You are visiting the lovely town of Otavalo in the north of Ecuador, and you are wondering: “What is Otavalo famous for?”. Well, I got you covered! You will soon know that there is much more to see and visit than the artisanal market when you are a tourist there.
LA CASCADA DE PEGUCHE
If, like me, you are a waterfall lover, you can’t possibly visit Otavalo without visiting la Cascada de Peguche. An 18-meter-high waterfall surrounded by a lush and green forest.
And, once again, if you are anything like me and love photography, this is a very photogenic spot to express your creativity! But don’t worry, there is more to do there than just take a picture.
The path to the waterfall is short and easy, but if you want to explore a bit more of this beautiful and natural place, YOU CAN! There are various paths there that can lead you to a view point, a bridge, or even caves. So put on some comfy shoes, bring water and snacks, and go on an adventure exploring the forest!
But please, keep in mind that this place is important to Indigenous people, as la Cascada de Peguche is considered sacred by some. So behave respectfully, don’t trash the site, and don’t be an unpleasant traveler.
El Parque Condor (Otavalo’s Condor park)
Have you heard of the Andean Condor? A majestic (and huge) bird, that became the emblem of Ecuador, and is now considered a near-threatened species.
El Parque Condor is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, rescue, rehabilitation, and potential re-introduction to nature of some species of birds.
There, you will be able to see these birds that can be pretty hard to spot in the wild.
At the same time, you can help the park to keep carrying its work thanks to the entry fee you will have to pay ($6/adult and $3/child).
And that’s not it! The location of the park allows you to have a panoramic view of the four cardinal points.
If the sky is clear you will be able to see the Imbabura Volcano, the Cotacachi Volcano, and even the Cuicocha Crater and the town of Cotacachi. In its surroundings are the indigenous market of Otavalo, the Peguche Waterfall, the sacred tree of El Lechero, and Lake San Pablo or Imbakucha.
As a nature lover, I firmly believe that such organizations are important (and even necessary) in order to protect our world’s heritage. So if you are in the surroundings, don’t miss out and support their cause.
Laguna de Cuicocha (Cuicocha Lake)
This might be one of my favorite places in Ecuador! The Laguna de Cuicocha (or Cuicocha Lake) is a beautiful volcanic origin lake located half an hour from Otavalo that will blow your mind!
If you’re a hiking lover, you can hike all around the lake, and enjoy all the different viewpoints of the central island. If you don’t like hiking or simply can’t do it, don’t worry! The view from the parking lot is as beautiful as the ones you would have by hiking the trail.
There are a few restaurants and cafés there too, so why not just go for breakfast with a view?
Laguna de San Pablo
I want to be real with you (I believe that’s why you are looking at blog posts), I haven’t been “wowed” by this place. Is it nice? Yes. But should you go to Otavalo just to visit this place? I don’t think so. (I’ve just realized when publishing this blog post that I don’t even have any photo, but you can look at some here…)
Maybe it’s just me, or the weather that wasn’t that pleasant when I went to the Laguna de San Pablo, but the view you get from the road when arriving to Otavalo is as nice as the one you will get from the lake shore.
But hey, you should still check it out by yourself! If you do so, here are some tips for visiting this place.
It is really easy to get there by public transportation. We took a local bus (I can’t remember which one, but just ask some locals for help!) for less than $1 for two people, and it took us less than 15 minutes.
Bring layers! The San Pablo Lake is located at an elevation of 2660m, and the weather can change quickly. You wouldn’t want to ruin your excursion by being cold or soaking wet.
You can go camping there. Maybe next time I will try that… (I have a weird obsession with sleeping in a tent.) Be aware, though, that you have to camp in a designated area and that it will have a cost.
Imbabura volcano
If you are planning on visiting Ecuador, you might already know that this small country is home to more than 60 volcanoes. And even if Imbabura isn’t the highest one (El Chimborazo is, with an altitude of 6263m above sea level), it remains a majestic place to see.
If you are an avid hiker, you can hike it to the top and admire a 360° view of the surroundings. But if you are not, DON’T WORRY. You can still enjoy the view of it from Otavalo or the San Pablo Lake (when the weather allows it of course).
And who knows, maybe seeing it will make you want to climb it to the top!
Now that you are all set for your trip to the lovely town of Otavalo, you just have to enjoy the views, the nature, the energy, and the kindness of the locals. If you have time, I would recommend at least two days/one night there so you don’t have to rush to see everything you want to see.