Highlights: Otavalo, Cotacachi, San Pablo Lake, Cuicocha Crater Lagoon
Climate: Mild in Otavalo and Cotacachi, colder arround the Lakes
Temperature: Otavalo average between 13ªC and 20ªC, Noon 25ªC; San Pablo and Cuicocha 8ªC
Altitude: 2200m Otavalo
Location: Otavalo is located 145km north from Quito

Otavalo is home of the biggest indian market of South America, the most of the visitors come to see this huge cultural manifestation which takes place every saturday when the city center transform into a market zone. The whole Otavalo market is very easy to go, and the offer is uniform in the market, wich consists over all of hand made textiles.

Otavalo features the richest and most cultured indians of Ecuador. Many of the indigenous people of Otavalo know many countries in Europe and America as they travel there carrying their handicrafts, weavings and textiles.

In this wonderful town you will find many possibilities to get a unique snapshot: People in indian clothing, fruit kiosks, potato sacks, pigs ready for transport and a lot of tourists hunting for an Otavalo souvenir.

Cotacachi is a small town nearby Otavalo where you will find a variety of leather articles such as bags, jackets, hats, gloves and belts. This village is one of the safest in Ecuador, enjoy your stay without stress!

San Pablo Lake lies 5km from Otavalo, every year in september hundreds of persons swim across the lake and come to goal after 3,8km. This wonderfull lake is located on the feet of the Imbabura Mt. and refuges on its borders many small indigenous communities. Windsurfing is very popular as well in San Pablo Lake.

Cuicocha Lagoon located on the southside of Imbabura Mt. has in its middle two islands surrounded by water. You can take a boat and make a tour arround these islands. An experience you won’t forget!