Top Things to do in Cotacachi
10 Tours in Cotacachi That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Cotacachi, Ecuador including Full-Day Otavalo and Cotacachi Market Tour, Rose Plantation, Equator Line and Otavalo Market Private Tour, Otavalo Indian Market Private Day Tour, Otavalo Market (PRIVATE Day Trip from Quito), Otavalo Market - Full day BY ECUADORTREASURE, Otavalo Daytour, Live Otavalo... Day trip between valleys and mountains, crafts and culture, Cultural Tour of Otavalo: Market and Cuicocha Lagoon visit all inclusive, Otavalo Market, Shared Day trip Otavalo and Cotacachi Tour + San Pablo Lagoon Visit from Quito.
Restaurants in Cotacachi
1. Full-Day Otavalo and Cotacachi Market Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Visit the vibrant markets of Otavalo and Cotacachi on this full-day tour from Quito. Enjoy beautiful viewpoints, a delicious lunch, and an optional boat ride on Cuicocha Lake. This shared tour includes pickup and drop-off from two convenient locations in Quito.
Inclusions: Transportation from Quito to Otavalo and back, Bilingual guide, Lunch, Professional, licensed driver
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Solar Clock ($2), Boat Rides at lake ($3.25)
Reviewed By jodig663
I had a walking tour of Old Town Quito with Caro. She was an excellent guide, providing info on the sights and history of the country. She also helped me practice my Spanish, which gave me a huge confidence boost. I would highly recommend this tour.
2. Rose Plantation, Equator Line and Otavalo Market Private Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Don't waste your time waiting looking for the "typical" tour to Otavalo. Protect your family and avoid unnecessary crowds. Visit a wonderful and charming rose plantation, and also stand at the most accurate site where the equator line passes through..! Have a very relaxing time at the biggest Indian Market of South America, and explore Otavalo's surrounding areas! All this exciting adventures are awaiting for you very close to Quito! Make your stay in the capital city of Ecuador an unforgettable life experience!!
Inclusions: Private transportation, Certified English speaking guide, Mentioned itinerary and visits
Exclusions: Drinks, Meals, All Fees and Taxes
Reviewed By JeannePlantation
I had only one afternoon in Quito to sightsee. I contacted Ecuador's Best Tour with late notice by email and Luis replied right away. Luis has a great laid back, no worries attitude and assured me he would take care of everything and pick me up at my hotel. He arrived early to pick me up. I was thrilled to visit the beautiful Church la Compania. Luis was very knowledgeable about the history of the church and architecture. Next we visited a beautiful view of the city with the statue Virgin of El Panecillo. I only had a few hours to visit and Ecuador's Best Tours really helped me make the most of my visit. I highly recommend booking this with this company and you will be lucky if Luis is your guide. His English is extraordinary and he's just a pleasant guide to be around. I have toured many places around the would and I would say Luis was one of the best guides I have encountered. I got some great photos from my visit and hope to return someday. I would certainly use Ecuador's Best Tours again.
3. Otavalo Indian Market Private Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Protect your family and avoid unnecessary crowds... Don't waste your valuable time waiting for large tour-groups and make your day on your own way! Do an unforgettable excursion escorted by a private and knowledgeable local tour guide, and enjoy the visit to the biggest Indian Market of South America, from the comfort of a private tour! Enjoy this colourful and welcoming culture, visiting its main surrounding areas and attractions. Have a relaxing and memorable day trip during your stay in Quito!
Inclusions: Private transportation, Certified English speaking guide, Mentioned itinerary and visits, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Drinks, Meals
Reviewed By JeannePlantation
I had only one afternoon in Quito to sightsee. I contacted Ecuador's Best Tour with late notice by email and Luis replied right away. Luis has a great laid back, no worries attitude and assured me he would take care of everything and pick me up at my hotel. He arrived early to pick me up. I was thrilled to visit the beautiful Church la Compania. Luis was very knowledgeable about the history of the church and architecture. Next we visited a beautiful view of the city with the statue Virgin of El Panecillo. I only had a few hours to visit and Ecuador's Best Tours really helped me make the most of my visit. I highly recommend booking this with this company and you will be lucky if Luis is your guide. His English is extraordinary and he's just a pleasant guide to be around. I have toured many places around the would and I would say Luis was one of the best guides I have encountered. I got some great photos from my visit and hope to return someday. I would certainly use Ecuador's Best Tours again.
4. Otavalo Market (PRIVATE Day Trip from Quito)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Otavalo is one of the most famous indigenous fair in the country; although the market has greater activity on Saturdays but it is open every day with an impressive variety of handcrafts, tapestries and weaving made by indigenous people of the surrounding villages. Meanwhile, tourists test their Spanish and bargaining skills at stalls vending colorful and inexpensive knitted sweaters, hats, gloves and much more.
Inclusions: Local guide, Transport by private vehicle, Bottle of water, Private tour
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch
Reviewed By Tina S
We needed a rapid Covid test within 72 hours of our flight back to the US. Guanguiltagua Expeditions to the rescue!! Dennis and team helped Us get the test from a private lab that came to our condo in Cuenca and we Received results the very next day! Great experience and great service!
5. Otavalo Market - Full day BY ECUADORTREASURE
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Enjoy a full day in the biggest indigenous market of South America. The perfect opportunity to acquire your souvenirs and enjoy a beautiful landscape.
Inclusions: Local taxes, Lunch, All activities, Professional guide
Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By dragonphoe18
Susy and Angie from Ecuador Treasure were marvelous and managed to sort out an issue at the hotel when they could not find our room reservation. We don't speak Spanish but we hooked onto WIFI and WhatsApp and they spoke directly to hotel reception to resolve. Next day we went on a tour of Quito with Carlos and it turned out to be a private tour since it was just the 2 of us in our group. We had an early start to get ahead of the crowds and we went to visit Pululahua Crater first. Unfortunately it was totally in the mist so we couldn't see the view! But it was good to see the humingbirds and also the indigenous people wandering down into the crater where they live. Next stop to visit Mitad del Mundo, the monument dedicated to where the Equatorial line was calculated to be by the French (who knew?!), followed by the a very fun, educational and interesting visit 'next door' to the Museo de Sitio Intinan. Last stop was to visit the Old City of Quito and its fabulous architecture. Carlos was fabulous and guided us around the buildings and plazas. The tour included lunch and he also showed us where to buy some coffee and chocolate (at our request). Last he took us to visit the local arts and crafts market where we could buy some souvenirs and gifts at better prices than those shops at Mitad del Mundo, which are numerous and all sell the same stuff. It turned out Carlos was our driver the next morning to drop us at the airport. He parked and stayed with us and that was a godsend as there was such a long queue to get the Ingala for the Galapagos (due to the local holiday) and we would have probably missed the flight if he hadn't called in a favour and got us to the front of the check-in queue. If you go on a tour in Quito - ask for Carlos from Ecuador Treasure, he is a top man!
6. Otavalo Daytour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Summary The indigenous town of Otavalo is famous across South America for its handicraft market and colorful inhabitants, but the area also offers far more. Come with us to Otavalo, a small town 2 hours north of Quito, has the biggest Indian handicraft market in South America. But it is not only famous for its typical handicraft, wood, weaving and souvenir markets; but as well as for its landscape. We will drive past Beautiful lakes, Indian villages, high peaks and natural reserves which surround the Otavalo area.
Inclusions: What’s Included:, Lunch, Private Transport, Professional guide
Exclusions: What’s Not Included:, Additional Snacks / Beverages, TIPS, Breakfast
Reviewed By RichardA4235
Could not recommend more highly! We were in Quito and did a day trip to Mindo. Our guide, Alex, was amazing. He was a wealth of information and went far out of his way to show us everything we wanted to see. We zip-lined, went to the butterfly museum, did a chocolate tasting and learned how cocoa beans become chocolate. We also did a cable and hike to a waterfall. We really wanted to hit the equator museum on the way back and Alex made sure we got there -- we were running behind and he called to make sure they would stay open for us. Along the way, he gave us a great sense about Ecuador. Alex even helped us order pizza on the way home . He said that "no" was not in his vocabulary and that turned out to be true. The whole operation was so easy -- they even took us to the airport on our way out. The bus was comfortable, the driver safe, and it was just overall a fabulous trip -- our favorite activity in Quito. Thank you Alex and CarpeDM!
7. Live Otavalo... Day trip between valleys and mountains, crafts and culture
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
I want to give you a family experience, I want to show you the place where I have grown up, where I have seen these wonderful landscapes and also where I have learned about other cultures, share my experience so that your visit is unforgettable, besides going by land is relaxing and safe .
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Bottled water
Exclusions: Boat trip
Reviewed By tamm0v
Jorge is an excellent guide. Very proactive in arranging everything for my trip. Even calling me when I was still at home to make sure everything would go smoothly. He is highly recommended.
8. Cultural Tour of Otavalo: Market and Cuicocha Lagoon visit all inclusive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
- All Inclusive: Professional Bilingual Guide, Lunch and Tourist Visits. - Tourist Transport from Quito - Otavalo - Quito - Trekking - Visit indigenous market - Visit Ponchos Square - Visit San Pablo Lake Viewpoint - Visit and hiking in the Cuicocha Lagoon - Visit to Cotacachi, known for the elaboration of leather goods - Professionalism and Quality of Service - Shared Tour: Every Tuesday and Saturday - Private Tour: Every day.
Inclusions: Professional Tourism Guide, Tourist visits, Lunch, Private transportation
Exclusions: Breakfast, Tickets, Personal expenses
Reviewed By Malejavr12
I had a very good hike with them. They took you from Baños to Chimborazo in a van, and from the first refuge you walk 50 minutes to get to the Condor Cocha Lagoon. The guide is very promptly and kind, he answered every question I had. The downhill was so good. The guide is near you in the van just in case. Highly recommended.
9. Otavalo Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Explore a colorful indigenous market in South America. Otavalo is one of the hundreds of indigenous markets that are still in force in Ecuador. The market is located 55 miles north of Quito. It is located in the inter-Andean valley above 8307feet. It presents a spring weather almost every month of the year with certain exceptions in the months of January through April. Step by step you will discover the skills of weavers from Otavalo. Immerse yourself in Andean colors, textiles with pre-Columbian designs and listen to the indigenous people speak a local language, Spanish and English with special enthusiasm in order to offer you their products. Look rose plantations, green pasturelands and volcanoes that are part of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Near reaching out Otavalo you can distinguish the San Pablo lake which is the largest lake in Ecuador. The lake has an extension of 6 km² and 49 meters deep. The Peguche waterfall and the visit to leather town will complement the day's tour.
Inclusions: An English-speaking Certified Naturalist Guide-Chauffeur, Pick-up from your centrally hotel in Quito, Activities according to the program
Exclusions: Lunch, Tips, Travel insurance
Reviewed By valeriavH3917KD
This day was incredible to look many mountains from the highest part of the visit. The tour guide made the trip a lot of fun. I enjoyed every thing we did. 100% recommended.
10. Shared Day trip Otavalo and Cotacachi Tour + San Pablo Lagoon Visit from Quito
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
In this tour we can see the Indians "Otavalos" develop their textiles. Later we will visit the Otavalo Market, where artisans exhibit their wares.
Inclusions: Professional Tourist Guide, Shared Transportation, Lunch
Exclusions: Entrance fees , Private Transportation
Reviewed By geierdianne
A nice way to spend a few hours bike riding on trails; then walking to see wildlife including crocodiles.
