Uruguay is known by many as one of the smallest countries in South America. However, despite the rather modest size, the culture of this amazing state is very interesting and multifaceted. At different stages of the long and unusually rich history of this region, the influence of both foreign conquerors and numerous immigrants can be traced, which could not but affect the local customs and beliefs.
Shopping in Uruguay is one of the ways to get acquainted with national culture and outlandish traditions , and how to make purchases quickly and excitingly, we'll tell you later.
What to bring from Uruguay?
Before you go shopping for Uruguay, you should decide what you are looking for. Traditionally, the purchases of tourists abroad are divided into several categories:
- Memorable souvenirs and gifts. Each of us, traveling in a new, unknown country, wants to bring home a piece of foreign culture, and usually takes the last day of rest .
Consider the most popular souvenirs from Uruguay:
- leather goods - all kinds of watches, bags, clothes and shoes (the quality of Uruguayan leather is known far beyond the country, and the prices for it are sometimes much more democratic than in domestic stores);
- clothing with Uruguayan symbols - one of the most popular products among tourists, the most popular are T-shirts with the logo of the local football team;
- handmade figurines in Uruguay - an obligatory purchase during shopping. Especially loved by travelers are ceramic figurines from Uruguay De Rosa Rinconada with gold and platinum spraying, however their cost is very high (from $ 60);
- bijouterie and jewelry - an excellent gift to yourself and girlfriends, and the price "do not bite";
- calabash is a vessel that is made from gourd pumpkin and is traditionally used for drinking the tea of mate, beloved by all Uruguayans.
- Food. Separate attention deserves gastronomic souvenirs from Uruguay, which, no doubt, will please you and your family.
The most common are:
- cheese - despite the abundance of sour-milk products on the shelves of domestic supermarkets, many tourists prefer to bring from Uruguay several pieces of different varieties of overseas product, especially bought in the so-called Feria - the mobile market;
- Olive pasta is a very delicious appetizer, which must certainly appear on the table with every mistress after a trip to Uruguay;
- clerical - exotic souvenir, which is a mix of white wine and alcohol-fortified fruit (papaya, nisperos, pineapple, etc.);
- kramoto - seasoning, made by local people from olive oil, walnut and other ingredients known only to Uruguayans;
- spumante - Uruguayan champagne with different flavors (strawberry, pineapple).
Where to shop?
In Uruguay there are many places where you can go shopping, but the best, according to tourists, are:
- Mercado de los Artesanos (Montevideo) - the largest market in the capital , where you can buy handmade products of local artisans;
- Louvre (Montevideo) - 3-story store, which sells antiques, objects and all kinds of attributes of cowboys gauchos, as well as paintings and jewelry;
- Feria de Tristán Narvaja (Montevideo) is a mobile market where you can find used books, ancient plates, national costumes and numerous souvenirs;
- Manos del Uruguay ( Punta del Este ) is the local branch of the national cooperative of Uruguay, specializing in the sale of fine woolen fabrics;
- Feria de los Artesanos (Punta del Este) - the fair, arranged on the main square of the best resort of the country ;
- Malvón ( Colonia del Sacramento ) - a shop located in the center of one of the oldest cities of Uruguay, specialization - curtains of natural wool;
- Lanas de Soriano (Mercedes) - popular in the western part of Uruguay, where you can buy high-quality and inexpensive clothing.
How to save money?
A great opportunity for a budget tourist to bring a lot of excellent souvenirs from the trip is the tax-free system, which is literally translated "without tax". In Uruguay, in this way, you can save about 20% of the cost of the goods (VAT rate). However, before rushing for shopping, please note:
- Use the system of tax-free can only people who have permanent residence outside of Uruguay.
- The minimum amount is 600 UYU ($ 20).
- To pay compensation, you must fill out a special form and obtain a customs clearance.
- Obligatory presence of all checks and receipts attached to the filled form.