Two Backpackers

Otavalo Market In Ecuador

| by Aracely on July 20th, 2024 | 10 Comments » | Ecuador, South America

The Otavalo Market is one of South America’s most grandest and famous markets.  The best day to experience the market is on Saturdays.  From Quito, it’s a 2 hour bus ride to the city of Otavalo.  Passengers will start to get off the bus at several stops after you enter town, but be patient and you will arrive at the bus terminal.

Within five minutes of walking the vendor lined streets,  Otavalo made my top 5 most interesting places I visited in South America.  The energy felt while browsing the endless market is uplifting and fun.  It evokes curiosity and an uncontrollable desire to shop once immersed in the chaos.

We have chosen pictures that best provide an idea of what the Otavalo Market is all about.  To be fair, I feel as though this is one of those cases where you really need to experience the market to know what it’s truly like.

Plaza Simon Bolivar in Otavalo

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Photo of the Day: Sunday Market in Bolivia

| by Aracely on June 11th, 2024 | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

We know you like beautiful scenery pictures but this week we decided to bring you pictures that show more culture of the places we have visited.

In Tarabuco, Bolivia, Sunday begins bright and early, 4am early for the Yampara people who walk 4 to 6 hours up and over mountain ranges into town to participate in the weekly market. At the far back end of the market, where not many tourist go, there is a section where bartering is still practiced. Click Here For PHOTO ESSAY.

Bartering at Tarabuco Market

Santa Ana, El Salvador

| by Jason on October 17th, 2024 | No Comments » | Central America, El Salvador

Sulfur Lake in Santa Ana Volcano Crater

Santa Ana was our second city we traveled to in El Salvador and it is also their second largest city.  As we arrived to the city, it was clear that buses handle most transportation.  The number of buses arriving and departing was staggering, and the exhaust pollution was just as bad.  I was eager to get off the bus to clear my burning eyes.  During our two days walking the streets we did not see one other international tourist.  It’s important to note that we are also visiting during the low season. (more…)