Traveling through the variegated land of Colombia, you will find plenty of souvenirs that represent the rich culture and resources of this country. From a miniature figure of a chiva to a vueltiao sombrero or an emerald pair of earrings, there are endless choices at every price range and often with the possibility of bargaining. Generally, shopping hours are subject to the weather of each city; colder places like Bogotá are usually open for business from Monday through Saturday 11a.m. to 9p.m., while warmer cities tend to close at lunch hours (11a.m. to 3p.m.) yet open at around 9a.m..

What to Buy
Aside from being the largest producer of emeralds in the world, which you can get the best bargains for in Bogotá and Muzo, Colombia is known for making arguably the best quality coffee. Pick some up at the Zona Cafetera, along with plenty of other sweet derivatives. Crafts like baskets, 3D paintings, tagua (vegetable ivory) figurines and beaded necklaces vary depending on the region you are visiting, but generally can be found to be very similar throughout the weekly markets. Southern and eastern towns in the country hold weekly markets, however cities in the Caribbean coast, Guajira, Llanos or the jungle rely on craftsman shops and strip malls. For wool clothing items try to get to Concepción on your way to Málaga, where you are bound to find elaborate woodwork and delicious candy. Ruanas (short ponchos) are a popular item, one you can certainly bargain for almost everywhere you go. Gaita flutes, woven hammocks and leather in every color, shape and size are some of the things almost all tourists are destined to fall in love with in Colombia.

What not to buy
Aside from animal and plant products, it is not possible to export cocaine from Colombia, and most nations reject the importation of any of these three products. Avoid buying products made out of insects, feathers or endangered species of flora and fauna.

Where to buy
Although some crafts and traditional artifacts can be found throughout the country (and even international boutiques, as Colombians have migrated in considerable numbers taking their culture with them), different towns and regions specialize in typical Colombian goods. Villavicencio, for example, offers magnificent musical instruments ranging from gaita flutes to harps. Beautiful ruanas are found in Cumbal and other southern towns. Ráquira is known for its pottery, the district of La Candelaria in Bogotá holds some of the cheapest emeralds and the indigenous groups of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta are known for making resistant woven bags and clothing.

How to buy
Practice your bargain skills all over Colombia when you are buying souvenirs and other goods. Businesses like grocery stores and malls are not up for the bargaining game, however, if you are in a market, a souvenir shop in a small town or a crafts fair, prepare to offer about half of what the asking price is and start negotiating. Try to keep a good humor as you settle on a price and consider the effort and time it could have taken to create the piece you have your eyes on.

Store Hours and Payment Information
Businesses open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-noon and 2-6 p.m., yet commercial stores stay open for a bit longer and a lot of them open on Saturdays. Take into consideration that Colombians see Sundays, holidays and lunchtimes as personal time, so try to shop around that. All major credit cards are accepted in urban areas, however, as you get further away from major cities, it will be more difficult to find both businesses that accept credit cards and places to cash travelers’ checks and currency exchange houses.

Where to Buy
Places to Shop in Bogotá

Almacén de Antiguedades Leonardo F
A good bet for quality antiques.
Address: Carrera 4 No. 12-34, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/334-8312

Anticuarios Gilberto F. Hernández
Antiques shops are found mainly in the northern districts of Chapinero, Chicó, and Usaquén. One of the best is Anticuarios Gilberto F. Hernández.
Address: Calle 79B No. 7-48, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/249-0041 or 091/248-7572

Artesanías El Zaque
Artesanías El Zaque offers especially good buys on hammocks.
Address: Centro Internacional, Carrera 10 No. 26-71, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/342-7883

Centro Andino
Stylish boutiques dominate the chic Centro Andino, an anchor of the Zona Rosa since 1993. Tower Records, the only major chain store, is a good place to buy English-language magazines and newspapers. There's a U.S.-style food court and a movie theatre on the fourth floor.
Address: Carrera 11 No. 82-71, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/636-0012

El Balay
El Balay stocks the city's widest selection of souvenirs from around Colombia.
Address: Carrera 15 No. 75-63, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/248-5833

Flea Markets
The flea market in the Centro Internacional takes over a parking lot alongside the Museo de Arte Moderno, on Sunday. It is a good place to hunt for antiques, handicrafts, and just plain junk.
Address: Calle 24, ½ block east of Carrera 7, Bogotá, Colombia


An upscale Sunday flea market in Usaquén has a good selection of high-quality local crafts.
Address: Carrera 7 No. 119B-33, Bogotá, Colombia

Galeria Cano
In both the Centro Internacional and the Centro Comercial Andino is It sells emeralds as well as gold jewelry using striking pre-Columbian designs taken from the Museo de Oro. Other location: Edificio Banco Mercantíl, Carrera 12 No. 84-07, PHONE: 091/635-0529.
Address: Edificio Bavaria, Carrera 13 No. 27-98, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/336-3255

H. Stern
There are countless jewelry shops in the Centro Internacional along Carreras 6 between Calles 10 and 13. H. Stern sells all kinds of precious gems.
Address: Tequendama Hotel, Carrera 10 No. 26-21, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/283-2819

Hacienda Santa Barbara
Farther north is the upscale Hacienda Santa Barbara, constructed as an extension of a colonial-era plantation home.
Address: Carrera 7 No. 115-60, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/612-0388

Maria Cancino
The two branches of Maria Cancino stock both Colombian antiques and European pieces.
Address: Calle 63 No. 9-54, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/212-6353

Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares
The shop at the Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares carries handmade items.
Address: Carrera 8 No. 7-21, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/342-1266

Pasaje Rivas indoor market
In the warren of stalls at the daily Pasaje Rivas indoor market look for bargain-price ponchos, blankets, leather goods, and crafts.
Address: Carrera 10 at Calle 10, Bogotá, Colombia

Unicentro Shopping Center
The massive Unicentro Shopping Center in Bogotá's affluent north is one of South America's largest air-conditioned malls and has a huge selection of stores.
Address: Av. 15 No. 123-30, Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: 091/213-8800