Markets Ecuador

The Cuenca region is famous for its large production of flowers of many varieties. Behind the new cathedral, in front of the church El Carmen de la Asunción, there is a colourful market every day - the Mercado de las Flores - which is fragrant in the sun. Cholas cuencanas in traditional costumes sit on small stools behind their resplendent stalls. It is a great attraction for visitors and this market has become one of the symbols of Cuenca. There are also beautiful potted plants. Worth a visit.

Located in and around the covered market hall, this market is packed with stalls selling fruit and vegetables, spices and cereals, all sold by local farmers. It's a meeting place for locals, who come to stock up on fresh provisions and discuss the latest news from the city. The scents and colors alone are worth the detour. Go around lunchtime to sample the dishes prepared by the Otavaleños! You can enjoy traditional dishes such ascaldo de gallina and hornado

Here we are in the biggest handicraft market in the province of Guayas. You can find handicrafts from all over the country, and even from farther away. Hats, jewelry, weavings, sculptures and trinkets of all kinds. This covered market is composed of more than 170 souvenir stands, unfortunately all offering more or less the same merchandise. If you haven't bought anything yet and are leaving the country, you might find a gift or two to bring back.

In the north of Mariscal, the Santa Clara market is one of the most popular by aboriginal people for fresh products, meat, flowers and trinkets. You can browse in the stalls looking for exotic fruits and juices, dried herbs, food for a picnic, woven baskets… You can eat at any time of the day, in a healthy atmosphere and for a small amount of money. There are students at the nearby central university. This peaceful, authentic district is worthy of travel.

This is one of the main markets in the city centre. It is held in a large hall on two levels and you can find everything. From traditional spices brought by indigenous families working in the fields to clothing imported from the Far East, this is a market for locals more than tourists and that's a big part of its charm. You will also find an area reserved for the feria de la comida type of meal where you can taste the most typical dishes and buy food. A joyful atmosphere

You will find everything and anything in this big market: electronic equipment, animals, fruits and vegetables, other food products, clothes, various souvenirs, trinkets... It is a meeting place where all strata of the population mingle. Many farmers from the region sell their produce there. It is on Thursday that the market is the most important, and thus gathers the most people. Be careful, not everything you find here comes from Ecuador and the sellers will only tell you if you ask them...

A little outside the city, you can find calves, cows, pigs, ducks... and dogs at the best price. Many of these exchanges still take place according to the old tradition of bartering, which is rapidly losing ground to the exchange of greenbacks. On all sides, the natives are busy, recognizable by their colorful costumes: midnight blue poncho on white trousers, rope espadrilles, long braid and hat for the men; long blue woollen skirt slit on a white petticoat, white embroidered bodice, golden pearl necklaces for the women... Be early.

If you don't pass by Otavalo, the biggest handicraft market of the country, nothing is lost to find the products with the shimmering colors that the craftsmen of the country produce. Here, on the plaza San Francisco, where recently you can even take a picture of yourself in front of the giant letters that form the name of the city, you will discover a hundred stands often held by charming Andean women covered with necklaces and golden bracelets who will offer you clothes and souvenirs.

Installed under a large hall, the population of Cuenca supplies itself with agricultural products of the area. A nice colorful walk, in the middle of very beautiful displays of flowers, spices, exotic fruits, vegetables, corn of all kinds. You can also buy chocolate, produced with Ecuadorian cocoa. You will also find here several stands where you can taste typical almuerzos with the locals, on the floor of the market.

These covered halls are home to a lively all-day market. Stalls sell fruit and vegetables, meat and other products. It is also possible to eat in one of the taverns called puestos de comida, where you can sit elbow to elbow (typical and traditional cuisine at low prices). Authentic: not to be missed, especially since a major project to completely renovate the market is underway. Several very modern projects are in competition, the result should be superb, but less traditional.

To buy food or taste local cuisine (roasted pig, chicken broth, ceviches...) in a popular atmosphere, go to the central market. It is the most important market of the city. It is spread over two floors. On the ground floor you can find foodstuffs such as fruit, vegetables, ambateño chocolate, bread, cheese, etc. On the second floor is the food court where you can taste the exquisite flavours of the local gastronomy. People come from far and wide to taste the best Ambato cuisine.

A visit and tastings not to be missed. The sugar cane, very appreciated by the locals, is sold in all its forms: cut up like chips to chew, in confectionery(alfeñique and melcocha), in juice(jugo de caña) alcoholic or not. The cane is pressed in front of you and a green elixir is extracted, it is sweet and refreshing. The slightly alcoholic version will delight punch lovers! Another speciality sold: guava fruit pastes.