Must-see shopping in Ecuador

  • Tianguez

    Quito

    Next to Tianguez cafe, this fair-trade shop sells a wide selection of quality handmade crafts from across Ecuador. Items are arranged by region, with…

  • Maki Awashka

    Baños

    The family from Salasaca who own this shop weave many of the gorgeous wool rugs and tapestries in their workshop upstairs. There's a good selection of…

  • Tortoise Gallery

    Puerto Ayora

    You'll find one-of-a-kind gifts at this jeweler, with exquisite handmade works by Ecuadorian artisans. Some pieces incorporate lava forms, others feature…

  • Galería Aymara

    Puerto Ayora

    A high-end artists boutique selling uniquely designed handicrafts, jewelry and ceramics.

  • 500px Photo ID: 143362997 - Handmade woven sashes for sale at the outdoor craft market in Otavalo, Ecuador

    Market

    Otavalo

    This is the reason everyone comes to town. For centuries, Otavalo has hosted one of the most important markets in the Andes, a weekly fiesta that…

  • 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…

  • Craig's Book Exchange

    Vilcabamba

    Extraordinary array of over 5000 books that can be bought outright or for part-exchange.

  • Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal

    Quito

    Half a city block filled by more than 200 crafts stalls, with good prices and mixed quality. It’s great for souvenirs.

  • Librería del Fondo Carlos Fuentes

    Quito

    One of Ecuador's best bookshops is located in the former mansion of Galo Plaza Lasso, Ecuadorian president from 1948 to 1952. An excellent selection of…

  • Plaza de San Francisco Market

    Cuenca

    The Plaza de San Francisco Market has an interesting combination of basketry, ceramics, ironwork, wooden utensils, plastic trinkets, gaudy religious…

  • Homero Ortega P & Hijos

    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…

  • Eduardo Vega

    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…

  • Galería Latina

    Quito

    One of the finest handicraft and clothing shops in the city, Galería Latina has a huge selection of beautifully made pieces: tagua carvings, colorful…

  • Galería Ecuador

    Quito

    This sparkling two-story complex just off Plaza Foch offers top-quality Ecuadorian-made products, ranging from handicrafts, jewelry, clothing and coffee…

  • La Casa de Bandolin

    Otavalo

    Santiago Ayala has been making professional-grade instruments for his fellow musicians for a long while, and it's worth a stroll down from the re-sellers…

  • Folklore Olga Fisch

    Quito

    The store of legendary designer Olga Fisch (who died in 1991) is a good place to go for high-quality crafts, bags and accessories. Fisch was a Hungarian…

  • Fundación Chankuap

    The Oriente

    This foundation aids the Shuar and Achuar by selling crafts, herbal remedies and beauty products. Our personal favorite? The soap made from local cinnamon…

  • ARIU

    Quito

    Byron Ushiña, a jewelry designer who learned the craft from his father and grandfather, sells unique, beautifully made pieces, incorporating pre-Columbian…

  • CEMUART

    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,…

  • MAKI

    Cuenca

    Featuring high-quality textiles, baskets, clothing, jewelry and ceramics, this fair-trade shop is a wonderful showcase from which to scoop up souvenirs…

  • Mercado de Artesanias Rotary

    Cuenca

    Basketry, ceramics, wooden utensils, plastic trinkets, religious paraphernalia and decorative souvenirs can be purchased at this low-pressure, pleasant…

  • Kallary Kawsay

    Coca

    This Kichwa handicrafts outlet is packed with handmade jewelry, woven string bags and pottery, in case you return empty-handed from your visits to river…

  • Waorani

    Puyo

    Sells artisanal crafts made by Waorani women, including jewelry, spears, hammocks, blowguns and palm string bags. Artisans receive a portion of every sale.

  • Tienda El Salinerito

    Central Highlands

    Tienda El Salinerito is Salinas local outlet for all the products made by the communities, including fuzzy wool sweaters, chocolate, cheese and jams.

  • Ag

    Quito

    Ag’s selection of rare, handmade silver jewelry from throughout South America is outstanding. You’ll also find antiques.

  • Carolina Bookstore

    Cuenca

    The best selection of English-language books around, plus maps and a wealth of local info. They offer Spanish lessons, too.

  • Centro Artesenal

    North Coast & Lowlands

    This is where to come to browse for tapestries, baskets, tagua (vegetable ivory)carvings and other Chachi pieces.

  • Mercado 9 de Octubre

    Cuenca

    Amazing fruit and vegetable market in a covered building on Plaza Civica 9 de Octubre (also known as Plaza Rotary).

  • Market

    The Oriente

    Find food, footwear and fashion at the Macas market, a great place to roam while you're waiting for your bus.

  • Casa Mariscal

    Quito

    An artists' collective selling beautiful handmade jewelry, prints, bags, textiles and other handicrafts.

  • José Chávez Franco

    North Coast & Lowlands

    Here you can snatch up high-quality straw 'Panama' hats for under $100, but check them closely. None are blocked or banded, but they’re cheaper than just…

  • Artesa

    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…

  • El Mercado Artesanal Loja

    Guayaquil

    This large artisan's market has a huge variety of crafts from all over Ecuador, including Otavalo-style sweaters, plus Panama hats, carved chessboards and…

  • Pasaje Artesanal

    Baños

    At this outdoor crafts market, you’ll find endless quantities of locally made baubles and a regional craft called tagua-carving – white, golfball-size…

  • Arte Rayuela

    Quito

    This bohemian store is a great place to hunt for handmade crafts, ceramics, wooden items, paper-mache pieces, jewelry and toys, most of them produced by…

  • Homero Ortega P & Hijos

    Quito

    One of the country’s biggest sellers of Ecuadorian straw hats (aka panama hats). Offers a small but versatile selection of its famous Cuenca brand.

  • San Marino

    Guayaquil

    San Marino in Kennedy is a large, high-end mall with designer shops, a movie theater, food court, and American restaurants such as TGI Fridays.

  • Tía

    Otavalo

    Don’t expect much meat or produce at this grocery store/supermarket, whose specialty is all things canned. But you will find an ATM here.

  • Galería Beltrán

    Quito

    This art gallery, which opened more than 30 years ago, sells paintings and sculptures by well-known Ecuadorian artists.

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