Want to bring back something that truly represents Ecuador? You’ve found the ultimate list – a full explanation on not only what to get, but also why you should get it in Ecuador.

Here are 10 of the absolute unquestionably best things to buy from this extremely diverse country!

1. Chocolate

There’s a reason that this one is at the top of the list. 9/10 people agree (ok I made that number up, but it might be true!) that Ecuador’s chocolate is the best in South America.

Seriously, though, it’s good. And it’s not just that they actually produce cacao here. That’s just one of many factors. These guys know what to do with it!

There are a lot of fancy chocolate/coffee shops throughout the country that showcase these uncanny abilities to make chocolate just… better. I’d definitely recommend trying some of the amazing combinations that you can find. Here are a few worth trying:

Macadamia nut

Passion fruit

Chili pepper (the heat builds up as you go!)

Uvilla

It’s true though that not all chocolate is created equal.

Premium Chocolates

A good indicator of a higher-end chocolate is the use of cocoa butter instead of the more economical vegetable oils. The result is more flavor and creaminess. Definitely worth shelling out a few extra bucks for the good stuff.

A popular one here is Valdivian and they knock the dark chocolates out of the park! The chocolate is organic and supports fair trade.

Another quality option is Leyenda. They’ve been in operation since 2011 and specialize in plain bars, with cacao concentrations between 54.7 and 100%.

My personal fave is Pacari. They have organic bars and beans and you name it with every combination of fruit, nut and flower imaginable. They have more international awards than you can shake a stick at, and are also organic and fair trade.

If you want to try Pacari chocolate from the comfort of your American home, it’s possible but pricey. Amazon has a really awesome gift pack with all of my favorites. Check it out here.

If you’re not sure what kind to get, many places also offer the smaller 10g sampler bars. They usually cost around $0.50-0.75, so this is a great way to try out a bunch of them!

The guayusa (leaves that are often used for tea) is an interesting flavor. At first, you only taste the creamy smooth chocolate, but after a few seconds, it feels like you have a rainforest in your mouth. The aftertaste has strong notes of honey. It’s a really cool experience.

My wife’s favorite is cardamom. They balance the flavors really well so nothing is overwhelming but everything is noticeable and bold.

The general consensus is that Ecuadorian chocolate is just plain awesome. There are a ton of flavors so you can send along a really legitimate Ecuadorian experience in bar form!

2. Coffee

Again, the people that grow the beans own the process! Ecuador is famous for it’s Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, which are the two most popular kinds worldwide.

Arabica

This accounts for roughly 60% of the world’s coffee. High-end Arabica beans have a slightly sweeter flavor with hints of chocolate, nuts, caramel, and fruit. A good Arabica is smooth and has a nice depth of flavor.

Robusta

This makes up the other 40% of global coffee. A good Robusta bean gives you a really earthy flavor. This is a better bean if you want an extra kick in the morning – it has about double the caffeine compared to Arabica! A lot of people prefer this one for punchy espressos. Be careful, though, as a poorly roasted Robusta batch can taste a bit like burnt rubber!

Coffee in Ecuador

Ecuador actually had a few rough patches in the past with having difficulty in producing quality coffee at a reasonable price. The coffee market has some pretty stiff competition globally, and for several years coffee production here waned. Now, however, there are several smaller companies that are putting in a truly legitimate effort into improving the process right from cultivation, and the results are really good!

For getting good coffee in Ecuador you’re going to want to get some good guidance. Cheap instant coffee and poorly roasted beans are really common for local consumption. Heartbreaking, I know! But don’t worry, you can still find awesome coffee here.

If you’re interested in reading about how Ecuador is stepping up it’s coffee game, take a look at this article from Perfect Daily Grind.

A lot of the good coffee comes from the Loja province. If you’re not planning on visiting Loja, there’s one awesome spot where you can pick some up.

Café Águila de Oro is a small shop in Quito that only sells coffee beans and grinds that they process on-site. It’s been in business for around 70 years. It’s in the Centro Histórico, and definitely worth a visit!

If you missed your chance in Ecuador, or want to try it before you come, I found a really great Ecuadorian coffee on Amazon! Take a look here.

3. Hats

If you’ve done any sort of research at all on Ecuadorian hats, you’ve probably noticed the countless articles that point out that Ecuador is the original manufacturer of the Panamanian hat.

It’s true. The hats that became famous by President Roosevelt in Panama during the construction of the canal were actually made in Ecuador. They still make an awesome hat here to this day.

The Process of Making Panama Hats

It’s really incredible how much effort goes into making premium Panama hats. When you see them on display, you would never imagine what a tedious manual process got them there!

Harvesting, Processing, and Weaving

The hats are made from a plant that is very similar to a palm (not actually palms since they don’t grow woody trunks and the leaves are a bit different). The leaves are harvested, boiled and dried. The fibers are then smoked with sulfur, which has a bleaching effect.

Next, the fibers are trimmed and split until they are extremely fine. Now the tedious hand weaving begins. This process takes an insanely long time. After several hours of work, a high-quality weave will be about the size of a silver dollar. It’s a slow process.

Whitening, Washing, Softening, and Shaving

After a crazy amount of weaving and trimming, the hat is washed and dried, then smoked again with sulfur. Then the hat is put between a rock and a hard place. Literally, it’s pounded between a hardwood mallet and a slab of rock. This softens the fibers until they feel like soft fabric and can be easily folded in half. They also add sulfur between bashes to further whiten the fibers.

The next stage is shaving. Using a flat razor, the hats are shaved until they are totally smooth and uniform. Then the final strands around the brim are very closely trimmed.

Forming

After that, the hat is vigorously ironed. Several times. This is a really intense process that works out any visible imperfections in the weave.

At this point, all the hats are the same cylindrical shape. There is no particular styling or character. Until now.

The styling process is called blocking. This changes the hat from a cylinder with a brim to a hat with true character. There are tons of different styles to choose from.

Blocking consists of steaming, pushing, pulling, clamping and shaping the hat around a wooden form. Some might even call this device a “block”. Go figure.

Finally, the hat is thoroughly dried. Voilá! A new topper is born!

How Much Do They Cost?

Now that you understand the insane amount of work that goes into premium hats, you can probably appreciate the price tags of anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. These hats are beyond just a labor of love. They are a total art.

Most of the hats sold in Ecuador, approximately 99.997% (by my unprofessional estimation), are not premium. You can pick them up for somewhere in the range of $20 on the street. The difference is that they are coarsely woven, they might not be shaved, and they are comparatively stiffer.

The Difference

Once you’ve seen a premium Panama hat, it’s really easy to spot the difference. The economical ones look like straw hats, the expensive ones are like a soft and comfortable fabric. Generally speaking, the higher the quality, the thinner the material, the finer the weave. Think bed sheets.

Ultimately, if you’re wanting to bring back a souvenir for Uncle Steve, you probably won’t feel like dropping a few G’s. Don’t worry, the cheaper hats are still pretty cool. It’s an extremely Ecuadorian item, and they make some pretty interesting ones here. You’ll see stacks upon stacks upon stacks of these hats for sale pretty much everywhere, so it’s just a matter of picking out the perfect one.

If you are wanting one of these premium hats, though, Cuenca and Montecristi are hot spots for them. They have several premium shops, and you can have custom made-to-order hats done up for you upon request. You’ll just have to wait a few weeks.

If you’re wanting a nicely-made Panama hat that you can buy online, Amazon has a few that are reasonably priced. These really are the perfect hats for a hot day!

4. Blankets

Nothing screams the Andes like Alpaca wool! The colorful, soft fabrics that are produced locally are a work of art. Lots of people end up buying them just to mount up on the wall. Some say that the best blankets are made in Otovalo.

These lightweight blankets are amazing in both function and appearance. Alpaca wool is a great insulator that’s also very breathable. The blankets here are typically all handmade using traditional techniques from very experienced weavers.

Here are some interesting facts about Alpaca wool, and why it’s more valuable than sheep wool:

Silky texture, significantly softer than sheep’s wool

Hypoallergenic (doesn’t contain lanolin)

Naturally water-repellent and fire resistant

Warmer

If you want to get someone (or yourself) a gift that will last for years, you should seriously consider buying a blanket.

This is where I have to break it to you, though.

All those blankets that you see being sold on the street aren’t actually alpaca, despite what the vendor might tell you. It might even say “alpaca wool” on the tag. Unsurprisingly, it’s pretty easy to write whatever you want on a tag.

The truth is that those $20-30 blankets are more than likely 100% synthetic.

They’re still really cool, though. They’re very Ecuadorian, and they’re well-made and look great.

If you want real alpaca wool, you can expect to pay around $100+ for a blanket. It’s premium for a reason.

If you want to know more about textiles in Ecuador, how to spot a genuine article, and what’s available, then take a look at this article.

5. Sweaters, Scarves, Ponchos, and Hoodies

A more wearable set of gear! The weaves and patterns for these are totally stunning, and you’ll find shops piled to the ceiling with super high-quality items.

You can get really awesome hoodies here that are always a big hit. If you’re like me and can’t find the right size off the shelf (I’m 6’5″ and most Ecuadorians… aren’t) then just pick out one you like and ask the shopkeeper if you can have one custom made. Explain the differences you want and hand it to them. Most of the time it’s no problem at all and takes about a week. The best part is that they usually don’t even charge you extra!.

These items are amazing for autumn in North America. They’re also really comfy to wear. It’s not often that you can get comfy clothes that look awesome at prices like these.

If you really want something that’s affordable and that’s made out of genuine alpaca, the best thing that I’ve found is a hat that’s handmade here in Ecuador. It actually sells online on Amazon for a really reasonable price. I have one for myself and I wear it all the time up here in the Andes.

6. Backpacks

There are some really interesting, brightly colored backpacks that are common here. The colorful patterns loudly announce the South American culture. Often these are made from a combination of leather and sheep’s wool.

These backpacks are really cool gifts for students. They have a ton of character and are truly memorable.

7. Leather

If you ever find yourself in Cotacachi, you have to go down Calle 10 de Agosto. The less formal name that it’s known by is “Leather Street”.

You can find leather workers throughout the country, but this is where the large majority of them learn the trade. They sell anything that you could imagine that can be made from leather. Jackets, belts, bags, shoes, you name it. If you happen to be spending a few days here, pretty well any of the shops are willing to take on custom jobs.

The quality of handmade leather goods is high, but the prices are often surprisingly low. Personally, I like how everything is made in this area, from the leather itself to the finished product. It’s an artisanal community that has passed on the traditions for generations.

8. Tagua

Also known as “vegetable ivory”, you’ll find lots of interesting pieces of jewelry, buttons, keychains, and ornaments that are bright and colorful.

Tagua itself comes from a big, spiky fruit that grows on a tree. When the fruit matures, it can be split open, and the seeds are harvested. They’re roundish, around 2-3 inches in diameter. As they dry out, they get incredibly hard, although extremely carvable. The consistency is almost like a soapstone.

The Ecuadorians carve everything you could possibly imagine. All sorts of complicated ornaments are carved and then glued together to make larger pieces. Some of the carvings, like turtles and birds, are thick and heavy. Others, like earrings, are very thin and light.

Tagua is dyed very easily, and the white ivorylike nut has a pattern like a wood grain that shows through. This makes every piece unique and very organic looking.

Prices usually range from about a buck for a simple ring, to ten dollars for a multi-piece ornament, to around $40 for a very detailed necklace. The bright colors immediately portray Latin American culture, and these make awesome gifts for your friends and family back home.

If you’re wanting to see some really cool examples of what’s available online, check out these carved flowers that are intended to be anniversary gifts. They can make a really awesome collection!

9. Handicrafts

There are so many handmade crafts here in Ecuador that it’s impossible to describe them all in detail. Here are a few highlights:

Weaving

This includes keychains, bracelets, sashes, etc. They’re super colorful and fun, and you can pick up a ton of extras for cheap for the people that demand souvenirs from your adventure!

Balsa Carvings

In the Amazon, these vibrant carvings are typically of tropical birds like parrots and toucans. Puyo is a bit of a hot spot for them. You can also find bright dolphins, frogs, monkeys, turtles and fish. Be careful if you pack these to bring back home, though, they’re soft and delicate.

Wood Carvings

I know what you’re thinking, Balsa is a kind of wood, but honestly the results are very different. San Antonio de Ibarra is famous for gorgeous handmade wood carvings. Many of the popular ones are statues, plaques, and ornaments. Some are so massive that they take several people to lift, whereas others easily fit in a purse.

The craftsmanship is really outstanding, so you can’t go wrong by picking something up. You’ll find carvings that are both painted and unpainted. You can even find really gorgeous carved furniture, like desks, chairs, and coffee tables.

Panflutes

These you can literally find anywhere. Culturally speaking, they date back to the pre-hispanic era. There are tons of different configurations that reflect back to different uses and methods of playing. They’re durable little items too so they’re a fun toy to bring back for kids.

Tigua

This is very different from Tagua. Tigua is a kind of painting that came from the Cotopaxi area. It usually represents daily mountain life (taking care of alpacas, farming, spinning yarn, etc) or floral types of patterns. It is insanely bright and colorful. You can find it on things like small canvases, plates and utensils.

Ceramics

You can buy brightly colored and interesting ceramics throughout the country. Mugs, coasters, plates, etc are really interesting gift ideas if you can pack them safely for the return trip. As with pretty well anything handmade here in Ecuador, ceramics are very affordable.

If you want to get something really great, though, there are a few internationally recognized ceramicists here in Ecuador.

Eduardo Vega has an amazing shop and it’s pretty rare for someone to go there without buying something. He makes everything you can imagine from functional pieces to plaques and murals. You can check out his website here for examples of his work.

10. Jewelry

Aside from Tagua, Ecuador is known for handmade gold and silver jewelry. Often this is woven from fine wire (filigree) to great very ornate pieces, complete with colorful stones.

Chordeleg is roughly an hour east of Cuenca and is known as a town of metalworkers. These craftsmen are amazing to watch as they work with fine strands of silver, working it into amazingly detailed masterpieces.

Often, a really nice pair of silver earrings run around the $20 mark. If you have a picture or sketch of what you want, you can have them make it for you! Most of the shops here have little areas in the back where the silversmiths carefully and meticulously work away.

Here’s a cool gift idea: Why not take a video of a pair of earrings being made and send it to the person you bought them for? That can be a cool way to make the gift more personal.

Guild Towns of Ecuador

One really cool thing that Ecuador inherited from Spain is the concept of guild towns. Basically, this means that certain professions tend to be perfected in certain areas. It’s a really cool experience to visit these individual artisan towns to peruse what they’re famous for.

Here’s a list of some of these guild towns:

Chordeleg – silver jewelry

Otovalo – textiles

San Bartolomé – guitars

Gualaceo – sheep wool weaving

Cotacachi – leather

San Antonio – wood carving

Ambato – leather tanning

Sosote – tagua

Cuenca – Panama hats

Do you have anything that you’d recommend as a truly “Ecuadorian” souvenir? Post in in the comments below!

If you’re coming down for a visit, you’ll definitely want to check out my complete travel guide!