Quito Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Inside Tips

Quito Shopping

Shopping is plentiful in Quito whether you are searching for food, fashion or fun. You will find lots of modern shops, unique galleries, specialty shops and open air markets for souvenirs and local finds.

Mercado Artesanal Metropolitano Tips

For shopping local, the Mercado Artesanal Metropolitano is a exciting adventure. It is not as large as the Otavalo market, but provides a look into the culture of the area as well as a chance to practice your language skills. This large covered market has nearly 200 stalls set up, all carrying different handicrafts, from textiles (shawls, scarves, shirts, ponchos), to jewelry (rings, earring, bracelets, necklaces), woodcrafts, leather goods, specialty food (chocolate, tea, coffee), and general kitsch souvenirs. Even if you don’t buy anything, it is worth wandering through the colorful aisles, crowded with all the goods you could imagine, hearing Spanish and Quechua spoken by the vendors.

Quicentro Shopping Mall

For a more upscale and modern experience, visit Quicentro shopping mall. It is similar to a shopping mall you can find in the United States or Europe with a combination of stores, restaurants and entertainment. A good visit for a rainy day, Quicentro offers excellent shops and higher-quality merchandise. Items can be very pricey so pay attention to exchange rates.

Featured Shops in Quito

Visitors have raved over several individual shops in Quito including Galeria Latina, a classy shop for local souvenirs. Not only limited to Ecuadorian goods, the shop has a range of jewelry, household decor and accessories. Café Tianguez occupies several of the arched spaces beneath the San Francisco monastery. It sells a wide range of high-quality crafts from all over Ecuador. Another unique place to shop is the market at the Parque El Ejido where local artists and performers show their wares and offer them for sale.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about Quito shopping.