Other shopping in Ecuador
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Plaza de San Francisco Market
The Plaza de San Francisco Market has an interesting combination of basketry, ceramics, ironwork, wooden utensils, plastic trinkets, gaudy religious paraphernalia and guinea pig roasters (great gift for mom, but tough to get home). It also has a large contingent of otavaleños (people from Otavalo) selling sweaters and weavings on its north side.
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Eduardo Vega
Just below the Mirador de Turi is the home, workshop and studio of Eduardo Vega, Ecuador’s most important ceramic artist. His colorful terracotta and enamel murals grace walls all over Cuenca and the rest of Ecuador. Sculpture, vases and plates are for sale, and the affable artist is often hanging around and ready to chat.
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Galería Aymara
Galería Aymara is a high-end artists’ boutique selling uniquely designed handicrafts, jewelry and ceramics. Avoid buying objects made from black coral, turtle and tortoise shell – these threatened species are protected and it is illegal to use these animal products for the manufacture of novelties.
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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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Artesa
Artesa is a big Ecuadorian ceramics company that incorporates old Andean ceramic styles into high-quality, hand-painted pieces. If you just can’t live without a dinner service, they will happily ship it home for you. Tours of the factory may be available, especially if you are with a group.
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Pasaje Artesanal
At the Pasaje Artesanal, between Ambato and Rocafuerte, you’ll find endless quantities of locally made baubles and a regional craft called tagua carving – white, golfball-sized nuts that resemble ivory and are dyed and transformed into figurines and jewelry.
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Centro Artístico Don Bosco
Near Calle 10 de Agosto, this is the retail outlet for a cooperative of woodworkers from throughout the highlands, formed to give people an alternative to immigrating to cities, so it’s an excellent cause. It has mostly furniture, but beautiful boxes, frames and wall hangings too.
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Ag
Ag’s selection of rare, handmade silver jewelry from throughout South America is outstanding. There are also antiques including rarities such as vaca loca (crazy cow) costumes, perfect for your next indigenous party.
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Rosy Revelo
Brilliantly hued canvases and tiny craftlike items adorn the walls of this colorful gallery. Ecuadorian artist Revelo has exhibited her abstract and intriguing pieces in galleries across the globe.
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Zoom Fashion House
Above the stylish restaurant-lounge Naranjilla Mecánica, Zoom is a trim little men’s and women’s boutique selling eye-catching urban and beachwear from both Dutch and Ecuadorian designers.
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E
Arte Sacra
This tiny shop has a lovely collection of high-quality crafts: colorful masks, hand-painted picture frames, linen, glassware and even chocolate liqueur and honey.
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AMWAE
Sells artisan crafts made by Waorani women, including jewelry, spears, hammocks, blowguns and palm string bags. Artisans receive a portion of every sale.
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Proinsular Supermarket
Food, beer, wine, toiletries, sun block and other necessities are available at the Proinsular Supermarket near the water-taxi pier.
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Centro Artesenal
The Centro Artesenal is a new handicrafts center. Browse for tapestries, baskets, tagua carvings and other Chachi pieces.
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Primavera Handicrafts
Primavera has nice, locally made products and postal services (including stamps), and is an office for Rumi-Wilco Ecolodge.
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Mi Comisariato
The cavernous grocery Mi Comisariato is the most convenient downtown place for self-catering.
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Mele Sport
Stocks good-quality climbing, rafting and other gear for outdoor adventures. Small climbing wall in front.
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Queseras de Bolívar
Stock up here on the province’s famous cheeses ($6 to $7 for a whole wheel), chocolate and other treats.
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Fundación Chankuap’
This foundation aids the Shuar and Achuar by selling crafts, herbal remedies and beauty products.
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Handicraft Market
There’s a tiny handicraft market on weekends at the west end of the Malecón.
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AKI Supermercado
AKI Supermercado is a good supermarket for stocking up on provisions.
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G
Mercado La Floresta
A small but delightful fruit market set in the peaceful Floresta neighborhood.
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Paldeia Books
Small shop selling new and used titles in Spanish, English, German and French.
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