Pasaje Rivas

Pasaje Rivas is a covered craft arcade at Calle 10 #10-52 in the old city of La Candelaria, Bogotá, Colombia, trading since the 1890s. It is a traditional handicraft passage rather than a boutique district, and the goods are everyday Colombian craft items: fique-fibre baskets, esparto mats, hammocks, woollen ruanas, Ráquira pottery, wooden kitchenware, hats and Christmas decorations. The stalls are small and packed closely along the arcade, and most of the stock is authentic domestic craft rather than imported souvenirs, although some items are factory-made, so visitors seeking hand-woven pieces should check the weave and ask about origin. Prices sit well below the northern boutiques and Zona Rosa malls, typically between COP 10,000 and COP 250,000, and modest bargaining is accepted, especially when buying several items from one stall. Payment is mostly in cash pesos; some stalls may take cards, but visitors should not count on it. Tax refunds do not apply. The atmosphere is busy on weekdays, with local shoppers and tour groups moving through the narrow passage, and it is quieter on Sundays when trading is limited. Food options inside the arcade are minimal, but the surrounding streets of La Candelaria offer cafes, bakeries and lunch restaurants within a few minutes' walk. The layout is simple, a single covered passage lined with stalls, so the must-visit corners are the basketry and hammock stalls, the ruana and woollen goods, and the ceramics from Ráquira. Its central position makes it easy to add to a walking route with Plaza de Bolívar and the Candelaria museums. Visitors should keep valuables secured in the crowded passage and carry small notes for purchases.