Step back in time in Otavalo.
High in the mountains of Ecuador, the village of Otavalo is operating the same way it has for centuries. Populated mostly by indigenous, Quichua-speaking artisans, it is a wonderful place for kids to learn about another culture and to see the colorful local crafts at the famous market. Many travelers opt to take the trip by tour bus, and enjoy a stunning three-hour ride up the mountain.
At the market, children will love seeing the beaded jewelry, embroidered clothing, and unique knick-knacks colorfully displayed all around them. The people of Otavalo dress in traditional garb. There are also artisans working their crafts in public – people working at looms, grandmothers on low stools separating the wool, and even kids weaving baskets. Master weavers demonstrate how they make traditional items of clothes. You and your kids can take home a felt hat that was made right before your eyes.
Make chocolate! And learn it’s incredible story.
It won’t be hard to convince your kids to go to a chocolate factory. The ChocoMuseo in the Peruvian village of Ollantaytambo works to keep Central America’s chocolate traditions pure. Ollantaytambo is one of the only places where visitors can still explore streets and useable buildings built by the Inca. ChocoMuseo is only steps from the ancient ruins.
Ecuador is considered by many experts to have the best chocolate in the world. Kids can watch cocoa go from bean to chocolate bar on some of Ecuador’s hands-on chocolate plantation tours. And of course they can eat plenty of the final product.