Surrounded by the rolling hills and jagged peaks of the Andean mountain range, the small market town of Otavalo is mainly known for hosting one of the continent’s most effervescent and spectacular and traditional markets, with a network of stalls that spans three of the town’s main plazas and neighbouring streets.
The town is just two hours north of Quito, meaning it is an easy day excursion from the capital, but some may also decide to escape the city and soak up the atmosphere of a traditional Ecuadorian town and its indigenous culture by staying overnight in a hacienda or boutique guest house. It is set in an area that is known as the ‘Quichua Belt’ where the indigenous language that was used by the Incas is primary and Spanish secondary, so it is an area where the local traditions are much more prevalent.