Ecuador Shopping

 
by MalenaN
 
  •   Shopping
    by MalenaN
  • Sugarcane stall on Martinez
      Sugarcane stall on Martinez
    by MalenaN
  • Church of Santo Domingo, Latacunga
      Church of Santo Domingo, Latacunga
    by MalenaN
  •   Shopping
    by elsadran
  •   Shopping
    by elsadran
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Suggestions: Souvenir Shopping !

by MichaelFalk1969

There are plenty of opportunities to shop for nice souvenirs in Ecuador, just a few places I liked best: Jorge Washington Street in Quito (between Mariscal and Parque Ejido) has a couple of well-stocked market stands with virtually everything, leather jackets, t-shirts, woolen lama-hoodies, panama hats, wooden toucan-statues, naive indigenous paintings etc. etc. A good place to do shopping and open on Sundays, too. The market stands in Parque Ejido have similar goods in stock and seem to be slightly cheaper; haggling was easier in general. Close to the Plaza Foch is an Ecuador artesania & food store with a good selection of local food and beautiful pottery. Great chocolate !Ecuadorian chocolate is delicious - expensive, but worth the price !The Saquisili Market (only thursdays) ist not specifically targeting tourists, but has nice souvenirs at great prices nonetheless. In my opinion the...

Arte con Sabor a cafe-CUENCA: best combination for coffee and shopping

by elsadran

A wonderfully decorated place where you can have a cup of coffe in a very artistic environment with excellent taste. All the items seem really unique, and beautiful in their imaginative simplicity. I almost liked everything! The prices are very good and I think even if you just go for coffee, you will finally give in and buy something. There are also many little inexpensive things which make a nice gift. Bags, decoration ..delights, paintings, jewelry of good quality silver made by the best ecuadorian designers, and many tasteful items for as cheap as 2$-5$. There is also a permanent exhibition and sale of a famous local painter.Click on the picture

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El Cade: Banos : Tagua, vegetal ivory-Tagua, ivoire vegetal

by Maillekeul

The shop is also the "factory" of Alberto. A small factory, but great products, mainly in Tagua (this white vegetal ivory), or also in colourful grains... You may ask him whatever you want to be built in Tagua, he will do it for you !Cette petite boutique est aussi l'"usine" d'Alberto. Une petite usine, certes, mais avec un gros debit de produits de Tagua, ce fruit blanc dur comme de l'ivoire, ou des colliers a base de graines multicolores... Vous pouvez aussi lui demander de vous confectionner vos fantaisies, il se fera un plaisir de le faire ! Tagua products !Des trucs en tagua !! Between 0.5 and 12 USD.Entre 0.5 et 12 USD.

Local Markets

by mah224

Prices are generally not labeled on products in the local markets. You have to ask the owner. Usually you don't have to pay the starting price. You can usually get a discount of 25%-50% if you try. Never look to excited about anything. If you show on your face that you really want it, you won't get the price down very far, if at all. Go to a few different shops and ask about prices before buying something. Sometimes one shop charges much more for nearly identical items. Also, don't feel bad if you begin bargaining with someone and then decide not to buy the item. The owners will try to tell you how long they spent making it, what good quality and price it is or that they really need the money. Remember, no matter how low the price is, you're wasting your money if you're not going to use the item.

Panama hats

by elsadran

Panama hats are made of “paha toquilla”, which is the toquilla straw plant growing in the north coast of Ecuador. So their origin is Ecuadorian but they took the name because they were first shipped in Panama, before being sold to the markets of Asia, and Europe. The peak trade of this popular hat is traced back in 1850 when the material of the toquilla plant was used to weave a handsome, breathable, light hat very elegant and suitable for the tropicals. Since then millions of people have made one of them an everyday accessory. The quality depends on the density of the weaves and of course the way it is woven. The plant is hand-split into fibers thin as thread and woven very finely. It has to be smooth, soft, with no visible fibers coming out, and not lose its shape when you fold it and you roll it into its box. A really fine hat appears to be made of linen.Prices differ greatly and you...

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Artes J . G - CUENCA: exclusive gifts..

by elsadran

In Cuenca you will surely spend one morning at least strolling down Calle Larga. Just next to the museum of the Aboriginal Cultures, there is a small but very interesting shop with a treasure of beautiful items. There are necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets. The owner is the artist and designer of the jewelry and most of the decorative pieces made of gold and silver, beautiful semi-precious stones, bone, clay, tagua ( a kind of coconut) and coral - also on black coral which is very rare. The designs are exclusive and very imaginative. There are artifacts and antiquities. The prices are very good and you won't have to negotiate.He also repairs watches. It's the perfect place to get special gifts for your friends and family.Above the originally shaped door you will see the artist's initial J. G which stands for Jorge GonzalesClick on the photoArtes J.G. Al lado del Museo de Culturas...

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QUITO: CENTRO COMERICAL EL JARDIN

by swesn

For very modern and hip shopping, go to the New New City that is even further north of Mariscal Sucre.Centro Comerical El Jardin is a thoroughly gigantic and modern shopping mall, complete with hypermarket and many lovely chic cafes and restaurants. Once in here, you would forget that colonial Quito (which is merely half an hour away by Trole) exists.

QUITO: TIANGUEZ

by swesn

I certainly recommend this interesting shop located under the San Francisco church.Once you enter, you feel like you are in some sort of dungeonsor catacombs. The things on display are artworks including ceramics, metallic pieces, masks, etc... inspired by pre-Columbian style, but many done with a modern twist. Indeed, the artworks are fantastic. I understand this is run by a nonprofit organization that supports indigenous and mestizo artisan groups. While the prices are not souvenir-cheap, the pieces are certainly of higher quality and more unique. Do make some purchases support the local people.Even if you do not or are unable to buy anything, you should still drop by for a meander around the ancient catacombs.

QUITO: MERCADO ARTESANIA LA MARISCAL

by swesn

Just like Mexico City has La Ciudadela Artisan Market, Quito's equivalent... albeit less lively, atmospheric, smaller and memorable... is La Mariscal Artisan Market.In northern Ecuador, Otavalo is certainly THE place to satisfy all your woolly needs. But if you want to get souvenirs of other kinds or if you are not heading to Otavalo, then La Mariscal Artisan Market is a great place to make your purchases.While you will certainly find woolly sweaters, hats, etc..., you will also find other crafts made from wood, bags, paintings, etc... The reproductions of Guayasamin's paintings are certainly found in abundance here.

QUITO: INDIGENOUS MARKET AREA

by swesn

From Plaza de Santo Domingo, walk along Rocafuerte in the north-westernly direction for about 3 or 4 blocks and turn left.Here is the indigenous market area where all sort of exotic herbs, barks, leaves, seeds… are sold to be used as whatever form of medication used by the indigenous people. We even passed a shop where shamans dispense treatments for Mal Aire (Bad Air), Ojeada (the Evil Eye), or Baño para la Suerte (Lucky Bath), etc…Try these local treatments, if you are game for it. *gulp*

Stores, Malls or Markets in Ecuador

Top 3 Hotels in Ecuador

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302 Hotels in Ecuador
 
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Shopping: Cities in Ecuador
  1. Quito Shopping
  2. Cuenca Shopping
  3. Guayaquil Shopping
  4. Montañita Shopping
  5. Baños Shopping
  6. Otavalo Shopping
  7. Latacunga Shopping
  8. Laguna Quilotoa Shopping
  9. Cayambe Shopping
  10. Cuyabeno Shopping
  11. Ibarra Shopping

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Questions and Answers

enricosmith profile photo

Q:  Hello I leave in Ecuador next month and i'm looking a spanish school, located in the Pacific Coast. I know there is a school in... 

cindymary profile photo

A: Hello Enrico You're right, Montanita is such a touristic place. I understand you want to avoid it. Last year, I have spent one month in a spanish school in Sua, near... 

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