Shopping in Ilha Grande - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

Ilha Grande is a perfect place for buying authentic Brazilian goods. Here you can find clothes and shoes by American and European companies. However, high taxes and the necessity to spend quite a big amount of money on shipping right to the islands influence prices badly. Ilha Grande, as well as Brazil in general, is absolutely not the right place for buying winter and autumn clothes. There is no winter at all so you won’t be able to find even a pair of short boots and warm coats or fur hats especially. If you’re looking for the continuous diverse shopping, then it’s better to go to the continent for a few days; there is a wide choice of different stuff there and it’s much more diverse than on a quite a big island. But remember, that here cashless payment is the most common way of payment here.

Nobody would forbid you to pay with cash, of course, but eventually, you’ll miss just a couple of coins from a change. Don’t be surprised if you see a «20x6» on a price tag as you come to a grocery store. The point is that the locals buy goods in installments so often that people started to print all the price tags like this: «payment for month* installments date». You also can bargain on the local markets, but don’t be zealous. The locals don’t like getting into conflicts. So, the first thing you should buy as soon as you come to the island is the so-called «havianas» - local flip-flops. They are so popular here that people wear it all the time: to a beach, to work, and even to restaurants.

Another popular thing people usually buy here is a hammock. You can find it in any colours, from pastel to bright yellow or red. All the hammocks here are made of organic cotton. Concerning women, pareo is a perfect purchase. This accessory is decorated in so many ways: Brazilian flag, view of the island, black-and-white or color abstract pictures, plants, animals, etc. can be depicted on it; basically, just anything you want. You can also find a great verity of hand- embroidered pareos as well as factory-made ones. There are also lots of t-shirts, dresses, and shorts in any colours. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There are also lots of different accessories. For instance, there are various bracelets and necklaces made from colorful threads or leather as well as some stuff made from polymer clay or gems or semiprecious stones. Moreover, you can also buy a lucky redwood amulet, a fancy pendant with black sapphires or earrings with opal. Jewelry is not expensive here, but it’s better not to buy it directly, especially if a seller refuses to show the quality certificate. Besides, you can also buy something connected with football. The locals play it from the very early ages and they are extremely found of everything connected with this kind of sport. If you’re looking for something more usable, then you can buy an umbrella. The islanders use it not just as the rain protection, but as the sun one.

Copper crockery would be a really peculiar purchase. The locals don’t just produce it for the tourist as mementos, but they actually use it in everyday life. So you can find here both souvenir plates or spoons and utility pans or pots. Knives made from high-quality steel also worth buying. But remember to check if you didn’t buy steel arms instead, otherwise, you won’t be able to take it on a board. Another useful present you can buy here is cosmetics. The local women always use only organic products. The most usable products are body butter, shampoos and conditioners, masks and scrubs with coconut, eucalyptus, and olive oils and hibiscus, green teas, or coffee essences. You will defiantly find it in specialized stores.

Don’t forget to buy the real Brazilian coffee. It’s better to buy in specialized stores, as supermarkets sell just exactly the same coffees as any regular one in any other country. Other good presents which you can bring with from the island are fruit and a bottle of cachaça (local alcohol drink). Remember that one person can take only three liters of alcohol with and one kilogram of fruit. In case if you take more, then the airport employees will take it away. On the other hand, you can buy as much carnival masks and famous Brazilian bikinis as you wish without any troubles.