Today you will visit the market of Otavalo, it is famous for its indigenous population, the so-called Otavaleños, many of which are travelling around the world to sell their famous handicrafts or to play in music groups for Andean Folk. The Otavaleños are considered the most successful indigenous group, economically, of Latin America. The Plaza de los Ponchos is located between the Sucre and the Jaramillo street, where people of indigenous and mestizo backgrounds from Otavalo and surrounding communities sell their handicrafts. You will find a wide range of weavings, jewelry, clothes, wood and stone carvings, paintings, Panama hats, and some products from our neighbor countries Peru and Colombia.
Rugs and shoulder bags are made of sheep wool; do not expect many products of Lama Wool, as Lamas never occurred as far north as Otavalo and most products are from the Imbabura province. Table clothes are usually made of some kind of artificial fiber, woven on machines, but probably still produced at someone’s home or house atelier. You continue to visit San Antonio de Ibarra, known for its handicrafts and sculptures. Finally, you will continue to Papallacta.
