Best travel apps

One of my essential pieces of kit - after a camera of course - was my iPad mini.

The size is similar to a kindle and with the kindle app I didn't need to pack both and could keep my reading addiction up to date easily (not sure how much I spend downloading books but it was a lot even with amazon vouchers!)

So I've decided to share my favourite apps for travelling:

Kindle - for reading and saving/viewing documents

As mentioned a great app for ease of use downloading amazon purchases or even their free books (many classics are free).

You can download books to read on your iPad and iPhone and sync the two if needed. Also you can read and save PDFs and other documents.

This was indispensable for me, I saved my travel insurance policy, my itinerary and lots more!

Cost: Free to download to both Apple and Android devices from Amazon 

Blogger - for writing and publishing blogs to blogspot.com

The blogger app from gmail is a great way to get started with blogging and this app makes it easier to write offline and add photos etc without needing to use third party computers with all the attendant virus risks.

I've used this for the past year to keep my blog up to date and the only caveat I have is that I didn't create my blog on it so I can't comment on that. The app has really come a long way in development in the last year although I still can't load videos through it.

Cost: Free to download, anyone with a gmail account can create a blogspot.com blog via gmail and from conversations with other bloggers it's a lot more straight forward for beginners than word press

Twitter - for communicating with the wider world ;)

This is a multi functional app for me - I post my blogs on twitter so they are searchable and accessible by people I'm not friends with on Facebook, and twitter posts this info to Facebook too, I don't have to do it twice.

I use twitter for information and events, to share comments with others and to get inspiration.

It's also a great way to contact companies - e.g. I recently tweeted United to ask about leaving the airport during a layover (I didn't leave the airport in the end but United answered super quick!). I also used it to contact the British Embassy when we thought we might get stuck in San Agustin, Colombia, due to strikes and road blocks! The Embassy answered fairly quickly but were unable to help much - never mind we got out alive...

Cost: Free to download

Moldiv - for editing your photos 

Got a lot of photos and want to share but don't want to post them all separately? 

Need to photoshop someone in/out of a photo?

Well Moldiv is the app for you! 

Being able to combine photos in different ways is Moldivs strong point. Having only discovered the 'photoshopping' function - being able to cut people out of one photo and then add them to another - I haven't made full use of this, but I think Facebook will appreciate it in times to come!

Here's an example of what I've managed to do with it - imagine what you could do with lots of time & practise...

Cost: Free to download

Dropbox - for sharing photos

This is a good app for sharing photos with people you meet on your travels but perhaps aren't Facebook friends with (or when one or the other of you is trying to hide the fact that your travelling when work thinks you're sick!).

Unfortunately I filled mine pretty quick with backing up photos from my iPad (not enough capacity when you're filling up 16 GB SD cards!). The app allows you to share folders of photos, view other peoples folders and download photos from them.

Note: if you have a google/gmail account then you can use picasa or google plus to backup photos. You can also share these with other people and post links to the albums to Facebook etc, however it's a web based access rather than an app and downloading photos to an iPad seems impossible (you can't expect android to talk to apple!)

Cost: Free to download 

Touchnote - for turning your photos into cards

Still talking about photos - I love this app! It enables you to turn a photo into a postcard or other type of card (birthday, random occasion etc) and sends it to your friend/ family member in whichever country they are in.

I've used it for my Dad's birthday card and postcards to friends in several countries and I'm sure it will come in handy for the future. You can also order in bulk - e.g. Design a Christmas card and print lots to be delivered directly to you to then send out, or to send directly to a group of people.

Cost: free to download

Skype - for video calling and cheap calls

A great one for keeping in touch with peeps back home - like the bank when your mobile doesn't work and your card details have been stolen...

You can video call anyone with Skype, you can phone any number with Skype credit and it's away cheaper than using your mobile abroad.

Does require a wifi connection though and sometimes the video can freeze if the connection isn't fast or strong enough

Cost: free to download

FaceTime - to video call other apple users

The Apple only version of Skype - you can video call or message people who are also on an Apple product (as long as you have the email address their device is registered to in your contacts). I use this a lot to talk to family - especially right now given that my phone isn't working :s 

Cost: free with apple devices, works with front facing cameras only

My Orange/My EE - to keep track of your mobile phone credit

Now that Orange is basically EE (but not quite - I'm not sure what the rebranding was about at all!) these apps try and do the same thing, which is to let me know how much I've spent on my phone. 

Great for PAYG customers trying to keep track of their credit without having to use it to phone Orange from abroad. Not the best app for monthly contracts - I was never able to register properly...

Cost: free to Orange/EE customers

Google maps - to get around in foreign parts!

Not always better than just googling a place - but useful to get directions and see what else is nearby. 

The only downside over using this rather than just taking a screenshot of the web page is that it shows the maps in local script, unfortunately I don't read Arabic or Thai, but this was useful when showing taxi drivers where to go.

Cost: free to download

FairFX & other credit card apps - to keep track of your money

I've particularly mentioned FairFX as these prepaid credit cards are super useful when travelling (especially after I got my barclaycard details stolen). 

The app makes the experience even better - the transactions are updated real time so you can check exactly how much credit you have left, you can set up payment options to load money onto the FX card simply and quickly and you get a decent exchange rate for foreign currencies.

I've also used the mobile/iPad apps for my other credit cards and they've also been useful to keep track of your bills whilst travelling, but none are as easy as FairFX!

Cost: free to download - you'll need to apply for the card first to be able to use it

Trail Wallet - to budget your trip and keep track of expenses

It looks like this app can no longer be downloaded, which is a shame as it's a great budgeting & expense tracking application.

I particularly like the feature of being able to set up multiple currencies and it translates these back to your home currency. It's flexible so you can set up your total budget or budget by day and it'll show you both, it averages your expenditure against the total so even if you go over one day you can be reassured that you haven't broken the total trip budget.

The pie chart of expenditure also appeals to my inner accounting geek and the sarcastic comments when you go over budget are funny!

Not sure what to recommend in its place - there are plenty of similarly functioning apps out there, so google travel budget & expenses to see a selection.

Cost: This one was free to download but only allowed 30 transactions to be entered before you had to pay and upgrade - but for around £1.50 this isn't much and that seems to be the going rate for similar apps on the app store at the moment

Banking apps - for checking you've got the money!

Sorry for the generic title - I don't want to big up anyone bank in particular. A mobile banking app is invaluable for being able to access your account information and transfer funds quickly and easily. 

I wouldn't use your normal debit card when abroad for a long period of time - this is where FairFX and similar cards should come into play - but being able to access your current account &/ savings account is key.

Cost: most banks have free apps to download to mobiles and tablet devices

Xe currency - For converting currencies

How much does that cost in real money? Just check it out on xe currency converter - you preset yr currencies and then enter the amount of the relevant one and it shows you how much that is in all the rest. 

E.g. £65 is 205,900 COP or 889 Argentine Pesos (top tip never change money officially in Argentina - you'll get a way better rate on the 'blue' market).

The only thing to be wary of is that the rates that xe source are interbank - you are unlikely to get such good rates as a tourist, however it's great as an indication and even better if you're FX trading!

Cost: free for the basic one - the pro version costs but you'll only need this if your trading FX. Don't pick the wrong one!

itranslate - to translate from one language to another

This one is a good app for translating from English to Spanish or vice versa. This is better than just using google to translate as it keeps the translations in the history - allowing you to show the pharmacist exactly what you need when offline (Nb the old school way to do this is to use a pen and paper...)

Cost: free

United app - for all your United airlines needs

This one doesn't have to be specific to United - any airline app would be useful as long as it's the one you've got flights with! I like the functionality of this one - your reservations, electronic boarding passes, mileage information are all in one place. 

Even better it has free sudoku!

Cost: free

Airstash+ - for extra storage and sharing films when used with the Airstash USB stick

If you like to watch films etc on long bus journeys this is a perfect app. Rather than filling the memory of your iPad you save films, TV shows, music, photos on the Airstash USB stick (you need to plug it into an actual computer to load stuff on).

Then the inbuilt wifi in the Airstash USB means you can access from any device - including iPads that don't have USB ports. Even better you can share films etc with up to 3 devices at once via this app and the wifi function.

The only drawback with this is that when working with iTunes you can't share content :(

Cost: the app is free to download but the wifi Airstash USB does cost a lot - check out Amazon for latest prices and be aware that you usually have to buy an SD card separately.

Games - Solitaire, Marble Mixer, Flightctrl HD:

Solitaire

For when you want to be alone and play alone.

Cost: free!

Marble Mixer

Great for playing with kids of any nationality - I've played with children in Cambodia and Ecuador!

Cost: depending on version free or $1.99

 

Flightctrl

Strangely addictive - just don't play it too much on the plane with the crash sounds turned on!

Cost: not sure how much I paid for it - but it may have been £1.50 and it was totally worth it!

Round up of a year travelling

I started out at the end of April 2013 flying to Jordan and Lebanon with my friend Cat (CBH).

After 34 flights and 20 countries I've ended up back in the UK.

I've visited 5 continents - North & South America, Africa, Europe and Asia.

Of the 20 countries and 18 pages of my passport filled, 14 were new this year and I would still go back and revisit them - there is never enough time to see everything!

My trip covered the Middle East (Jordan & Lebanon), to Northern Africa (Morroco), Europe (Lisbon & Turkey), the USA (from Hawaii to the California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Denver, Chicago, Washington DC, NY and numerous national parks), Asia (Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong) and ended in South America at the end of May 2014 (Argentina, Uruguay, Boliva, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia).

I paid for the Galapagos by selling my car :) (tips on visiting the Galapagos on a budget can be found here: http://katiesyearoff.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/galapagos-on-backpacker-budget.html?q=Galapagos )

Otherwise I've used the ill gotten proceeds from my job working in banking to fund my travels. I'm quite proud of myself for not working for over a year :). Now I'm broke - so if anyone has a job for a finance professional let me know!

And what was the best bit of my travels I hear you ask?!

Well it's not a particular place - although I think Bolivia was the most surprising....

It's the people.

The interactions I've had with different people around the world make the experience. From great travel mates, Cat BH, Cat & Tiva from home; Kitty, Carmen & Cameo in Asia and others I've met at hostels and bars along the way; to the local people like the Bedouin lady at Petra, our Palestinian grandad driver, the ladies living in Sapa, the kids in Quito and Phong Nha, my host family in Quito, the stalkers, the hostel owners/workers, the tour guides & groups, everyone who has given me a couch to stay on and of course the bar tenders :)

It's you that have made my year complete - thanks!

Now I'm back in London I've a couch going spare - come visit me anytime and I'll show you the secret pubs of Camden! (Oh yeah the food and drink was runner up for best bits!)

Some of my favourite pictures from the last year, believe me there were too many to choose from!

Starting at the beginning - Petra in Jordan, the Dead Sea, turbaned up for the Sahara

Ballooning in Cappadocia, mud men, Lisbon castle and unusual modes of transport!

The US from Grand Canyon to Dener, Chicago, Vegas & DC

Burma (Myanmar), Laos, Angkor Wat & beer towers!

HaLong Bay, dressing up for a wedding in Burma, homestay in Battambang, beers on the boat, kissing the Buddha & mud wrestling in Vang Vieng after tubing

Thinking in DC, Lao Lao at the homestay in Laos, Mui Ne fisher woman, margaritas in Denver & mediating in Angkor Wat

Wine tasting Uruguay, New Year's Eve in Punto Diablo, Colonia, camping on the Caribbean in Colombia, Colca Canyon Peru & carnival in Cusco!

Trying out a tortoise shell for size in the Galapagos, volunteering in Quito, Macchu Pichu in Peru, swing at the end of the world in Baños Ecuador.

A day in the life of a volunteer at UBECI Quito

Me and Lady at the Thursday market - she shared her sticker with me!

The day starts with breakfast provided by my host family - Mayra and Wilson. This usually contains hot water for tea and hot milk for coffee, some fruit, yoghurt and bread. Lots of the volunteers stay with families in their homes - this has let me practise my Spanish with the family, including the children Alison and Josue, as well as becoming immersed in Ecuadorian culture. I share a room with Felicia and there are two other girls staying in our flat with the family at the moment.

Set up for the day, my house mates and I head off to the Volunteer Connection Ecuador (VCE) office for Spanish lessons in the morning. My teacher Laura usually works me hard! We go through lots of vocab and learn new verbs, with some games to test me and keep me on my toes! After some confusion on my part I think I've learnt a lot more to be able to talk to the staff in Spanish (well for basic things!)

VCE office - Volunteers can use the computers for Internet and those working with the admin team for the projects they are working on.

A break for lunch allows us time to grab either a complete meal for $2.5 from Mayra's restaurant Los Seccos under the flat, which includes soup, main course with rice, desert and juice, or a snack of tamales or humitas for around a dollar for two from a local stall around the corner from the VCE office.

All of the above for just $2.5!

Then for the part timers like me it's off to the UBECI - United to Benefit Ecuadorian Children International - office around the corner. I am living within 5 minutes walk of both offices in the barrio of Villa Flora in South Quito.

Map of the area around the offices in Villa Flora

UBECI staff run a weekly meeting every Tuesday to explain to the volunteers the activities for the children for that week - different depending on the age group. Danny heads up the 1-3 year olds, Lule keeps the 4-6 years occupied and Christine helps out the 6+ children with homework as well, with some help from Oriana - a full time long term volunteer. Director Alicia holds down the fort in the office when the staff head to the markets every day and it's her that ensures us volunteers get on the right bus for the afternoon sessions!

The street & working children program schedule

We turn up at 1pm and get directed to the correct bus - then it's off to one of the markets (they go to different ones every day). On arrival the full timers that have been there in the mornings are usually playing with any children that have turned up early. If they moved to a new location for the afternoon then we set up a washing station - for the kids to wash their hands and faces before they start playing - this is important to help instil some hygiene awareness and so the kids hopefully go home a little cleaner than they came (not always possible if we do painting!)

Then the play mates are set up - it's important to have somewhere to put the toys out and let the kids sit down and play that's relatively clean. Working in the markets means the floor can be dirty. The various toys and books are put out and if there is space a pelota or ball is also kicked about. The kids have some free play time with the volunteers whilst the small ones are picked up from their parents by the staff. 

Helping with puzzles (this is really like play time for the volunteers too!)

When everyone is ready and has had a chance to work off some excitement with the toys and puzzles the staff get the children involved in some group activities. This can be playing physical games to help with their coordination, or singing songs with actions involved. Unfortunately I only know the words to some of the songs like Mi Cuerpo and the rest I try and join in with the actions and the few words I do know!

Then the children are split into their age groups and go to do their different activities. I've been helping Danny with the 1-3 year olds and the activities over the last 2 weeks have included playing doctor and reinforcing that the kids need to tell their parents when they are sick and that they need to see a doctor, to fine coordination skills ripping up paper or making and throwing balls out of magazine pages.

We also did some colouring in of niño and niña pictures - after talking about who is a boy or girl and what makes them different. When we are finished with the age focused activities the kids line up to receive stickers - those not lining up forfeit this right and they all want stickers! Then we sing the goodbye song - in Spanish and English - and the staff and volunteers take the smaller children back to their parents.

Lining up for stickers and goodbyes!

Then it's up to the volunteers to pack up and make our way back to the UBECI office with the toys and mats etc.

The objectives of the street & working children market program - even in a few weeks you can see the children benefitting from their time in the program. Eventually when they are old enough the parents commit to the children attending school, so far this has been really successful.

My host family then provides dinner - usually local Ecuadorian fare of rice and some meat with a salad or plantains and drinks. There is no smoking or alcoholic drinks allowed at the homestays out of respect to the families. This doesn't stop the volunteers venturing out into the Mariscal area of Quito (aka Gringolandia) for a drink and a dance every so often!

There is also plenty of opportunity for volunteers to see the sights in and around Quito (this will be a separate blog post coming soon!), here is a quick taster of some of the sights:

The Virgin at the top of El Panecillo lit up at night

Plaza Grande

La Basicila

On the beach in mental Montañita!

After a few weeks in the Andean parts of Ecuador (i.e in the cold!) and a hard week with Spanish and volunteering I decided to join some of the other volunteers when they headed to Montañita on the coast.

Whilst the others took Friday off I had my Spanish and half day volunteering with the working kids at the market - so I departed Saturday morning instead. Looks like I missed a great Friday night with live music, but I wasn't so fussed about that! A flight from Quito was fairly cheap - the underlying prices $13 and $24 return - but like Ryan Air TAME add lots of extra charges to this (tax etc) so it ended up being more of a splurge than originally anticipated!

I flew from Quito to Guayaquil and then took the CLP bus to Montañita as it was direct - they only run a few buses a day but there are others that go to Santa Elena and you can catch a local bus from there. The one bus that I didn't like was the one from Quitumbe - the South bus terminal in Quito to the airport. This bus took over 1.5 hours and that was on top of the half hour it took to get to the terminal to catch it! Needless to say next time I'll catch a taxi!

When I arrived at Montañita it was 5pm - a bit later than expected - but everyone was still on the beach enjoying some two for one cocktails, which was good for me as I found them pretty quick and settled in to catch up!

I stayed at Sumpa hotel where Mel was checked in too, as Iguana hostel where everyone else was at was completely full for Saturday night. This turned out to be a great decision - when I was done with dancing on the beach I could get back and have some rest away from the bars and their loud music!

That evening we headed out for dinner and then regrouped back at Iguana for some drinking games with rum and coke - sooo cheap! Then it was off to explore what the bars had to offer. We ended up at one bar dancing with sand between our toes and watching the mental MC doing his thing in Spanish - he definitely kept the crowd going! We also saw some awesome beat boxing from one of his friends.

After a few hours we headed back out so some of the girls could grab an empanada and then continued to party at the beach bars until about 4.30am when I admitted defeat and went back to my bed!

At least we had Sunday to recover on the beach....

Montañita is a big surfing destination - the break at the north of the beach is meant to be great (I know nothing about this topic!), and so there were lots of people in the waves learning to surf or practising. I just went in for the jumping (over the waves) - although the ferocity of the waves meant plenty of sand instead my bikini! (I think I brought a good section of the beach back with me....)

Looking out to the point 

After getting a little too much sun, that night was a quiet one - we saw sunset from the sea wall before we headed for dinner and an early night.

Sunset was pretty spectacular

Then first thing Monday the others headed back to Quayaquil and I had more time lazing on the beach before I had to catch the bus in the afternoon.

Kendahl and I hiding from the sun

The connections back were really easy and I made it to the airport for 6.30 - in time to catch an earlier flight, which I took advantage of! On arrival in Quito I decided the public bus wasn't something I wanted to do again, so I caught the airport express bus. This drops you off at the of airport, which is a lot more central to town and only a short taxi ride back to Villa Flora.

So my aims for the weekend were met - fun with some cool people, topping up the tan and letting my hair down!

7 Things to do in & around Quito

In Quito:

1 - Visit the Centro Historico with its colonial architecture & churches 

The typical Spanish colonial architecture abounds in Quito old town or Centro Historico. Plaza Grande where the president's house overlooks the square is typical.

View across the plaza

President's house

There are numerous squares like this - each dominated by one large church, e.g Santa Domingo, San Francisco.

Plaza Santa Domingo

Inside the church at Sunday Mass

Plaza San Francisco

Inside the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus - richly decorated all in gold!

In addition there are lots of museums - if you only have time for one I suggest the Museo Nacional de Banco Central de Ecuador - however you need about 4 hours in total to fully see this and a guided tour is worthwhile.

Cost: usually no entrance fees to enter the churches, some will suggest donations or charge a couple of dollars. Museums can be free or a few dollars e.g. $2 for entry for the Museo Nacional de Banco Central

Location: Centro Historico - take the Trole for 25c to Plaza Santa Domingo or Plaza Grande

2 - Climb to the top of La Basilica 

You can climb right above the roof of La Basilica if you have the stomach for it! As well as stairs up the main towers there is a staircase little more than a metal ladder that goes above the roof of the church - watch out its windy up there!

Stairs up the outside for the very top bit above the Basilica roof

To access you have to take this walkway over the vaulted ceiling!

You can get up close with the stained glass

View down the Nave from the balcony

You go right up inside the clocks in the towers

The Basilica has a quirk that you can see up close from the towers / roof; it's gargoyles are actually all animals from the Galapagos, from frigate birds to turtles and iguanas!

Cost: $2 to ascend, $1.5 to enter the main body of the church as a visitor

Location: Walk north of the centro Historico - you can't miss it!

View of the Basilica from Plaza Grande

3 - Look over the city from El Panecillo

El Panecilo is the hill in the middle of Quito with the Virgin statue at the top. She looks North and stands on a dragon on top of the world. According I my Spanish teacher this is meant to signify that Quito is the centre of the world (on / near the equator) and that the Virgin is protecting the city from the devil (dragon). Apparently it was built after a series of earthquakes to keep the city safe.

Close up of the Virgin lit up at night - there is a good (but pricey) restaurant up on the hill called Pims that has great views over the city

Centro Historico at night

You can see the Virgin from most points in the centre of Quito

From the top of the hill I could see where I was staying in the South in barrio Villa Flora as well as the centro Historico and the Basilica. As Quito is penned in by mountains the city's southern suburbs seemed to flow up the curve of the mountain like a glacier in reverse - a stunning view point all round!

Cost: Nothing to go up the hill, but I would advise taking a cab as the area isn't safe on foot

Location: South of the Centro Historico - you can see it from most central locations north and south

4 - Ride up the teleferico & go horse riding

The teleferico is Quito's cable car that ascends up the mountain Pichincha for panoramique views of the city (as long as the infamous clouds stay away!). The altitude at the top of Pichincha is 4,000m so this isn't recommended until you've had a few days in Quito to acclimatise at 2,800m. 

At the top there a few options - if you are feeling fit then you can hike up to the top of Pichincha at 4,800m. For those feeling out of breath there is the option of horse back riding for a half or full hour - they even dress you up in ponchos for 'traditional' photos!

Unfortunately I was ill the day everyone else went up - so no pictures of me in the poncho!

Costs: $7.5 for foreigners, plus you'll probably need a taxi there - get the driver to drop you off outside the gate to avoid additional fees for the driver (which he'll charge straight back at ya)

Not sure on the horse riding costs - but like everything in Ecuador you can bargain!

Location: North East of the centre - there are buses that go that way, but taxi is easiest

5 - Shop til you drop at the artesenal market

Now this is an activity I felt comfortable enough to indulge in twice! The artesenal market has loads of Ecuadorian things to buy making it an ideal place to go gift shopping. Without wanting to give anything away before I get home, I managed to buy an amazing alpaca blanket (with llamas on it), a table cloth (no llamas there), dolls in traditional dress, children's clothing and chocolate - yum!

The key thing is that you can bargain - so ask for a discount or start walking away until you get a price you like (but remember that quibbling over a dollar isn't worth it - the stall holders earn a lot less than you!)

Costs: as much as you want to spend, entering the market is free

Location: Mariscal aka Gringolandia - Trole station La Mariscal, Meera street.

Outside Quito:

6 - Visit the middle of the world at Mitad del Mundo

Quito is practically on the equator (but not quite) so you can visit the actual equator just north of the city - otherwise called the Mitad del Mundo or middle of the world.

If you take public transport be prepared to take 1.5 hours upwards depending on where in the city you start from, however this is the cheapest option - the round trip cost me only $1.4!

When you arrive at the park with the equator monument there is a whole village of shops and cafés and few museums etc to look at. We bypassed this to head straight to the equator line and get silly photos:

Selfie on the equator

Plank time

Tip - head to the west side to get a pic without hordes of people in the way!

We then had some lunch before deciding to enter the monument and get the views from the top as well as seeing the museum about the indigenous people of Ecuador.

View from the top of the monument

The world sits on top

Not sure this guy always wears a 2014 football too!

Shrunken head...

Trying on the headress

There is also meant to be an area where they show you 'science experiments' to demonstrate the coriolis force amongst other things. We went on a Monday and it wasn't very busy so we didn't see this - which is good as it's a load of b*llocks anyway (coriolis force is weakest at the equator and you can only see its effect on large slow moving things like storms).

Costs: $3 to enter the park with the monument, $3 to enter the actual monument (and museum inside)

Location: North of Quito - take the metrobus line to the north terminal Ofelia and then a Mitad del Mundo bus or there is another bus that goes from El Panecillo and back, fares are around 25-40c.

7 - Have a day trip to Otavalo for the markets & scenery

Otavalo is about 2 hours north of Quito and set in some lovely scenery. There are waterfalls and lakes to explore and you can see lots of birds including its namesake in the Condor park.

However the main reason people visit Otavalo is for the market. This is huge on Saturdays when the local people bring their animals and the usual stalls around the square spill out into the surrounding streets. It's meant to be the largest indigenous market in Ecuador.

So it's super busy Saturday mornings, but I've heard you get better bargains on other days as there are less tourists to sell to - again I haven't visited in person but people tell me it has similar things to the  market in Mariscal.

Costs: as much as you want to spend! About $2 bus fare from the north bus station (Carcelen), taxi transfer costs and if you don't want to get up early Saturday then around $10-12 for a hostel in Otavalo.

Location: 2-2.5 hours north of Quito - bus from the north station Carcelen