Shopping in Santiago
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A
La Vega Central
Raspberries, quinces, figs, peaches, persimmons, custard apples… if it grows in Chile, you’ll find it at La Vega Central. Go early to see the hollering vendors in full swing.
reviewed
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B
Lapiz Lazuli House
Bellavista is traditionally the spot for lapis lazuli jewelry (only Chile and Afghanistan have major deposits of this semiprecious gem). Shop around if you can, but Lapiz Lazuli House is one of the most established shops in the area; and you could also try the market between Avenida Bellavista and Pio Nono.
reviewed
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C
Pueblito Los Dominicos
Next to the twin white domes of Los Dominicos church in Las Condes, this small market sells a mix of quality crafts made onsite and brought in from throughout Chile. From Escuela Militar metro station take orange bus 401 or 407 (they leave from stop 4) along Av Apoquindo.
reviewed
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Emporio Nacional
Room after wooden-shelved room is stacked high with delectable goodies from all over Chile. Weigh your suitcase (or yourself) down with ostrich pâte, pickled walnuts, merquén (a smoky local spice mix), bottled seafood, and more jams than you knew existed.
reviewed
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D
Centro Artesanal Santa Lucía
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. Panpipes, silver jewelry and Andean-style sweaters are some of the been-there-bought-that products available.
reviewed
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Persa Bío Bío
Antiques, collectibles and fascinating old junk fill the cluttered stalls at this market between Bío Bío and Franklin. The origins of some items – like secondhand bikes – may be a little sketchy, but sifting through it all is loads of fun.
reviewed
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E
Centro de Exposición de Arte Indígena
Indigenous craftspeople sell a small selection of wares at these stalls next to the Terraza Neptuno entrance to Cerro Santa Lucía; goods include silver jewelry, postcards, instruments and Mapuche dictionaries.
reviewed
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F
The Clinic
T-shirts bearing ironic slogans, neat little notebooks and kooky tableware are some of the hipper-than-thou offerings at this spin-off shop of the satirical local newspaper of the same name.
reviewed
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Artesanías de Chile
Not only do this foundation’s jewelry, carvings, ceramics and woolen goods sell at reasonable prices, most of what you pay goes to the artisan that made them (their names are on each piece).
reviewed
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G
Galería Drugstore
Head to this retro-cool four-storey arcade for clothes no one back home will have – 0it’s home to the boutiques of several tiny, up-and-coming designers, arty bookstores and cafés.
reviewed
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Ocho Fortuna
Sweet but sarcastic messages of hope adorn colorful shopping bags, old-school exercise books and travel-size notebooks here. Ultra-Latino fridge magnets make cool souvenirs.
reviewed
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Kind of Blue
At the best music shop in town, savvy multilingual staff happily talk you through local sounds and artists, and can get hard-to-find imports in a matter of days.
reviewed
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H
Almacenes Paris
Almacenes Paris is perhaps the most extensive of Santiago's downtown department stores, with 11 floors stuffed with everything from cell phones to carpets.
reviewed
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Parque Arauco
A huge range of local and international clothing stores make this the fashionista mall of choice. There’s also a cinema, bowling alley and skating rink.
reviewed
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I
Vinoteca
A staff of friendly, unpretentious sommeliers guide you through this small store’s choice selection of wines from lesser-known vineyards.
reviewed
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J
Feria del Disco
This bland superstore has well-stocked shelves and also sells tickets to live music and sporting events at a slightly marked-up price.
reviewed
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Alto Las Condes
As well as top-end Chilean and Argentine clothing brands, this has a branch of department store Falabella and a cinema complex.
reviewed
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K
Librería Australis
Specializes in guidebooks (including Lonely Planet and Turistel), maps, Chilean flora and fauna guides and coffee-table books.
reviewed
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Paisajes de Chile
Sells Lonely Planet guides in English and Spanish, maps, wildlife guides, Turistels and photography books.
reviewed
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Contrapunto
Art, architecture, photography, design: if it’ll look good on your coffee table, Contrapunto sells it.
reviewed
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Andesgear
Climbing and high-altitude camping gear – much of it imported – makes up the bulk of the stock here.
reviewed
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L
Feria Chilena del Libro
Solid selection of Spanish-language literature and a few dusty English-language paperbacks.
reviewed
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Books Secondhand
The best range of quality English-language paperbacks in town, including some guidebooks.
reviewed
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Metales Pesados
Super-savvy selection of Chilean and Latin American literature (in Spanish).
reviewed
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