Otavalo

Pros: Fascinating markets filled with colorful people
Cons: Not always easy to get there

Few visitors to the Ecuadorean Andes don't know about the big Saturday markets held in the northern town of Otavalo. The market has a long and colorful history, dating back centuries before the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 1500s, and centuries...

Pros: Friendly people, beautiful valley, lovely handcrafts, easy communication, American dollar used.
Cons: Seems like paradise, the market is overflowing, yet the indigenous are so poor.

I appreciate the fine reviews on Otavalo by the other reviewers but a few of their comments need updating, for instance there are now ATMS on the plaza, 2 on the NE corner I seem to recall. The other is that haggling over prices occured all the time we ...

Pros: People, surroundings, market
Cons: Not many

Otavalo Ecuador is a mid-size town located between two large volcanoes in the gorgeous Andean highlands of north-central ecuador. Ecuador in general is friendly, down-to-earth and both naturally and culturally scenic. Otavalo in particular encapsulates...

Pros: Terrific local color and bargains galore.
Cons: Expect for the area to be pretty filthy, it is a third world country after all.

Review Topic:  Sights & Attractions

I entirely agree with the earlier opinion of Otavallo. It is a shopper's paradise and a real local treasure.

Things I really like about Otavallo:

1. I can breathe...