Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One great thing about the market is how affordable everything is but, somehow, haggling
seems to be essential to every market experience and most every vendor in Otavalo will
bargain fairly. However, almost no one there speaks English so make sure you've got the
Spanish basics down, and bring change: breaking a $20 for a $4 piece of jewelry will not
fly there!
Food
There's so many great foods to try in Otavalo, most of which are prepared around Day of
the Dead celebrations in early November.
Guaguas de pan
is a jelly-filled bread baked in
the shape of a baby and is the most traditional pastry served during this time, representing
an offering to the spirits of infants who've passed. If you can't get over the weirdness of
it, try a
quimbolito
: a spongy pocket of cornflour decorated with raisins before being
wrapped in taro leaves and steamed in butter. Cousins of the quimbolito are
humitas
, a
sweet or savory mash of ground corn, onions and eggs steamed in corn husks. Finally,
em-
panadas de morocho
are deep-fried pastries filled with ground beef, peas, rice, carrots and
morocho,
a hominy-like grain found in the region. The
Plaza de los Ponchos
that hosts the
market by day becomes a street food plaza by night as tents stuffed with mobile kitchens
and mini-dining areas set up shop.
•
Casa de Frutas
Sucre street off Salinas
$
Great breakfasts made up of fresh fruit, granola and local organic coffee make this cheap
place a steal. Vegetarian options are available throughout the day.
•
Cafe Mundi
Quiroga 6-08 between Sucre and Modesto Jaramillo
$
A family-run institution serving national and international dishes that are well-portioned
and satisfying. Another option on the plaza, it's popular with travelers and offers a range
of vegetarian choices.
