Shopping in Cartagena - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

If you go shopping in the shops of Cartagena, do not forget that the closer the store is located to popular tourist sites, the higher the prices in it. Another local rule - "bargaining is not superfluous." You should not argue about the price only in large stores with cash registers. However, a competent strategy complements the seller, and perseverance will help to reduce the price almost twice in the markets or in small souvenir shops. Remember, no one works in the lunch in the heat here. Siesta takes place at this time. Sunday is also not the best time for shopping. All stores are closed. Those stores that work are designed for tourists. You will definitely not find low prices there.

Numerous travelers bring banal magnets from Cartagena. It's not just a small piece of plastic or metal with a landmark view or a Colombian flag but a small piece of art here. Magnets are often made in the form of a local artist's painting or a small copy of a mask made of natural cowhide. In general, you can find everything that a fan of the modern painting wants in the city. There are many artists among the citizens. They paint not only portraits, landscapes, and still-life but also beautiful bright paintings on glass. They become an interesting element of the interior.

If you want more traditional souvenirs, you should buy one or more packages of real Colombian coffee, of course. The locals love it. They prepare it in a variety of ways and drink it many times a day. The best coffee is of brands Juan Valdez, Oma, Lucaffe, Aguila, and Colcafe. However, other local producers also make good quality products. You can buy pots and coffee sets in the city. If you don't like coffee, you should buy cocoa beans or hot chocolate sets. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

If you want to buy a practical thing in a traditional style, you should pay attention to the poncho. This is a traditional square piece of fabric with a hole for the head. It is often sold with a hood in a modern version today. The best ponchos are made from sheep's wool. By the way, you can also find hats, scarves, and sweaters made of sheep's wool. If you want to buy something unusual, you should pay attention to local musical instruments made of dried pumpkin fruits and empty bamboo. Bells, whistles, and small drums will be a good souvenir for a child.

If you have enough money, you can spend it to buy emeralds. It is no secret that Colombia is a major exporter of emeralds. You can buy them cheaper here than anywhere else in the world. Cartagena is no exception. However, there are several nuances. Be sure to make sure that you will be given a receipt for the emerald before purchasing it. This also applies to the purchase of gold and silver jewelry. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to take the item out of the country. The second important point is that local craftsmen are not very good at cutting the product. So it is often better to buy an uncut gemstone.

Sombreros are a popular purchase in the city despite the common misconception that this type of headwear is common not only in Mexico. Local sombreros are produced in different colors, with or without geometric patterns. All of them are made only manually. A ritual or carnival mask will be another original gift. You can see souvenir painted cowhide masks in many stores in the city. Real sculptures in the form of animals or birds are also often made of the same material.

Do you want an inexpensive gift for a loved one? Then you should pay attention to the range of local sweets. Many of them are stored for a long time, without losing their taste qualities. You can buy sugar cane pastille, burbujas candy, almonds in sugar, Fig Breves, and ordinary arequipe – condensed milk. A leather bag from local designers will also be an interesting gift. It is strong, comfortable, bright, and stylish. What else does a fashion fan need? If you have a country house, you can think about purchasing a hammock. They are made qualitatively and invariably from bright fabrics here. You can also find a lot of football paraphernalia here. The locals love football. They worry too much about the success of their favorite team.