Shopping in Chile
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Taller Artesanal San Marcos
Operated by the Gendarmería de Chile and selling a hotchpotch of prisoners’ crafts. Where else can you get a cotton bikini handmade by Chilean women prisoners? Knock on the door if the Gendarmería cabin is shut.
reviewed
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B
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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C
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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D
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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E
Feria Artesanal
The Feria Artesanal has all the typical tourist wares, the most interesting of which are the Mapuche figures carved from laurel wood and raulí wood bowls.
reviewed
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F
Galería Drugstore
Head to this cool four-story independent shopping center for clothes no one back home will have – it's home to the boutiques of several tiny, up-and-coming designers, arty bookstores and cafes.
reviewed
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G
Sabores de Arica
If you’d like to literally take home a taste of the region, this place sells neatly packaged local produce, from juicy olives and wicked Mayacuyá liquors to organic quinoa.
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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H
Art in Silver Workshop
Silver and lapis lazuli come together in unusual designs at this small, cluttered workshop, where you can sometimes see their creator, silversmith Victor Hugo, at work.
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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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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K
Mercado Central
Fish, as well as meat, vegetables and fruity fare, is available at the attractive old Mercado Central, which is between Maipú and Uribe.
reviewed
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Parque Arauco
A huge range of local and international clothing stores make this the fashionista mall of choice. From Manquehue metro station, it's about a mile-long walk (or a quick taxi ride) northwest along Alonso de Cordova.
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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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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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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O
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. The best way to get here is to catch a bus marked 'Alto Las Condes' outside the Escuela Militar metro station.
reviewed
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P
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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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.
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R
Feria Artesanal
Several crafts outlets sell woolens, leather goods and wood carvings. The Feria Artesanal and Manos Azules are worth a look.
reviewed
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S
Manos Azules
Several crafts outlets sell woolens, leather goods and wood carvings. The Feria Artesanal and Manos Azules are worth a look.
reviewed
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T
La Feria
If warmth is an issue, come here for a cheap winter parka (if the price is more important than durability and style).
reviewed
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U
La Casa de Vino
Has an impressive collection of Chilean wines to choose from, plus knowledgeable owners to help make your selections.
reviewed