6 Best Places to Shop in The Central Highlands, Ecuador

El Cade sells items carved from the seed of the tagua palm, a hard substance also known as vegetal ivory.

At the Saturday market held on Latacunga's Plaza San Sebastián most of the goods for sale are geared to the locals—fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. Pick up one of the shigras, the colorful, handwoven hemp bags used by indigenous people.

In the tiny mountain village of Pujilí, 10 km (6 mi) west of Latacunga, colorful markets are held on Sunday and, with much less ado, on Wednesday. Few tourists find their way here, so instead of gringos in T-shirts you'll see locals in bright turquoise or carmine ponchos and miniature fedoras buying and selling produce, pottery, and costume jewelry.

Recuerdos sells balsa-wood carvings of parrots and other birds made in a workshop behind the store.

The market town of San Miguel de Salcedo, 14 km (9 mi) south of Latacunga, has pleasant streets and plazas that make it appealing on any day. However, it's most interesting to plan your visit around the Sunday market or the smaller one held on Thursday.

In Saquisilí, 13 km (8 mi) northwest of Latacunga, indigenous people in regional dress fill all eight of the village's dusty plazas during the Thursday market, where you can pick through piles of traditional wares—including painted wooden masks of animals and devils.