Bright, colorful, mysterious and so unknown Bolivia is a hospitable country that will surprise the most sophisticated travelers with magnificent landscapes, incredible places created by nature itself and, of course, by the ruins of a great ancient civilization. Similar bright and unusual souvenirs can be brought from Bolivia in memory of this wonderful country.
Features of shopping in Bolivia
Most of the shops in Bolivia work from 8.00 to 19.00 with lunch breaks, which time the owners of the outlets establish themselves. Large shopping centers in the country are not so many, and they are located in both capitals of the state - Sucre and La Paz . Some supermarkets for convenience of clients work round the clock.
Purchases can be paid both in local currency and in US dollars. You can exchange currency in the banks of the country, which usually work on weekdays from 8.30 to 18.00 hours with a lunch break from 12.00 to 14.30 hours. Except for banks, the currency can be exchanged at special points of currency reception, in some hotels and large shopping centers, as well as in street "changers". In large stores, you can pay by credit card, but you may need an original or a copy of your passport.
Markets and souvenir shops in Bolivia
If before you there is a question what to bring to friends as a gift from Bolivia, then solve it will help you many markets and souvenir shops. The most famous market of the country is the Witch Market , which is located in the capital of the country. Here you will find such amazing things as stuffed armadilloes, dried toads, skins of jaguars and leopards, many souvenirs of Indian culture, as well as products made of wood and ceramics.
What can you bring from Bolivia?
Shopping in Bolivia can be fruitful and exciting if you approach it with a soul and allocate some amount of time. The prices for souvenir products here are much lower than in the same Peru, and the choice will surprise you with a variety:
- in Bolivia, a huge number of products made from wool of alpaca and lamas: carpets, blankets, blankets and various garments, as well as skins and dried embryos of lamas;
- and the variety of musical instruments, among which the charanga stands out, is a guitar, the body of which is made of the armor of armor. This guitar produces amazing, bewitching sounds;
- Pay attention to the souvenirs of Bolivia, made of lava stone. Lava stone is a fragile material, and working with it requires high skill and considerable experience, therefore products from it are not the cheapest;
- Since ancient times, the local population was fond of making items from a pumpkin. Pichincha is the most popular souvenir from Bolivia, made of this material. This is a rattle in the ethnic style, inside of which are dried pumpkin seeds, which emit quiet sounds resembling the sound of rain;
- The souvenirs associated with the history of the Incas are also very popular. In Bolivia there are entire collections dedicated to this topic. One of these collections is the "Inca Way", it shows the works of the Aymara and Quechua Indians. The most popular souvenir of the collection is the Aymara talisman, made of burnt ceramics.
What to buy in Bolivia besides souvenirs?
In addition to souvenirs, widely represented in the markets and in the country's shops, it is worth paying attention to the following categories:
- silverware - decorations, figurines, coins and much more;
- ceramics - dishes, souvenirs;
- alcohol. The most popular representatives of this category are Beer varieties "Pasena" and "Huari", moonshine chicha, brandy "Singhani", wines "Kohlberg", "Aranjuez," Konpesion. "
To the tourist on a note
The basic rules of shopping in Bolivia are as follows:
- if you buy souvenirs in the markets of Bolivia, be sure to bargain;
- remember that some products can not be exported from the country, or confirmation of purchase in the form of a check (this applies to skins and stuffed animals, rare coins, etc.)
- when buying wool products, pay attention to its dressing: products of poor quality, in addition to low wear resistance, can also cause health problems, for example, allergic reactions.