Discover the Vibrant Culture of Otavalo

Getting There

• Car

  From Mindo Cloud Forest, start your journey by heading east on the E28 road. Follow the signs towards Nanegalito. After approximately 30 minutes, you will reach the junction where you need to take a left onto the E28A road towards Otavalo. Continue on E28A for about 1 hour until you reach the outskirts of Otavalo. Make sure to keep an eye out for signs for the town center, as you will want to head towards the market area. Once in Otavalo, you can park in public parking areas available near the market.

• Public Transportation (Bus)

  To travel from Mindo Cloud Forest to Otavalo using public transportation, first, walk to the main bus terminal in Mindo. Look for buses heading to Quito (these are frequent). You will need to take a bus to the Quito terminal (approximately 1-1.5 hours ride). Upon arriving in Quito, transfer to a bus going to Otavalo, which takes around 2 hours. Buses to Otavalo depart frequently from the northern terminal (Terminal Carcelén). The total cost for the trip might range from $4 to $7, depending on the bus services you choose.

• Shared Taxi

  For a more comfortable journey, consider taking a shared taxi from Mindo to Otavalo. You can arrange this by asking locals or at your accommodation. Shared taxis usually leave when they are full and can take around 1.5 hours to reach Otavalo. The cost per person typically ranges between $10 to $15, depending on how many passengers are sharing the ride. This option is faster than public buses and provides a more direct route.