Peru Shopping

Peru is a shopping mecca for crafts and artwork and happens to be one of the top destinations for shopping in all of Latin America. Small stores align the streets with handmade alpaca clothes and other textiles, woven items, and pottery. Outdoor markets are also popular, as women set out their items and barter for your money. Traditional Peruvian items are very colorful and quite dazzling—something you do not see in your American malls. In cities such as Lima and Arequipa, you can also find textiles and ceramics from ancient civilizations at a very reasonable price (the dollar goes a long way in Latin America).

Lima and Cuzco have the best shopping for touristy souvenirs. Lima also has special areas just for shopping, cars cannot drive down the street, leaving more shoppers to peruse and window-shop at their leisure.

In the northern Amazon, you will find items such as hand-painted textiles and pottery. You will also find items from the jungle such as alligator skins and turtle shells, but be warned that purchasing is illegal despite how good the price you receive.

Although many shops abound, the best shopping is found on the street. You can easily bargain for prices—it is even expected.