Quito
Next to Tianguez cafe, this fair-trade shop sells a wide selection of quality handmade crafts from across Ecuador. Items are arranged by region, with…
Must-see shopping in Ecuador
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Baños
The family from Salasaca who own this shop weave many of the gorgeous wool rugs and tapestries in their workshop upstairs. There's a good selection of…
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Puerto Ayora
You'll find one-of-a-kind gifts at this jeweler, with exquisite handmade works by Ecuadorian artisans. Some pieces incorporate lava forms, others feature…
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Puerto Ayora
A high-end artists boutique selling uniquely designed handicrafts, jewelry and ceramics.
Otavalo
This is the reason everyone comes to town. For centuries, Otavalo has hosted one of the most important markets in the Andes, a weekly fiesta that…
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Casa del Sombrero Alberto Pulla
Cuenca
The hats of Cuenca’s most famous hatter have graced the noggins of Presidents, celebrities and hundreds of local indigenous women. Alberto Pulla himself…
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Vilcabamba
Extraordinary array of over 5000 books that can be bought outright or for part-exchange.
Quito
Half a city block filled by more than 200 crafts stalls, with good prices and mixed quality. It’s great for souvenirs.
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Librería del Fondo Carlos Fuentes
Quito
One of Ecuador's best bookshops is located in the former mansion of Galo Plaza Lasso, Ecuadorian president from 1948 to 1952. An excellent selection of…
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Cuenca
The Plaza de San Francisco Market has an interesting combination of basketry, ceramics, ironwork, wooden utensils, plastic trinkets, gaudy religious…
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Cuenca
More akin to a hat emporium, this is Ecuador’s best-known hat seller. The company exports around the world and has a huge selection of high-quality straw…
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Cuenca
Just below the Mirador de Turi – and 4km south of the center – is the home, workshop and studio of Eduardo Vega, Ecuador’s most important ceramic artist…
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Quito
One of the finest handicraft and clothing shops in the city, Galería Latina has a huge selection of beautifully made pieces: tagua carvings, colorful…
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Quito
This sparkling two-story complex just off Plaza Foch offers top-quality Ecuadorian-made products, ranging from handicrafts, jewelry, clothing and coffee…
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Otavalo
Santiago Ayala has been making professional-grade instruments for his fellow musicians for a long while, and it's worth a stroll down from the re-sellers…
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Quito
The store of legendary designer Olga Fisch (who died in 1991) is a good place to go for high-quality crafts, bags and accessories. Fisch was a Hungarian…
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The Oriente
This foundation aids the Shuar and Achuar by selling crafts, herbal remedies and beauty products. Our personal favorite? The soap made from local cinnamon…
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Quito
Byron Ushiña, a jewelry designer who learned the craft from his father and grandfather, sells unique, beautifully made pieces, incorporating pre-Columbian…
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Cuenca
On the west side of the Plaza de San Francisco is this artisan market, which houses more than 100 craft stalls selling handmade musical instruments,…
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Cuenca
Featuring high-quality textiles, baskets, clothing, jewelry and ceramics, this fair-trade shop is a wonderful showcase from which to scoop up souvenirs…
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Cuenca
Basketry, ceramics, wooden utensils, plastic trinkets, religious paraphernalia and decorative souvenirs can be purchased at this low-pressure, pleasant…
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Coca
This Kichwa handicrafts outlet is packed with handmade jewelry, woven string bags and pottery, in case you return empty-handed from your visits to river…
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Puyo
Sells artisanal crafts made by Waorani women, including jewelry, spears, hammocks, blowguns and palm string bags. Artisans receive a portion of every sale.
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Central Highlands
Tienda El Salinerito is Salinas local outlet for all the products made by the communities, including fuzzy wool sweaters, chocolate, cheese and jams.
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Quito
Ag’s selection of rare, handmade silver jewelry from throughout South America is outstanding. You’ll also find antiques.
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Cuenca
The best selection of English-language books around, plus maps and a wealth of local info. They offer Spanish lessons, too.
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North Coast & Lowlands
This is where to come to browse for tapestries, baskets, tagua (vegetable ivory)carvings and other Chachi pieces.
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Cuenca
Amazing fruit and vegetable market in a covered building on Plaza Civica 9 de Octubre (also known as Plaza Rotary).
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The Oriente
Find food, footwear and fashion at the Macas market, a great place to roam while you're waiting for your bus.
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Quito
An artists' collective selling beautiful handmade jewelry, prints, bags, textiles and other handicrafts.
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North Coast & Lowlands
Here you can snatch up high-quality straw 'Panama' hats for under $100, but check them closely. None are blocked or banded, but they’re cheaper than just…
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Cuenca
Artesa is a big Ecuadorian ceramics company that incorporates old Andean ceramic styles into high-quality, hand-painted pieces. If you just can’t live…
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Guayaquil
This large artisan's market has a huge variety of crafts from all over Ecuador, including Otavalo-style sweaters, plus Panama hats, carved chessboards and…
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Baños
At this outdoor crafts market, you’ll find endless quantities of locally made baubles and a regional craft called tagua-carving – white, golfball-size…
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Quito
This bohemian store is a great place to hunt for handmade crafts, ceramics, wooden items, paper-mache pieces, jewelry and toys, most of them produced by…
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Quito
One of the country’s biggest sellers of Ecuadorian straw hats (aka panama hats). Offers a small but versatile selection of its famous Cuenca brand.
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Guayaquil
San Marino in Kennedy is a large, high-end mall with designer shops, a movie theater, food court, and American restaurants such as TGI Fridays.
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Otavalo
Don’t expect much meat or produce at this grocery store/supermarket, whose specialty is all things canned. But you will find an ATM here.
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Quito
This art gallery, which opened more than 30 years ago, sells paintings and sculptures by well-known Ecuadorian artists.
