Where to Buy Local and Affordable Handicrafts in Cusco

Buy Local Cheap Handicrafts Cusco

Cusco, a city with a vibrant history and a gateway to the iconic Machu Picchu, is renowned not just for its archaeological wonders but also for its rich tradition of handicrafts.

The city is a tapestry of cultures, where ancient Incan techniques blend seamlessly with colonial influences, creating a unique artistic landscape.

Whether you are seeking a unique memento or a meaningful gift, knowing where to find fair prices for handicrafts in Cusco can enhance your travel experience.

Exploring local markets and artisan workshops not only offers a glimpse into the region’s cultural richness but also provides an opportunity to support the local economy. This guide will lead you through the best places for ethical souvenir shopping in Cusco, ensuring you buy directly from local artisans and support their craftsmanship.

Buy Local Cheap Handicrafts Cusco

Buying local not only supports the local economy but also preserves the region’s cultural heritage and traditional skills. The artisans of Cusco have inherited their skills from generations past, and by purchasing their crafts, you become part of a larger narrative that celebrates and sustains these cultural traditions. When you choose to buy handmade souvenirs in Cusco, you’re investing in the local community and its artisans. This practice fosters sustainable tourism and helps maintain the region’s cultural identity. Furthermore, buying local reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods from far-off places, making it an environmentally conscious choice.

Ethical shopping means purchasing products that are made and sold in ways that respect worker rights and the environment. In Cusco, this involves buying directly from local artisans or markets that ensure fair prices and ethical treatment for their craftspeople. These practices help in creating a more equitable marketplace where artisans can thrive and continue their crafts without exploitation.

• Fair Prices: Seek out venues that pay artisans fair wages for their work. Fair trade practices ensure that artisans receive adequate compensation, which can lead to improved living standards and the ability to invest back into their communities.
• Authenticity: Ensure the products are genuinely handmade and not mass-produced. Authentic crafts carry the soul of the artisan and reflect the region’s cultural heritage, providing a more meaningful and personal connection to the place.
• Environmental Impact: Opt for items made with sustainable materials. Many artisans use locally sourced, renewable materials with minimal environmental impact, promoting a more sustainable form of art and commerce.

Finding where to buy cheap handicrafts in Cusco that maintain quality can be a rewarding adventure. The city is dotted with markets and workshops where the vibrant colors and intricate designs of local crafts are on full display. Here are some places where you can find affordable yet authentic souvenirs:

Located in the heart of Cusco, San Pedro Market is a bustling hub where you can find a variety of goods. The market is a sensory delight, with the aroma of fresh produce mingling with the vibrant colors of handmade crafts. From fresh produce to handmade crafts, this market is a must-visit for any traveler. It’s a perfect spot to immerse yourself in the local culture and witness the daily life of Cusqueños.

• What to Buy: Look for alpaca wool clothing, jewelry, and woven textiles. These items not only make beautiful souvenirs but also provide warmth and comfort, reflecting the quality and craftsmanship of local artisans.
• Tip: Bargaining is common, but always ensure it’s respectful to the seller. Building a rapport with the vendor can lead to better deals and a more enriching shopping experience.

This market is a short walk from the main square and offers a wide range of products from local artisans. Unlike the more commercial markets, this space allows direct interaction with artisans, offering more profound insight into the creative process. It’s a fantastic spot to buy directly from creators, supporting their livelihoods.

• What to Buy: Consider purchasing pottery, paintings, and carved wooden items. Each piece tells a story, often inspired by the region’s natural beauty and historical richness.
• Tip: Engage with the artisans to learn more about their craft and the story behind each item. This interaction enriches your understanding and appreciation of the work, making the purchase more meaningful.

If textiles are what you’re after, the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco is the place to be. This center is dedicated to preserving traditional weaving techniques and supports local weavers. The center acts as a living museum, where you can witness the intricate process of textile creation and understand the cultural significance behind each pattern and color.

• What to Buy: Handmade textiles like blankets, table runners, and scarves. These items are not only functional but also serve as beautiful reminders of the rich textile tradition of the Andes.
• Tip: The center also offers weaving demonstrations to enhance your understanding of the craft. Watching the artisans at work deepens appreciation for the skill and patience required to create each piece.

Buying directly from local artisans not only guarantees a more authentic product but also ensures that your money goes straight to the craftspeople. This direct support helps artisans maintain their craft and pass it on to future generations. Here are ways to support them:

• Visit Workshops: Many artisans invite visitors to their workshops. It’s a unique opportunity to see the crafting process and purchase items directly. This experience provides an intimate look at the dedication and skill required to create each piece.
• Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask about the materials used and the time it took to make the item. This shows appreciation for their work and builds a connection between the buyer and the creator.
• Share Your Experience: Word of mouth is powerful. Share your positive experiences on social media or travel platforms to encourage others to support local artisans. Your endorsement can significantly impact the visibility and success of these artisans in a global marketplace.

When shopping for handmade souvenirs in Cusco, keep these tips in mind to ensure a fulfilling and ethical shopping experience:

• Quality Over Quantity: Choose a few high-quality items over many low-quality ones. High-quality crafts are often more durable and unique, providing greater value and meaning.
• Research beforehand: Familiarize yourself with the types of crafts available and their typical prices to avoid overpaying. Knowledge about the local craft scene will empower you to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Be respectful of cultural symbols and meanings associated with certain crafts. Understanding the significance of these symbols enhances your appreciation and ensures that your purchases honor the culture they represent.

Handmade products often carry a piece of the artisan’s culture and personal story. These items are imbued with the spirit of the place and the hands that crafted them. By choosing handmade, you are:

• Preserving Traditions: Supporting crafts that have been passed down through generations. This preservation helps keep the cultural narrative alive and vibrant for future generations.
• Encouraging Creativity: Allowing artisans to continue innovating and expressing their cultural heritage. This support fosters an environment where creativity can flourish, leading to new and exciting artistic expressions.
• Fostering Community: Helping build a sustainable future for the local community. Your purchases directly contribute to the economic stability and growth of the artisan community, ensuring their crafts continue to thrive.

Notable shops in the Cusco region

Pisac Market

Pisac is at the beginning of the Sacred Valley of the Incas; it is a splendid place that, in the Inca era, was one of the essential points of entry into the Antisuyo (jungle). As this site was strategic, the Quechuas built a settlement on its heights. Later, with the Spaniards’ arrival, they placed a corregimiento in the zone.

This place is crowded because it is a must-stop on the Sacred Valley of the Incas tour. It is also one of the villages through which you reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

You will find many local handicrafts in this craft market, which are much cheaper than in Machu Picchu. For this reason, there is a broader selection of products, with the possibility of finding very competitive prices. You can buy all kinds of handicrafts, canvases, products made of alpaca wool, baby alpaca, etc.

Alpaca fiber clothing in the artisan markets of Cusco. If you are planning to buy alpaca fiber clothing and want to avoid scams, it is advisable to hire a specialized guide. You can guide them to stores that sell quality products, but if you know how to identify good alpaca fabric, there will be fewer problems.

Remember that these craft markets are not large businesses, which allows you to negotiate the price with the tent’s owner. A helpful tip would be to call them fondly “little house” and gain their trust to achieve a discount. But of course, without exaggerating to make it spontaneous.

You can also buy silversmiths in these places, where the craftsmen explain how they perform their goldsmithing work. When purchasing alpaca garments, it is advisable to hire a guide to take you to the most exciting silver areas.

Take advantage of your visit to the Pisac Market to try one of the quinoa empanadas baked in a colonial oven.

San Pedro Market

Suppose you have a free day in Cusco. In that case, you must visit what built the San Pedro Market, this center of supplies in 1925, designed by the same French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the same designer of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.

This place is considered one of the most critical markets in Cusco. It has different sections for meats, fruits, flowers, foods, cheeses, typical loaves of bread (breadsticks), potatoes, and juices.

The handicraft area is at the northeast door. You can find many small souvenirs here, such as keyrings, bracelets, and necklaces. There are also scarves and sweaters; in this case, there are no silverware or Alpaca clothing galleries.

Cusco’s San Pedro food market is famous. Always be careful with your belongings, and it is advisable to put the backpack in the front. Here, the prices are negotiable, and the variety is wide.

In Fertur, we recommend you visit the city of Cusco with a local guide. Besides taking you to this market, you can develop a complete itinerary of the San Blas neighborhood, Plaza San Francisco, the stone of the 12 angles, and much more.

Various markets in Cusco

Interestingly, the city’s fairs or job markets are touristy, making them even more attractive. To discover them, we can walk Avenida del Sol and Tullumayo to find the Craft Market, where the local government sponsors the Cusco Craft Center.

The San Blas neighborhood

It is known as the neighborhood of artisans and preserves the old colonial style. Its narrow streets zigzag between the Incan-style stone houses and the oldest church in the region, built in 1563. In these alleys, we will discover workshops of renowned artisans and artists from across the country who meet around the Plaza de Armas on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Chincheros Fair

28 kilometers northwest of Cusco, we will find this city, where we can arrive on any Sunday of the year to visit the Handicraft Fair on the Main Square. There, we will see excellent products and witness descendants of the Incas weaving woolen garments as they did for the nobles of the time. We will also buy some natural foodstuffs from the crops and observe how the local barter tradition is maintained.

Alpaca dolls in Pisaq

Some interesting tips

• It is necessary to have a keen eye and observe the figurines and statues, because many are crafts, while others are industrialized.
  Also, in Machu Picchu, one of the essential places in Cusco and the world, we will find artisans offering their products.
• Haggling is not a habit in this city, and for most tourists, the currency exchange is favorable, so asking to pay less for products would be frowned upon.
• The commercial premises of well-known brands in Cusco also usually sell excellent-quality clothing and accessories made with alpaca wool, but they are more expensive than at fairs. They will lose that, no, what? This grants him handmade clothing.

Buying local handicrafts in Cusco is more than just shopping; it’s about engaging with the culture, supporting the local economy, and ensuring that artisans receive fair compensation for their work. Each purchase is a step toward sustaining Cusco’s vibrant cultural landscape. By visiting local artisan markets and buying directly from the creators, you help preserve Cusco’s rich cultural heritage. Your involvement helps keep these traditions alive and ensures that future generations can also enjoy the beauty and depth of Cusco’s crafts. So next time you’re in Cusco, dive into the vibrant world of local handicrafts and bring home a piece of Peru that holds true value.

Happy shopping!