Otavalo market near Quito Ecuador

If you ever go to Quito do not miss the Otavalo market - the biggest outdoor market in South America. Just make cure you have lots of cash, and lots of room in your luggage.

Quito has very few tourist type shops etc so good quality souvenirs at a reasonable cost are hard to find.

Otavalo is a market lovers dream come true, for all manner of things but especially wonderful bright woven goods of all types. The big day is Saturday, which we couldn't do, but actually it was very pleasant the day we went as the stall holders were more relaxed, had time to chat, and were not at all pushy. You can bargain, and we were told to offer 1/4 less which we did, but the goods were lovely quality and sooo cheap it seemed almost rude to bargain.

The colours, the people, its just an all round lovely experience (and I did manage to get my suitcase done up, but it was a close run thing)