Nobody likes finding out the special souvenir they bought was actually mass-produced and not even from the country they visited! Fortunately, you’ll have LOTS of options for souvenirs to buy in Peru. And it’s easy to make sure your purchase benefits someone local. You just need to follow a few simple tips.
The Market
Most importantly, know where to buy things! Every major city (and even small towns) has a tourist market.
Yes, these are touristy by definition. But they are actually great spots to buy authentic, locally-made stuff. And it’s easy to know if the product is local. Just ask the vendor- who is often the the maker too.
What to Buy
Definitely try out the woolen products like sweaters, scarves, and hats. If it’s made from alpaca, even better :)
Handmade bags are a great way to personalize your trip or gift too.
Not a fan of wool? Tourist markets also have artists who sell their paintings, ceramics, and traditional Peruvian gourds called burilados.
If you want to buy food, I recommend coffee or chocolate. That’s because artisan coffee and chocolate in Peru come from small-scale farmers in often remote areas of the country.
What to Avoid
Honestly, I just try to buy directly from the maker of the product. This is easy in Peru since so many wool, art, or coffee/chocolate products are artisanal and sold in local markets.
If it looks mass-produced or you can’t figure out who made it, then there’s a good chance the profits aren’t going to the local community.
Conclusion
You won’t break the bank finding souvenirs to buy in Peru. And by purchasing the right thing, you’ll help local economies and have a cool, useful conversation piece for the rest of your life!
Of course, the main purpose of visiting is something besides shopping for most of us. Make sure you’ve picked the right experiences so you don’t miss out! Check out our sample itineraries to get started on an adventure you can feel good about :)
