Dating from 1790, Hosteria Pinsaqui has lost none of its colonial charm and is a firm favourite on our Ecuador holidays. Situated two hours to the north of Quito, at the foot of the Imbabura volcano, it is ideally situated for visits to the world-famous Otavalo market, which definitely counts as a must-see. The beauty of the surrounding countryside is also notable, with the mountains and lakes of San Pablo, Mojanda and Cuicocha are nearby and well worth seeing themselves.
Simon Bolivar himself (the "liberator" of much of South America from Spanish rule) certainly thought so - he regularly stayed at Hosteria Pinsaqui and the first peace treaty between Ecuador and Colombia was signed within the walls of the hacienda.
Today, the Hosteria Pinsaqui has been renovated to a very high standard but without losing its sense of history and guests can enjoy the colonial ambiance of the building and the 200-year-old gardens without compromising on comfort or facilities - the perfect preparation for an early start to get those bargains at Otavalo market tomorrow!
Otavalo Market
Hosteria Pinsaqui is located just outside Otavalo market and we can easily arrange a trip there for you. Otavalo is arguably the most famous indigenous market in the whole of South America, and certainly the largest in Ecuador and it's a superb place to pick up bargains on local craft items, particularly textiles. Saturday is the biggest day of the market but there it is busy on other days too - notably Monday and Wednesday - so you don't have to restrict yourself to this.
Horse-riding and hiking
Pinsaqui is perfect for anyone looking to get some horse-riding in on their Ecuador holiday, and expert guides and horses to suit all abilities are available to take you on rides to the base of the Imbabura volcano, and to some of the nearby lakes. Many of these trails are also great for hiking and again, there are routes to suit all abilities to various destinations in the area.