Recoleta & Barrio Norte
Looking for vintage or secondhand clothing? This old shopping gallery is an obligatory stop. Used retro wearables are sold here at several shops, and…
Must-see shopping in South America
Rio de Janeiro
If you're out of ideas for gifts to take home, head to this sizable Havaianas shop, where the ubiquitous Brazilian rubber sandal comes in all different…
Santiago
As well as top-end Chilean and Argentine clothing brands, this mall has a branch of department store Falabella and a cinema complex. There are also…
North Coast & Lowlands
Here you can snatch up high-quality straw 'Panama' hats for under $100, but check them closely. None are blocked or banded, but they’re cheaper than just…
Caribbean Coast
It’s very difficult to hang around Mompós watching the residents sway away the days in their distinctive rocking chairs and not want one for yourself…
Rio de Janeiro
Surf shops, skateboard outlets, and shops selling beachwear and fashions for young people fill this shopping gallery in Arpoador. Shorts, bikinis, swim…
Santiago
It’s a stretch to call this market’s mass-produced weavings and leather goods ‘crafts,’ but it’s certainly a good place to go for cheap souvenirs…
Rosario
A small handicrafts market by the tourist office where dealers sell everything from silverwork to leather goods. There are several other weekend markets…
Centro Commercial y Artesanal La Bombona
Cali & Southwest Colombia
A covered market selling warm clothes, souvenirs and handicrafts. If you're after the ultimate in cheesy gifts it's hard to go past the model guinea pigs…
Chiloé
In a clearly half-hearted attempt at competing with Dalcahue's excellent crafts market, Achao has built a small crafts market on the water. It's decent…
Salvador
If you need a break from the sun, duck into well air-conditioned Shopping Barra, just a few blocks from the beach. There are clothing boutiques,…
South Coast
The local wine industry is evident in the shops that line Av Benavides between the square and the bus stations. La Plazuela will pour a few gratis mini…
Cuenca
Artesa is a big Ecuadorian ceramics company that incorporates old Andean ceramic styles into high-quality, hand-painted pieces. If you just can’t live…
Recife
As well as traditional Pernambuco handicrafts, such as lace and leather goods, palm baskets and clay figurines, this bustling city-center market sells all…
Punta Arenas
The duty-free zone is a large, polished conglomeration of shops that is worth checking out if you’re looking for electronics, outdoor gear, computer…
Rio de Janeiro
Bossa nova plays overhead at this charming cafe, bookstore and music shop. As well as new books (including a few eye-catching photo books on Rio),…
Nova Livraria Leonardo da Vinci
Rio de Janeiro
Boasting one of Rio's best foreign-language book collections, da Vinci also has a wide range of art and photography books, as well as coffee-table books…
Buenos Aires
If you’re looking to buy outdoor gear or camping equipment, this is the place to do it. Crampons, knives, tents, backpacks, climbing gear, all-weather…
Bolivia
The impressive Mercado Tradicional in the middle row of Mercado Fermín López has more dried llama fetuses and amulets than a voodoo master has pins. The…
Rio de Janeiro
The famous Brazilian beachwear brand sells its well-made board shorts, T-shirts, sungas (Speedo-sized male swimsuits) and a few bikinis from this…
Cartagena
This impressive place housed in a handsome colonial mansion is the best antiques shop in the walled city, a veritable treasure trove of art, furniture and…
Fortaleza
A bustling beachside handicraft market on Praia do Meireles. The small stalls sell similar items to those found in the central market: leather goods,…
Bogotá
Swapping books in hostels might not always lead to a good read. Improve your options browsing the shelves of this crammed bookshop, home to a rather…
Brasília
This weird building looks like half a soda can (from some angles anyway) and contains restaurants, upmarket clothes stores and cinemas. The food court has…
Centro Comercial Palacio Nacional
Medellín
This city center palatial building from 1925 has been transformed into a shopping mall with more than 200 budget shops (most selling clothing and footwear…
Lima
Need a socket wrench, a suitcase and a T-shirt of Jesus Christ wearing an Alianza Lima soccer jersey? Then Polvos Azules is the place for you. This…
Córdoba
Leather goods made from carpincho (the Spanish word for capybara, a large rodent whose hide makes a beautifully spotted leather) are the specialty here…
Guayaquil
This large artisan's market has a huge variety of crafts from all over Ecuador, including Otavalo-style sweaters, plus Panama hats, carved chessboards and…
Rio de Janeiro
Much-touted Brazilian designer Tufi Duek reigns over this Barra store. You'll find stylish polos, snug-fitting button-downs and one-of-a-kind graphic T…
Middle Chile
The Feria de Chillán has a reasonable selection of crafts. Especially good are ceramics from the nearby village of Quinchamalí, but you’ll also see…
Cuzco
Crammed with new gear and rentals, this gear shop is a handy stop for all your trekking needs, including repellent, equipment and some clothing. There are…
Rio de Janeiro
Rio’s best-loved bookstore chain now has a Botafogo branch. With an appealing cafe, a music section (CDs, vinyl reprints) and a small but decent foreign…
Mar del Plata
A fun and funky book shop with an in-house cafe, and a collection of beat-up, overpriced English-language pulp fiction in the basement. Still, it's a fun…
Santiago
This revamped location of the high-end wine chain (look for other branches throughout Santiago and Chile) features 6000 bottles from around the world – or…
Paraguay
It's worth a trip to the gigantic, well-stocked Cooperativa Mennonita supermarket. It's amazing how much you can fit under one roof, but you may find…
Baños
At this outdoor crafts market, you’ll find endless quantities of locally made baubles and a regional craft called tagua-carving – white, golfball-size…
Recoleta & Barrio Norte
Arandu is a high-end (this is Recoleta, after all) talabartería – a traditional Argentine shop selling gaucho gear, ponchos, mate gourds, silver, leather,…
Salta
Espacio Urbano is a gorgeous courtyard boutique trading in hip styles from international brands. Think Bensimon swimwear, Bolivia chinos and much more…
Rio de Janeiro
With 200 stores, a huge multiscreen cinema and an abundance of restaurants, this shopping center is the heart of Rio's thriving consumer culture. The…
Córdoba & the Central Sierras
Dominican friars at the mercado artesanal, next to Iglesia de Santo Domingo, sell gorgeous handmade wool rugs as well as ceramics, onyx crafts and…
