The Otavalo Market

The market at Otavalo, in the Andes north of Quito, is the largest and most famous indigenous craft market in South America, a dazzling institution centred on the Plaza de los Ponchos. The renowned Otavalo people, celebrated weavers who have preserved their traditions and prospered through their craft, fill the square with a riot of colourful textiles, ponchos, blankets, weavings, jewellery and handicrafts, especially on the huge Saturday market that spills through the town.

What you actually see

• The Plaza de los Ponchos - the heart of the craft market.
• The textiles and weavings - the colourful ponchos, blankets and crafts.
• The Saturday market - the huge weekly market spilling through town.
• The Otavalo culture - the traditional dress and weaving heritage.

When to go

Year-round, as there is a daily market, but the huge main market is on Saturdays, when it is at its biggest and most vibrant, spilling far beyond the plaza, including a traditional animal market at dawn; go early on a Saturday for the full spectacle.

Honest expectations

It is at its biggest and best on Saturdays, so a weekday visit sees a much smaller market. It is touristy and geared to selling, so haggling is expected and part of the fun. The quality of crafts varies, from genuine handwoven to mass-produced. It is an easy, colourful day trip from Quito, best combined with the nearby lakes and villages.

Nearby

The Cuicocha crater lake, the Peguche waterfall and the artisan villages are nearby.