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Claudia Looi

27 Local Markets of South America

January 3, 2014 By Claudia Looi 4 Comments

3 Jan

Street market Cusco Peru

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

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Uruguay

2. Montevideo- Weekend Street Market in Pocitos

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3. Montevideo- Mercado del Puerto

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Mercado del Puerto

4. Mercado de la Abundancia
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5. Montevideo- Feria de Tristan Narvaja

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Argentina

6. Buenos Aires- Feria de San Telmo

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Brazil

7. Florianopolis- Mercado Publico de Florianopolis

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8. Sao Paulo- Mercado Municipal de Sao Paulo

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9. Sao Paulo- Feria de Artes Benedito Calixto in Vila Madalena

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Paraguay

10. Asuncion- Street Market

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11. Asuncion- Street Vendors along Calle Palma

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Argentina

12. Salta- Mercado Artesenal Parque San Martin

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Bolivia

13. Uyuni - Avenida Potosi

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hats

14. Potosi- Street Market

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15. La Paz- Witches' Market

chola in bowler hat10 Things to do in La Paz Bolivia

Peru

16. Pisac Market


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pisac peru

photo 3(29)

17. Cusco- San Pedro Market

DSC_0908 San Pedro Market Cusco Peru

18. Cusco- Street Market

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19. Lima -Mercado Central

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Ecuador

20. Sunday Market in Banos de Cuenca

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21. Cuenca- Mercado 10 de Agosto

Mercado 10 de agosto

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22. Gualaceo- Central Market

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23. Loja- Market in San Sebastian plaza

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24. Cuenca- Mercado 27 de Februaro

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25. Cuenca- San Francisco Market

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26. Otavalo Market

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27. Saraguro Market

DSC_5674 DSC_5645Are you inspired? If you are please leave a comment below. Thanks.


Discover South America 728x90

Filed Under: South America, Travel Tips Tagged With: markets, South America

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Comments

  1. Rosemarie says

    January 4, 2014 at 11:21 am

    Oh my... what was that that they were roasting in 22. Gualaceo- Central Market?

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    • Claudia Looi says

      January 5, 2014 at 5:37 pm

      They were guinea pigs, Rosemarie! My son was having a lot there.

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  2. Anne-Marie Watson says

    January 7, 2014 at 10:28 am

    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!

    Log in to Reply
    • Claudia Looi says

      January 7, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      Anne-Marie, those were grilled guinea pigs. I have more photos of other animals and might share them one day. I love South America!

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