Shopping Centre shopping in South America
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Av Las Heras
Av Las Heras is lined with souvenir shops, leather shops, chocolate stores and all sorts of places to pick up cheap Argentine trinkets. Items made of carpincho (spotted tanned hide of the capybara, a large rodent) are uniquely Argentine and sold in many of the stores.
reviewed
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A
Centro Comercial Quicentro
Centro Comercial Quicentro Centros comerciales (shopping malls) are nearly identical to their North American counterparts and sell international brands. This mall is open every day (from about 10:00 to 20:30) and has fast-food restaurants inside.
reviewed
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B
Daslu
Don’t plan on walking to Daslu. It’s against the rules to arrive on foot at São Paulo’s most over-the-top shopping emporium. A taxi is one option, though a much chicer option is to arrive by chopper at the rooftop heliport. The store itself looks like an all-white Roman villa on steroids, and over its three floors you can find every top designer, from Gucci to Tumi. Servants in black-and-white uniforms dole out free espresso, biscotti and sparkling water at bars spread throughout the store. Still hungry? There’s a tearoom, a sushi bar and a more formal dining room. Daslu even has its own harem – a sprawling series of lounges and changing rooms where mirrors are ubiquito…
reviewed
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C
La Mar
A cevichería done Gastón Acurio-style: La Mar is a polished cement patio bursting with VIPs (note the security guards outside) that serves 10 types of ceviche and almost as many varieties of tiraditos. Can’t make up your mind? Try the degustación, with five different kinds. There are grills, rice dishes and soups, but it’s the ceviche that is tops. Cocktails here include Lima’s best coca-leaf sour.
reviewed
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D
Centro Comercial de Chipichape
A typical evening begins at the Centro Comercial de Chipichape, an upscale mall just north of the main drag along Av Sexta. Caleños of all ages come to launch their evening with a cerveza (beer) or two at one of the many outdoor cafés.
From here you might head to a bar or lounge along the Av Sexta corridor.
reviewed
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E
Galería 5ta Avenida
Those looking for secondhand clothing (heavy with vintage overtones) need to make an obligatory stop at this old shopping mall. Used funky wearables are sold here at several shops, and prices are relatively fair for even the grungiest backpacker. Find the bargain racks for the best deals, though some selections are for the desperate only.
reviewed
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F
Zona Franca
The duty-free zone is a large, polished conglomeration of shops that is worth checking out if you’re looking for electronics, outdoor gear, computer accessories or camera equipment. Colectivos (shared taxis) shuttle back and forth from downtown along Av Bulnes throughout the day.
reviewed
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G
Casa da Cultura
This place is a creepy colonial-era prison with shops in cells where prisoners languished until 1973 (cell 106 is preserved as it was). Pernambuco’s traditional handicrafts, such as clay figurines, wood sculptures, lace and leather goods, plus plenty of T-shirts, can be found here.
reviewed
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H
Policentro
If you prefer a more sedate shopping atmosphere than Guayaquil's lively markets, try one of the indoor shopping malls along the Malecón or the department stores along 9 de Octubre. Policentro in the Kennedy suburb has many modern stores, restaurants and a movie theater.
reviewed
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I
Zona Franca
Created in 1975, Iquique’s zona franca is a massive monument to uncontrolled consumption. The entire region of Tarapacá is a duty-free zone, but its nucleus is this shopping center for imported electronics, clothing, automobiles and almost anything else.
reviewed
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J
Centro Comercial El Jardín
Centro Comercial El Jardín Centros comerciales (shopping malls) are nearly identical to their North American counterparts and sell international brands. This mall is open every day (from about 10:00 to 20:30) and has fast-food restaurants inside.
reviewed
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K
Centro Comercial Iñaquito
Centro Comercial Iñaquito Centros comerciales (shopping malls) are nearly identical to their North American counterparts and sell international brands. This mall is open every day (from about 10:00 to 20:30) and has fast-food restaurants inside.
reviewed
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L
Galería Bond
For the edgiest tattoos and piercings in town, you can’t beat this grungy shopping center. Buenos Aires’ skateboarder-wanna-bes and punk rockers come here to shop for the latest styles and sounds. Expect everything from Hello Kitty to heavy metal.
reviewed
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Centro Turístico Cultural San Cristóbal
This is a remodeled colonial building transformed into a hip little mall. Here you’ll find bars, restaurants and coffee shops, along with art galleries, craft stores and flower stands. A nice place to hang during the day.
reviewed
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Centro Comercial Albán Borja
If you prefer a sedate shopping atmosphere, try one of the indoor shopping malls along the malecón or the department stores along Avenida 9 de Octubre. Centro Comercial Albán Borja is in Urdesa.
reviewed
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M
Vertical Shopping
This 1950s high-rise was transformed into a shopping center in 2002, giving Centro its own nine-story mall. Check out sexy beachwear in Farm and Totem Praia, shoes at Sollas and Via Mia and fashions at Juliana Faro.
reviewed
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N
Patio Bullrich
Patio Bullrich is the place where posh porteños part with their pesos; expect international luxury brands like Salvatore Ferragamo alongside exclusive local design shops and upscale cafes.
reviewed
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O
Paço Alfândega
Converted into a glitzy shopping mall, this 19th-century customs house is worth a pop in for a cafezinho (small coffee). It is located on Recife Antigo’s southern waterfront.
reviewed
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Vivanda
There are many supermarkets loaded with both local and imported food, drink, toiletries and medicines. One of the best is Vivanda, which rivals any North American mall hangout.
reviewed
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P
Iguatemi Shopping
A modern shopping center with designer clothes, bookshops and music stores. Most shops are open from 10:00 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday, and from 14:00 to 22:00 on Sunday.
reviewed
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Q
Supermercado España
Stocked with everything from colored flip-flops to bulk peanuts to chocolate bars, this chain is a good place to stock up if you can't make it to the shopping centers.
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Mini Mercado
For groceries, try the tiendas (small shops) along Comercio or the Mini Mercado, where you'll find a selection of canned rations, snacks and alcohol.
reviewed
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R
Paseo Alcorta
This upmarket shopping mall showcases stylish Argentine brands, exclusive European designers, a ritzy food court, a cinema center and a children’s play area.
reviewed
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S
Alto Palermo
Smack on stylish Av Santa Fe, this shiny mall specializes in chic clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, home-decor emporiums – and the city’s first Starbucks.
reviewed
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T
Galeria Ouro Fino
From hip-high boots to camouflage club gear, this old-fashioned, 3-story mall has been turned into ground zero for alternativo shoppers.
reviewed
