Thanks Henry for this comprehensive comment and suggestions. I was in Otavalo for just over a 2 days, and hence missed the animal market which I am sure is very entertaining! I also agree with you when you say that the vendors will not hassle you- perhaps it is one of the things I liked most.

Food in restaurants is quite good, but i would avoid eating inside the main food market, the 24 de Mayo. I used to do so regularly when i first got here, but then had a bad experience when my stomach swelled up and got really hard for a couple of days. I think i paid $1.25 for that meal. My girlfriend kept asking me why i couldn’t spend a dollar more for a better meal. Hot food is safe. Wash fruits before consuming. Avoid salads.

When bargaining, offer 50 percent of the asking price, and you can always walk away and return later. The vendors here are very polite and will not hassle you, they often will ask you to name your price. Offer less than you’re willing to pay so that you and the seller both feel good about the transaction.

If you are staying here overnight, there are some good clubs with live folkloric music, and there is no cover charge.

Besides the artisan market, on Saturday mornings the animal market on the other side of the Pan American highway is good entertainment. The action starts at around 5:30 a.m. People from villages all around bring their pigs, cows, sheep, ducks, guinea pigs, chickens, rabbits and cute pups and kittens to sell. The sound of the squealing pigs being pulled along the streets is one you will not forget.

If you have more than just a few hours, a couple of other attractions are the nearby waterfall, Cascade de Peguche, a 15 minute walk north of the city, and Condor Park, where you can see live Condors (symbol of the Andes) and watch demonstrations of birds from an ampitheatre with a fantastic view of a large valley.

If you want to see more markets, head to Cotacachi for leather work and north to San Antonio de Ibarra for fabulous woodcarving.

I’m pleased you liked it!

The market in Otavalo is very entertaining, a good place to spend a morning if you like to see local crafts and perhaps even purchase great deals. It is not as big as others I have seen in the world though 🙂

Federico

Cheers
Callum

You are welcome!

Just FYI, lechon is also a typical dish in central Spain..there goes another similarity between Spain and the Philippines! I’ve had my fair share I must admite…it is delicious!