Other shopping in Chile
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A
Feria Municipal
There are an abundance of craft markets in the Feria Municipal. It also contains a municipal tourist office.
reviewed
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Main Market
The city’s main market is split into two sections on either side of Maipón between Isabel Riquelme and 5 de Abril. On the north side is a covered section known as the Mercado Central, which contains cheap eateries and butchers stands festooned with strings of the longaniza (a spicy salami-type sausage) that Chillán is famous for throughout Chile. The open-air stalls on Plaza de la Merced form La Feria de Chillán and are taken up with a mix of fresh produce and local arts and crafts. Simple ceramics, leather huaso (cowboy) gear and wickerware are good-value buys.
reviewed
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Fundación Chol-Chol
Unfortunately, the best and most responsible spot to buy Mapuche gear is 16km out of town. This nonprofit, Fair Trade organization works with 600 rural Mapuche women to offer top-quality weavings and textiles made entirely by hand. Throw rugs, wall hangings, bags, shawls – nothing is cheap, everything is simply gorgeous. To get here, take any bus towards the towns of Nueva Imperial, Carahue or Puerto Saavedra from the rural bus terminal and ask to be let off at the Fundación. If you can’t make it, a few of their wares are available at the gift shop in the museum.
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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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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Emporio de la Pampa
Attached to a Northface boutique, this wine and cheese shop has goodies galore for the trail. Treats include fresh coffee, hearty brown bread and regional goat cheese. A tasting (CH$10,000) will help you get your bearings.
reviewed
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B
Mercado La Recova
Head here for a feast of dried fruits, multicolored jams and other sugary concoctions from the Elqui Valley. There are also plenty of woolens, soapstone ashtrays and musical instruments on offer.
reviewed
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C
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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D
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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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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Fundacíon Artesanías de Chile
A not-for-profit foundation offering beautiful Mapuche textiles as well as high-quality jewelry and ceramics from all over southern Chile.
reviewed
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E
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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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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F
Mercado Municipal
There are an abundance of craft markets in the Mercado Municipal. It also contains a municipal tourist office.
reviewed
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G
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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La Madddera
You’ll find camping gear galore at this friendly shop; also fixes damaged gear and does guided excursions. Also at Prat 499.
reviewed
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H
Melliküen
Silver jewelry by local craftspeople and soft woven ponchos from the south of Chile are the main offerings here.
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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Mercado Central
Cater your own takeaway beach meal or eat at the family-friendly food stalls in the old central market.
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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40 Y 20 Fruta Seca
Shoppers can hit 40 y 20 Fruta Seca for dried fruits and nuts perfect for the trail.
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
