Trustworthy data does not exist on the origins of this municipality, although its structures denotes its typical Arabic ancestry of the low Alpujarra, with narrow streets and of pronounced slopes.

Apparently the town was created as a result of the fish route that went from Almuñécar towards Granada. The present street Sale was the place of rest and rest of the merchants and the street Loading base was where they unloaded the merchandise carried by animals.
Possibly the word “Otívar” comes from the euskera, like other typical Granada names like Otura.
Currently it has a population of 1,300 inhabitants although in the 1950´s it has risen to 4,000.
The population decline has come as a result of the emigration, mainly to Catalonia, Basque Country and abroad.

Formerly the neighbors of Otívar dedicated themselves to working in the mountain range, such as coal miners, carpenters, goatherds, calereros. Later the implementation of the subtropical cultivation began, providing work at the time to 80% of the population.
The remaining 20% is dedicated to the construction and hosteleries and other complimentary activities - before the arrival of rural tourism.

The most outstanding historical figure is Don Juan Fernandez Canes, “the uncle Charity”. He was a famous mayor of Otívar, a well-known guerrilla also known as “the colonel”.

The most symbolic monument of the population is the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception that dates from the first half of XVIIIth Century.
Even older than the town of Otívar itself, is the property of The Palaceite of Cázulas, that until 1977 was owned by the Marquesado. This property is of Arab origin and used to occupy two third of the municipal boundary and was faithful reflection of all the known events of the nobility Andalusian.

Of nearby significance are the Mountain ranges of Almijara and those of Alhama and Tejeda Natural Park. These attractions have had a major impact for the development of the rural tourism in the area. Its natural features with fascinating landscapes, allow the practice of sports of adventure such as climbing and paragliding