Peru captivates travelers with its ancient Incan heritage, including the iconic Machu Picchu, diverse landscapes from Amazon rainforest to Andean peaks, and vibrant culinary scene. This South American gem offers world-class hiking, rich indigenous cultures, and colonial architecture in cities like Cusco and Lima.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Alpaca Wool Blanket
Hand-woven blankets in vibrant Andean patterns made from high-quality alpaca fiber. Warm, lightweight, and durable, these are Peru's most iconic textile souvenirs.
Price: $20-80
Where: Pisac Market, San Pedro Market Cusco
Chullo Hat
Traditional hand-knitted Andean hat with earflaps featuring intricate geometric patterns. Worn by locals for warmth at altitude and sold in every size for children and adults.
Price: $8-25
Where: Street markets in Cusco and Puno
Chulucanas Pottery
Distinctive black-and-white ceramics from northern Peru using ancient smoke-firing techniques. Each piece depicts figures inspired by pre-Columbian Tallán culture.
Price: $15-60
Where: Artisanal shops in Lima Miraflores
Silver Filigree Jewelry
Intricate silver jewelry crafted using ancient filigree techniques preserved in Catacaos near Piura. Earrings, bracelets, and necklaces featuring Andean motifs.
Price: $10-50
Where: Mercado Artesanal Lima, Catacaos craft stalls
Peruvian Coffee & Chocolate
High-altitude single-origin coffee from Cajamarca and dark chocolate made from Amazonian cacao beans. Popular gifts that showcase Peru's agricultural heritage.
Price: $5-20
Where: Supermarkets, specialty shops in Lima
Pisco Brandy
Peru's national spirit, a grape brandy produced in coastal valleys. Look for bottles from premium producers like Tabernero, Ocucaje, or Queirolo as authentic gifts.
Price: $15-40
Where: Supermarkets, duty-free at airports
Retablo Altarpiece
Colorful three-dimensional box altarpieces from Ayacucho depicting religious scenes or daily Andean life with miniature clay figures. UNESCO-recognized folk art tradition.
Price: $20-100
Where: Artisanal shops in Cusco, Lima craft markets
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Pisac Sunday Market
Peru's most famous indigenous market where Quechua vendors in traditional dress sell textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and produce. The Sunday market is most vibrant with locals shopping alongside tourists.
Where: Plaza de Armas, Pisac, Sacred Valley
Hours: Sun 8AM-3PM (tourist market daily)
San Pedro Market (Mercado San Pedro)
Cusco's main covered market is the best place to shop like a local for fresh produce, dried herbs, chicha corn beer, and artisanal products at low prices. The prepared food stalls serve cheap traditional lunches.
Where: Calle Tupac Yupanqui, Cusco
Hours: 6AM-6PM daily
Mercado Central de Lima
Lima's historic central market in the old town offers everything from fresh seafood and tropical fruits to hardware and clothing. The food halls on the upper levels serve traditional Peruvian market meals.
Where: Jr. Ayacucho 1201, Lima Historic Center
Hours: 6AM-6PM daily
Feria Artesanal Miraflores
Large permanent artisan market in Lima's upscale Miraflores district with hundreds of stalls selling textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and handicrafts from across Peru. More curated and tourist-oriented than downtown markets.
Where: Av. Petit Thouars, Miraflores, Lima
Hours: 10AM-8PM daily
Chinchero Market
Traditional Sunday market in a picturesque mountain village where local women in traditional dress sell handwoven textiles and demonstrate ancient weaving techniques passed down through generations.
Where: Plaza Principal, Chinchero, Sacred Valley
Hours: Sun 7AM-1PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Miraflores
Lima's premier shopping and dining district features international brands, boutique stores, and the Larcomar clifftop mall. Av. Larco and its side streets concentrate galleries, bookshops, and quality artisan stores.
Best for: High-end fashion, alpaca clothing, gifts
Barranco
Lima's artistic neighborhood is best for unique finds from local designers, vintage shops, and galleries selling contemporary Peruvian art and photography. The area around Bajada de Baños has craft studios.
Best for: Contemporary art, local design, vintage
San Blas, Cusco
Cusco's bohemian craft quarter is packed with small workshops where local artisans produce ceramics, paintings, textiles, and jewelry. Walking the cobblestone streets reveals family workshops and unique one-off pieces.
Best for: Handcrafted artworks, unique souvenirs, workshops
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Larcomar
Lima's most dramatic mall built into the cliffs of Miraflores above the Pacific Ocean features 120 stores, restaurants with ocean views, and a cinema. Excellent combination of shopping and coastal scenery with major local and international brands.
Hours: 11AM-11PM daily
Jockey Plaza
Lima's largest shopping mall in Surco district features 450 stores including international brands, hypermarket, food court, cinema, and entertainment. The most complete retail destination in Peru with everything under one roof.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Real Plaza Cusco
Cusco's modern shopping mall near the airport offers supermarket, cinema, clothing stores, and food court with local and chain restaurants. Useful for stocking up on supplies and escaping unpredictable highland weather.
Hours: 10AM-9PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected and acceptable at street markets and artisan stalls — start at 50-60% of the asking price and meet in the middle
Never bargain at fixed-price shops, supermarkets, or malls — prices are set and offers will be refused
Buying multiple items from the same vendor gives stronger leverage for a discount
Be friendly and respectful — good-natured bargaining is a cultural interaction, not an argument
Walk away politely if the price doesn't suit — vendors will often call you back with a better offer
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cannot export pre-Columbian artifacts, archaeological pieces, or wildlife products including feathers, shells, and certain animal products. Violators face serious legal penalties.
Tax Refund: No VAT refund scheme for tourists in Peru. Prices quoted generally include IGV (18% VAT).
Duty Free: Travelers can import up to $500 USD of goods duty-free. Personal items including 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars and 3 liters of spirits allowed duty-free.
Shipping: International courier services (DHL, FedEx) available in Lima and Cusco for large textile and ceramic purchases. Customs declaration required for items over $200.