Ecuador is one of the states among the nations of South America where ancient traditions have survived and become one of the main tourist attractions, as in the splendid Otavalo
San Luis de Otavalo it is one of the cities in Ecuador where the ancient local traditions have not only survived unscathed from the impact of the pervasiveness of the globalized world, but have also become one of the main tourist attractions of the country, transforming the artisanal wisdom of the ancient masters into one of the most famous of all nations of South America where to find the best of local craftsmanship.
Otavalo, as it is called by Ecuadorians, is a beautiful city about 100 kilometers north of Quito, the capital ofEcuador, and is considered to all intents and purposes the "Intercultural Capital of Ecuador" due to its historical-cultural richness, scenic beauty and great commercial development linked to artisanal production.
The history of Otavalo has its roots in the millenary pre-Hispanic past, with the settlement of numerous populations throughout the area where the administrative canton of Otavalo now stands, who developed a very rich culture made up of contributions from different traditions that met in a Pacific.
After the Spanish colonization during the sixteenth century, despite the Hispanicization of the administrative structures, the strong tradition and artisan vocation of Otavalo remained as a distinctive feature of the region, quickly becoming one of the main markets of the northern Andean area.
Today Otavalo is a very popular destination in the nations of South America for international tourists, attracted to the city by the possibility of finding the latest artisanal productions authentic of the entire region, in a landscape setting of incomparable beauty, nestled between the spectacular peaks of the Cotacachi and Imbabura volcanoes.
In this guide we will discover the main attractions and destinations not to be missed in the surrounding area Otavalo, in Ecuador, one of the most evocative locations on a journey to discover the secrets of the nations of South America.
The historic center of Otavalo is dominated by the famous Ponchos Plaza, the heart of the region's artisan market, where every Thursday and Saturday traders gather from not only every corner of Ecuador but from all over South America. In fact, here you can find alpaca wool ponchos produced in the Otavalo laboratories, sombreros arrived directly from Mexico, finely crafted Panama hats, leatherwork from Argentina and an infinite variety of food and wine products which, more than any other experience, allow you to get to know the true Ecuadorian spirit.
The markets take place throughout the year, but the date not to be missed if you are looking for the rarest and most valuable products is the large fair which takes place on a monthly basis. Another very characteristic market in Otavalo is the animal market, where you can find Ecuadorian farmers and "cow boys" selling cattle, cows, alpacas, llamas, guinea pigs and many other farmyard animals. Perhaps it is not a place suitable for the most convinced animal rights activists, but it is still an interesting glimpse of authentic daily life in Ecuador.
In addition to the markets in Otavalo you can visit some interesting attractions such as cathedral of the city built in the seventeenth century with the typical Spanish baroque-colonial style or the suggestive Museo del Pueblo Kichwa, which allows you to discover the history of one of the oldest populations in the Otavalo area thanks to a vast collection of archaeological finds and testimonies of popular culture; furthermore, the museum is located right on the route of the legendary Via Panamerica, the road that leads from the deep south of Latin America to Alaska.
To get to know the truest side of Otavalo's artisanal production you must visit the villages that surround the main urban center and at this point the choice is whether to join a trip organized by local tourist operators or arm yourself with resistance and undertake a spectacular walking route among the magnificent landscapes of the region, also because on average these locations are located approximately 3 or 4 kilometers apart.
The first village not to be missed is Carabuela, a small town where a large part of the population is engaged in the processing and weaving of the highly prized alpaca wool. In the artisan workshops of Carabuela, the master dyers and skilled weavers will be happy to show their unparalleled mastery in transforming wool into wonderful fabrics and splendid ponchos, the most iconic item of clothing of the Andean region.
The next locations are Iluman e Punyaro, where woven baskets and the famous Andean felt hats similar to bowler hats are produced. In these small businesses, production has an eminently familiar character and you can observe all the stages of production of these true masterpieces of craftsmanship simply by asking the inhabitants and purchasing some of their products as a form of thanks and courtesy. For those who want to continue they can also be visited Cotacachi, famous for leather processing, and San Antonio, specialized in wood carving.
Beyond the artisan villages, when you enter this splendid South American nation, you cannot miss a visit to Peguche Casket and Lake San Pablo, wonderful locations where the incomparable landscape and natural beauty is added to the spirituality due to being sacred places for the ancient indigenous populations, who had erected statues and temples nearby. It is not uncommon to find numerous pilgrims arriving at Peguche Falls from all over the state to immerse themselves in the sacred waters as a purification ritual.
