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Otavalo – Otavalo is noted for its markets that have everything under the sun. The animal market (get up
early) has every conceivable farm animal, the food market is stacked
with bushels of local produce and an amazing variety of tropical fruits,
the crafts market on the Plaza de Ponchos is filled with woven things,
a colorful spectacle! Saturday is the big market day, but stalls are set
up every day in the Plaza de Ponchos. Girls can buy earrings, necklaces,
woven belts, and white embroidered blouses, just like the Otavalo ladies.
Boys will enjoy traditional Otavalo clothing of dark blue wool ponchos and
felt hats. |
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 Lago
de San Pablo – For a day trip, hike from town up to "El Lechero"
(the sacred tree) for a striking view of Lake San Pablo, then walk down
to the lake. Feeling lazy – hire a taxi from town to drive around the
lake. Boating on the lake is available from the Hosteria Puerto Lago. |
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Cascada
de Peguche (Peguche Waterfalls) – Take a picnic and walk from town,
or take a bus or taxi right to the entrance to the falls. From the entrance,
it's a ten minute, easy walk to the waterfalls. There is also a network
of trails on the hillsides, if you want to hike further. |
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Hikes
and horseback riding – At your hotel, ask about horseback rides,
or renting mountain bikes for the day. You can also arrange for horses and
bikes at stores around the Plaza de Ponchos. |
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Artisans
Villages – The Otavalo area has long been famous for its weavers.
Artisans often combine workshop and family home. You'll see parents teaching
a young boy how to weave, young men hard at work at their looms,
or a grandmother carding wool. |
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Agato – Just outside the village, visit the workshop of Miguel Andrango for
a demonstration of the centuries-old backstrap loom. |
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Peguche – In Peguche, the Cotacachi family makes exquisite tapestries, with
many designs to choose from. They have a gallery on the square in Peguche. |
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Iluman – Visit the village of Iluman (north of Otavalo) to see how felt hats
are made and buy hats (perfect fit for kids). To see master weavers at work,
particularly "chumbi" belts, stop into the Inti Chumbi Coop run by the Conteron
family. |
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Lake Cuicocha (Reserva Ecologica Cotacachi-Cayapas) – Take a boat trip on Lake Cuicocha in an old volcanic crater. The
boat ride around the stunningly blue lake, dotted with lava islands, is
spectacular. (Life vests are provided for the ride.) Don't miss the Visitor's
Center at the entrance to the Reserve. |
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Ibarra – In Ibarra, the "white city" (la ciudad blanca),
rent a horse and cart to ride around town. These two wheeled carts are
in use by the local population, not just for tourists. See other families
riding around town, their carts loaded with kids, pigs, potatoes and all
sorts of things. Ibarra is famous for its fruit flavored ice creams. Close
to Ibarra is San Antonio de Ibarra, where you can see wood carvers
at work (and buy woodcarvings).
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Shopping – |
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In the Otavalo market, kids can shop for ceramic
figurines, traditional jewelry of gilded glass or red beads, silver earrings
and necklaces, beaded necklaces, tapestries, blankets, felt hats, scarves,
ponchos, fluffy llamas, paintings, sweaters
and vests in kid's sizes, dolls in traditional Ecuadorian dress, leather
or woven pouches, musical instruments. |
