 Places to go
In this section you will find information about the sights, views and places to visit in this town. You will find a short description of each site, opening hours, fees and special notes. If you need any additional details on a specific location or would like us to arrange a tour to this location please contact us and we will gladly assist you.
Museums
Museo de tejidos El Obraje (Weaving Museum)
Location: Sucre Street 608.
The museum was Don Luis Maldonado and his wife's, it exhibits the local processes for weaving. You will learn about the weaving tools and techniques as well as daily lives of Otavaleños. They also offer classes on weaving, if you are interested.
Open hours: Monday thru Saturday 9 am – noon and 3 – 6 pm.
Price description: $2
Instituto Otavaleño de Antropología (Otavalo Institute of Anthropology)
Location: North of Sucre and Panamericana
Located at the university of Otavalo, this small museum has an archeological and ethnographical focus. It displays a small collection of archeological finds and also has a small library and a bookstore.
Open hours: 8:30 – noon and 2 :30 – 6pm Tuesday thru Friday and 8:30 – noon on Saturdays.
Price Description: Free
Other Attractions
El Lechero
This is a famous “magical” tree in the outskirts of Otavalo well known for its healing powers. Locals hike up to visit the tree, if you are willing to climb up, you will enjoy some great sights and maybe a little magic yourself.
Markets
Food Market
The market produces food and household products for locals. It’s a good place to visit if you need groceries; you will see a fare share of Ecuador’s finest vegetables, but not much else.
Animal Market
Where people from Otavalo go to buy all their farm animals, it starts real early in the morning. From pigs to llamas, this market is a wonderful place to experience if you have never been around farm animals, or if you simply are curious about how people trade in Otavalo.
Crafts Market
One of the most colorful markets in Ecuador, people come here from all over the country to buy quality hand-made goods. This is the perfect place to absorb culture, artisans set up shop to sell their handicrafts, they all wear traditional clothing and are very friendly to the public. If you like handicrafts, this is the perfect place for you, prices are right, people are nice and you will find an assortment of goods such as ponchos, alpaca sweaters, soft alpaca scarves, wool fedoras, blankets, colorful straw bags, hand-embroidered blouses, original paintings, hammocks, ceramics, tapestries and a lot more.
Around Otavalo
Parque Cóndor (Condor Park)
A Dutch owned centre for the rehabilitation of birds of prey. At several times throughout the day you will be able to see a demonstration of raptors in flight. Among the other birds there are Andean condors, eagles, owls, falcons and hawks.
Location: Pucará Alto, 4 km from Otavalo.
Peguche Waterfall
Just outside the town of Peguche you will find the Peguche Waterfall. The falls are sacred to locals, in the Fiesta de San Juan, men use them for cleansing baths. On the bottom of the waterfall you find a green grassy area with picnic tables and benches. There are paths to take you around the area, even one that takes you to the top of the waterfall.
Cuicocha Lake
Located in the Ecuadorian Highlands, 120 km from Quito, at an altitude of 3068 meters over the sea, you will find Cuicocha. Also known as the “Lake of the gods” it was formed come 3000 years ago, when Cotacachi’s crater collapsed during an eruption. It is 3 Km. in diameter and about 180 meters in depth. In the middle of the lake there are two islets, the small one is called Jose María Yerovi and the bigger one is called Teodoro Wolf in honor to the German explorer. You can take a boat ride around the islets, although you will not be able to walk on them. Some 400 different species have developed over the volcanic lava, including orchids, “cuyes”, armadillos, skunks and others.
Cotacachi
Cotacachi is a small town from which you can see the Cayambe volcano and other mountains in the distance. However, Cotacachi is famous for its leather products, from wallets to saddles, this small town is famous everywhere you find leather items. In Quito, there are even Almacenes Cotacachi, where you can buy these products.
Cayambe
Cayambe is the third highest volcano in Ecuador; it has an altitude of about 5790 mts. This volcano makes for great hiking experiences, although not a road as travelled as the Cotopaxi, it still offers a challenge for those who are up for it. In the town with the same name, some 40 minutes away from Quito, you’ll be able to enjoy “biscochos” and “queso de hoja”, famous treats all around Ecuador.
Mojanda Lakes
Mojanda lakes offer some of the best scenic hiking around Otavalo. Located in the “páramo”, there are places to camp here and the beautiful lakes will keep you entertained. Also, they are a great spot for bird-watching. | |
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