From Quito to Otavalo market: the perfect day trip in Ecuador. Take the bus from Quito to Otavalo!

From Quito to Otavalo market: the perfect day trip in Ecuador. Take the bus from Quito to Otavalo and visit the Otavalo market! I will explain in detail how to get to Otavalo from Quito. The Otavalo market is very colourful and the perfect spot for souvenir and jewellery bargaining. Really no need to book an arranged market tour! Just take the bus from Quito to Otavalo, it’s way cheaper and very easy.

Read more about:

• what to do and what to eat in Quito
• the different areas of Quito

How to get to Otavalo from Quito

Public transport in Quito is very good and very cheap. There are two steps you need to undertake when you go by bus from Quito to Otavalo. In Quito you need to get to the Carcelén bus terminal, from the Carcelén bus terminal you need to get to Otavalo. Piece of cake, but let me describe in detail to get you fully prepared. Including pictures and maps!

Step 1: Take the bus in Quito to the Carcelén bus terminal

Take the bus in Quito to the Carcelén bus terminal in the north, this is only $0,25 per person (yup, cheap!). You pay in cash (take coins!) when you enter the bus station. The easiest way is to take the trolleybus (trolebús) from the C line, you need to take bus C5. You can take this bus from the following stations: El Ejido (closest to historic centre), Colón, Mariana de Jesús, Estadio (close to park La Carolina), La “Y”, Parque Kennedy, Del Maestro and Parquenor. On the map I made I indicated these C5 stations in orange. Most likely you will travel from one of the first four stations as these are more the touristic area. Take a look at Google Maps or ask your hotel which of these stations is closest to where you stay. At the map at the far right you will see “T. Interprovincial Carcelén”, this is where you have to go for step 1, it’s the final station.

Step 2: Take the bus from the Carcelén bus terminal to Otavalo

You are at the bigger Carcelén bus terminal now. You are going to buy a ticket for the bus to Otavalo.

Buy ticket to Otavalo

This is easy, when you enter the station, at your left-hand side you will see many little ticket booths that sell tickets to all different places. At the first (closest to you) ticket booth they sell tickets to Otavalo. It’s indicated at the top of the booth, if you know this it’s quite easy to find 😉. The tickets are 2,50$ per person, and an extra 0,20$ terminal fee. We noticed that they tend to round up the amounts like 6$ for 2 persons. Bring small cash to speed up the process – in general in Ecuador they like exact (or at least small) change. You ticket will have a bus number and seat number(s). Ask – to be sure – what the number of the platform is: ¿Cual plataforma?. But it will be platform one or two as these are assigned to Coop. Otavalo (the bus company).

As in every big city, you have to be cautious with regard to your stuff. Don’t take a lot of money with you at the streets. Leave your passport at the hotel. Preferably locked 🔐. Take extra care in public transport and at busy places.

👙 Girls, use your bra as a storage space.

👖 And men, always use your front pockets instead of your back pockets.

Take the bus to Otavalo

Then walk to the platform, it’s at the end of the terminal. In case you are not sure, just ask people, they are very friendly. But it’s well indicated. Make sure to keep your ticket with you and look at the bus number on the ticket. Then look for the bus with this number. It’s indicated at the front corner of the bus. Take your seat at the assigned seat number and off you go. It’s a very comfortable bus and you definitely have a seat.

Views along the way

Arrive in Otavalo

You will arrive in Otavalo at the bus terminal. This is also where you need to get back to after you are done shopping 😊 Take a look at the map I made with all the important locations that you will need for this day trip from Quito to Otavalo.

The map with the important locations you need for you daytrip to Otavalo from Quito

Booking.com

How to get from Otavalo to Quito

Tip: try to get back on time, about max. 3pm, so you have enough leeway to get back before dark

After you are done shopping you would like to head back to Quito, this is as easy as it was this morning 😊. But then vice versa.

Step 1: Take the bus from Otavalo to the Carcelén bus terminal

Head back to the Otavalo bus terminal, called Terminal Terrestre De Otavalo (also indicated at the map I made). This is the same terminal as were you arrived from Quito. There is an office of the Otavalo bus company, but you don’t need to walk “all the way there” to buy a ticket. Just walk in the direction and for sure you will at least hear two men scream “QUITO! QUITO!”, ask them “QUITO?!” and they will point you to the bus that is about to leave. This will be of the same Otavalo bus company as you took when you came here. You don’t have an assigned seat now, just sit where you want. When you have left Otavalo, someone will come to collect the bus fee that will be $2,70 per person. Stay in the bus till you are at the Carcelén bus terminal in Quito.

Step 2: Take the bus from the Carcelén bus terminal back to your station in Quito

Take the C5 bus from the Carcelén bus terminal to get back to Quito. You buy a ticket for $0,25 per person to get back. There is a long (slightly higher) platform where the C5 bus departs at Carcelén. You can always ask for directions if you are unable to find the platform, people are very nice. When you are at the C5 trolebus, it’s just a matter of time until you arrive at ‘your’ station again. This will most likely be El Ejido (closest to historic centre), Colón, Mariana de Jesús or Estadio (close to park La Carolina).

As in every big city, you have to be cautious with regard to your stuff. Don’t take a lot of money with you at the streets. Leave your passport at the hotel. Preferably locked 🔐. Take extra care in public transport and at busy places.

👙 Girls, use your bra as a storage space.

👖 And men, always use your front pockets instead of your back pockets.

Booking.com