Where are the best markets in Lima?

Hi,

I am looking to do some heavy shopping in Lima before I head back home. I am not interested in big fancy malls or expensive fashion stores like that. I am looking for the best markets that sell all that cool and cheap "fake" brand name clothes. I am also looking for a good place to buy pirated DVDs and software and other cheap electronics like that.

Any help from other market enthusiasts is greatly appreciated! :)

Cheers,
Cam.

Hi Cam,
I believe "El Hueco", in downtown Lima is the place to buy all the pirated stuff. However, be extra cautious if you go there since I think it's not too safe. Also, not sure if true or not but I read that taking pirated stuff (music, DVDs) from Peru is illegal and if customs finds them on your way out of the country your stuff will be seized and you'll be heavily fined.

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<hr> I am looking for the best markets that sell all that cool and cheap "fake" brand name clothes<hr></blockquote>

Without doubt that place is: GAMARRA

Polvos Azules is the traditional market. Even has porno video games. Near the Justice Ministry so the area is secure. In decades of travel I've never been searched leaving Peru. BUT they have drug sniffing dogs that are pretty good.. so don't get any ideas along that line. Also.. if you buy at any of the Lima hostels... and in quantity... cops will know within minutes.

I was searched on arrival in Amsterdam; every single passenger was checked by a sniffer dog and questioned as to their business in Peru. I had my hand luggage gone through, was asked about Christmas gifts I was carrying, and the man unzipped my CD case and flipped through it. Luckily, the few discs that he actually looked at were genuine. I don't know what he would have done if he had seen the pirated DVDs I had in there; they were clearly looking for drugs principally, but the DVDs are not strictly legal either, so perhaps he would have taken them off me. I was so tired after the journey and had a further connection to make, so I was pretty relieved when he let me through.

As to buying the DVDs, I'd recommend Polvos Azules. Taxi drivers all know it and there is generally a line of them waiting outside so you can go directly to and from if you're a bit concerned about safety, but really it's fine. There are loads of different stalls, and you can generally ask the vendors to put your chosen DVD on for a few minutes to show you the quality, which can vary. If you're not satisfied, go elsewhere.

Other places for Pirated CDs.

Thanks for all the info everyone. Looks like there are plenty of options for finding what I need.

I am not 100% certain, but I am fairly sure that you would not get in any trouble for bringing back pirated music, movies or software. It certainly is highly illegal to sell or distribute, so if you had a large quantity then they might get suspicious, but generally speaking posession of such things are not a problem.

Also, I am assuming I will find lots of markets to buy the standard peruvian/andean clothes (like alpaca/llama sweaters, scarfs, etc) and other handicrafts throughout miraflores? Or is there a specific market to get better deals on these things?

Thanks again,
Cam.

The mall in front of Santo Domingo Church, in Plaza Santo Domingo, and Av. La Marina handcraft markets.

For handicrafts the Miraflores markets... and stores.. are expensive. Anahi mentions the La Marina markets. Those are very good. Found on the 1100 block of Ave. La Marina. Take a micro from Miraflores that says Ave. La Marina. They are just past the bridge near the Hospital Military. A whole warren of small stalls. Cheaper than Miraflores.

Can you get Photoshop at any of these markets in English? Are they virus free?

Photoshop? Wilson is the perfect place (Av. Garcilazo de la Vega, behind Sheraton Hotel).

Gamarra Market is not so safe, beware. Besides you'll find so many different places that it would be difficult to buy. Try "La Quinta" or some other similar stores, they sell brand name stuff for extremely cheap prices; although it might not be as cheap as Gamarra, there's no need to take a taxi for a long distance place and no risk of pick pocketing. They are in Jr. De La Unión (Downtown) and LArco Avenue (5th block) in Miraflores.

Virus free.. it would be the only thing in Peru that was. You are taking a risk on software that is pirated unless it is Mac software. You want quality stolen software then buy it from the Russians.

When I was on the bus from Lima to Ayacucho, after awhile, the movie started stalling and eventually crashed. Perhaps the DVD was pirated? Av Wilson/Garcilazo de la Vega is a strange scene. People on the sidewalk hawking software CD's in plastic sleeves...

GAMARRA ALL THE WAY.//// dont take a camara... separte your moeny in two or three places... dont wear your best.. Look MEan:) and shop shop sho!!

Thanks, Wilson sounds like what I need. I suppose I can test it in my old laptop first and scan it for viruses. It is in English, right? I can't deal with menus in Spanish!