Recoleta & Barrio Norte
If you're looking for quality tango shoes, this is the place to come. Not only are these shoes designed to withstand hours of dancing at the milonga, they…
Must-see shopping in South America
Manaus
One of several casas de redes (hammock shops) clustered around this corner; this one has a monster selection and amiable service. For riverboat trips,…
Rio de Janeiro
Vinyl fans and bookworms flock to this cabinet of musical and literary curiosities with its extensive collection of unusual albums combined with…
Cuenca
The Plaza de San Francisco Market has an interesting combination of basketry, ceramics, ironwork, wooden utensils, plastic trinkets, gaudy religious…
São Paulo
This 100% Paulistano streetwear brand is a play on the word estorvo (uncomfortable, a disturbance, a nuisance) and indeed their limited but well-designed…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
On a street with a growing number of shops and cafes, Gabinete is a fun place to browse for unusual items – geometric jewelry made of volcanic rock,…
São Luís
Every Sunday the Praça Benedito Leite in the historical center hosts this market fair. Stalls selling traditional meals, cheese, fresh vegetables, dry…
Cuenca
More akin to a hat emporium, this is Ecuador’s best-known hat seller. The company exports around the world and has a huge selection of high-quality straw…
São Paulo
If you're a browser with the patience of a saint, this trendy collaborative store features over 160 Brazilian designers whose creative wares are exhibited…
Sucre
A fascinating, sprawling market that's easy to get lost in, wandering row after row of goods from mundane everyday products to traditional foods. It might…
Arequipa
The city’s primary craft market occupies a beautiful colonial sillar (white volcanic rock) courtyard next to the Iglesia de San Francisco. Garments,…
Cuzco
Cuzco’s central market is a must-see. Pig heads for caldo (soup), frogs (to enhance sexual performance), vats of fruit juice, roast lechón (suckling pig)…
Cartagena
An erudite-looking bookshop-cafe that's short on space but big on atmosphere, with the obligatory ladder to reach the higher shelves. Search carefully and…
Amazon Basin
Local Beni crafts, including weaving, woodwork and masks, are sold at the Centro Artesanal Moxos, 300m southwest of town by the cemetery. Look out for the…
Cafayate
This is a mall of brick stalls piled with goods made from llama wool, leather and cactus wood. Here, handicrafts include artisanal journals, mate (a tea…
Rio de Janeiro
This upstairs shop has loads of character, with original paintings, carved wooden folk art, artfully bound blank books, coffee from small producers and…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
Shopping da Gávea touts itself as the preferred mall of artists and intellectuals, which may or may not matter to you when you're laying down serious cash…
Arequipa
More than just a source for fine alpaca-wool goods and raw thread, this complex functions as a tourist center for international wool-export company…
Lima
This towering shop boasts four floors to explore, each providing something different. Designer pieces and jewelry from national and international fashion…
Recoleta & Barrio Norte
For unique, fun and handmade Argentine items, explore the corners of this tiny boutique. The stock is ever-changing, but can include such things as…
Santa Cruz
The best place to find fine artesanías (locally handcrafted items), this store provides an outlet for the work of 1000 rural cruceña women and their…
Palermo
At this large, upscale shopping mall all the popular Argentine women’s clothing shops are represented, as are international brands such as Adidas, Nike…
Palermo
For the retro-sports fanatic, there’s nothing better than this unique shop, with its sense of humor and vintage twist. Focusing on only one product and…
Huaraz & the Cordilleras
Of the several shops that cluster around the ruins site, this one could be the best, selling unique Chavín souvenirs from textile and wool items to huge…
Lima
Stock up on organic groceries and sundries in this neighborhood shop. Refrigerators hoard fermented drinks and yogurt, and shelves are lined with bulk…
Palermo
About 20 emerging young designers are showcased at this small, upscale store in Palermo Chico. Peruse the clothing racks for one-of-a-kind, eclectic tops,…
Ushuaia
They don't seem to sell a bad bottle of wine in the whole place. This is a wine-lover's paradise, with floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked to the brim with…
Mercado Artesanal y Fábrica de Alfombras
Catamarca & La Rioja
For Catamarca’s characteristic hand-tied rugs, visit this artisans market, which also sells ponchos, blankets, jewelry, red onyx sculptures, musical…
Puno
This craft market sells llama toys, rugs, alpaca sweaters, masks from Puno's La Virgen de la Candelaria festival and other handicrafts you'll see…
São Paulo
It's worth a look into this selective design shop and gallery, which features a museum-worthy collection of period furniture, art and antiques from the …
Middle Chile
This intimate shop sells hard-to-find garage wines and top-quality bottles from small Chilean producers. The English-speaking owner can organize thematic…
Ushuaia
This indoor artists market sells handmade jewelry, wool crafts, traditional mates and other household items. The majority of vendors only accept Argentine…
Ipanema & Leblon
Bossa nova fans shouldn't miss this store. In addition to its ample CD and vinyl selection (starting at R$40) of contemporary and old performers, it also…
Lima
A vintage casona houses this contemporary crafts store with a lovely courtyard cafe. Jewelry, clothes, pottery and more – this is where handmade objects…
Northern Highlands
Claudia and Marcelo Garcia produce a tasty range of amaranth-based products, including energy bars, granola, cookies and flour. They exhibit every…
Montevideo
This national cooperative, a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, is famous for its quality woolen goods. In addition to its Ciudad Vieja branch,…
San Telmo
Run by a photographer from the US, this tiny shop is probably the city's best English-language bookstore. Thousands of new and used literature and…
Parque Artesanal Loma de la Cruz
Cali
This is one of Colombia's better artesanía (local craft stall) markets. You'll find handmade goods from the Amazon, Pacific coast, southern Andes and even…
Cuenca
Just below the Mirador de Turi – and 4km south of the center – is the home, workshop and studio of Eduardo Vega, Ecuador’s most important ceramic artist…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
You never know what you'll unearth at this rambling little antique shop two blocks from Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Recent finds have included a porcelain…
