Shopping in Caracas
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Comercial Carrillo
For legitimately produced CDs (rather than the pirated versions that abound on the streets), try the small but well-crammed Comercial Carrillo, with a voluminous collection of Venezuelan folk and other styles from around the Caribbean.
reviewed
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Edificio La Francia
Venezuela is a major gold producer, so keen-eyed travelers can pick up some tempting bargains. The nucleus of Caracas' gold market is the legendary central Edificio La Francia, which boasts 10 stories of jewelry shops - about 100 shops in all. It's usually brimming with eager shoppers sporting a glint in their eye, and the streets outside ring with the cries of 'compro oro, compro oro' ('I buy gold, I buy gold').
reviewed
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Hannsi
To pick up the obligatory hammocks, papier-mâché devil masks or stuffed piranhas, check out the biggest craft shop of them all at Hannsi, in El Hatillo, one of the best souvenirs shops you’ll see. The massive store is divided by region and 20% of its inventory represents neighboring countries.
reviewed
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Centro Artesenal Los Goajiros
A below-street-level corridor of stalls just west of Plaza Chacaíto offers a mixed-bag of Orinoco crafts (woven hammocks and bags, carved blowguns, musical instruments) and hippie gear (Rasta caps, Guatemalan wallets).
reviewed
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Casa Curuba
Stunning wares here, all fashioned from exotic hardwoods. The high-quality stock includes beautiful picture frames, boxes and bowls, especially from the state of Lara. The spot for a discerning gift or souvenir.
reviewed
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Centro Artesanal Los Goajiros
A below-street-level corridor of stalls just west of Plaza Chacaíto offers a mixed-bag of Orinoco crafts (woven hammocks and bags, carved blowguns, musical instruments) and hippie gear (Rasta caps, Guatemalan wallets).
reviewed
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F
Book Market
The cheapest place to browse is the street Book Market, a warren of bookstalls beneath an elevated highway featuring a haphazard range of new and secondhand books in Spanish, including some rare old editions.
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Mercado de la Hoyada
Just a few blocks east of Plaza Bolívar, the sprawling Mercado de la Hoyada is the most central of Caracas' several markets. Miles of tightly packed stalls proffer all sorts of wares, mostly clothing.
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Beco
If Corporación Verotex is shut, try the camping section here, which has gas cannisters for camping stoves, tents and other equipment on the 1st floor.
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Dulces Criollos
The sweet-toothed will have a field day in this traditional candy store on the plaza, which sells gooey cakes, jellied fruits and other local confections.
reviewed
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Artesanía Altamira
A veritable profusion of basket work is to be found here, along with other assorted knickknacks – the kind we all buy and ask ourselves ‘Why?’ later.
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Centro Comercial Ciudad Tamanaco
Commonly known as CCCT, this older mall with a unique inverted pyramid design contains an exclusive hotel as well as more than 500 stores.
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Tecni-Ciencia Libros, Centro Comercial Ciudad Tamanaco
One of Venezuela's best bookstores, with 10 branches around town. It has well-stocked travel sections with plenty of Lonely Planet titles.
reviewed
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Tecni-Ciencia Libros, Centro Comercial Sambil
One of Venezuela's best bookstores, with 10 branches around town. It has well-stocked travel sections with plenty of Lonely Planet titles.
reviewed
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Centro Lido
In the heart of the modern business district, this has scads of exclusive shops on the four lower levels of an office tower.
reviewed
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Maquita
If you don't have time to get to El Hatillo to Hannsi, try the offerings at this central spot, which has good woodcarvings.
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Corporación Verotex
Stocks a reasonable choice of camping, trekking and mountaineering equipment and is one of the cheapest retailers around.
reviewed
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Centro Comercial Chacaíto
One of Caracas' older, more established shopping complexes, alongside a bustling plaza with still more malls.
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El Buscón
Browse-worthy store with strong selection of Venezuelan literature (in Spanish), plus some English novels.
reviewed
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Centro Comercial Paseo Las Mercedes
Includes an excellent hotel and a cutting-edge arts center. From the metro Chacaíto, take Metrobús 221.
reviewed
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American Book Shop
Fair selection of Lonely Planet guidebooks, plus magazines in English.
reviewed
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Tecni-Ciencia Libros
One of Venezuela’s best bookstores, with 12 branches around town.
reviewed
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