• Main
• Attractions
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Nightlife
• Shopping
• When To Go
• Getting There

Shopping

Cusco is Peru’s epicenter of hand-woven textiles, where ancient weaving techniques are still in use today. The country is renowned for its alpaca apparel – fiber as soft as cashmere yet warmer, lighter and stronger than wool – and you’ll see colorful sweaters, shawls, gloves, hats, scarves, ponchos, and blankets made of the stuff at every turn. Peru is also strong on fine ceramics, handmade jewelry, and exquisite woodwork; the best of which is often found – and haggled over – in local markets.

Cusco Shops
Markets abound in Cusco, calling all visitors to hone their bargaining skills. Put your talent to the test on streets Plateros, Triunfo, and Plaza Recocijo. Merchant and handicraft shops teem with handmade jewelry and ceramics, woven tapestries, exquisitely carved wooden figures, and precious stones – and since the same merchandise is typically sold throughout the city, you won't have to accept the first offer. Slightly cheaper prices than those on the Plaza can be found at Centro Artesanal Cusco (at the end of Av. Sol), the largest indoor market of handicraft stalls. The historic district of San Blas is great for antique stores and art galleries; and for an off-beat tourist attraction, the famed Mercado Central (near the San Pedro rail) sells produce, food, and household items.

Shoppers seeking alpaca apparel, be forewarned: faux alpaca sellers run rampant. The price is the first giveaway; no real alpaca garment would be sold for less than 200 soles, even if the label says so. For authentic garments go to Alpaca 111 (Calle Plaza Regocijo 202; 084/243-233), the only authorized distributor of high-quality vicuña (similar to llama and alpaca) scarves, shawls, and sweaters. Outlets are located at hotels Libertador (Plazoleta de Santo Domingo 259; 084/223-192) and Monasterio (Palacios 133; 084/221-192), as well as at the airport. For customized stylish alpaca jackets check out Artesanías Quipu Cancha (Plateros 321; 084/223-369). And if you want to catch a glimpse of how hand-woven sweaters, ponchos, scarves, and tapestries are actually made, go to the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the survival of traditional textile weaving (Av. El Sol 603; 084/228-117; www.textilescusco.org).

Some other favorite haunts include the popular Pablo Seminario outlet (Portal de Carnes, Haukaypata; 084/246-093) for pre-Columbian inspired hand-painted ceramics; and Ilaria for fine silver and colonial-era pieces. Illaria branches are located at Hotel Libertador (Plazoleto Santo Domingo 259; 084/221-470), Hotel Monasterio (Palacios 136; 084/246-253), and at Portal Carrizos 258 (084/227-470).

Sacred Valley Markets
The region is a great place to shop, hence the reason most tour operators depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays to coincide with market days. Thanks to the high quality of its craft makers (who are authentic, not agents) and better bargaining opportunities, Chinchero is the best spot in the Valley to purchase Andean textiles, hats, gloves and shawls; failing that, Pisac has a great Sunday market as well.

Machu Picchu Pueblo Shops
Buzzing with shops, markets, and stalls selling everything from high-quality silver to alpaca garments, Machu Picchu Pueblo is a great place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family. You'll find everything from "Inka Cola," "Cusqueña," and "I Survived the Inca Trail" T-shirts to handmade jewelry, peace pipes, and wood-carved knives. Prices are a bit steeper than in Cusco and other Sacred Valley sites, but shopping is a great way to pass time while waiting for the train or winding down after a long trek.

See Machu Picchu Travel Guide