Otavalo is a market town about two hours north of Quito, and the market is why most people go. This guide is for you if you are deciding which day to make the trip, how much shopping time you want, and what to expect from the crater lake at the end of the day.
Which day to go
This is the main decision. The stalls on the Plaza de los Ponchos are open every day. Saturday is the big market, and Wednesday is the next busiest.
On a Saturday the town fills up. Vendors come in from the countryside on Friday afternoon, the streets are already busy by seven in the morning, and stalls spread from the square up the side streets. Day visitors from Quito tend to arrive around nine or ten. Our tour reaches the market at about 09:30, so you will be there with them.
On a weekday the plaza is smaller and calmer. That suits you if you want to look and choose without a crowd at your back. It suits you less if the size of the Saturday market is the point.
Saturday also brings an animal market, held early in the morning on the edge of town. If you want to see it, tell us when you book and we will go there first.
Dates that change the day
June is festival month around Otavalo. Inti Raymi, the celebration of the solstice, falls on 21 June and runs into San Juan on 24 June and San Pedro on 29 June. Together they are known as Los San Juanes, and they go on for several days. People from the villages around dance and sing through the streets in costume and masks, and many begin with a ritual bath at the Peguche waterfall, which is one of the stops on this tour.
These are community celebrations, not shows. Visitors are advised to join the gatherings in the villages only when invited by someone local, and to behave with respect. Expect a busier Peguche in the festival days.
In the first two weeks of September, Otavalo holds the Fiesta del Yamor. It is named after a drink made from seven kinds of maize, with music, dancing and food.
How to shop the market
The plaza sells textiles, hammocks, ponchos, jewellery, ceramics and crafts. Weavings are the speciality. A few points help:
- Prices are not fixed. Bargaining is expected, and it is done with a smile.
- Bring small notes in US dollars. Change is easier when you can pay close to the price you agreed.
- Keep your wallet and phone in a front pocket or a zipped bag. The Saturday crowds give cover to pickpockets.
- Decide your big purchases before Cotacachi. Its long street of leather shops comes after the market, and you may want room in your bags.
You have a little over two hours at the market. If you want more, tell your driver. The itinerary can be changed on the day, and Cotacachi can be dropped to give you time.
Cuicocha, the crater lake
The day ends at Cuicocha, a crater lake at the foot of the Cotacachi volcano. It lies inside the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and is part of the Imbabura Geopark, which UNESCO recognised as a Global Geopark in April 2019.
The crater is about three kilometres across. Its last big eruption was about 3,000 years ago. The two islands in the middle are called Yerovi and Teodoro Wolf, and gas bubbles rising near them show that the volcano below is not entirely asleep.
Boat trips on the lake are popular. The boat is not included and is paid on the spot. A path follows the rim. The full circuit takes several hours, longer than the hour this stop allows, so plan on a short stretch and the views back over the water. Parts of the path run close to the edge, so keep children close.
Altitude, weather and clothing
Otavalo sits at about 2,535 metres, a little lower than Quito. The lake is higher, well above 3,000 metres, and its water comes from the snowmelt of the Cotacachi volcano.
Dress in layers. A warm jumper and a rain jacket go in the bag, along with sun cream and a hat for the market, which is out in the open.
On your own or with a driver
Otavalo is on the Pan-American Highway, the main road north out of Quito. If the market is all you want, one town is a simple enough trip to plan on your own.
The car makes the difference for the rest of the day. Cayambe, the San Pablo lake viewpoint, Peguche, Cotacachi and Cuicocha are spread across the valley. With a driver they fit into one day, in the order you choose, and your shopping stays in the car while you walk. The price depends on the size of your group; see it on the tour page.
Who it suits
It suits shoppers first, and anyone who wants a long look at the country north of Quito, with lakes and volcanoes along the road. Families do well on it: the walks at Peguche and Cuicocha are short.
It is a ten-hour day with about two hours on the road each way. If you want something shorter, our guide to day trips from Quito compares the five tours. If it is your first day and you have not seen the city, start with the old town and the Middle of the World.
Questions people ask
Is it worth going on a weekday?
Yes. The main square is open every day. It is smaller than on Saturday, and quieter.
Can we cancel?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before pick-up for a full refund. See our cancellation page.
What if there are more than 16 of us?
Two vehicles travel together on one booking. Message us for a price.
Booking the day
Choose Saturday for the full market and a weekday for calm. Check whether your date falls in late June or early September. The stops, timings and what is included are on the Otavalo market and Cuicocha lagoon tour page, where you choose the size of your group and book.
