Handcraft, Shopping and Souvenirs to bring back from Peru

Handcraft, Shopping and Souvenirs to bring back from Peru

Top Peruvian Souvenirs & Handcrafts

Textiles: Alpaca, Vicuña, and Cotton

• Alpaca and Vicuña Wool Products: You will find an abundance of sweaters, scarves, shawls, and blankets. It is important to understand the distinctions in quality. Standard alpaca is warm and durable. Baby alpaca is significantly softer, sourced from the first shearing of the animal, and commands a higher price. The most luxurious and expensive is vicuña, a protected species whose wool is the finest and softest in the world. To identify genuine high-quality wool, note that it feels cool to the touch, has a subtle, silky sheen, and is never scratchy. Be wary of suspiciously low prices, as these items are often synthetic acrylic blends. True alpaca is an investment.

• Woven Mantas and Llicllas: These are the traditional, vibrant carrying cloths and blankets used in the Andes. They feature intricate geometric patterns, known as Pallay, which are often specific to a particular community and can narrate local stories or represent elements of nature. They serve beautifully as decorative wall hangings, unique table runners, or colorful throws for furniture.

• Chullos, Gloves, and Socks: The chullo is the iconic Andean knit hat with its distinctive earflaps, often decorated with colorful patterns. You will find them sold alongside matching gloves and warm socks, making for a practical and emblematic souvenir set.

• Pima Cotton: For those with sensitivity to wool, Peruvian Pima cotton is an excellent alternative. Known for its exceptional softness and durability due to its long-staple fiber, it is considered one of the finest cottons in the world. You will typically find high-quality Pima cotton garments in Lima’s more established, high-end shops.

Ceramics and Pottery

• Chulucanas Pottery: Originating from the north of Peru, this pottery is easily recognized by its elegant black and white designs. Artisans use a unique negative-painting technique where patterns are covered in clay before the piece is smoked, creating a striking contrast.

• Pucará Bulls (Toritos de Pucará): These small, charming ceramic bulls are a meaningful and easy-to-pack souvenir. Traditionally, pairs are placed on the rooftops of homes in the southern Andes to bring protection, prosperity, and fertility to the family. Their intricate decorations often hold symbolic meaning.

• Inca and Moche-inspired Pottery: Across Peru, you will find skilled artisans creating replicas and modern interpretations of pre-Columbian pottery. These pieces often feature designs from ancient cultures like the Inca and Moche, reflecting a deep connection to the country’s rich history.

Jewelry and Metalwork

• Silver Jewelry: Peru has a long tradition of silversmithing. Look for pieces that incorporate classic Inca symbols, such as the Chakana (Inca Cross), which represents the three levels of existence, or the trilogy of the condor (the upper world), puma (the earthly world), and snake (the underworld).

• Inlaid Stones and Shells: Much of the finest jewelry features beautiful inlays. Common materials include the vibrant red-orange Spondylus shell, highly prized by the Incas, as well as turquoise and deep blue lapis lazuli.

• Filigree Work: In the region of Catacaos, near Piura, artisans are masters of filigree. This technique involves twisting fine threads of silver or gold into delicate, lace-like designs, creating exceptionally intricate earrings, pendants, and other adornments.

Other Notable Crafts

• Retablos: These are wonderfully detailed wooden boxes, resembling a small, two-door cabinet. When opened, they reveal intricate three-dimensional scenes filled with small, handcrafted figurines. The scenes can be religious, historical, or depict everyday Andean life with remarkable vibrancy and detail.

• Carved Gourds (Mates Burilados): This ancient craft involves meticulously carving and burning intricate designs onto dried gourds. The detailed scenes often chronicle festivals, harvests, and local customs, making each piece a unique story capsule of Andean life.

• Arpilleras: These are brightly colored textile pictures created with appliqué and patchwork. The three-dimensional scenes typically depict bustling markets, rural farm life, and vibrant festivals, capturing the spirit of the community in a joyful, tactile form.

Where to Shop: Best Markets and Cities

Cusco & The Sacred Valley

• Pisac Sunday Market: This is one of the most famous and sprawling artisan markets in Peru. While smaller versions operate on other days, we advise visiting on a Sunday to experience its full, vibrant scale. It is an excellent place to find a vast selection of textiles, ceramics, and silver jewelry.

• San Blas Neighborhood (Cusco): For those seeking higher-quality, unique pieces, the San Blas neighborhood is a must-visit. Its steep, narrow streets are lined with the workshops and small galleries of Cusco’s finest artisans, offering a more curated shopping experience.

• Centro Artesanal Cusco: This large, covered market near the Sol Avenue is a convenient stop for last-minute souvenir shopping. It houses hundreds of stalls with a comprehensive variety of crafts from the entire region.

• Chinchero Market: Famous for its focus on authentic textiles, the Chinchero market is where you can often witness live weaving demonstrations by local women in traditional dress. It is an excellent place to purchase high-quality woven goods directly from the artisans.

Lima

• Inka Market (Mercado Indio) in Miraflores: This is a large and convenient concentration of souvenir stalls offering goods from all over Peru. Be aware that it is a very tourist-focused market, which can mean higher initial prices. Polite and respectful bargaining is essential here.

• Barranco District: This bohemian neighborhood is the place to find contemporary Peruvian design. Explore its independent boutiques and art galleries for modern crafts, fashion, and artwork that offer a fresh take on traditional techniques.

• Dedalo Arte y Artesanía: A specific and highly-regarded shop in Barranco, Dedalo functions as a large house where each room is dedicated to the work of different Peruvian artists and designers. It is an excellent place to find high-quality, curated gifts.

Arequipa

• Fundo El Fierro: Located in a beautiful colonial courtyard, this artisan market features shops selling high-quality goods. It is particularly known for its fine alpaca products, leatherwork, and items carved from the local white volcanic stone, sillar.

• Mercado San Camilo: For a more authentic local experience, visit this bustling central market. While primarily a place for produce, meat, and food stalls, you can also find a section with handicrafts, offering a glimpse into daily Arequipeñan life as you shop.

Smart Shopping & Bargaining Tips

How to Bargain Respectfully

In open-air artisan markets, bargaining is a customary and expected part of the interaction. However, it is not appropriate in established boutiques, galleries, or shops where prices are clearly marked and fixed.

• Observe First: Before engaging, take a moment to see what others are paying to get a general sense of fair prices.
• Be Polite and Smile: A friendly approach is key. Always begin an interaction with a pleasant “Buenos días” (Good morning) or “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon).
• Negotiate in Spanish (if possible): Knowing a few simple phrases can be very helpful. “¿Cuánto cuesta?” (How much is it?) is a good start. If the price is high, you might say “Es demasiado caro” (It’s too expensive).
• Buy Multiple Items: Vendors are more likely to offer a better price if you purchase several items from their stall.
• Know When to Walk Away: If you cannot agree on a price, it is perfectly acceptable to politely say “Gracias” and walk away. Often, the vendor may call you back with a final, better offer.

Identifying Authentic Goods

• Alpaca Test: Genuine alpaca wool feels cool to the touch, is very soft, and has a natural, subtle luster. It should not feel greasy or overly slippery like some synthetic materials. If a label says “Alpaca Blend,” it is not 100% alpaca.
• Look for the Artisan: In reputable workshops or galleries, especially in places like San Blas in Cusco, you can often meet the artists themselves. High-quality ceramics, retablos, or paintings may be signed by the creator.
• Check Silver Stamps: Authentic sterling silver from Peru is typically stamped with “925,” which indicates that the piece is 92.5% pure silver.

Packing & Transporting Your Treasures

• Ask for Proper Wrapping: Most vendors are accustomed to selling to travelers and will wrap fragile items in newspaper. It is always a good idea to bring a small amount of bubble wrap from home for extra protection, or use your own clothing to cushion items in your luggage.
• Carry-On for Fragile Items: To ensure their safety, pack your most delicate or valuable souvenirs, such as ceramics, retablos, or jewelry, in your carry-on bag.
• Customs & Regulations: Be mindful of your home country’s customs regulations. While packaged coca tea is generally permissible, raw coca leaves are illegal to bring into most countries. Also, avoid purchasing any items made from protected wildlife.

Unique & Edible Souvenirs

Peruvian Superfoods & Spices

• Quinoa, Kiwicha, and Cañihua: These ancient, high-protein grains are lightweight, easy to pack, and make for a healthy and authentic taste of Peru to take home.
• Sal de Maras: This beautiful pink salt is hand-harvested from ancient, terraced salt ponds in the Sacred Valley. It has a mild flavor and high mineral content.
• Lucuma or Maca Powder: Lucuma is a subtropical fruit with a creamy, maple-like flavor, while Maca is a root known for its energizing properties. Both are sold as powders and are excellent additions to smoothies or baking.

Pisco & Local Spirits

• Pisco: As Peru’s national spirit, this grape brandy makes for an excellent souvenir. The main types are Puro (made from a single grape variety), Acholado (