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One of the most fun things about going on trips (aside from the food and activities) is getting some fun souvenirs to remember your time. Each place you visit has its fair share of unique, local items. But how do you know what’s worth getting and what is created just for tourists? It can be very confusing and complicated. So, when we went to Peru, we did the research for you; here are some of the best souvenirs to get from Peru that are definitely worth your money.
One of the best places to get locally made goods in Peru is Arequipa. Cusco also has a great historic downtown with lots of artisanal items to get on your trip. We will also be discussing where to get good souvenirs from Liam, Peru.
Souvenirs to Buy in Peru
Below, we have our list of souvenirs to get from Peru. I’ve separated it into three different budget categories to make it easier. Additionally, you’ll find tips on where to find the best souvenirs and things to keep an eye on to avoid while shopping for the perfect souvenir. Remember, Peru uses Soles, which (currently) has a very favorable exchange rate for the USD.
Souvenirs for larger budgets
Baby Alpaca Clothes
You’ll see many alpaca clothing stores throughout Lima and the rest of Peru. Baby Alpaca is different from alpaca in that it is the first sheering of an alpaca. It is even softer than alpaca wool. Not only is the wool very soft, but it is also very warm. Since it is the first wool of an alpaca, it is more expensive.
Now, here is the challenge: it can be very easy to be fooled into believing something is a baby alpaca even when it is not. You will want to go to an alpaca store and physically feel the difference between an alpaca and a baby alpaca. It’ll be hard to know you are getting a genuine baby alpaca when buying from a street vendor or market.
Peruvian Silver
Peru is known for its silver jewelry. It is beautiful and intricately made. You will see lots of different places that sell jewelry throughout Lima and the rest of Peru. You’ll want to confirm that you are getting real silver when buying the jewelry. Be sure to shop around before getting the first piece you see. There are so many beautiful options.
Coffee Beans
Peru is known for its coffee beans and chocolate. One of the best souvenirs you can bring home from Peru is a bag of coffee beans. Be careful not to buy too much coffee as it will need to be declared at customs. Otherwise, I’d recommend tasting a wide variety of Peruvian beans before picking which ones to buy. Buying coffee beans whole allows them to last longer when you bring them home.
Traditional Poncho
Walking throughout Lima you’ll see many women walking around in the traditional textile poncho. While you’ll see many people wearing them, you might not actually find them so easy to buy. That’s where it gets more complicated. The ponchos are handmade and handwoven in Arequipa. This is the center of all the amazing Peruvian textiles you’ll want to buy as souvenirs. These textiles are colorful and bright which makes for such a fun item to buy to remind you of your time in Peru.
Traditional Jewelry
Along with Peruvian silver, there is plenty of other beautiful jewelry. There are plenty of beautifully made jewelry pieces with gemstones and precious stones. Additionally, you’ll see many different Andean crosses. They are truly unique and special to this region especially from the Cusco area.
Souvenirs to get for mid-sized budgets from Peru
A Bottle of Pisco
One of the most popular alcoholic drinks in Peru is the Pisco Sour. After having your fair share of Pisco Sours, you’ll want to bring your own Peruvian pisco home in order to make the drink for all your friends and family. Luckily, Pisco is easy to find in grocery or liquor stores. Be sure to ask the purveyor of your favorite pisco sour which pisco they use to make your drink.
Learn more about Peru’s food and drinks here.
Alpaca Socks or Gloves
While baby alpaca clothes are quite expensive, regular alpaca is cheaper and definitely worth getting. Socks, gloves, and even hats are worth getting, especially if you come from a colder climate. It is softer than most wool. It is also as warm or warmer than wool. These socks, gloves, and hats are great as gifts.
Peruvian Chocolate
One of our favorite things in Peru was tasting all the different chocolates. We loved tasting how different chocolates from the different areas of Peru tasted. You can truly taste the variations of the chocolate. It was so fun and delicious that we bought several bars to bring home. This is in the middle budget because the chocolate can get expensive.
Make your own chocolate bars in Peru here.
Wall Hangings
Wall hangings are a great Peruvian souvenir to decorate your house. There are so many of these all over Peru. From wall hangings featuring llamas to many different traditional patterns. We got one with a cute llama pattern for our house. The nice thing about bringing home decorations is that you can see them every day and remember your vacation. It brightens up your interior while always reminding you of your trips.
Ceramics
One of the other things you’ll see in many places is handmade ceramics. They can be colorfully painted and depict many different aspects of Peruvian life. Peru has a very long history with ceramics, especially bowls, pots, and vases. Since they are handmade,e no two will be the same. The diversity in the ceramics adds to the joy of shopping for these souvenirs. Plus, as decorations for your home, every time you see them, you’ll remember your trip.
Alpaca Chullo Hats
One of the hats that Peru is known for is the Alpaca Chullo hat. These are particularly popular in the Andes Mountains to keep warm. They come in all sorts of different patterns. Since they are from alpacas, they are also very warm. It is a perfect gift to bring home if you live in a cold area. Plus, all the different colors mean there is something for everyone.
Souvenirs for smaller budgets from Peru
Llama dolls
This is by far the cutest gift to bring home. All throughout the markets in Peru, you’ll see stuffed llama/alpaca dolls. These dolls are made with alpaca wool making them extra soft. If you are extra lucky (like we got), you’ll find some alpacas/llamas decorated with traditional textiles to add a fun flair to them. They come in all sizes.
Peruvian Snacks
One of our favorite things to bring home after every trip is local snacks. We like to check out the local supermarkets and then buy yummy and weird-looking snacks to bring home. Then, with our family members, we like to taste test all the different snacks. From Peru, we brought home amazing local potato chips, corn snacks, and a variety of chocolates. Of course, we also brought home mayo-flavored chips.
Peru Themed Water bottle
Water bottles are great souvenirs because they are useful! With a large amount of gift shops in Lima, its easy to find a cute water bottle. Since clean water can be hard to find in Peru, having a water bottle can be helpful during your trip. Coming home and using it again can also mean you have an easy reminder of your trip. Additionally, there are t-shirts or coasters as other fun gifts.
Peruvian socks
My sister is a big sock collector. She loves fun socks that remind her of her favorite things, places she’s visited, or funny jokes. So, every time we travel, we like to bring back some socks that depict the local area. So, while alpaca fabric socks are amazing and practical, the alpaca printed socks are a fun gift!
Coca Candies
For an inexpensive and Peruvian-specific candy, go for the coca candies. They are hard candies made with the coca leaf. The coca leaf is especially popular in mountain areas due to the fact that it helps alleviate elevation sickness. If you’re going to Cusco, getting these candies can really reduce any elevation sickness, or you can be like a local and chew on the coca leaves. It’s also such a fun gift to bring home from Peru.
Torito de Pucará
This typical bull is found all over Peru. It brings protection and prosperity to people’s houses. The colorful bulls are predominantly from the town of Pucará. This town is the “land of the bulls.” You will find plenty of colorful ceramic bulls here. Don’t worry if you are not planning on going to Pucará; you’ll find plenty of these little bulls all over Peru.
Inca Kola
Traveling across Peru, you’ll definitely come across Inca Kola. This bright yellow soft drink is incredibly popular there. Don’t be a fool; it does not taste like Coca-Cola, but it is definitely worth a try! Its main ingredient is lemon verbena, and it has a very sweet taste. With its bright yellow color, it is definitely a different drink to bring home as a souvenir or to try while in Peru.
Illustrated Maps of Peru
Another great souvenir to bring home from Peru is an illustrated map of Peru. The maps are great decorations for your house to remind you of all your new favorite places. Plus it can be a little collection as you add more illustrated maps from other travels as well. One of the best things about illustrated maps is that you can get maps made by local artists plus they can be made in the local tradition.
Tips for Buying Souvenirs in Peru
Here are some important tips for buying souvenirs in Peru:
- Tourist prices are inflated in Peru, and vendors will raise the price for foreigners. But if you speak Spanish, definitely haggle! Even if you don’t speak Spanish, you should haggle with the vendors at a market.
- Bring cash for the best prices.
- There are so many places to buy souvenirs in Peru. Shop around to get the best deal.
- Not all vendors will have the best quality material (especially with silver or alpaca), so be cautious and shop around!
- Check out Artesanías Las Pallas for goods from all over Peru in Lima.
Final Thoughts About Souvenirs from Peru
Getting souvenirs from trips is a great way to remember all your adventures. But it’s important to know what is worth buying and what is not. With this list, it gives you a good idea of local artisanal goods that can add some joy to your home. There are plenty of ways to remember trips through photos, souvenirs, foods, and stories. Don’t feel like you must overshop (we generally don’t shop much on trips), but it can be fun to window shop.
