Best Things to Do in Otavalo, Ecuador
Otavalo is a famous market town in the north of Ecuador, sitting 2500 meters above sea level surrounded by lush green hills. We've created a travel guide on the best things to do in Otavalo, including the Saturday market, Laguna Cuicocha hike, and Peguche waterfall. What to do in Otavalo, where to stay, or how to get there? We've got you covered.
Before traveling to Otavalo, our first destination in Ecuador right after crossing borders from Colombia, we had heard many stories.
And surprisingly, all of them were positive, saying that Otavalo is one of the must-visit places in Ecuador, famous for the traditional market, breathtaking Andes mountains, paramo landscape, caldera lakes, waterfalls, and volcanoes surrounding the town.
Then, we heard stories about Otavalenos, the indigenous population of proud people who still respect their ancestors' customs and traditions.
But when you travel for a longer time, you hear narratives like this quite often. So you set your expectations high only to find out later that the place is not that great as you've been told. But we were not disappointed by Otavalo at all.
We spent three nights here and had enough time to see and do all the best things Otavalo and its surroundings have to offer.
As we arrived from Colombia, we experienced a cultural shock in Otavalo as we arrived in one of the most indigenous South American parts.
Otavalo has nearly 40 000 inhabitants, but plenty of the residents still wear traditional dress, hats, and men wear long braided hairs. It is so amazing and much more authentic than the traditional market.
We could have walked the Otavalo's streets all day long only to watch people and their traditional appearance.
Apart from admiring locals and enjoying perfect sunsets from our room, we could do activities such as exploring the market, hiking to Laguna Cuicocha and walking to Peguche Waterfall.
These were for us the best things to do in Otavalo, but there are many more!
WHAT TO DO IN OTAVALO
Thanks to the location, less than two hours' drive away from Ecuador's capital city, Quito, Otavalo is a popular one-day trip destination, especially on the market days.
The truth is that some of the top attractions are within the city, which is very compact and easily explored on foot, but some must-visit places are outside the city limits.
In our opinion, traveling outside Otavalo is a must because the experience would not be complete without admiring the stunning landscape and flora that is iconic for this area.
Hopefully, this travel guide will inspire you to visit Otavalo and give you an idea of what to do in this town that should be on every Ecuador itinerary.
TRADITIONAL MARKET
The traditional and largest indigenous market in South America is the top attraction and the main reason to visit Otavalo.
There are a few things to know before your visit, though. You need to set your expectations, especially if this will be your first-time trip to a South American market, to get the most of your trip.
First, for the past several years, this has been a tourist market. If you expect a completely authentic experience, you won't find it here, and you might be disappointed.
What you will find here is a huge selection of handicrafts, arts, ponchos, shawls, sweaters, and other products, with great price tags.
Bear in mind that little of the products are now hand made even though the sellers will tell you the opposite.
On the other hand, products sold on the market are colorful and pretty, and there is nothing wrong with buying them, only make sure you know what you pay for.
Second, and this is good news, unlike some other markets in Ecuador, this one is open every day, so you can arrive any day of the week and don't have to schedule your visit on a specific day.
However, and now here comes the most important part, on Saturday, the market spreads out from the main square called Plaza de Ponchos to nearby streets and occupies the whole central part of the town.
You can easily walk several blocks from the main square and still find stalls and vendors. The market is incredibly photogenic, so it is worth it to walk around with a camera in hand even when you do not want to buy anything.
And one more thing. The prices are very flexible, haggling is expected, and if you know a little bit of Spanish, it can be fun, and you might develop your bargaining skills.
If you are looking for a more authentic experience, we can recommend visiting markets around Latacunga or small villages close to Quilotoa Loop Trek.
OTAVALENOS
Watching locals go about their daily live (no matter how lame this activity might sound) is actually one of the best things to do in Otavalo.
We've already briefly touched on the topic that Otavalo is basically an indigenous town where local people still hold their traditions, despite living in a big city.
The town is also surrounded by many villages nestled in the hills, where indigenous people still live and prefer a peaceful atmosphere.
If you are an avid photographer who loves to take portrait photos or photos of everyday life, you'll be in heaven in Otavalo.
Otavalenos are very photogenic. The combination of hats, long braided hairs, colorful layered dress, and elated expression is interesting to watch.
It also looks great in the photo, but if you decide to photograph someone, be respectful, and ask for permission when necessary.
EXPLORE THE CENTER OF OTAVALO
Although Otavalo is not the classic travel destination where a visitor would tick architectural highlights off the bucket list, it is still worth exploring it on foot.
As we walked to our hostel from Pan-American Highway, where a bus from the borders dropped us off, we could see some of the top attractions with a backpack, but we did not miss the opportunity later to walk around without 10 kilos on our back.
What are the top things to see in Otavalo?
You should not miss San Francisco Church, Catholic Church El Jordan, Plaza de Ponchos, the train station that seems a bit neglected, but you'll find here cool street art, and if time allows, buy a snack on a local market and eat it in a park.
PEGUCHE WATERFALL
One of the best places to spend some relaxing time in Otavalo if you want to escape the town's hustle and bustle is the Cascada de Peguche.
The waterfall is only 45 minutes walk from the town center, so there is no need to catch a taxi or bus to get there if you want to stretch your legs a bit, but there is an option to take public transport in case you don't feel like walking, the bus ride costs $0.35.
These impressive falls are located in a beautiful setting and just a short walk from the entrance where you need to write down your name in a book and pay a voluntary entrance fee (it is customary to pay $1 or $2).
From the entrance gate, the well-maintained trail will take you through the eucalyptus tree forest to the falls.
Upon reaching the falls, you can first walk to the left side's viewpoint, then come back, cross a small bridge, and take the path on your right for the best and closer view.
If you want to get a picture in front of the waterfall, be prepared that you'll get wet. You might notice a couple of wooden houses next to the waterfall - there is a small artisan museum.
But that's not all, and here comes the best part.
There is one more path on the right side when facing the waterfall. Via this path, you can climb above the waterfall where you will find a small cave. You can crawl through a low and narrow dark passage to emerge in a stunning cave with yet another waterfall.
On the way back, it is possible to return to the entrance via a different trail, which you will see on your left.
First, you will see a concrete pool where you can take a refreshing dip and then cross a high suspension bridge and carry on to the exit.
LAGUNAS DE MOJANDA
Otavalo is renowned for the beautiful landscape, and if you have more time, another alternative on how to spend a day in the area is hiking around Lagunas de Mojanda.
Three lakes (Laguna Grande, Laguna Negra, and Laguna Chiquita) sit high on the Andes' hills, and the place offers many hiking trails.
It is a bit more complicated to get there, your best bet is to take a taxi, that will take you to a hostel, from where you can start your adventure. Then you need to either arrange a pick-up or ask the driver to wait for you.
Make sure you are well-equipped because of the altitude and weather that changes often.
The views are splendid when the weather plays along, and if you are lucky enough, consider hiking to the top of Fuya Fuya mountain.
Do not attempt the hike when the cloud hangs low, though, as it is easy to get lost in the mountains in the mist.
The trip to Lagunas de Mojanda is very complex as the drive from Otavalo itself takes about an hour. Still, even the ride is part of the experience, and you should definitely have your camera ready.
LAGUNA CUICOCHA
The hike around Cuicocha Lake, one of the most beautiful crater lakes in the area, was our favorite hike near Otavalo, but there are many more trails to explore in case trekking and admiring the hilly landscape is your thing.
If you visit the town and want to explore Otavalo beyond the market, Cuicocha Lake would be your best choice.
The word ‘cuicocha’ means in indigenous Kichwa language lake of guinea pigs, because of the islands' shape in the middle of the lake. Well, maybe if you have a more vivid imagination that we have, you'll find it there.
The trek starts above 3 000 meters, and the highest point on the trail is 3 512 meters.
The trail is easily accessible from Otavalo and moderately difficult. All you need to do is catch a bus from the bus terminal to Cotacachi ($0.35), and then take a taxi to the Cuicocha Crater Lake ($5-6).
You can also hail a taxi in Otavalo, but that would cost you more. Before you go hiking, tell the taxi driver to pick you up after the hike.
To give you an idea of how much time you need, the whole loop around the caldera took us approximately 5 hours, but we took many pictures, stopped often, and enjoyed the sunny day and amazing views.
The loop is 14 km, so you can do it in 3-4 hours if you are fairly fit.
If you would like to get closer to the water surface, there is a possibility to rent a boat, but we believe that views are better from the rim above than from the water surface, but this is absolutely an option for those who cannot or don't want to walk the whole circuit.
If you can’t get enough of paramo landscape, we feel you. We were absolutely stunned by paramo in Cajas National Park near Cuenca.
Fortunately, there are many more options on how to appreciate the scenery if you don’t have enough time for Laguna Cuicocha.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
PARQUE CONDOR
We must admit that we did not make it to Parque Condor, although it was at first on our list of things to do in Otavalo.
This place is a bit away from the town's center, but you can get there easily by taxi, or it is possible to walk, although the suburb looks a bit sketchy (based on what we could see from a bus).
One of the most important things to know is that Condor Park is not a zoo, but you can see here birds and raptors rescued either from illegal trafficking or seriously injured and recovering.
We were lucky enough to see condors in the wild in Los Nevados National Park and then in Colca Canyon.
The entry fee costs $4.5, and the park is open from Wednesday to Sunday. The most popular times for a visit are 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM when you can see birds in action.
WHERE TO STAY IN OTAVALO
There are quite many hostels and hotels in Otavalo, but they fill up quickly, especially on Friday, one night before the main market day, and on Saturday as well.
So when visiting the city during these days, reserve your room in advance to secure the best rate.
On the other hand, we were pleasantly surprised by the number of budget hostels that offered great services.
We've handpicked the best three hotels in Otavalo for every type of traveler.
Budget | Hostal La Rosa Otavalo - The location is great, only two blocks from the main square, the staff friendly, the rooms are big and clean.
Mid-range | Hotel El Indio Inn - Perfect location for exploring all major sights, hot shower, clean rooms, and helpful staff.staff.
Luxury | Dona Esther Otavalo - A charming hotel in the center of Otavalo, good breakfast and tasty food, excellent clean rooms, and a roof garden with amazing views.
OTAVALO DAY TOUR FROM QUITO
If you are short on time but still want to visit Otavalo, see the market, and explore the surrounding Andes mountains, you can take Otavalo day-tour from Quito.
It is a popular way to visit Otavalo for travelers who hadn't planned their Ecuador itinerary around the country's northern part.
HOW TO GET TO OTAVALO
Getting to Otavalo is quite easy as frequent buses leave the town throughout the day to Quito. You don't need to buy a ticket in advance; it is enough to show up at the bus terminal.
If you are traveling to any other destination past Quito, you will have to change buses and, in most cases, bus terminals as well. Why?
Quito has two main bus terminals. If traveling from Otavalo (or vice versa), you will arrive at North Terminal, but if you want to carry on, for example, to Latacunga, Banos, or Riobamba, you need to get to South Terminal, that is, ad the name suggests, on the opposite side of the city.
If you are traveling to Otavalo after the border crossing from Colombia, your first destination behind borders will be a small town, Tulcan, from where you need to take a direct bus to Otavalo.
You can read a full post on how to cross borders from Colombia to Ecuador or vice-versa here.
SAFETY ADVICE
We felt safe in Otavalo during the day and were not afraid to carry our camera in hand.
It's still safe to walk and enjoy the atmosphere at night, but we would keep valuables in the hotel room. When visiting the local markets, beware of pickpockets.
Otavalo is definitely safer than any other bigger city in Ecuador, as usual, use your common sense, and avoid suburbs that are not well-lit. There are also many strayed dogs.
The weather in the mountains is very changeable, so make sure you are well-equipped for outdoor adventure.
Make sure to read our article Is It Safe to Travel to South America?
BEST TIME TO VISIT OTAVALO
Otavalo is a destination that can be visited every season. The top season is from June to September, followed by December to February.
Although the temperatures are pleasant year-round, the biggest difference is in precipitation. The top season coincides with a drier period, while the rest of the year sees more showers.
On the other hand, it is also a good time to visit for many reasons.
First off, it usually does not rain all day long; more common are afternoon showers. Secondly, there are fewer visitors, and the prices are lower.
The weather in Otavalo is cooler because of the nearby mountains and altitude, so bring an extra warm layer.
We also had a comfortable daypack for hiking in the mountains and sightseeing in the town, where we put a water bottle, rain jacket, and a travel camera.
If you do not feel safe in crowded places, wear a travel pouch where you can keep some of your valuables out of sight.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
