Shopping Cusco

Shopping Cusco, Cusco, Peru (A)

The shopping choices in Cusco run the gamut from local artisans selling their crafts on the streets or in small stores to a number of high-end shops. Clothing and woven goods are of course at the forefront, as textile art is deeply rooted in the history of Andean culture. Prices tend to be high - closer to what you'd see in the United States - on many items, particularly clothing made from alpaca fiber.
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Sights Featured in This Article

Guide Name: Shopping Cusco
Guide Location: Peru » Cusco
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (A))
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 3.0 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Author: Jim Reynoldson
Author Bio: Jim Reynoldson is an avid traveler and writer who grew up in Oregon. He enjoys hiking, camping, and sight-seeing throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco
  • Werner & Ana
  • Apacheta
  • Alpaca International
  • Sol Alpaca
  • Jatum Maqui
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Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco

1) Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco

This small, wonderful shop exists as a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 promoting the traditional weaving of the Andes. High end blankets, caps, ponchos, and other items are on display – unique and hand made, and with a tag showing the name of the creator, as well as the materials used (which includes wool from both sheep and alpaca). You’re likely to see a loom set up in the middle of the shop, with local weavers dressed in traditional garb at work – making for some fascinating photos. An interesting, small on site museum displaying the history and culture of local weaving is also worth a visit.
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Werner & Ana

2) Werner & Ana

This flagship store selling high-end clothing items was founded in 1998 by a young couple named Werner Bijkerk (from the Netherlands) and Ana Chavez (from Peru). The garments sold at Werner & Ana are hand made by fair trade artisans, rather than being mass-produced in factories. High quality alpaca and other fibers are used, and professional designers on staff ensure unique items. World renowned, Werner & Ana have received accolades from a number of fashion publications worldwide and by the New York Times. A good web site catalogue allows for online purchases and shipments abroad as well.
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Apacheta

3) Apacheta

This wonderful shop located near the Plaza Regocijo in central Cusco blends elements of history with modern styles in a classy, museum-like atmosphere. Items for sale include tapestries, paintings, jewelry, pottery, scarves, fossils, and woven laces. Many of the works are fashioned as replicas, in the styles of Inca and pre-Inca cultural icons – including birds, human figures, monkeys, cats, and fish. Other weavings feature patterns of cultural and spiritual significance seen in local cultures throughout the history of Peru (including the present). Apacheta also has a good online catalogue, with photos of each item – and offers to make arrangements for shipping.
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Alpaca International

4) Alpaca International

With locations in Utah, Maryland, and Washington, DC, as well as Cusco, Alpaca International is a purveyor of high quality clothing made from the sought-after baby alpaca fibers. Owner and founder Zia Boccaccio, a native Peruvian, was inspired as a child to one day create fashionable clothing from alpaca wool, and this shop is a realization of those dreams. Coats, capes, scarves, sweaters, hats, gloves, and other warm – yet lightweight - items are made from the extremely silky, soft wool. Ownership of alpaca wool clothing was allowed only to royalty in Inca times. This fabric is incredibly warm yet lightweight.
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Sol Alpaca

5) Sol Alpaca

Sol Alpaca is under the parent Mitchell and Company, a major player in high-end alpaca clothing for more than 75 years and the largest alpaca textile group in Peru. With quality products sold worldwide, Sol Alpaca products have even been included in fashion shows abroad – such as the Melbourne Fashion Expose in Australia. In addition to alpaca, wool from the other Peruvian camelids – llama, guanaco, and vicuna – are used in various clothing lines. Textile patterns pay homage to symbols of historical and spiritual significance to Inca and pre-Inca cultures in the region. Sol Alpaca is committed to sustainable craftwork – promoting the use of renewable fibers in its products.
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Jatum Maqui

6) Jatum Maqui

Located about a block to the northwest of the Plaza de Armas in central Cusco, this small workshop for young, aspiring artists specializes in ceramic arts with unique designs with an emphasis on eco-friendly and socially responsible crafts. A range of items – from sculptures to dishware – display handcrafted excellence. Shipping of purchased items is available; in case you don’t want the hassle of carrying these items back home in your luggage. Travelers with an International Student Identity Card receive a 15% discount on purchases. To finish this tour, simply walk down Procuradores to the southeast to the Plaza de Armas in central Cusco.

Walking Tours in Cusco, Peru

Create Your Own Walk in Cusco

Create Your Own Walk in Cusco

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cusco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cusco Introduction Walking Tour

Cusco Introduction Walking Tour

Nestled high in the Andes mountains, Cusco is a city bursting with stories to tell. Peru's historic capital city was also the Inca Empire's center until the Spanish conquistadors arrived.

Before the Inca settled in the area, the Killke people were here from the years 900 to 1200. Sacsayhuaman, a walled complex outside of town, was built as a fortress by the Killke.

The Inca later...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Cusco's Historical Churches

Cusco's Historical Churches

Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, is one of the oldest cities in the world. In the 16th century, Spanish missionaries introduced the area to Catholicism. The result of that has been a plethora of historical churches built in the city since.

Among the marvels of local ecclesiastical architecture, the Cusco Cathedral reigns supreme. Constructed on the foundations of an Inca temple,...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles