OTAVALO
The beautiful and green valley of Otavalo is located in the northern Sierra of Ecuador, at an altitude of 2,565 meters above sea level. Surrounded by picturesque Andean landscapes and inhabited by creative people, Otavalo is one of the most important destinations in Ecuador. During your visit you can enjoy the most varied cultural landscapes, go shopping or have moments of calm surrounded by nature.
FERIA ARTESANAL
LAGUNA DE SAN PABLO
ARTESANIAS DE TOTORA EN SAN RAFAEL
PUCARA DE REY LOMA
EL PARQUE CÓNDOR
LAGUNAS DE MOJANDA
CASCADA DE PEGUCHE
VOLCÁN IMBABURA
ATRACTIVOS EN LA ZONA URBANA IGLESIA SAN LUIS
IGLESIA EL JORDAN
EL PAWKAR RAYMI EN PEGUCHE
INTI RAYMI
FIESTAS DEL YAMOR
ATUNTAQUI
It is located just 10 minutes from Otavalo, continuing north on the Panamericana. A sign welcomes Atuntaqui, a small canton of Imbabura. Although the name of the sector is Antonio Ante, those who visit him or have heard him speak of him identify him more as Atuntaqui.
This small city has been classified as the "Fashion Industrial Center" since its textile tradition has turned it into a big shopping center for garments. In the center of the city, you can find a wide variety of stores that put at your disposal all kinds of textile products for you and your family. Atuntaqui enjoys a spring-like climate, with an average temperature of 18ºC due to its location in the inter-Andean valley.
Atuntaqui is also well known for its traditional cuisine, where you can enjoy with your family the exquisite fry complemented by the typical ice cream, panuchas, rosquettes, mojicones and sighs, products made from corn, or delicious roasted guinea pigs parishes of Chaltura and Natabuela.
COTACACHI
The city of Cotacachi is located 15 minutes from Otavalo, following the Panamericana Norte and taking a branch to the west. The road is perfectly signposted. Cotacachi offers a unique experience in purchases of leather goods and crafts. You can find jackets, wallets, footwear, luggage, travel line, belts and a number of finely finished products.
In the center of the city you will find a large number of stores that elegantly display their products. The largest credit cards are generally accepted. In the center you will also find interesting places to visit such as the main park and the Mother Church, several museums and a large pedestrian area to enjoy walking.
Its privileged geographic location in the foothills of the Cotacachi Volcano, allows to visualize a beautiful landscape and enjoy a unique natural environment. Cotacachi has been declared an Ecological Canton and has received several recognitions and awards for its positive management.
CUICOCHA LAGOON
15 minutes from Cotacachi, following a paved road in a southerly direction, you can reach the beautiful Cuicocha Lagoon. Located at an altitude of 3,064 meters above sea level, it occupies the cauldron of an old Cotacachi volcano crater, the same one that is still active.
The presence of two islets of volcanic rock of recent formation stands out in the center. Cuicocha is one of the most important attractions of the region, for its impressive landscape and ecological diversity. You can, for example, eventually visit the majestic flight of the Condor. It is part of the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve, which covers an area of 204,420 ha.
In the Laguna de Cuicocha you can perform various activities, such as hiking on the existing trail around the lagoon, a guided boat ride around the islets or an interesting visit to the Environmental Interpretation Center of the Ministry of the Environment. The visiting hours are every day of the week from 07:00 to 18:30.
IBARRA
Only 30 minutes from Otavalo is the city of Ibarra, capital of the province of Imbabura.
It is known as the White City, with cobblestone streets and presents in the historic center, a traditional colonial architecture. You can visit the Pedro Moncayo and La Merced Parks, which offer a pleasant environment to enjoy as a family. Ibarra still preserves its flavor of yesteryear, each corner keeps memories of the past that are projected to the present and harmoniously conjugate traditional architecture with modern.
Nearby is the Laguna Yahuarcocha, a natural corner full of history and legend, which invokes the memory of the times of "Tahuantinsuyo". Its name means "Laguna de Sangre" in aboriginal language. It is an ideal place for recreational walks, enjoy the Andean landscape and taste the exquisite tilapia.
SAN ANTONIO DE IBARRA
Twenty minutes from Otavalo, following the Panamericana Norte and enjoying the Andean landscape, you can reach the town of San Antonio de Ibarra, located on the slopes of the Imbabura volcano. Cradle of nationally and internationally recognized artists, San Antonio is a town-gallery.
You can find a lot of stores and workshops that put at your disposal all kinds of crafts and furniture carved in wood. The amazing skill and creativity of its craftsmen will make your visit a delight for all the senses. You can find objects such as sculptures, key rings, chess boards, trunks, decorative items, works of religious art and a myriad of products where the limit is the imagination.