Lima
A sustainable chocolate shop with delicious bars and connoisseur expertise. It's the perfect opportunity to appease friends and family back home, and it…
Must-see shopping in South America
São Paulo
Brazil's most famous gourmet chef, Alex Atala of D.O.M. fame, is behind this expansive gourmet emporium featuring provisions from small farms and…
Rio de Janeiro
One of Rio's best new handicraft stores stocks an exquisite collection of pieces from every corner of Brazil. You'll find ceramics with pre-Columbian…
Sur Chico
You'll want one of everything at this excellent locally steeped handicraft shop, including picoyo and araucaria woodwork (cutting boards, serving platters…
Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul
The old prison has swapped inmates for artists; each cell holds a different workshop. There's a strong sustainable focus, with lots of impressive…
Recoleta & Barrio Norte
This glorious bookstore in a converted theater continues to flourish in the age of the Kindle. The Grand Splendid theater opened in 1919 and was converted…
Ipanema & Leblon
The Zona Sul's most famous market, the Hippie Fair (aka Feira de Arte de Ipanema) has artwork, jewelry, handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs for sale…
Buenos Aires
This gallery-like store, stocked with edgy art books, fashion, accessories, whimsical leather desk sculptures, original artworks and unique handmade…
São Paulo
This uber-hip shop features hundreds of unique and clever T-shirts (R$68 to R$88) for men, women and babies from independent Brazilian designers arranged…
Belo Horizonte
A Belo Horizonte classic, this Sunday street fair attracts massive crowds searching for clothing, jewelry, street food and more. Located between Rua da…
Palermo
The high-quality carpets, rugs and blankets sold here are hand-dyed, hand-woven on a loom and fair trade; the owners work with cooperatives and NGOs to…
Amazonas
The shop for this local foundation, set up to help local community projects, has an excellent choice of mostly wooden crafts, from carved animals and…
Palermo
A destination in itself. This drop-dead gorgeous shop specializes in homewares – you can find small gifts and souvenirs here, like handcrafted soaps and…
Palermo
'Unique pieces by local artists' – that's the name of the game at Facón, a beautiful shop located in a charming old casona (house) with a lovely courtyard…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
Tafi's main diversion, aside from walks in the countryside, is this driving route to the home studios of area artisans, whose work includes ceramics,…
Santiago
Not only does this foundation's jewelry, wood carvings, ceramics and naturally dyed textiles sell at reasonable prices, most of what you pay goes directly…
La Paz
For a one-of-a-kind souvenir head to Walisuma, which works with 59 different Bolivian artisans. Star items include gorgeous (and ultrasoft) alpaca and…
Manaus
Right on Praça São Sebastião, this is Manaus’ top shop for genuine-article Amazonian handiwork, including gorgeous basketwork, pottery and folk art, as…
Santiago
The best place in Santiago to buy quality gifts that were actually made in Chile. This mock village houses dozens of small stores, art galleries and…
São Paulo
This supremely cool collection of original knickknacks, objets d'art and other decorative items from the 1950s, '60s and '70s is like a gourmet graveyard…
Belo Horizonte
You’ll find everything from parrots to peppers to perfume at this indoor market, a true Belo Horizonte institution. Shop for Minas cheeses and fresh…
Alter do Chão
Arguably the best indigenous art store in the region, representing communities throughout the Amazon Basin. Items range from inexpensive necklaces to…
São Paulo
You will find flip-flops in every imaginable design and hue – and at quite reasonable prices – at the flagship store for Brazil’s favorite beach footwear,…
Lima
For special gifts, check out this handicrafts shop featuring a selection of the highest-quality products from all over Peru; it’s even on the radar of…
Santiago
Much more than a bookstore, this two-floor shop sells Chilean movies, documentaries, records, toys, shirts and more. A must-visit to purchase unique gifts…
San Telmo
This colorful art shop sells prints and originals by emerging artists. Perfect stop for unique souvenir shopping – and supporting the local art scene…
Cali & Southwest Colombia
Purchase traditional wooden vessels brightly decorated with vegetable resin at this fine gallery. Come on weekday afternoons to watch maestro José María…
São Paulo
Open-air market for handicrafts, antiques and food stalls Saturday, plus live chorinho in the afternoon between 2:30pm and 6:30pm.
Bogotá
This classy shop has higher-end crafts (lots of home accessories, plus bags, toys, hammocks and some clothing), and 70% of the profits go directly back to…
Ilhabela
A standout option on an island that disappoints from a shopping perspective, local artist Fred Teiu not only presents his own tropical-themed paintings…
São Paulo
This two-story design stop on Rua Mateus Grou – the neighborhood's design street – only sells works from Brazilian artists. It's worth a browse for…
Quito
Next to Tianguez cafe, this fair-trade shop sells a wide selection of quality handmade crafts from across Ecuador. Items are arranged by region, with…
Baños
The family from Salasaca who own this shop weave many of the gorgeous wool rugs and tapestries in their workshop upstairs. There's a good selection of…
Tarija
The best shop to pick up a bottle of the local vino, singani or other specialty food products. Carlos, the owner, is happy to open bottles to try by the…
São Paulo
South America's most luxurious high-end shopping mall is worth a stroll for the sheer opulence of it all and some very good restaurants.
Uruguay
A rainbow of beautiful handmade woolens is available in this shop, hidden away in a residential neighborhood near the waterfront.
Ayacucho
The retablos (ornamental religious dioramas) from Edwin Pizarro’s workshop in Barrio Belén are highly recommended. He’s renowned locally as one of the…
Puerto Ayora
You'll find one-of-a-kind gifts at this jeweler, with exquisite handmade works by Ecuadorian artisans. Some pieces incorporate lava forms, others feature…
Puerto Ayora
A high-end artists boutique selling uniquely designed handicrafts, jewelry and ceramics.
