Peruvian handicraft
What to bring back from a trip to Peru? The must-haves are alpaca wool textiles (sweaters, scarves, ponchos), Andean weavings, silver jewelry, ceramics and Ayacucho retablos. For food lovers, think coffee, chocolate and quinoa. Here is our advice on choosing authentic souvenirs, knowing where to buy them and avoiding unpleasant surprises.
Crafts steeped in history
Crafts have always been a key part of pre-Hispanic cultures: the most finely decorated textiles and ceramics have been found in tombs. In remote regions, traditional techniques and customs have survived. Certain colors or patterns, for example, indicate marital status or belonging to a community.
Today, you can discover a huge variety of handicrafts throughout the country. Some are found everywhere, others are typical of a single region.
The must-have souvenirs
Alpaca textiles
Alpaca wool is used to make sweaters, scarves, ponchos, bags and wall hangings. Soft and warm, it is the Peruvian souvenir par excellence. "Baby alpaca", from the first shearing, is the finest and softest quality.
Beware of imitations: many products sold as alpaca are actually acrylic or blends. Real alpaca feels cool to the touch, is not shiny and is necessarily more expensive. The famous Peruvian hat (chullo) sold for a few soles in tourist streets is almost always synthetic.
Silver jewelry
Gold, silver and copper are finely crafted into jewelry, often inspired by pre-Hispanic designs. For silver, check for the "950" or "925" hallmark, which guarantees the metal content.
Leather and ceramics
Leatherwork varies from region to region, but often includes pieces of fabric with traditional patterns and colors. Ceramics echo the shapes and decorations of ancient cultures, notably in the style of Chulucanas pottery, in the north of the country.
Regional specialties
- In Arequipa, hats are embroidered with pastel-colored floral and animal patterns.
- In Ayacucho, retablos are the most sought-after items: small, brightly painted wooden boxes filled with figurines depicting the Nativity or scenes of daily life.
- On the shores of Lake Titicaca, women make dolls and small boats from totora, the local reed.
- Between Puno and Cusco, in the village of Pucara, artisans make the famous little clay bulls placed on rooftops to protect homes.
- Around Huancayo, colorful belts are woven and "mates burilados" are carved: gourds decorated with intricate scenes.
- Near Iquitos, in the Amazon, jewelry is made from seeds and plant fibers.
On the roads of Latin America, you will also meet traveling artisans selling jewelry made of semi-precious stones and metal, often inspired by pre-Hispanic designs.
Food souvenirs
Peru is also a destination for food lovers. Coffee from the Andean and Amazonian valleys is excellent, as is chocolate made from Peruvian cacao. Quinoa, spices and dried chili peppers (ají) travel well. Pisco, the national grape brandy, is also a popular gift, within the alcohol allowances set by customs.
Where to buy crafts?
The most authentic items are bought directly from the artisans. In the Sacred Valley, the weaving cooperatives of Chinchero show the whole process, from raw wool to weaving, including natural dyes. The Pisac market, especially on Sundays, is also a popular stop.
In Cusco, beautiful shops have opened in the center and in the San Blas district, with modern designs and original, responsible concepts. We particularly recommend:
Patapampa (alpaca clothing)
Concepto Raiz (designer clothing)
Florencia y Fortunata (fair-trade coffee)
Luthier Sabino (Andean musical instruments)
Should you haggle?
At markets, haggling is part of the exchange, but it remains moderate: a 10 to 20% discount is generally fair. Bear in mind that a beautiful woven piece often represents weeks of work. In shops and cooperatives, prices are fixed.
What not to bring back
- Coca leaves and coca products (candies, flour): legal in Peru, they are banned in most countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and the United States (see Can you bring coca leaves back from Peru?).
- Archaeological objects and colonial antiques: exporting them is prohibited and severely punished.
- Products made from wild animals: feathers, skins, shells, preserved insects.
- Be careful with fruit, seeds and plants too, which are often checked on arrival.
