There are a multitude of woven products made from various materials such as cotton, wool and other natural fibers that can be found in Otavalo. The Saturday Morning Market is very popular for tourists, but any day is a good day to visit Otavalo to shop for any number of items. While the SMM is well attended, the pace is a little slower during the week, and good bargains still to be had.
Don’t forget to bargain, as you want to be sure and give the vendors a good reason to feel they have made a good deal! They are prepared for it, and to NOT bargain is to deprive them of something that is an integral part of their day.
And you miss the opportunity to save some money, and still get a good deal. By bargaining, you are not going to cause the vendors to go home broke without making any profit. Rest assured, they WILL make profit!
Otavalo is one of the major attractions when visiting Ecuador, and when you go it will be clear as to why. The trip alone offers sights such as Mt. Cayambe, and the Lodges of Lago San Pablo. The scenery along the way will captivate your attention as you see the roads winding down the steep mountainside entering lower altitudes which may be very comfortable for those struggling with the altitude of Quito.
But the scenery is only part of the surprise of Otavalo, as you will find the area is the center of some of the most famous and popular music composed in Ecuador. When going to the Plaza de los Ponchos where the Saturday Morning Market is held, you will find many of the traditional musical instruments on display and for sale. Look for the Rondador, Charango, Bandolin to name a few.
The Rondador is perhaps the instrument most associated with South American music and is certainly well known in Ecuador. They are known to be made from several varieties of bamboo, with different types being selected either for their tone, or because they are less likely to break.
History gives credit to women coming down from the mountains playing the rondador. But since the full scaled instrument was too big for women, it was necessary to carry two in order to have the full scale from A to G. There are many more legends connected to the history of the rondador, and it’s a good bet you can hear about it in Otavalo.
Many of the Hotels and restaurants in the area also offer live entertainment featuring live local groups. Spending a day, or even a weekend as there are great accommodations available, will be well worth the time. You will get to experience what so many leave behind, and that is the laid back life style prevalent outside the “big city” of Quito.
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