Wondering if you should add the small town of Otavalo to your itinerary? Well, the short answer is YES! But “What is Otavalo famous for?” you might ask.
Here is the number one thing to do and see when you are visiting this small Andean town. And believe me, I’ve been there multiple times and keep going back every time I have the chance to.
Otavalo’s market (Plaza de los Ponchos)
If you are looking to visit Otavalo, you probably have heard of the famous Otavalo’s market.
Picture this: You are wandering in the streets surrounding the popular Plaza de los Ponchos. The weather is nice, and you can hear the locals chatting and calling the customers to their stands. The stalls are packed with beautiful pieces: woven colorful textiles, sparkling pieces of jewelry shimmering in the sun, Ecuadorian artwork…
Anything you wish for, you will probably find it there. And if you are anything like me, it will be hard to choose what to buy.
But hey, don’t worry. You want to visit but don’t want to buy anything or just don’t have any empty space in your luggage? You can still enjoy this super-aesthetic market by looking around, taking photos, and observing locals go on with their daily lives.
I know, “observing locals go on with their daily lives” might sound a little weird (or creepy)… But hear me out!
The otavalenos
People from Otavalo (or Otavalenos) still respect ancient customs and traditions. So it will be normal for you to see loads of them wearing traditional outfits on the street and living differently than Ecuadorians do in bigger cities like Quito or Guayaquil.
I truly believe that seeing how locals live and the difference between their lives and what we know in our own country is a huge part of the experience.
So as long as you don’t look at them as if they were strange circus animals, and respect their way of living, there is no harm in being curious.
Now that I am sure you are dying to visit Otavalo, the Plaza de los Ponchos, and to get to know their lovely locals, there are a few things that you might want to know to plan your trip.
The biggest market takes place on Saturdays
And if you wake up early enough, you can even assist to the livestock market. (I still haven’t woken up early enough for that… Next time, I promise!) On Saturdays, the artisanal market overrun the city. And all the surrounding streets of the main square are filled with vendors and colorful stalls.
But hey, don’t worry! If you are visiting Otavalo on a weekday, you will still be able to find some stands right on the Plaza de los Ponchos and experience this magical escapade.
You have to bring cash! And if you can, bills under $20
If you have been traveling around Ecuador before, you know that cash is the leading payment system. And that paying a $2 purchase with a $20 banknote can be a struggle.
So keep in mind that they won’t accept your credit card there, even though it is a pretty big market! But don’t worry too much about it either, you’ll find all the ATMs you need in the center or within walking distance from it.
You MUST negotiate the prices before buying
And don’t be afraid to walk away if you feel the price is too high. You will be able to repeat the operation with the next vendor.
This rule applies to almost everything in Ecuador, and not only to Otavalo’s market. Negotiating here is an art, and sellers will often negotiate themselves first to make you feel you are getting a great deal. I know, it sounds counterproductive. But they will often tell you, “It costs $X, but I’ll let you have it for $Y so you can buy it!” Know that this is never their final price.
Negotiating is even more important if you are European or North American (or at least if you look like you are). As much as they love tourists and are very welcoming, some of them will try to charge you more than they would charge an Ecuadorian.
Plaza de los Ponchos market has become very touristic
I am not saying that this is a bad thing. On the contrary, I believe it is great for the people of Otavalo as it is a quite small town, and the market definitely helps with their economy.
But you have to be aware that what might have been a traditional handcraft market in the past is now mostly selling factory-produced items (even if vendors will try to convince you of the opposite).
There is nothing wrong with buying them, though. The prices are good and the quality too (I have bought multiple things there and never had any quality-related problems!). You just have to be aware of what you are buying to negotiate the price! A handmade product would be way more expensive than a manufactured one.
Convinced to visit?
Now that you know what is Otavalo famous for, look this way to plan the rest of your trip!