Reprosa

Lonely Planet review

It's possible to purchase high-quality replicas of huacas - golden objects made on the isthmus centuries before the Spanish conquest and placed with indigenous leaders at the time of burial. The indigenous population believed in an afterlife, and the huacas were intended to accompany and protect their souls on the voyage to the other world.

The huacas were mainly items of adornment, the most fascinating being three-dimensional figure pendants. Most took the form of a warrior, crocodile, jaguar, frog or condor. Little else is known about the exact purpose of these golden figures, but each probably held mystical, spiritual or religious meaning.

You can purchase exact (solid gold) and near-exact (gold-plated) reproductions of these palm-size objects. They are available at reasonable cost at Reprosa. Also available here are well-priced necklaces made of black onyx and other gemstones. If you're looking for something special to bring back for a loved one, this is the place to come.