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| Otavalo | ||
| province | Imbabura | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 39.354 (2010) | |
| height | 2,550 m | |
| Tourist info web | http://www.otavalo.com/ | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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The town Otavalo lies in the Imbabura Province and in the north of the Highlands of Ecuador. Otavalo is known nationwide for its textiles. The Indio market of Otavalo is considered to be the largest of its kind in all of Ecuador and South America, so the town is on the must-see tourist program for visitors to the region.
background
The weaving mill made Otavalo one of the richest cities in the country, the place looks quite tidy with a high level of education, Otavalo advertises itself as "free from illiteracy".
The OtavaleñosThis is what the locals call themselves, are proud of their unadulterated identity and show this in their typical, elaborate costume: the women are out and about in public with colorful woolen headgear, dark skirt, white and colorfully embroidered blouse and a colorfully woven belt. The men wear a dark poncho with white trousers. The Otavalos are recognized by their costume throughout the country. In the youth, however, the western influence of T-shirts and jeans cannot be overlooked.
getting there
By plane
The closest international airport is the in Quito.
By bus
Out Quito (Terminal Terrestre Carcelén) buses run every ten minutes during the day to Otavalo, starting from the Carcelén bus station. Last bus 19:30. Travel time two to two and a half hours, price $ 2.50.
There is a central bus terminal in Otavalo. Passing buses only stop outside of the Panamericana and do not go into the center. Arriving at night can be dangerous here. The Terminal Terrestre is located a 15-minute walk northeast of the center on the corner of Quito and Atahualpa streets. There are also taxis here.
In the street
Otavalo is about a two-hour drive north of Quito and lies on the Panamericana.
mobility
The place Otavalo is quite clear and can be easily explored on foot.
Taxis are cheap at $ 1.25 each way.
Tourist Attractions
As is common in other cities in Ecuador, the most important buildings in the center at Parque Central are colorfully illuminated in the evening hours.
Churches
- Iglesia San Luis, at Parque Central. The first stone building was built in 1676 and 1679, and was largely destroyed in the earthquake in 1880. The reconstruction of today's three-aisled building in the style of a basilica from the Renaissance was completed in 1890.
- Iglesia de San Francisco
Museums
- Museo de Tejidos El Obraje, Callle Sucre 608, Otavalo (south of Parque Central). Tel.: 593 (0)6 292-0261. Museum of the weaving art of the Otavaleños.Open: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 12 a.m., 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.Price: $ 2.
Streets and squares
The city is laid out in the typical layout of the Spanish colonial era with strictly regular rectangular streets.
The northern end of the city center marks the Plaza de Los Ponchos with the market, the southern end is the Parque Central (Parque Bolivar) as a park-like facility and as a cultural center with the Iglesia San Luis and the town hall (Municipio).
various
- Condor Park (non-commercial raptor park, Vultures, owls, eagles and condors), Pucará Alto (just outside of Otavalo, by taxi from Otavalo $ 4).
activities
Regular events
The indigenous people in Otavalo were actually evangelized by the Spaniards, but the traditional festivals of the Incas have survived:
- Pawkar Raymi. In spring, at the equinox, there is a festival of sacrifice to Pacha Mama, mother earth.
- Inti Raymi. Fiesta de San Juan on June 21: The indigenous people in Otavalo and from the surrounding communities celebrate the festival of the winter solstice.
- Fiesta del Yamor. From September 1st to 18th, the whole region celebrates the thanksgiving festival at the autumn solstice and against the background of offerings to the sun god, local food and drink with a cultural program.
In Otavalo there are also numerous Catholic holidays, which are celebrated with parades, music and dancing and also with plenty of alcohol and often beyond the actual holiday:
- San Juan Bautista. On June 24th, the feast of Saint John the Baptist.
- San Luis Obispo. Coraza, from August 15th to 22nd.
shop
In addition to the markets, there is also a larger selection of shops for clothing, supermarkets and groceries and also electronics in the center. Otavalo is also a regional mall after the shops.
- Supermercado Tia (Shopping market) (on Calle Sucre between the corner of Calderon and Montalvo).
market
There are several markets in Otavalo, the most famous being the Indio market on the Plaza de Ponchos, it is considered the largest in Ecuador and also in all of South America. There are market stalls here every day, but on Saturday there are hundreds of new stalls also in the side streets. In addition to the many local market visitors, tourists from all over the world also come on Saturday. Above all, textiles, clothing and woven goods, handicrafts such as jewelry, pottery, Panama hats, dishes, traditional souvenirs, figurines and carvings are offered here, everything that can be found anywhere else in Ecuador.
The market lasts from around 8 a.m. until the afternoon, at the latest by 5 p.m. most of the stalls are closed again. The prices are considered cheap in a nationwide comparison. It is your duty to act, whoever pays the requested price immediately and does not try to push the price down is your own fault and disappoints the retailer. It's also fun, especially if you don't understand the language that well.
The Animal market with small animals such as guinea pigs or chickens takes place on Saturday morning from 5 a.m. and in front of the craft market.
The Grocery store has its place with fixed market stalls and takes place daily in the streets south of the main market. The many exotic fruits are of particular interest to tourists.
kitchen
Cheap
- Inty Huasi (local cuisine), Plaza de los Ponchos (market). Tel.: (0)6 2922-944.
- Aly Alpa (Grill, restaurant, local and international cuisine) (at the Plaza de los Ponchos (market)).
medium
Upscale
nightlife
accommodation
Cheap
- Hostal Rincon del Viajero (popular backpacker meeting place), Roca 11-07, corner of Quiroga y Quito Otavalo (centrally near the market). Tel.: 593 (0)6 2921-741.
- Hostal Chasqui (nice atmosphere), Piedrahita y Guayaquil 141, 100201 Otavalo (slightly raised at the southeast end of the city center).
medium
Upscale
Learn
- Universidad de Otavalo, Avenida los Sarances S / N y Pendoneros, Otavalo, Imbabura. Tel.: 593 (0)6 292 0461.
- Workshops. Otavalo and the surrounding villages are known for their craftsmanship. Individual craftsmen offer workshops on topics such as wood carving, weaving or other handicrafts. The instrument maker Wayra Ñan [1] offers one-day workshops for building various flute instruments and 14-day workshops for building a guitar or a charango.
Work
security
The popular Saturday market is also a pickpocketing center for all of Ecuador. Here it is essential to take precautions against losses; everything that you don't have with you cannot be stolen.
Even in the evening and at a later hour, it is better to take a taxi outside of the busy places than to go home on foot. This is especially true for individuals or small groups.
health
- Farmacia Otavalo (centrally on the corner of Sucre / Juan Jaramillo). Tel.: 593 (0)6 2924-94.
- Hospital San Luis De Otavalo, Sucre y Quito, Otavalo. Tel.: 593 (0)6 2920444.
Practical advice
There is no official tourist information office in Otavalo, but there are some agencies that support visitors.
- Cámara de Turismo de Otavalo, Calle Sucre, between Quiroga and Quito on the 3rd floor. Tel.: 593 (0)6 2921-994.
- Oficina Municipal de Turismo, Corner of Quiroga and Modesto Jaramillo. Tel.: 593 (0)6 2921-313.
There is a post office at the Plaza de los Ponchos (market), corner of Sucre / Salinas.
There is a selection of internet cafes at the Plaza de los Ponchos (market).
trips
- The nearby villages of Peguche, San Jose de la Bolsa, Selva Alegre, Cotama, Agato and Iluman are also known for their textiles.
- The town Cotocachi is about 17 kilometers and a 20-minute drive from Otavalo and is a center of leather processing.
literature
Web links
- http://www.otavalo.gob.ec/ - Otavalo official website
