South Coast Shopping

Feria Artesanal

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Feria Artesanal Review

An essential part of visiting Punta is exploring the colorful Feria Artesanal on the town's central Plaza Artigas. It's open weekend evening all year; between Christmas and Easter it's open weekday evenings as well. Popular items include gourds for sipping mate (herb tea), and leather and silver crafts.

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Location: Punta del Este

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Feria Artesanal Review

This was a good place to buy Uruguayan crafts directly from the maker. It was nice to meet and chat with the friendly locals. I bought a hat for $15 made from "Baby Lamb", oh well, we do eat them... a silver and glass necklace for $80 US, a woven wrap for $40 US and another necklace for $45. You can't bargain in Uruguay and everyone is so relaxed, they don't care whether or not they sell anything at all. It's all very different and kind of lovely.
Only about one quarter of the booths were actually filled last Monday, Jan. 30th (high season)...not everyone turns up each day to sell their products even though while we were visiting, there were 4 passenger ships in the bay last week.
It's a great spot, not easy to find, and from a distance, it certainly is not a place that stands out and you really feel you must visit.
Nothing is really inexpensive in Punta or Montevideo... I had to really wonder about paying $500-$600 US in the regular stores for a jacket made from rabbit fur. So that's what makes this market a viable shopping option.

by librarygirrrl, 2/10/12