Cotacachi ranks among Ecuador's most celebrated artisanal towns. It is an ideal destination to experience a visit rich in indigenous culture; especially given that the natural landscapes are breathtaking. This town holds considerable tourist appeal for ecology enthusiasts and fans of Ecuadorian indigenous heritage.

Cotacachi Today

Located in Ecuador's Imbabura province, 8 km northwest of the city of Otavalo and approximately 4.8 km west of the Pan-American Highway, Cotacachi is the seat of the canton bearing the same name. It stretches across a vast area of 1,848.5 km at the foot of the Cotacachi volcano.

In 2010, Cotacachi's population numbered around 8,848 inhabitants. The town is also recognized for its demographic diversity. Thanks to its location at the center of several major Ecuadorian cities such as Quito, Ibarra, and the coastal province of Esmeraldas, over 30% of its total population are indigenous peoples. Indeed, it is heavily composed of numerous mestizos from Quito and Afro-Ecuadorians from Esmeraldas. The number of foreign residents exceeded 500 in a recent census.

Discovering the Town's National Reputation

Thanks to this diversity, Cotacachi possesses a rich indigenous culture. It is a town of artisans celebrated for their craftsmanship excellence. Cotacachi is thus considered Ecuador's leather capital. The town boasts over 50 artisanal leather shops, the majority lining the main street, known as Calle 10 de Agosto. When visiting these boutiques, you'll find everything crafted from leather: shoes, boots, jackets, bags, suitcases, and wallets. The majority of leather goods sold throughout Ecuador originate from Cotacachi.

Meeting the Town's Inhabitants

Typically, town residents and indigenous villagers from surrounding areas gather on Sundays for market day. To meet the local population, it's best to rise early in the morning. You can also discover local products: fruits, vegetables, spices, and seafood.

Where to Relax and Enjoy the Attractions?

With its few colonial buildings, Cotacachi strives to preserve its former charm. On its magnificent main square, you can appreciate the beauty of the town's historic structures. Among these majestic architectures stands the imposing Cathedral of Saint Peter. It is ranked among the town's jewels. It stands on the main plaza and proudly displays a brightly colored statue of Jesus.

For nature lovers, Cotacachi's pastoral landscape is a true corner of paradise for discovering local biodiversity. In 2000, Cotacachi canton was declared South America's first ecological county. From the volcanic crater lake of Cuicocha to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, passing through picturesque valleys, this region has much to charm ecology enthusiasts.

Two of the most majestic Andean mountain ranges rise above 2,418 meters in altitude in the valley between the Imbabura and Cotacachi volcanoes. At this elevation, you can easily admire the Cotacachi volcano to the west, Imbabura to the east, and Pichincha to the south.

Spanning 7,500 km², the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve is a haven for local biodiversity. In fact, almost all attractions surrounding the town are part of this reserve.

To relax and enjoy the fresh air, nothing beats visiting Cuicocha Lake or Guinea Pig Lake. This volcanic crater lake is located just 10 minutes by taxi from Cotacachi, within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Nearly all hikers and tourists in town know this place. In the middle of its deep blue waters, two small islands are reflected on the water's surface on fair days. During your visit, you can hike along the trail bordering the lake or take a boat tour around the islands in the lake's center.

Climate

Located in the inter-Andean valley, Cotacachi enjoys a mild climate year-round, between 21 and 27 °C during the day and 10 to 16°C at night. According to the Köppen-Geiger classification, it experiences a warm oceanic climate with no dry season.

Cotacachi has two main entrances. Both connect directly to the Pan-American Highway exit. The first entrance leads directly to the town's main square, and the second leads to the famous Calle 10 de Agosto, commonly called Leather Street.