The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi in Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador

The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi

Outty Ranking 70 4.8 · 23 traveler reviews8.5 hoursFrom $120
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Outty Ranking

70/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 23 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi worth booking?

The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi is a 8.5-hour experience in Quito, Ecuador, from $120 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 23 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
70 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (23)
Duration
8.5 hours
From
$120 per person

This is a fun and relaxing tour of Otavalo Market. You will make stops at great foodie sites, check out a beautiful lake, visit the Quitsato sundial, have a great cup of Ecuadorian coffee, savor some tasty bizcochos and string cheese, have the best slice of pie in Ecuador, enjoy lunch at a gourmet sandwich and burger stop in Cotacachi (Leather town) and shop till you drop at the renowned Otavalo Indigenous marketplace. It´s all about having fun, eating great food, and enjoying life as a local in Ecuador.

What you get

    About this experience

    This is a fun and relaxing tour of Otavalo Market. You will make stops at great foodie sites, check out a beautiful lake, visit the Quitsato sundial, have a great cup of Ecuadorian coffee, savor some tasty bizcochos and string cheese, have the best slice of pie in Ecuador, enjoy lunch at a gourmet sandwich and burger stop in Cotacachi (Leather town) and shop till you drop at the renowned Otavalo Indigenous marketplace. It´s all about having fun, eating great food, and enjoying life as a local in Ecuador.

    What's included

    Included

    • Private transportation
    • Certified Bilingual Guide
    • A fantastic cup of coffee
    • A bag of bizcochos

    Not included

    • Entrance Fees
    • Personal Expenses and Souvenirs
    • Tips for the guide/driver
    • Extra activities not mentioned on the itinerary

    What you'll see and do

    1. Fabrica de Bizcochos San Pedro

      One of our first stops on the tour is the lovely city of Cayambe. You will get to drive by the unique city center and plazas as you make your way to the best Bizcocho (biscuits) and String Cheese factory in Ecuador. The bizcochos are made fresh and from scratch every day. You get to see them being made and placed in the traditional ovens. These bizcochos are very tasty and combined with the string cheese make a delicious morning snack. You can also savor the dulce de leche (caramel) and have a quick cup of coffee or hot chocolate. This stop is the perfect cure for morning sluggishness.

      30 minutes here

    2. Plaza De Los Ponchos Mercado

      Once we arrive at Otavalo we will head to the renowned Plaza de Los Ponchos. The indigenous Otavalo people are famous for weaving textiles, usually made of wool, which are sold at the famous market. Saturdays see the market expand throughout the city but any other day you will find vendors and stands at the Mercado de Los Ponchos. The shops sell textiles such as handmade blankets, tablecloths, handicrafts, paintings, and much more. I love the Otavalo market, you can always find something interesting or quirky to take back home as souvenirs or to decorate your home. Its always fun to haggle with the vendors and hear their stories.

      120 minutes here

    3. San Pablo Del Lago

      We will stop at Lago (Lake) San Pablo for some reflection time in the midst of the beautiful and peaceful surroundings. There is a chance to find ancestral kayaks used for races in the lake by locals. I had a chance to experience these ancestral kayaks and its a strange but wonderful experience. If we schedule this before hand there are small boats that take you around the lake, its a cool experience.

      45 minutes here

    4. Cotacachi

      Cotacachi is a lovely Andean town in the middle of the mountains. The town is beautiful, very well kept, organized and picturesque. You feel safe and not crowded as you walk down Cotacachi´s main street where you will find the best leather products in Ecuador. Cotacachi has always been famous for its leather products such as jackets, purses, wallets, belts, shoes, etc. Nowadays, new local fashion designers have created beautiful and unique leather products which you can shop for. Many of my past clients have been looking for the perfect leather jacket and have found it in Cotacachi. After some window shopping, we will have lunch at a great sandwich and burger place that uses artisanal bread, local beef and makes the freshest and most delicious treats in town. If you are a coffee lover like me, we will head for an after lunch coffee at a new hipster cool coffee lounge in Cotacachi. Trust me, this place serves a mean coffee.

      180 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Galapagos Connoisseur

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Quitsato Cayambe, The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi in QuitoFreshly made bizcochos, The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi in QuitoEnjoying some string cheese in Cayambe, The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi in QuitoHot bizcochos, The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi in QuitoBizcochos everywhere, The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi in QuitoLocal on ancestral kayaks, The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi in Quito

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 23 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    23 verified traveler reviews for The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    19
    4 star
    4
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Shannon_C · April 2026

    Sergio was very...

    Sergio was very knowledgeable. We saw everything we wanted to. For the beginning of the drive conversation was minimal. Felt that we could have gotten more information and knowledge during that time. Best when we initiated conversations.

    Response from the operator: Hi Shannon, thanks for your good review. I'm glad you had a good time with Sergio. I'll let him know about being more talkative next time around.

    via Viator

    942colleend · March 2026

    Fantastic Tour to Otavalo

    Andres did an amazing job showing our friend group parts of Quito on our way to Otavalo. He shared so much information about the area and the history of the highlands. We enjoyed the local Biscottis and coffee. The Museo Solar was something that should not be missed. The highlands tour is a must. Andres was a fantastic host and guide for our trip to this beautiful area.

    Response from the operator: Hi Colleen, thanks for the amazing review. I had a blast with y'all. Hope you had a great time in Ecuador. Cheers!

    via Tripadvisor

    Anonymous · January 2026

    Great day!

    It's a great trip. Andreas was a wonderful guide. Showed us more places than what was in the ad. He was knowledgeable,interesting and pleasant to spend the day with.

    Response from the operator: Hi guys, thanks for the great review. I had a great time with you guys during the whole trip. Hope you had a blast in Ecuador. Cheers!

    via Viator

    jennyzG2706OK · September 2025

    Great tour and great guide

    We had a very good trip at the two markets and solar museum and the bisnocho place. Diego is a great guide, friendly and knowledgeable. I spent more time than scheduled in the Otavalo market which pushed the return time more than an hour late and there was traffic coming back. Diego waited patiently. While in the solar museum Diego showed us around the Agavae garden and gave us detailed explanation on each variety. It was a great experience. Learned a lot at solar museum. Bisnocho was delicious. Lunch was very tasty, bought what I like in the markets. Highly recommend this trip and highly recommend Diego.

    Response from the operator: Hi Jenny, thanks for your wonderful review :) Im so happy you had a great time in Otavalo with Diego. He is a great guide!

    via Tripadvisor

    Alisha_H · August 2025

    Our guide was Jean Pierre...

    Our guide was Jean Pierre Segovia. He was absolutely amazing taught us so so much about Equador. We had the most amazing day. He was happy to go with the flow and move at our pace. 1000% recommend.

    Response from the operator: Hi Alisha, thanks for the wonderful review! Jean Pierre is an amazing guide, glad you had a great tour. Cheers!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    8.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    8
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Galapagos Connoisseur, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.5.

    See everything Galapagos Connoisseur runs

    Why this scores 70

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)88
    Review evidence (18% weight)56
    Booking momentum (14% weight)48
    Value for money (12% weight)67
    Listing quality (10% weight)76
    Local standing (8% weight)46
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Quito.

    How much does The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi cost?

    +

    Prices start at $120 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Quito usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi take?

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    Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Quito is not rushed.

    Is The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 23 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Quito, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi?

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    Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Quito can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Quito and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Quito within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Quito?

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    On Outty we rank every Quito experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotopaxi Volcano full day tour with all the entrances, every day, Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way, Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Quito?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Quito?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi?

    +

    Included: Private transportation; Certified Bilingual Guide; A fantastic cup of coffee; and A bag of bizcochos. Not included: Entrance Fees; Personal Expenses and Souvenirs; Tips for the guide/driver; and Extra activities not mentioned on the itinerary. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 26 listed pickup locations in and around Quito. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi offered in?

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    It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Quito. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi?

    +

    Across 23 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi.

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