SHOP TILL YOU DROP IN CARTAGENA
Sep 15 '01 (Updated May 09 '05)
The Bottom Line For a day, a week, or longer it's worth a visit. Just remember to bring your wallet.
Cartagena Colombia is a shoppers paradise with goods to suit all tastes and budgets. The relatively low value of the local currency, the Colombian Peso, in relation to North American and European currencies ensures your money will go a long way here.
Naturally coffee is a mandatory souvenir. There is no way you want to come home after a trip to Colombia and not be able to offer a cup to your friends, neighbors and coworkers. Besides after you enjoy a cup of this wonderful elixir, while visiting the city, you'll be hooked and want to load up for yourself.
Coffee can be purchased just about anywhere in the city, but here's a tip. Stay away from the tourist shops when buying this. Naturally the price is inflated, but not necessarily the quality. For coffee and other similar purchases like tobacco and alcohol, your best bet is to shop where the locals do at one of the large department stores, Vivaro, "the Colombian Walmart", or the more upscale Magali Paris.
Both chains have stores in El Centro the old part of the city. Prices and selection here are generally better than at those shops geared toward the tourist trade. You can also buy small packets of different brands which make great and practical souvenirs for those back home.
After coffee, Colombia is perhaps most famous for it's gold and emeralds. There are numerous jewelry shops in both El Centro and Boca Grande many of which can make up a custom piece within a couple of days. When you visit be sure to check to see if there is a small attached factory where you can watch these skilled craftsman at work.
Other good buys worth looking at include reproductions of Pre Colombian art, leather goods such as boots and belts, and beautiful hand made vests, bags and wall hangings. For those who enjoy bargains and don't mind haggling this is the city for you. The beaches and streets of Boca Grande are filled with people who will try and sell you anything.
For the most part what is offered is the same as one finds at almost any tourist destination around the world. Cheap T-shirts, imitation designer sunglasses, fake Rolex watches and Cuban cigars abound here. To say that their sales pitch is persistent is an understatement and being kind.
One enterprising individual must have the airline schedules memorized. On my last day he had added cheap nylon flight bags and suitcases to cart all the other souvenirs home to his wares.
One of the best places to shop for at is Las Bovedas in El Centro. This is a series of twenty-three dungeons built into the ancient outer wall of the city. Originally they were built as barracks and then used as storerooms and powder magazines,. Now twenty-two have been restored and turned into small upscale shops.
The twenty-third is a small bar run by a retired matador. Naturally it is decorated with artifacts from his past, including capes posters and several mounted bull heads. It's a great place to take a break from shopping. The large Vivaro department store is located close by, for those who want to get all their shopping done in one go.
Finally one set of vendors always worth dealing with are the Native Indians. They'll set up in the same locations as the other vendors, mainly on the beach and Avienda San Martin in Boca Grande. They sell elaborate wood carvings, and colourful clothing, vests hats and ponchos. For the most part they are much more polite and reserved then the other vendors, almost shy. Some real bargains can be found here.
Whether you are spending a week there, or a just a day excursion from a cruise ship, do take the chance to shop till you drop in Cartagena, and remember to leave plenty of room in your suitcase before you go.
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