So much shopping in Cusco Peru

Shopping in Cusco!

When out shopping in Cusco during your Spanish immersion, you’ll see plenty of shops and vendors scattered throughout the city, many of which offer handicrafts, jewelry, art, and various kinds of food. If you’re looking for shopping and you’re on a budget, you’ve come to the perfect place. Haggling in Peru is not only accepted but also expected, and it earns respect. While most items may already appear inexpensive, they are marked up because of the expectations of price reductions, and let’s face it, tourists mean money for the locals here in Peru. It is possible to save more money here while simultaneously practicing your Spanish language skills.

San Pedro Market

The San Pedro market, located just two blocks north of the Plaza de Armas, is one of the earliest markets in Cusco. Formerly known as Central Market, San Pedro is full of culture and good food. With tons of fresh produce, bread, meat, eggs, cheese, and other grocery items, this market is frequented by many locals and tourists alike. There are several small juice, pastry, and lunch cafés throughout the market as well. San Pedro also offers many handicraft vendors to check out as well.

 

The Pisac Market

If you’re in search of more local handicrafts, Pisac Market is the best place to go. The best days to visit this tourist attraction are Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, as they are the most active days, though the market runs all week long. A short 30-minute bus ride to the Sacred Valley, which houses the market, will cost you 7-10 soles, whereas a taxi will cost a little more, running about 30-50 soles per person. On the road to Pisac, you will discover beautiful mountain scenery surrounding Cusco, and Pisac itself also offers beautiful ruins which are an absolute must to hike and explore.

Would you like to study Spanish in Cusco? Contact us or learn more here. Use this link to register

The market is located in the heart of the town, beneath a massive, breathtaking Pisonay tree. This central haggling area has all the local handicrafts one could imagine and also offers a variety of produce from local farmers. The restaurants surrounding this mercado can be a bit pricey, but with some patience and a good eye, even the more frugal shopper can find a great meal with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. A visit to the Pisac Market is included in the one-day Sacred Valley Tour; the guides usually give you 30–45 minutes for souvenir shopping here.

 

San Blas Neighborhood

San Blas is the art district in downtown Cusco. Just a few blocks from the famous Plaza de Armas of Cusco, the San Blas district is very convenient for travelers in Peru. You can also find beautiful textile works, jewelry, and other handmade goods on Calle Plateros and Calle Triunfo. Haggling is acceptable, but with such a great location attracting tourists from all over the world and a steady stream of money, some may not want to, but it never hurts to try!

Would you like to study Spanish in Cusco? Contact us or learn more here. Use this link to register

The San Blas Mercado, just around the corner from our Spanish School, is full of delicious, cheap food and is totally worth a visit. Many students go here every day after school for lunch. They serve Peruvian dishes and Vegan dishes such as falafel. The falafel here is amazing and costs 15 soles. At the back of the market, they have sandwich and fruit smoothie stands. A sandwich and smoothie will cost you 10 soles. This is a cleaner market than San Pedro, so prices are higher, but you are less likely to find food washed in tap water, as they cater to tourists and know it makes us sick. You can also buy groceries here! But be careful; this is also a very touristy place, so many of the prices reflect that. Outside this market, you can also buy souvenirs.

 

El Molino: Cusco’s black market

El Molino is Cusco’s largest black market; located only a cheap 7-10 soles taxi ride from the Plaza de Armas, it’s not recommended to walk as it is far from most tourist areas. It is located near the bus terminal. This market is open for business every day, and there aren’t usually many tourists here. While this market doesn’t carry local goods, it’s the cheapest place in Cusco to buy mostly anything else. Clothes, shoes, movies, phones, toys, and even bicycles and camping equipment can all be found at Molino. You can try haggling, but they may not go down much farther than the price is already set here. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables safe.

 

Saturday: El Baratillo (Currently closed)

And finally, the Baratillo was a market held only on Saturdays from around 7 am until 6 pm. This market, known as Sabado Baratillo or “cheap Saturday,” is primarily for locals, and you will probably be one of the few tourists there. This market has now been closed down. But in the area, you can find lots of shops and street vendors. This area is the best spot in Cusco to buy clothes and shoes for as little as 5 Soles. El Baratillo is just two blocks south of San Pedro market down Calle Nueva at Avenida del Ejercito. Although the market is now closed, you can still find amazing deals here.

Theft is common here and in El Molino as well. You should keep a close eye on your belongings, and some people work in teams to pickpocket; with that being said, one should keep an eye out at all times because people like that can be anywhere.

Hope you enjoyed this article about shopping in Cusco! Let’s start the souvenir hunt in Peru!

Would you like to study Spanish in Cusco? Contact us or learn more here. Use this link to register

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