Shopping in Uyuni

The town of Uyuni, Bolivia is a hub for activities and tours that take guests to the famous salt flats and beyond into the wilderness areas. Yet, one can find quite a bit of good shopping in the area as well, especially if he or she wants to bring home some authentic Bolivian items home as souvenirs.

You can find all of the normal convenience items in some of the stores in town, things like snacks, water, soft drinks, and even alcohol, but most people who are doing shopping in town will want to head to the markets and see some of the other local items and handicrafts.

The street market, which is open usually on Thursdays and Sundays, is a great place to find all of the regular items you might need on your trip as well as a number of textiles. Wool is very popular in the area, and you will usually find great prices on things like clothing and blankets.

You may want to take some time to search around the different areas of the market, as you can sometimes find an item that is the same (or at least comparable) for a cheaper price. You could even try bargaining if you are good at such things, although whatever price you pay, you can be sure that it is far lower than what you would pay in most places in the United States or Europe. Bargains thrive in the street market – you just have to know how to look.

Another item you might want to pick up while shopping in Uyuni are the salt carvings. Many local artisans create sculptures of different creatures (such as llamas) and offer them up for sale. It is one of the best ways to bring a piece of your vacation home with you. It is certainly unique, and you may even wish to pick up a few extra for gifts to those not fortunate enough to make the trip to Bolivia with you. You can be sure they won't have anything like it at home!

One of the most convenient parts of Uyuni is that it is a hub for all the other activities and tours in the area. As such, you can buy tickets in town to all the tours you want to take.

No matter what you need while in Uyuni, from chocolate to water for hiking on those tours, you can be sure you can find it at one of the local stores.

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