We love marketplaces. That’s where you get your fill of colors and smells and sounds of the local culture. We visited the colorful and lively market in Otovalo, a small town in northern highlands of Ecuador. It is the largest indigenous market in South America and dates back from the pre-Incan period.
For centuries, locals have been coming to the market of Otovalo to buy and barter animals, food and their essential needs. Today, it’s also a popular place for tourist who are looking to buy local crafts.
Otovalenos are known for their excellent woven products. Their colorful woven textiles are one of the most sought after products in the market.
A yarn vendor.
The vegetable stall.
Colorful paintings and crosses for sale.
Vibrant plates and bowls for sale.
The stall of vividly hued hammocks.
The traditional blouses for sale. Women of Otovalo still wear this traditional clothing everyday.
Lovely local shoppers strolling around the market.
Some vendors taking a lunch break. Otovalenos are also known as good traders. They are considered the most affluent indigenous group in Ecuador.
A serious looking young vendor.
An adorable boy helping mom make a sale.
A vendor’s beautiful daughter.
A little boy eyeing the shakes his mom sells.
A vendor taking a break to nurse her baby.
A creative incense holders.
Wooden wares for sale.
Feathered headdress for sale.
Keith standing in front of the feathered headdress.
They say Panama hats actually originated from Ecuador.
More traditional woven products.
Lovely young Otovalenas
Hanging out with the charming senoritas.
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Travel Notes
Getting there: We took a 2 and half hour bus ride from the capital of Quito. You can also get there by taxi or by booking a tour through your hotel.
Travel Date: February 2008
Travel Guides: Lonely Planet Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
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Wonderful photos, beautiful colors and amazing subjects.
What an exotic location. I can only learn about them through you. Thanks foir sharing.
Hi again Kira, our pleasure. It’s a very colorful and exotic locale indeed. Glad you enjoy it.
I enjoy your blog. You have really good contents. Quality photos and interesting destinations. I look forward to see more of your future posts.
Hi Craig, glad to hear you enjoy the blog. Thanks for dropping and we look forward to hear from you again.
I’m loving all your Ecuador travels. It wasn’t on my bucket list but now it is! We may have to consider this after the Moroco trip. I’ll definitely contact you for tips when that time comes. For the meantime, I’m extremely grateful for all your Morocco tips. Can’t wait for the trip!
Hi Kara, glad you to hear you add Ecuador on your list. Will definitely love to share more tips with you.
Love how colorful your shots are!!! Every time i think of ecuador, i think of roses!
Hi Jenny, it’s a colorful place indeed. Thanks for dropping by.
I’m loving the commentary on all of them Marisol. You really brought the atmosphere of the market place to the reader. Great work!
Thanks Mitch! Glad you liked it.
I love markets, too! This one is ultra exotic and colorful! Your photos are beautiful and you captured the market scenes so well. Just love the burst of colors. Was this the most colorful market you’ve seen in all your travels?
Hi Carrie, I’d say Otovalo was the third most colorful market place I’ve been to. The most colorlful I’ve seen was Sunday market in Bacha, Vietnam. It was such a feast to the eye. The people from different tribal villages converge in this market and they all wear very colorful clothing. The second most colorful for me is the Pisac market in Peru, which I will be posting pretty soon.
Wow, your photos are beautiful and so colorful! I would totally buy a hammock… or three. 😉
Hi Christy, you may end up with more than that! Thanks for visiting.
Very lively and so colorful! I’ve heard so much about Otavalo market – wish I could go there someday! This reminds me of the Sunday market in Pisac, Peru.
Hi Dennis, Yes, very colorful indeed. But I would say I found Pisac much more colorful. Thanks for dropping by.