To buy a poncho in person, the two best-known options are the Plaza de Ponchos in Otavalo (about two hours from Quito) and the La Mariscal craft market in Quito. If you prefer not to travel or walk between stalls, you can also order online and receive it at home. This guide is written by Alpaca, a store that sells ponchos online, so we say it right from the start: here we give you the pros and cons of each option, including the ones that are not ours.
Quick summary: where to buy depending on what you are looking for
| Option | Who it is for | Main advantage | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaza de Ponchos, Otavalo | Anyone who wants to see, touch and choose from a huge number of pieces | Huge variety and a market atmosphere | You have to travel; you need to ask about the composition of each item |
| La Mariscal craft market, Quito | Anyone in Quito who wants to see several stalls in one visit | It is in the city; haggling is part of the experience | It is a mix of souvenirs and crafts; not everything is loom-woven |
| Craft shops | Anyone who wants service and a fixed place to come back to | A person who explains the garment to you | Every shop is different: ask about composition and exchanges |
| Online (Alpaca or other stores) | Anyone who is not nearby, is short on time or is buying a gift | You shop from home, with shipping and a written exchange policy | You cannot touch the fabric before paying |
Plaza de Ponchos in Otavalo
It is the most famous place in the country to buy woven goods. According to a travel guide, the Otavalo market is open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday is when it reaches its peak: the square and nearby streets turn into one big flea market. A 2015 Vistazo report said that about 3,500 vendors work on Saturdays and an average of 800 on other days (these are figures from years ago, so take them as an order of magnitude).
An Expreso report details what you find there: tapestries, scarves and blankets, including alpaca garments, as well as items made of tagua, leather, clay, carved wood and stone, and hats. In other words: it is not only ponchos.
How to get there from Quito
Otavalo is about 100 km north of Quito, around two hours away. The same travel guide says you can go by bus from the Carcelén Bus Station, or book a guided tour of about eight hours. If you go on Saturday, leave early: it is the busiest day.
Pros
- You see and touch many garments before deciding.
- There is a huge variety of colors, sizes and designs.
- You can combine the purchase with an outing: Peguche, the neighboring village, is known for its weaving workshops and its waterfalls.
Cons
- You have to set aside a whole day if you leave from Quito.
- Not everything you see is the same material or was made the same way. A Wanderlust article notes that today part of what is sold is made with electric machines, while the most valued pieces are woven in family workshops. Always ask.
- The price depends on the negotiation and the stall. We do not give you figures because we have not been able to verify them and they change.
La Mariscal craft market, in Quito
It is an open-air market that takes up half a block on Jorge Washington street, in the La Mariscal neighborhood. A review from the Indagare shopping guide describes it as a place of craft and souvenir stalls that stands out for its alpaca blankets and leather bags, and advises not to be afraid to haggle. We did not find confirmed opening hours in reliable sources, so before you go, check Google Maps or ask someone in the neighborhood.
Pros
- It is inside the city: no trip needed.
- You can compare several stalls in a single walk.
Cons
- It is a souvenir market for tourists and a crafts market in general. There is a bit of everything, and you have to tell what is woven and what is not.
- Information about each garment depends on what each vendor tells you.
Craft shops in Quito and Otavalo
Besides the markets there are shops with fixed premises in both cities. We do not name them here because we have not been able to verify their hours or prices, and we prefer not to repeat old information. The advantage of a shop with premises is that someone explains the garment to you and you have somewhere to go back to if something goes wrong. Before paying, ask three things: what it is made of, whether it can be exchanged and whether they give you a receipt.
Online, including Alpaca
Buying online makes sense if you live far away, if you are short on time or if the poncho is a gift. Several Ecuadorian stores sell online; we are one of them and we tell you how we work so you can decide with facts:
- Who we are: Alpaca started in Quito in 2018. We make ponchos, shawls and blankets in Ecuador with artisan families from Peguche, the weaving village next to Otavalo. You can read more in our story.
- What we sell: most of our ponchos, all the shawls and the blankets are 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic. Three ponchos (Night Rain, Calm Rain and Imbabura Flower) are 80% cotton and 20% polyester. If you are looking for a pure alpaca garment, we are not your option; in this guide we explain the difference.
- Prices today (they change): ponchos from US$30, shawls from US$22.50 and blankets from US$29.25.
- Shipping: what you order one day ships the next day and arrives a day later. Anywhere in Ecuador it costs US$5.50 (Quito and valleys, US$4.99). In Quito there is Alpaca Flash: US$8.50 and it arrives the same day if you order by 9 p.m. There is no dispatch on Sundays and holidays. Details in the shipping policy.
- Exchanges: you have 30 days from when you receive it, with the item unused. You can ask for a refund, an exchange or a credit. The customer pays the return shipping, unless there is a defect or a mistake on our side. More in the exchange policy.
- Payments: credit or debit card, bank transfer or Deuna; you can also order on WhatsApp at 098 7878 444.
An honest downside: on a screen you cannot feel the fabric. That is why we write down the measurements and composition of each garment, and why the 30-day window exists.
How to buy well anywhere: six questions
- What is it made of? Alpaca, sheep wool, acrylic, cotton or a blend. If the seller does not know, assume it is a blend.
- How was it made? On a loom, by machine, in a family workshop. You have every right to ask.
- How big is it? Ponchos are almost always one size, but the size varies. Most of ours measure 96 × 126 cm, and the Spirit models and Andean Shadow measure 86 × 115 cm, measured from the shoulders.
- Can it be exchanged? In a market it is usually difficult. Ask about the terms before paying.
- How is it washed? A delicate garment needs care: read this care guide.
- What is the total price? With shipping or transport included, so you compare like with like.
So, where is best for you?
- You want an experience and have a free day: Otavalo, preferably on a Saturday and early.
- You are in Quito just passing through: La Mariscal or a craft shop.
- It is a gift, you live in another city or you need it to arrive fast: online. If you want to see how to choose, start with this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Plaza de Ponchos in Otavalo?
In the center of Otavalo, in Imbabura province, about 100 km north of Quito. According to a travel guide, the market is open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday is the biggest day.
What is the best day to go to Otavalo?
Saturday, because the market spreads through the nearby streets and there are more stalls. Of course, there are also more people: leave early.
Are there poncho markets in Quito?
Yes. The La Mariscal craft market, on Jorge Washington street, sells crafts and souvenirs, including blankets and woven goods. Confirm the opening hours before you go.
Can I buy a poncho online with same-day delivery in Quito?
With Alpaca, yes: with Alpaca Flash, in Quito only, you pay US$8.50 and it arrives the same day if you order by 9 p.m. For the rest of the country, shipping goes out the next day and arrives a day later.