A week of markets

TheOtavalo textile market is one of the most famous in Ecuador and the most frequented by tourists. It is held every day but it is more important on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Merchants from all over the region come to sell their wares. Between sculptures, pottery, ponchos and very colorful fabrics, it is the perfect place to buy souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones. Don't hesitate to bargain, it's normal in the market! A few minutes walk from the handicrafts market is the animal market, which is held every Saturday morning. You won't find a more animated market. Between the animals in every corner, a cacophony of sound and negotiations between locals: it's a guaranteed multi-sensory experience. Best seen early in the morning when the activity is at its peak.

The most courageous will be able to visit the market in the town of Coca in the province of Orellana on Sunday. Much less touristy than Otovalo, you can find traditional dishes from the Amazon. A skewer of "mayones" for example, worms that feed on tree trunks, grilled and seasoned.

Located halfway between the Amazon cities and Banos, Puyo is a charming town well worth a visit. Visit the Hotel Amazonico, where you will find a wonderful little handicraft cooperative run by women from the Huaorani indigenous community

In the afternoon visit the Ethno-Archaeological Museum in the center of the city. Here you will learn more about the history of the ancestors and the indigenous nationalities of the Amazon region.

Located just in front of the beautiful church of Baños, the religious market sells in a joyful colored mess a lot of bondieuseries, souvenirs more flashy than the others. Lucky pictures, rosaries of all colors, candles and incense very fragrant ... A real market full of mysteries.

The market of Saquisili is held every Thursday and is located at about twenty minutes by bus from Latacunga. Everything is authentic and intended above all for the locals: poultry, guinea pigs, llama milk, fruit and vegetables... even containers made from old tires.

Every day, from morning until late afternoon, the Plaza Carmen flower market offers an impressive variety of sumptuous roses, orchids, carnations, lilies, and many carefully prepared bouquets.

Also not to be missed is the mercado 10 de agosto, set up in a large hall next to the church. Not really handicrafts in these stands but fruits and vegetables by the thousands. A perfect opportunity to do some shopping or to sit in the hall with a tasty dish. To help you choose, the vendors will encourage you to taste their specialties for free. On the meat side you can often see hornado, a cooked pig, or cuy, a guinea pig on a spit. For fruit, ask for a batido, a fresh juice, pure or with water or milk. The speciality is tomate de arbol, a "tree tomato" literally, which has many health benefits.

The funniest place is the Sangurima market, in the Mariano Cueva square, where you can find all kinds of potions, love potions and amulets to heal ailments. According to an ancient rite, you could also be flogged there to purify yourself from evil spirits. The women of the market collect specific flowers and plants for this purpose.