The continent’s largest outdoor market is a sight to behold and is an unmissable South American highlight both for content and cultural significance. Here is a market that actually offers the best souvenir shopping of the lot!

Indigenous Ecuadorians have been trading their wares here for centuries, certainly long before Europeans ever arrived, and the markets are recognised for their magnificent endurance. Besides all this historical prominence, however, you’ll find endless rows of exceptional artefacts, homewares, hand-knitted textiles and stunning pottery painted with iconic Andean scenes. 

The most exciting (and historical) trading is done at first light, when farmers descend on the Otavalo Markets to buy and sell livestock. Following this, indigenous artists, carvers, pottery makers, and artisans take their turn to sell their exquisite creations. 

This is the most colourful, most unforgettable and most rewarding market you’ll probably ever visit anywhere and if you can swing by for a visit on your South America travels, you could go home with the best shopping haul of all. Just make sure your stay runs over a weekend as Saturday is the BIG market day here in Otavalo.

According to vivaexpeditions.com