OTAVALO, THE CULTURAL CENTER OF ECUADOR

Otavalo may be a small town north of Quito, but it can boast about having one thing- the largest market in all of South America, the Otavalo Market. Just a quick day-trip from Quito, this is the place to buy what is its big draw- the authentic handmade textiles including alpaca blankets, and you will also find local artisan craftwork, indigenous handcrafted products, jewelry, and even spices, produce, and street food. This market actually formed initially during the pre-Incan times, The people here are still very much in touch with their indigenous roots and you will encounter a mix of traditional cultures that come together in this market, speaking different variations of the Ecuadorian Incan language among all the stalls.