How to visit the Otavalo animal market: schedules

One of the great attractions of a trip to Quito, riding a Ecuador, is, without a doubt, the possibility of visit the Otavalo craft market, considered the largest in South America.

But I tell you that the greatest dimension of your visit to Otavalo you will have it if you go Saturday morning. Because?

El artisan market, which is the main focus of tourists' attention, is installed every day in the main square of Otavalo, Plaza de los Ponchos.

But if you have the opportunity to visit this small town a Saturday morning, you will see that several Street markets They expand across a large part of the streets of its urban center.

Thus, on a Saturday you will be able to see in its full force the food market, but also a very curious one…animal fair.

Otavalo, capital of the province of Imbabura, is located about one hundred kilometers heading north from Quito, but that means two hours by car if you start from the center of the Ecuadorian capital.

You can also go by bus from the station located north of the capital.

When and how to visit the Otavalo animal market

For see the Otavalo livestock market You will have to get up early, so a good alternative to consider is to sleep the night before in this city.

El animal market It begins its activity at sunrise, that is, from 6,30:XNUMX in the morning.

In the case of my trip we went to visit it around 9 in the morning, and the market maintained a large part of its commercial activity.

Don't expect to find any building, like a large fish market, where animals are displayed for sale.

On the contrary, the market occupies a large open-air esplanade divided into two large spaces separated by a metal fence.

In one of them the cows are sold, and in the other space the smaller animals are shown grouped in various areas.

That's where you will find the pigs, the sheep, the chickens or the guinea pigs, a small rodent characteristic of South America.

If you are curious, I will tell you that in the Otavalo animal fair You can buy a cow for about $400 and a calf for between $60 and $100, depending on its size.

If what you want is to buy a pig (there are black and pink ones) it will cost you between 150 and 200 dollars; a chicken, $8; and a guinea pig, 20 dollars.

And for only one dollar you can buy three chicks, which you can choose from a large number of them that you will find painted in different colors.

What are the indigenous Otavaleños like?

Now, from my point of view, the true attraction of visiting this animal market where you will surely find almost no tourists, is the opportunity to see the animals in their environment. Otavalo indigenous people.

It is a relatively wealthy community that currently consists of about 50.000 people.

It is very easy to distinguish the otavaleños, not only because of its strengths indigenous traitsbut for its characteristic clothing of striking colors.

Women usually wear embroidered blouses, large necklaces, and a garment that looks like a cap that covers their head; the men, with long hair and braids, with ponchos, sandals and hats.

At animal market You will not find a tourist atmosphere, but on the contrary, a very authentic atmosphere, starring the otavaleños who are trading with animals.

In short, a visit that is very worthwhile, and that can be a good appetizer for your subsequent visit to the great Plaza de los Ponchos, where you will find the famous artisan market.

Photos of the Otavalo animal market

To encourage you to get up early and visit the Otavalo animal market on a Saturday morning, here you have more photos of the atmosphere you will find, and you will surely enjoy.