Shopping in The Southwest
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Markets
Cochabamba is Bolivia's biggest market town. The main market is the enormous La Cancha, which is one of the most crowded, chaotic, claustrophobic, and exhilarating spots in the country. You'll find it near Plaza 14 de Septiembre. Around the town's markets you'll find just about everything imaginable, but keep an eye out for pickpockets.
The largest and most accessible area is Mercado Cancha Calatayud, which sprawls across a wide area along Av Aroma and south toward the former railway station. Here is your best opportunity to see local dress, which differs strikingly from that of the Altiplano.
The Mercado Incallacta and Mercado de Ferias spill out around the old railway st…
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Market
Favored Potosí souvenirs include silver and tin articles available in Stands near the market entrance on Calle Oruro; many of them were produced in the village of Caiza, 80km south of Potosí, which now has its own co-op shop featuring naturally dyed llama and alpaca wool items. Here, small dangly earrings, hoop earrings, spoons and platters cost between around US$1 and US$5.
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Central Market
The Central Market is home to some gastronomic highlights. Don't miss the fresh juices and fruit salads - they are among the best in the country. The vendors and their blenders always come up with something indescribably delicious - try jugo de tumbo (unripe passion-fruit juice). Upstairs, you'll find good, filling, cheap meals in sanitary conditions (for a market, anyway).
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Market Comedor
For quick eats, cheap meals are on offer at the market comedor (dining hall) and nearby street food stalls. Our intensively researched 'Best Uyuni Salteña' award goes to the small cart that you can find mornings on Potosí outside the Banco de Crédito near the corner of Bolívar.
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Inca Pallay
This weavers and artisans cooperative has an impressive array of high-quality handmade crafts, not all from the Sucre area. Prices are high, but this is the store that returns the highest percentage to the weavers themselves. You can sometimes see weavers at work in the patio.
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Mercado Tradicional
Tucked away in the middle row of the Mercado Fermín López is the impressive Mercado Tradicional, which has more dried llama fetuses and flamingo wings than a voodoo master has pins. The affable vendors are more than happy to explain the usage of their wares.
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Mercado de Ganado
The fascinating Mercado de Ganado livestock market operates Wednesdays and Sundays at the end of Avenida Panaméricana, far to the south of the center; it's worth taking a taxi out there to see it in operation. As always, it pays to get there early-ish.
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ARAO Artesanías Oruro
This place offers the best selection of high-quality, cooperatively produced handicrafts from four communities in the Oruro department, starting at B$70. The naturally dyed wool rugs and wall hangings, shoulder bags and ponchos are especially notable.
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Ajllay Wasi
A complete selection of quality textiles from different weaving centers. Weavers take their crafts to the shop personally so they receive a bigger chunk of the profits. An explanation of the design of your textile is provided with every purchase.
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Artesanías
Llama and alpaca wool bags and clothing are sold at artesanías (shops selling locally handcrafted items) in the center and at the bus terminal, while the cheapest articles are found around the northeast corner of Mercado Campero.
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Pacha Mama
A new store offering the biggest and best selection of local artesanías in town. Aymará owner Sayda Quispe offers some of his own jewelry and clothing designs, and it’s also a sales point for Lonely Planet books.
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Arte Nativo
A recommended store is Arte Nativo, selling ecologically sound, indigenous handiwork and so improving the economic condition of rural women who weave with the naturally dyed wool of sheep, llamas and alpacas.
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Artesanía Stalls
For inexpensive souvenirs, scour the Artesanía Stalls behind the main post office. The alleyway is also full of vendors of Spanish-language literature and other books for reasonable and negotiable prices.
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La Concepción
For wine, visit the retail shop of La Concepción, one of Bolivia's more famous wineries. Try to taste what you are going to buy; if not, spend up, as some of the cheaper reds are pretty astringent.
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Ananay
This boutique features export-quality crafts, home furnishings and adorable children's clothing. It's not cheap, but the designs are unique and the quality is high.
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Los Amigos del Libro
Stocks the best range of English, French and German paperbacks, plus Bolivian literature and Lonely Planet guides. Several branches including España near Bolívar.
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Hawkers
Hawkers sell cheap zampoñas (pan flutes made of hollow reeds), charangos and other indigenous musical instruments near the train station.
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Doña Máxima
After some bargaining, you'll find excellent deals on less decorative and more utilitarian Candelaria and Jalq'a weavings in this jam-packed cubbyhole.
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Proyecto Social Yanapahuay
Proyecto Social Yanapahuay, in the post office building, is a charitable concern with decent postcards and small artesaníaitems.
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Cafe Extrapuro El Chapaco
Cafe Extrapuro El Chapaco sells Yungas beans - to taste them brewed, visit Mateo's (cnr Bolívar & 6 de Octubre).
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Mercado Americano
A trip to the Mercado Americano, around the junction of Mujía and Reyes, will keep clothes-junkies busy for hours.
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Arte Andino
Locally made woollens are available at a few outlets. Try the cooperative Arte Andino.
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Supermercado Tarija
Tarija’s best supermarket is well-stocked with imported foodstuffs and a good wine selection.
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Fotrama Factory Outlet
The Fotrama Factory Outlet sells locally produced woolens from llama and alpaca at bargain prices.
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Ic Norte
Well-stocked US-style supermarket with imported and unique export-quality Bolivian products.
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