saturday is the principal market day, when the roads jam with visitors and the food market and household goods stalls overflow into adjacent streets.
Plaza de Ponchos is the nucleus of tourist activity, with its staple of woolen goods - such as tapestries, blankets, ponchos, thick hooded sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats and alpaca goods from other regions - in addition to embroidered blouses, hammocks, carvings, jewelry, original paintings and struggling Guayasamín imitations, knit finger puppets, clay pipes, fake shrunken heads, handbags and woven mats. The mostly fem…
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Diceny Viajes
Travelers give kudos to this guide service run by native otavaleña Zulay Saravino, who helped start Otavalo’s first tour agency. Knowledgeable, bilingual guides lead tours to various villages to learn about crafts, music and local traditions. Stay in guest rooms (rooms per night $14) in Zulay’s own home in the small village of Quinchuquí.
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Café Sol y Luna
A small Belgian-owned café with a cozy dining patio and warm interior. Food is more healthy than exciting; the slim menu board offers crisp organic salads, home-style pastas and veggie burgers.
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Food Market
The food market sells produce and household goods for the locals. While you might have little use for an enormous cauliflower, it's an interesting place to visit.
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Ecomontes Tour
Offers day trips on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Trips include visits to a bizcocho (biscuit) factory in Cayambe and the Peguche Falls.
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Instituto Superíor de Español
Instituto Superíor de Español receives high marks from travelers. It can also arrange family homestays.
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Fauno
A slick three-level club attracting the younger crowd with Latin rock on weekends.
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Plaza de Ponchos
Vendors hock an astounding array of wares at the crafts market on Plaza de Ponchos each and every day, but Saturday is the principal market day. Roads are jammed with visitors perusing its staple of woolen goods such as tapestries, blankets, ponchos, sweaters, scarves and hats, as well as embroidered blouses, hammocks, carvings, jewelry, paintings and fake shrunken heads.
Bargaining is expected, especially with multiple purchases, so don't be shy. The action peters out around mid-afternoon as groups of men gather in corners to drink, and vendors begin chatting amongst themselves while their toddlers nap under piles of sweaters. Food stalls set up at the northern end proff…
reviewed
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Animal Market
Visitors who get up before the sun are rewarded with Saturday morning’s animal market. While you might have little use for screaming piglets or a lethargic cow, it’s certainly worth visiting. Observe the subdued bargaining over a fresh empanada de queso (cheese turnover) from a hillside vendor. Cross the bridge at the end of Colón and follow the crowds to get to the market, which is a kilometer out of town, west of the Panamericana in the Viejo Colegio Agrícola.
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Zulaytur
Anthropologist Rodrigo Mora is an invaluable source of local information and his company Zulaytur has many reader recommendations. Guided bilingual tours to village indigenous homes offer a rare opportunity to glimpse the conditions of working artisans and interact with them while learning about the weaving process. Tours cost around US$16 per person. Zulaytur also offers trips to hike to Lagunas de Mojanda and Laguna de Cuicocha. Don't mistake similarly named operations.
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Runa Tupari Native Travel
Renowned for its approach to community tourism, Runa Tupari has partnered with 44 indigenous, mestizo and Afro-Ecuadorian rural communities to offer sightseeing, hiking, horseback riding and biking trips. Rural homestays are $25 per night. Offbeat options include a bumpy 2000m mountain-bike descent into the Intag’s tropical cloud forest, a round-trip 10-hour hike up ‘Mama’ Volcán Cotacachi (4939m) and some culinary adventuring. It also sells Intag coffee and local crafts.
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El Lechero
The Lechero is a famous tree known for its magical healing powers. It's well worth the invigorating hike - there's nothing like some fresh air, great views and, of course, a little magic! On the road out of town, follow the painted arrows on the ground until you pass a fragrant Eucalyptus grove - continue on to the crest of a hill until a lone, stubby tree appears...and be healed.
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Yolanda’s Chicha de Yamor
Yolanda Cabrera has become famous for delicious local fare such as tortillas de maiz (corn tortillas), mote (hominy), empanaditas (Spanish pies) and the local favorite of fritada (fried pork). Of course, the real attraction is her chicha de yamor, which Yolanda stirs out back in large bubbling cauldrons over smoky fires.
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Yolanda's Chicha de Yamor
Open from late August to mid-September during festival time, Yolanda Cabrera serves delicious local fare such as tortillas de maiz (corn tortillas), mote (hominy), empanaditas (Spanish pies) and the local favorite of fritada (fried pork). Of course, the real attraction is her chicha de yamor.
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Hotel Ali Shungu
Food with gourmet touches (and higher prices) is served up in a greenhouse-like setting decorated with Andean crafts. The menu caters to homesick visitors, with waffles in raspberry syrup, roast-beef sandwiches, curries, enchilada casserole and New York cheesecake all on offer. Check out the impressive jewelry case while you wait.
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Market
The daily market is stuffed with everything from exotic highland fruits and baggies of ground spices to mops, weaving tools and bootleg CDs. On Saturdays, this market also explodes with even more raw foods. There’s also an indoor ‘food court,’ a chance to belly up alongside locals and slurp soups.
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Instituto Otavaleño de Antropología
The Instituto Otavaleño de Antropología is packed with ancient artifacts from the region. It’s located inside the University of Otavalo, one block north of Sucre and Panamericana.
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Casa de Frutas
Located in an eclectic, disheveled courtyard, this spot serves satisfying granola and fruit bowls and omelets. Lunch includes stuffed avocados, soy burgers, juices and Intag coffee.
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Fontana di Trevi
Navigate a small, indoor mall to this second-floor pizza joint. While food can be slow in coming, it’s worth the wait for a cheesy vegetarian pizza and richly layered lasagnas.
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Empanadas Argentinas
Join the student crowd with their uniforms askew for a slice of pizza or salty beef or cheese empanadas. The choclo (corn) and pineapple ones add an Ecuadorian twist.
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Mundo Andino
Mundo Andino teaches classes Monday through Friday, arranges homestays with local families and organizes activities and long-term volunteer opportunities.
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Quino
This popular locale with bright, citrus-colored walls and a homey atmosphere will satisfy your seafood cravings. Try the grilled fish or shrimp ceviche with lots of lime.
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Café Donuts
Join the city’s early risers, including the police force, for pastries topped with glazed fruits, basic breads and an extensive coffee drink list.
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Mi Otavalito
Some of the best Ecuadorian dishes in town attract locals and tourists alike. Fresh ingredients shine in grilled meats, trout and hearty soups.
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Shenandoah Pie Shop
Try a slice of these famous deep-dish pies à la mode. The mora (blackberry) pie is thick with fruit and perfectly tart yet sweet.
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