Shopping

Shopping is not a very fruitful experience in the country of Venezuela. The huge malls of Caracas have the usual international designer stores and visitors can visit these for buying the latest in design and fashion. It is advisable to look for local art and craft items that are indigenous to the place whilst shopping. Local Indian tribes make handicrafts that are unique in their design and material.

Masks are available in different varieties and are found to be particularly eye-catching. ‘Chinchorros', the locally made hammocks are quite popular. They are made of rough natural fibers that are intricately woven. A large number of woven commodities such as baskets, hats and handbags are also found in different varieties. Simple ceramic wares are also found aplenty in this region. Tourists are particularly keen to pick up a few of these pottery items as souvenirs, as they are quite inexpensive.

Though Isla de Margarita enjoys duty-free status, it does not find much patronage by international shoppers. This is because the prices are akin to the rates found back home and hence it does not make much sense for a tourist to cart all this back home.

It is advisable to bargain on all kinds of commodities in stores except in department stores, hotel gift shops and malls. Street merchants and sellers in small stores in outdoor markets and souvenir shops are usually receptive to bargaining which can result in reduction of price on most items by almost 25% to 30%.

Gems, jewelry, cacique coins, gold and pearls are good buys for the discerning shopper in this South American country. Indian stuff such as bows, arrows, mats and pipes are also popular items from this region and tourists take these usually as small souvenirs as a reminder of their unique experience in a unique country. Alpargatas is a traditional local footwear of the Campesinos that are also taken as souvenirs by the tourists. Pompom slippers, seed necklaces, shoes and handbags are some other favorite items of purchase by tourists.

Shops are generally open on weekdays from 0900-1300 in the morning and 1500-1900 in the evenings.

Porlamar is one of the main shopping town that has important stores lined along its two main avenues, the 4 de Mayo and the Santiago Marino avenue, forming a T in the heart of the city. In the downtown area of Boulevard Guevara and the Boulevard Gomez, visitors enjoy shopping around for better deals on a variety of items of local origin. A cruise liner port is being developed in the region that will eventually lend it a more cosmetic look.

Juan Griego, the second commercial port, located in the northern part of Margarita Island is also a hot spot for shoppers. It is possible to get

perfume, footwear, clothing and jewelry at good bargains in this region.

Margarita Island is known as the largest free port in the Caribbean that has more than 2000 stores. It has a wide variety of shops that sell commodities such as liquor, perfume, jewelry, hypermarkets, malls and boutiques. It is possible to procure most international brands in this island.

Mercado Dolores Salas Pino de Febres Cordero

Carretera Trasandina

Sector El Vergel

La Musui, Mérida

5129

This is a market that is located in an Andean building. It has been built basically keeping in mind the tourist populace, as there is hardly any local population in the neighborhood. The market is divided into various sectors and modules that have a display of several commodities that are produced in the region such as garlics and blackberry wines. Tourists are also known to pick up items such as ceramics, dolls, wooden carvings and other hand made crafts. Smoked cheese, fruits and vegetables, typical cakes and candies of the region are also available in this market for the consumption of tourists. A small coffee shop also caters to the requirement of the tourists.

Chuao

Caracas, Aragua

1061

Altamira

This is a shopping center that has been styled on a theme of the 70's. It boasts of over 500 different stores that sell several products, both indigenous and general. A separate car parking is built indoors and can hold around 6000 vehicles. The weekends create a center of attention for a great number of relaxed shoppers, as they chill out in the restaurants and cinemas available here. A four-star hotel is also part of the complex and provides good service to visiting tourists and shoppers.