ECUADOR MARKETS

Ecuador markets are a riot of colour and variety and with supermarkets being so expensive are the regular locations for purchasing food and clothing.



In Cuenca, the most famous market is the flower market located at the side of the cathedral, where I would regularly buy a dozen roses for 25 cents a stem. Ecuador exports roses to Holland as their quality is superlative, thanks to the countries location on the ecuator giving overhead sun for many hours in the day.


We also took a bus ride out to the Sunday market towns of Sigsig and Chordeleg near Cuenca, Cuenca is famous for its production of the mis-named Panama hat, which is in fact properly named as a Montevideo, exported to Panama and around the world but always made in and around Cuenca. I found a bargain for $5 in Sigsig - in Cuenca you will likely pay around $15 for a trimmed version.