Overview

  • A hub of indigenous Kichwa culture: The city is the center of the Kichwa Otavalo people, who are famous for their textile weaving and successful commercial ventures, proudly maintaining their traditional dress and cultural identity.
  • The Plaza de Ponchos: This is the heart of the town, a permanent crafts market that operates daily but explodes in size and variety on Saturdays, offering textiles, jewelry, leather goods, and handicrafts from across Ecuador.
  • An early morning animal market: On Saturday mornings, a separate animal market ("Mercado de Animales") takes place on the outskirts of town, where locals trade everything from guinea pigs and chickens to cattle and llamas.
  • Surrounded by natural beauty: Otavalo is nestled in a scenic valley between the Imbabura and Cotacachi volcanoes and is close to natural attractions like the Peguche Waterfall and San Pablo Lake.
  • Rich Andean musical tradition: Otavaleños are also famous for their traditional Andean music. Groups of musicians from the area have toured globally, and their distinct sound is a key part of the market's atmosphere.