Miraflores Souvenir Shopping

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1 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 - Miraflores Souvenir Shopping Tourists will indulge themselves in a number of traditional items from across Peru when shopping in Lima. Miraflores, a district in Lima, attracts a large number of tourists each year due to its abundance of shops. The markets range from boutiques, artisan markets, antique shops, jewelry, and clothes. We've compiled a list of gifts and souvenirs, which are unique to Lima, that a visitor might like to purchase to reflect their visit. Guide Location: Peru» Lima # of Attractions: 10 Tour Duration: 2 hour(s) Travel Distance: 4.0 km Please note: This walk is also featured in the ios app "Lima Map and Walks" on itunes App Store and the Android app "Lima Map and Walks" on Google Play. The apps provide GPS navigation to guide you from one tour stop to the next, so you will never be lost. The apps offer additional walking tours in Lima. Check them out! GPSmyCity offers self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 city around the world. Please visit gpsmycity.com for more walking tour offers. List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour: A) Chocolates Helena B) Cerámica Ayacuchana C) Hatun Rupay D) Inka Plaza E) Artesanias Massiel-Indian Market F) Indigo G) Cultura Andina H) Alpaca III I) Kuntur Wasi J) Wayra Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 -

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3 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 - A) Chocolates Helena What to buy here: Traditional Sweets. There is not a lot of information about the consumption of desserts by the Incas. Peruvians were introduced to sweets by Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th Century. In colonial times, desserts and sweets were prepared by nuns in convents, a tradition that still remains to this day. There are sweets from the coast, highlands and jungle of Peru. These sweets capture tourists when they visit Peru. The most well known of the sweets are turrón, king-kong, tejas, natilla and alfajores, which are especially packaged to undergo international customs. Prices change according to the presentation, amount and packaging, but usually start at S/.10 at any supermarket, such as Wong, Plaza Vea or Vivanda, open from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday. You can also visit some of the more exclusive chocolatiers specializing in tejas, at Chocolates Helena on Calle Chiclayo 897, in Miraflores, on Av. Juan Pezet 1447, in San Isidro or on Centro Comercial Jockey Plaza, Tienda 133, in Santiago de Surco open from 9:30am to 9pm, Monday to Sunday. Address: Calle Chiclayo 897, Miraflores, Lima, Peru Image Courtesy of Tamorlan B) Cerámica Ayacuchana What to buy here: Ekeko Huamanga Stone Sculptures. These emblematic clay dolls represent the Tiwanakan god of abundance and prosperity, in the mythology of the Andean highlands. The Ekeko is a man with a mustache who wears Andean clothes, such as a poncho and a chullo (Peruvian wool caps), who also carries bags, baskets of food, household objects and currency bills, which is everything that a person would need to have a comfortable, prosperous and healthy life. His mouth is open to place a lit cigarette to satisfy him. An offering is normally necessary before he provides his services. If a request is accepted, the Ekeko will smoke. According to tradition, the Ekeko must be given as a gift, or in the worst case, stolen. However, he must never be bought because then it won t grant any favors to the buyer. Each Ekeko costs $15 at Cerámica Ayacuchana in the Inca Plaza located on Av. Petit Thouars 5330, Stand 2, in Miraflores open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Choose wisely, there are many different designs! Address: Inca Plaza, Av. Petit Thouars 5330, Stand 2, Miraflores, Lima, Peru Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 -

4 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 - Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Daderot C) Hatun Rupay What to buy here: Chulucanas Pottery. Chulucanas is a town located in northern Peru, an hour east of the city of Piura. This town is known for its tradition for making high quality ceramics. In 1967, an American nun Gloria Joyce discovered the potential the Chulucanas pottery had. The pottery was made of special clay collected from deposits along the Piura and Chira River. The clay was mixed with clear water and coarse sand. Vases, plates, boxes, bowls, figurines, and cups with traditional, ethnic and abstract motifs were created. Hatun Rupay is a small store where Chulucanas pottery can be found at reasonable prices, located on Avenida Petit Thouars 5330 (stand 183), in the Miraflores district, open on Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 8pm. Address: Avenida Petit Thouars 5330 (stand 183), Miraflores, Lima, Peru Image Courtesy of Guillermo Arévalo Aucahuasi D) Inka Plaza (must see) The Inka Plaza in Miraflores offers a lot of Peruvian items, clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs. The handicrafts market also features a wide selection of products from the Andes, including alpaca sweaters and scarfs. Inka Plaza is a phenomenal place to land a great deal, as the owners are always willing to bargain. What to buy here: Silver Jewelry. Silver gilding in Peru dates back to 10,000 B.C., near the Lurin valley. This ancient activity was undertaken by people for magical and religious purposes. During the Inca Empire, silver was a very important material due to its sophisticated metallurgic alloys. Furthermore, it was used for religious offerings. Traditionally, silver was related to the moon, similarly as gold related to the sun, which is why silver was considered the metal of the kings and Incas alike. Some years later, when the Spanish silversmiths arrived, Peruvian and Spanish craftmanship merged together, creating a huge ornamental wealth. Currently, Peruvian silver workers continue this tradition, using age old techniques, such as: laminating, imprinting, shaping and engraving this metal. Everything from necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and charms can be found nowadays in Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 -

5 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 - Peruvian markets. The price of every piece of jewelry can vary, depending on the design and the types of precious stones used. Address: Av. Petit Thouars 5321 (Gonzalez Prada), Miraflores, Miraflores, Peru Image Courtesy of Flickr and j_bary E) Artesanias Massiel-Indian Market What to buy here: Copper Plates. Copper, an abundant metal in Peru, has been tailored to fit different uses, from the earliest civilizations, up to now. Copper is a well known metal in Peru, which has been around since the pre-inca period. Gilded work on copper by ancient Peruvians has reached a high level of development and perfection. Artistic copper plates are highly coveted by tourists who visit Peru. The engravings portray various motifs, including animal figures, peasants, Peruvian pictures and the well-known Tumi, depicting a three-dimensional portrait in different colors. The plate always comes with a small hanger on the back, to easily be hang on a wall. Each plate costs $10, at the Artesanias Massiel-Indian Market located on Av. Petit Thouars 5321, Stand 103, in Miraflores, open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Address: Av. Petit Thouars 5321, Stand 103, Miraflores, Lima, Peru Image Courtesy of Flickr and David Flores F) Indigo What to buy here: Baby Alpaca Clothing. In the textile industry, the most precious fabric comes from the first shearing of the alpaca, called baby alpaca. Baby alpaca is well-known for its softness, fine fibers, durability and high quality. It is a rare specialty fiber in the world. Baby alpaca comes in 22 natural colors, but some baby alpaca breeders claim there are 66 shades of color. There are three categories to classify baby alpaca: royal baby alpaca wool (available only in white), baby alpaca wool (available in all natural colors) and super fine alpaca wool (the lowest grade of alpaca wool). You can find this classic, elegant and luxurious fabric at Indigo, on Av. El Bosque, in San Isidro or in the lobby of Casa Andina Hotel, in Miraflores, open from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 -

6 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 - Sunday; Visit Wayra, located on Calle Bolognesi 494, in Miraflores, open from 8:30 to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. The prices begin at $250. Address: Casa Andina Hotel, Miraflores, Lima, Peru Image Courtesy of Manuel Paucar G) Cultura Andina What to buy here: Huamanga Stone Sculptures. Original sculptures are made of stone, such as, granite, basalt, andesite, the stone of the lake, located in Puno, and white alabaster, known as the stone of Huamanga. There are three-dimensional art techniques, which are very unique. The shape is made to evoke feelings, customs and tradition. The most common figures include the infant Christ, along with other Catholic figures, such as saints, crosses, virgins, and relics. Prices start at $16, depending on the figure and size. Go to Cultura Andina, on Av. Petit Thouars 5480, Stands 7-8, in Miraflores, open from 8am to 6:30pm, Monday to Saturday. Address: Av. Petit Thouars 5480, Stands 7-8, Miraflores, Lima, Peru Image Courtesy of Fer121 H) Alpaca III What to buy here: Home Textiles. Textile art is the most significant art in Peru. Weavers utilize skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. The designs, colors and quality of the textiles vary from one region to another. The fabrics used are made of sheep wool and natural cotton. The dyes are naturally obtained from nogal, tara, cochinilla and chilca. It is easy to see a unique mixture of colors and the creativity of Peruvian craftsmen in towels, tablecloths, bed sheets, hair bands, table runners and throws. Alpaca III, located on Avenida Larco 671, in Miraflores, offers a fine selection of woven or knit alpaca goods. A few blocks ahead, Inkantations store offers locally made woven textiles, rugs, coats and blankets, located on Avenida Larco 1180, in the Miraflores district. A Peruvian Alpaca rug is an example of hand-made artistry, with rich colors and unique native designs. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 -

7 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 - Address: Avenida Larco 671, Miraflores, Lima, Peru Image Courtesy of Manuel Paucar I) Kuntur Wasi What to buy here: Dolls and Stuffed Animals. Dolls and stuffed animals are made with natural fabric, depicting typical costumes and local fauna, such as, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guinea pigs or birds. Peruvian handmade dolls have been exceptionally popular. The artisans recreate gala costumes with vast detail, including rich colors and embroidery, which Andean women are known for. This craft requires a great deal of patience and creativity to produce clothing for these dolls. The delightful stuffed animals are perfect as small gifts for children and infants. They are mostly made out of baby alpaca, which make them exceptionally soft, silky and durable. Kuntur Wasi is a well known shop full of the highest-quality popular art, located on Calle Ocharan 182, in Miraflores, open on Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 9 pm. Some great picks for collectors can be found here! Address: Calle Ocharan 182, Miraflores, Lima, Peru Image Courtesy of Manuel Paucar J) Wayra What to buy here: Chalinas. Chalinas are scarves woven with alpaca wool in native, multicolored designs. This popular cold weather garment is made by hand, using traditional weaving techniques. Wayra Shop, a Peruvian textile company, preserves the art of weaving beautiful textiles made by artisans from Huancavelica, Trujillo, Cerro de Pasco, Moquegua, Cajamarca and Puno. They have launched a line of clothing named Reciclado, using baby alpaca waste. You can find beautiful chalinas in black, grey and purple colors, with delicate, homemade macramé pieces made with the crochet technique. Wayra Shop has two beautiful stores, one located on Calle Bolognesi 494, in Miraflores, open on Monday to Friday, 10:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Saturdays, 11:30 am to 7:30 pm. The second Wayra Shop is on Larco 1345, interior 4, in Miraflores, open on Monday to Friday, 9 am to 9 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 -

8 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 - pm, Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm. Address: Calle Bolognesi 494, Miraflores, Lima, Peru Image Courtesy of Manuel Paucar Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 -