Casa del Sombrero Alberto Pulla
Cuenca
The hats of Cuenca’s most famous hatter have graced the noggins of Presidents, celebrities and hundreds of local indigenous women. Alberto Pulla himself…
Must-see shopping in Southern Highlands
Vilcabamba
Extraordinary array of over 5000 books that can be bought outright or for part-exchange.
Cuenca
The Plaza de San Francisco Market has an interesting combination of basketry, ceramics, ironwork, wooden utensils, plastic trinkets, gaudy religious…
Cuenca
More akin to a hat emporium, this is Ecuador’s best-known hat seller. The company exports around the world and has a huge selection of high-quality straw…
Cuenca
Just below the Mirador de Turi – and 4km south of the center – is the home, workshop and studio of Eduardo Vega, Ecuador’s most important ceramic artist…
Southern Highlands
The Sunday market draws Saraguros – dressed finely for the occasion – from the surrounding countryside. None of the several ATMs in town accept cards…
Cuenca
On the west side of the Plaza de San Francisco is this artisan market, which houses more than 100 craft stalls selling handmade musical instruments,…
Cuenca
Featuring high-quality textiles, baskets, clothing, jewelry and ceramics, this fair-trade shop is a wonderful showcase from which to scoop up souvenirs…
Cuenca
Basketry, ceramics, wooden utensils, plastic trinkets, religious paraphernalia and decorative souvenirs can be purchased at this low-pressure, pleasant…
Cuenca
The best selection of English-language books around, plus maps and a wealth of local info. They offer Spanish lessons, too.
Cuenca
Amazing fruit and vegetable market in a covered building on Plaza Civica 9 de Octubre (also known as Plaza Rotary).
Southern Highlands
The Sunday market is the most important event of the week. At dawn church bells beckon everyone to mass in the Plaza Independencia, and by 7am they are…
Cuenca
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…
Asociación de Toquilleras Maria Auxiliadora
Southern Highlands
On the outskirts of the village, in the old hospital, this women’s hat-making cooperative sells hats far more cheaply than in Cuenca or Quito.
