I am traveling to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands...

Question

I want to buy some small souvenirs for friends and family. What kinds of gifts should I expect to find there (preferably something genuine to Ecuador) and what are the prices like there? For some people I don't mind spending lots but for some, just a little gift will do.

Answer 1

Ok, I been there a lot of times and you can buy some animals souvenir, like alpacas made with real hair, and any animal specific from like the big Galapagos Turtle or something like that. In the downtown of Ecuador in Quito, sells a lot of those things, there you can buy something hand made, very genuine and great! If you just go to Glapagos, buy something in the islands, preferible, autentic animals and hand made jewerly!

HOPE i HELP AND GOOD LUCK!

xoxo

Answer 2

Woven things like blankets are nice, Panama Hats (yes, they are from Ecuador, not from Panama!), Shigras are a type of bag that is woven like a basket, they make a very nice purse.  Christmas ornaments made out of bread dough.  Another very nice and 'typical' thing are Tiguas, folk-art style paintings in bright colors that depict stories..they are painted on sheepskin and stretched over a frame.  I think that you will find prices quite reasonable.  Haggling over the price is always acceptable (but the prices are low enough that you don't need to get crazy with it)

  

Answer 3

ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags, jewelry, paintings and much more.  With the Otavaleños take your time to negotiate the best bargains.  

Answer 4

There are beautiful weavings in Ecuador, you can go to the market in Quito or to the famous one in Otovalo (tons of handicrafts), or to some of the nicer shops/galleries in Quito. I got a great mask at a gallery in Banos, a very nice small city to visit. That gallery also had beautiful paintings by various artists, but they were ouf of my budget. Ecaudor is relatively inexpensive for Americans, except for the Galapagos, which for me, was expensive, but one of the most extraordinary trips of my life and I am a world traveler.