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Otavalo Market
Surrounded by the Imbabura, Cotacachi and Mojanda volcanoes, the little town of Otavalo is predominantly indigenous. Every Saturday, and throughout the week, though on a smaller scale, locals and tourists flock to the Otavalo Market, arguably the most important and spectacular market in Latin America, for all the finest local meat, produce, textiles and handicrafts.
Originally, the region was filled with farming communities. However, the recent international interest in the local Andean crafts has opened new economic doors for the Otavalenos, transforming their main industry to handicrafts for tourism purposes.
Saturday morning before the sun clears the volcanoes, the unloading, bargaining, selling, and buying of goods is well underway. The clucking and squealing of animals and the shouts in Quechua, the local language, across the streets can be heard throughout the town. Women in white embroidered blouses with flared lace sleeves lead their children through the market for the weeks purchases.
The colorful, eclectic array of items sold at the market creates a beautiful, intriguing fusion of culture and craftsmanship. Brightly colored textiles, ceramics, potted plants, goat herds, baby wear, pyramids of citrus fruits, stalks of bananas and guinea pigs (a popular local food) crowd the populated streets, enticing the senses. The clash of international influences can be seen when herbal remedies and bars of magical soap used to ward of jealousy are sold next to displays of Tupperware.
The talented businessmen of Otavalo and textile makers have inherited their skills from their ancestors since before the Inca invasion. As a result, the economic success of the Otavalenos has allowed them to hold onto centuries of cultural tradition without having to adapt to the modern Western lifestyle.
Visit the Otavalo Market on our Haciendas of Ecuador tour and our Otavalo Market trip extension.
