Most of my authentic encounters with the locals were in the local markets of South America. It was in these markets that I discovered the types of food they eat and the struggles they face each day. In those markets I put the art of haggling to the test, rubbed shoulders in crowded spaces with the indigenous people and got lost.
In Chile, fish was cheap, much cheaper than beef. In Uruguay, they sold cheese in street markets without refrigeration. In San Telmo, Argentina men and women danced to tango music along the Sunday street market while we ate empanadas sold by a vendor riding a bicycle with a 'laundry' basket full of chicken and beef empanadas. In Bolivia, we saw llama fetuses hanging in almost every street corner and in Peru they sold bull's eyes and heads.
Many of our unique travel experiences in South America were created under the roofs of fresh markets, tents and tables in the open skies of the Andes and the busy city streets.
Here are 27 markets in eight countries in South America:
Chile
1. Santiago - Mercado Central
Uruguay
2. Montevideo- Weekend Street Market in Pocitos
3. Montevideo- Mercado del Puerto
4. Mercado de la Abundancia
5. Montevideo- Feria de Tristan Narvaja
Argentina
6. Buenos Aires- Feria de San Telmo
Brazil
7. Florianopolis- Mercado Publico de Florianopolis
8. Sao Paulo- Mercado Municipal de Sao Paulo
9. Sao Paulo- Feria de Artes Benedito Calixto in Vila Madalena
Paraguay
10. Asuncion- Street Market
11. Asuncion- Street Vendors along Calle Palma
Argentina
12. Salta- Mercado Artesenal Parque San Martin
Bolivia
13. Uyuni - Avenida Potosi
14. Potosi- Street Market
15. La Paz- Witches' Market
Peru
16. Pisac Market
17. Cusco- San Pedro Market
18. Cusco- Street Market
19. Lima -Mercado Central
Ecuador
20. Sunday Market in Banos de Cuenca
21. Cuenca- Mercado 10 de Agosto
22. Gualaceo- Central Market
23. Loja- Market in San Sebastian plaza
24. Cuenca- Mercado 27 de Februaro
25. Cuenca- San Francisco Market
26. Otavalo Market
27. Saraguro Market
Are you inspired? If you are please leave a comment below. Thanks.
Oh my... what was that that they were roasting in 22. Gualaceo- Central Market?
They were guinea pigs, Rosemarie! My son was having a lot there.
I was wondering the same question about the grilled animals. I'm not sure I could eat one - I'd feel like I was eating my pet dog!
Wonderful photos and very inspiring Claudia. makes my feet itchy to travel again to see this. You certainly have been around South America a lot!
Anne-Marie, those were grilled guinea pigs. I have more photos of other animals and might share them one day. I love South America!