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Bartering in Otavalo's Indigenous Market, Ecuador
Published by Tara Anderson, Writer
Country: Ecuador 
The Experience
Every Saturday the cobbled stone streets of Otavalo transform into a bustling indigenous market stretching as far as a 10-block radius from the centre of town. Hundreds of Otavaleños gather at this hot tourist destination to sell their infamous hand-woven textiles and handicrafts. For those who arrive on a Friday night, Saturday brings an entire new world as the streets of Otavalo overflow with temporary wooden booths filled to the brim with a spectrum of brilliant colours.
The Otavalo Market is one of the most famous and largest indigenous markets in Ecuador, and arguably throughout South America. Renowned for its size, prosperity and world-renowned artisans, the Otavalo Market is truly a reflection of the rich indigenous culture and presence in Ecuador.
I scrambled out of my hostel early Saturday morning armed with several American bills and a good working knowledge of the Spanish language. Walking downhill to the centre of the Otavalo Market, every turn was slightly overwhelming. Sweaters to the right, ponchos on my left, scarves everywhere, and everything bursting with colour. I didn’t know where to start. I was on a mission to purchase a variety of hand-woven garments.
I soon discovered that Otavaleños are skilled textile weavers and artisans who produce a variety of different items, including hand-woven scarves, sweaters, bags, hats, mitts, paintings and jewellery. Situated two hours north of Quito in the province of Imbabura, it is here in the valley of Otavalo that thirty thousand Otavaleños live, making this region home to the most prosperous indigenous community in all of Ecuador. If you have a chance, it is well worth your time to take a day trip to the surrounding villages for the opportunity to meet local families and see how they live.
My first purchase at the Otavalo Market was made with an indigenous woman kneeling in front of a wall of scarves piled four feet high and eight feet wide. “Cuanta cuesta? How much?” I asked. Fifteen minutes later I had purchased a hundred scarves and managed to bargain the price down to a number that we were both happy with. Five hours later and over fifteen bargain attempts with other vendors (fourteen successful and one not so much), I was exhausted and had purchased so much stuff that I had to buy four more bags to hold it all.
The Otavalo Market is one of the most famous and largest indigenous markets in Ecuador, and arguably throughout South America. Renowned for its size, prosperity and world-renowned artisans, the Otavalo Market is truly a reflection of the rich indigenous culture and presence in Ecuador.
I scrambled out of my hostel early Saturday morning armed with several American bills and a good working knowledge of the Spanish language. Walking downhill to the centre of the Otavalo Market, every turn was slightly overwhelming. Sweaters to the right, ponchos on my left, scarves everywhere, and everything bursting with colour. I didn’t know where to start. I was on a mission to purchase a variety of hand-woven garments.
I soon discovered that Otavaleños are skilled textile weavers and artisans who produce a variety of different items, including hand-woven scarves, sweaters, bags, hats, mitts, paintings and jewellery. Situated two hours north of Quito in the province of Imbabura, it is here in the valley of Otavalo that thirty thousand Otavaleños live, making this region home to the most prosperous indigenous community in all of Ecuador. If you have a chance, it is well worth your time to take a day trip to the surrounding villages for the opportunity to meet local families and see how they live.
My first purchase at the Otavalo Market was made with an indigenous woman kneeling in front of a wall of scarves piled four feet high and eight feet wide. “Cuanta cuesta? How much?” I asked. Fifteen minutes later I had purchased a hundred scarves and managed to bargain the price down to a number that we were both happy with. Five hours later and over fifteen bargain attempts with other vendors (fourteen successful and one not so much), I was exhausted and had purchased so much stuff that I had to buy four more bags to hold it all.
When to Go to Otavalo Market
The best time of year to visit the Otavalo Market in northern Ecuador is from June to August, when the weather is warm and sunny and there is a variety of festivals in every small town. Granted, there are many more tourists in this peak season, so make sure you plan to be in Otavalo early Saturday morning to make the best of the indigenous market.
Otavalo is a two-hour bus ride North of Quito. Buses run frequently and cost approximately US$ 2.50 (Ecuador uses American currency).
Otavalo is a two-hour bus ride North of Quito. Buses run frequently and cost approximately US$ 2.50 (Ecuador uses American currency).
Odds n' Ends
Basic Spanish can make traveling, bargaining and shopping much easier. Pick up a small translation guide before you go; it will make a world of difference.
June, July and August are a busy time in Ecuador, and there are often large crowds on the streets, especially during bull fights and local festivals. Make sure to always keep your wallet and/or bag close to you, as being robbed is a very likely possibility.
If possible, withdraw money only from the ATMs found at banks. Avoid small cash machines at small stores as these have been known to withdraw funds without dispensing the cash.
Tips to making the best of the Otavalo Market:
1. Alpaca is King. As you browse the superhighway of warm Andean
clothing, the majority of them are made with either Alpaca or Lama. Alpaca is
considerably softer, higher quality and thus (naturally) more expensive.
2. Offer a price slightly lower than you are willing to pay. The magic of the market is
the bargaining; in fact, it is expected of you. Don’t forget to have fun with it!
3. Be kind, pay a fair price and always say “gracias.” Ecuadorians are extremely
friendly people, and for the most part they don’t have the same rip-off or make-an-
extra-buck tourist approach that is common in the bordering country of Peru. This
makes travelling extremely enjoyable. So please, keep this is mind when a vendor
is unwilling to budge. The chances are that they will have already given you the
best price.
4. Avoid ancient artifacts! There are a few vendors at the Otavalo Market
that claim to sell ancient Incan artifacts. These can vary from small idols
and pottery shards to entire vases and pots. As to whether they are genuine, it is
impossible to tell. The bottom line is that it is illegal to take artifacts out of the
country, so save yourself the hassle. And besides, Ancient Incan artifacts are
better off in a museum.
5. Shop around! There are hundreds of vendors so don’t blow your cash in one go.
June, July and August are a busy time in Ecuador, and there are often large crowds on the streets, especially during bull fights and local festivals. Make sure to always keep your wallet and/or bag close to you, as being robbed is a very likely possibility.
If possible, withdraw money only from the ATMs found at banks. Avoid small cash machines at small stores as these have been known to withdraw funds without dispensing the cash.
Tips to making the best of the Otavalo Market:
1. Alpaca is King. As you browse the superhighway of warm Andean
clothing, the majority of them are made with either Alpaca or Lama. Alpaca is
considerably softer, higher quality and thus (naturally) more expensive.
2. Offer a price slightly lower than you are willing to pay. The magic of the market is
the bargaining; in fact, it is expected of you. Don’t forget to have fun with it!
3. Be kind, pay a fair price and always say “gracias.” Ecuadorians are extremely
friendly people, and for the most part they don’t have the same rip-off or make-an-
extra-buck tourist approach that is common in the bordering country of Peru. This
makes travelling extremely enjoyable. So please, keep this is mind when a vendor
is unwilling to budge. The chances are that they will have already given you the
best price.
4. Avoid ancient artifacts! There are a few vendors at the Otavalo Market
that claim to sell ancient Incan artifacts. These can vary from small idols
and pottery shards to entire vases and pots. As to whether they are genuine, it is
impossible to tell. The bottom line is that it is illegal to take artifacts out of the
country, so save yourself the hassle. And besides, Ancient Incan artifacts are
better off in a museum.
5. Shop around! There are hundreds of vendors so don’t blow your cash in one go.
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