Shopping

Shopping in Buenos Aires is a pleasure unmatched elsewhere in South America. While goods tend to be more Western and familiar than those you will come across in, say, Bolivia or Peru, you can nonetheless count on finding some highly original items to take home.

Palermo Soho is the place to head for independent designer clothing stores, while malls scattered throughout the city house both Argentine and international chains. Shops selling books and music are strung along Avenida Corrientes between 9 de Julio and Callao. Others stretch out on Florida north of Avenida Córdoba, together with a bevy of craft, T-shirt and leather stores aimed at tourists, many of them in covered arcades or galerías. Contemporary art is on sale at the scores of smart galleries that line Retiro, with several along Avenida Alvear, while anyone looking for colonial paintings and antiques should head for San Telmo. The best handicrafts are found in their home provinces rather than in Buenos Aires, but the next best alternative are the craft markets. Other typically Argentine goods include mate paraphernalia, polo wear, wine and world-class leatherware. A box of widely available Havanna alfajores makes a good present, or take a jar or two of dulce de leche away with you to satisfy cravings. For outdoor gear, there is a whole row of camping and fishing shops along the 100 to 200 block of Calle Paraná, just off Corrientes. If you’re heading south, bear in mind Ushuaia and many Patagonian towns are just as well stocked as Buenos Aires, although prices may be higher down there.