FAQS-Otavalo, Ecuador

FAQs

Is it safe to eat street food?

We do not recommend it, but follow your intuition.

We've heard that the north of Ecuador is dangerous. How does "plan Colombia" affect the Otavalo area?

Plan Colombia really has had no affect on Otavalo. There is no guerilla presence, no danger connected to the oil fields of the Ecuadorian Oriente or of Colombian/Ecuadorian drug trafficking. Otavalo has its share of problems but for the traveler there are no serious risks!

We've heard that the Otavalo area is very dangerous. Is this true?

In Otavalo itself and the immediate area there are no cases of violence or aggression. You must beware of the pickpockets on Saturday. Yes, in past years there have been armed robberies reported at the Lagunas of Mojanda and the Lagunas of Cuicocha. There have been a very few isolated instances in the last year or so. Police tell us that most robberies at the lagunas are "inside jobs", setups.

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More Info.? Any Questions? Write to us at hotel@alishungu.com

We read that the hotels fill up fast on Friday night. Is that true?

So many new hotels have appeared the last few years, there are plenty of hotel rooms available on Friday at all ranges of a budget. During high season, July, August, December and January you may wish to make a reservation anyway. Ask yourself, why just stay for Friday night? There is so much to do in the area. Stay a few days.

Is rabies a problem in Otavalo?

Otavalo has an excellent dog vaccination program! If you are bitten by dog, go to the local health department (located at the San Luis hospital). Try to remember the exact location you were bitten and try to provide an accurate description of the dog. Metropolitan hospital in Quito offers first class medical attention.