Ceramic Bull
USD 20–60
Pairs of these bulls are placed on rooftops to bring prosperity to homes.
F Delventhal (CC BY 2.0)
Where to buy: Local ceramic workshops near the Plaza de Armas.
What to Buy in Peru
Local goods and souvenirs worth bringing home — with photos, typical prices, and where to buy them.
Baby Alpaca Wool Scarf
USD 30–120
The fibers are lighter, warmer, and softer than sheep wool with no itch.
Cgoodwin (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Sol Alpaca boutiques or local stalls within the San Blas neighborhood.
Baby Alpaca Wool Poncho
USD 80–300
This fiber is incredibly soft, light, and warmer than standard sheep wool.
Yves Picq http://veton.picq.fr (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC) in Chinchero.
Peruvian Pink Salt
USD 2–10
Harvested from ancient pans, this mineral-rich salt tastes cleaner than table salt.
Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: Salineras de Maras site entrance kiosks.
Retablo
USD 25–300
Hand-painted wooden boxes depicting complex Andean life scenes in miniature detail.
Gabriel Hildebrand (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Where to buy: Mercado Municipal de Ayacucho or specialized workshops in the San Blas district of Cusco.
Baby Alpaca Wool Sweater
USD 80–250
The fibers are soft and hollow, providing warmth without the weight of sheep wool.
Wiener, Charles, 1851-1913 Crevaux, Jules, 1847-1882 Charnay, Désiré, 1828-1915 André, Edouard (CC0)
Where to buy: Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco; Sol Alpaca boutique.
Hand-Woven Textile
USD 30–300
Complex backstrap-loom weaving uses traditional iconography passed down through many generations.
Yves Picq http://veton.picq.fr (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (Av. Sol) or Chinchero weaving collectives.
Hand-woven backstrap loom textile
USD 20–150
These traditional cloths feature distinct iconography from local Quechua weaving collectives.
Rob Young from United Kingdom (CC BY 2.0)
Where to buy: Awamaki weaving cooperative near the archaeological site entrance.
Chulucanas Pottery
USD 20–120 · From Lima
Distinctive black and white geometric patterns created using ancient smoke-firing techniques.
Jorgeluishp (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: D.Ana in Miraflores.
Peruvian Coffee Beans
USD 10–30
High-altitude organic beans from the nearby Quillabamba valley offer unique acidity.
MarkSweep (Public domain)
Where to buy: Cafe Los Llamas or local specialty roasters.
Peruvian Ground Coffee
USD 8–20
High-altitude shade-grown beans from the nearby Quillabamba valley offer distinct chocolate and citrus notes.
MarkSweep (Public domain)
Where to buy: La Choza de la abuela; specialized cafes in the San Blas neighborhood.
Pisco Quebranta
USD 20–60 · From Lima
Grab a bottle of non-aromatic Quebranta for the best authentic Pisco Sour.
No machine-readable author provided. Manuel González Olaechea assumed (based on copyright claims). (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: El Pozito or high-end liquor stores in San Isidro.
Pucara Bull Ceramic
USD 10–60
Originally for branding cattle, these figures now serve as traditional Andean household luck charms.
F Delventhal (CC BY 2.0)
Where to buy: Mercado de San Blas ceramic stalls.
Retablos (wooden shadow boxes)
USD 20–100 · From Lima
These intricate dioramas feature detailed hand-painted figures depicting Andean life and religious celebrations.
Gabriel Hildebrand (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Where to buy: Mercado Artesanal La Marina.
Silver Filigree Jewelry
USD 20–200
Fine silver threads are twisted into intricate, lace-like patterns by skilled smiths.
Where to buy: Calle Comercio in Catacaos or reputable shops in Lima's Miraflores district.
Natural Dyed Weaving
USD 40–200
These pieces use traditional backstrap loom techniques and plant-based dyes.
Where to buy: Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez weaving workshops.
Huayruro Seed Jewelry
USD 5–25
Locals believe these vibrant red and black seeds provide good luck.
Where to buy: Pisac Sunday Artisan Market.
Cacao Chocolate
USD 5–15
Peru produces some of the finest high-altitude cacao beans on the planet.
Where to buy: ChocoMuseo Urubamba.
Pisco
USD 20–70
This clear grape brandy defines the national spirit and requires specific regional designations.
Where to buy: Bodegas in the Ica valley or high-end liquor stores in San Isidro, Lima.
Shipibo Textile
USD 40–250
Geometric patterns represent cosmic visions from Amazonian traditions and take months to finish.
Where to buy: Fair trade collectives or galleries in Lima's Barranco neighborhood.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons licenses. Individual credits shown on each photo where available.