The Square where you can buy Peruvian Souvenirs

Hi everyone! I hope you're all well. Today I want to tell you all about a place in central Lima where you can go and do your souvenir shopping at much cheaper prices than what you would find in tourist districts such as Miraflores and its sister market, 'Mercado Indio'.

Come and buy!

The place I would like to share with you all is called 'Plazoleta de Santo Domingo' and it is located right next to the Church of Santo Domingo which is next to the Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor), in the historical centre of Lima.

Impossible to get lost...

Fortunately it has more than one entrance so I can assure you that there is no chance of you getting lost inside. What I cannot assure you of however, is that you won't fall in love with all the things that you can find here, as you will likely find many things related to Peru; some very fine things and others magnificently simple and precise to take as many souvenirs as you need to give to your loved one, s or to have as a spectacular keepsake of your visit to the land of the Incas.

Purely Peru in its façade

Here I'll show you one of the entrances of the Galería Santo Domingo. As soon as you enter you can see that trinkets pop out of every single stand, so hands to the task because it's time to buy souvenirs of Peru to both keep and gift to family and friends.

More than one floor of wonders to explore

If you think there is just one floor of stalls, you are completely wrong! There are two stories totally full of sights and lots of souvenirs, ranging from things you can use to as a decoration in a living room, on jackets, jeans, hats, chullos (woolen caps with ear flaps); everything you desire from Peru you can find here: Costa (coast), Sierra (mountain range) and Selva (jungle) are found in only one place and that is at the small square of Santo Domingo in, my beloved, downtown Lima. Here I share with you a view of the Galería from the second floor looking down to the first floor, keep in mind that you will be able to find various colonial balconies such as this one filled with vendors happy to help you buy the perfect souvenir:

It is a huge house made up of two levels that boasts more than one store front where you can find souvenirs and small trinkets relating to Peru, at very competitive prices, for example, let me tell you that I stopped through there a week ago to buy some souvenirs for my foreign friends and some girly earrings, that cost me two Peruvian soles each, in addition to bracelets with the sign of La Chakana attached, which is considered the perfect Incan cross, at three for five soles.

What beautiful shoes!

Here you will find different places in which to do your shopping and with Lima being the capital of Peru, you will also find lots of souvenirs from various parts of my country, . If you are of the type that likes to make crafts such as, for example, imitation jewelry, there is no doubt that this place is for you.

From a different angle, on the outside, it does not appear as if it is very big, but when you enter you will realize with surprise that there are many stores and courtyards to browse amongst, so take your time to decide which one suits you better.

To get to this point all you must do is pass by the Plaza de Armas and then continue as if you are going towards Tacna Avenue. Then you will find a small square that contains a statue of a shoeshine boy in the center; as you can tell it is impossible to get lost.

¿How do you get to this square of Peruvian souvenirs?

As I have come to realize whilst travelling there many times, the best way to get to downtown Lima is using the metro line C to the station "Jirón de la Unión" or alternatively taking the familiar blue buses that pass through avenues Arequipa-Garcilazo de la Vega-Wilson-Tacna.

Do not under any circumstances take the buses that pass through Abancay Avenue, unless it is your only option, as you will end up stuck in Lima traffic hell which laasts for some ten blocks which, by car, can take up to 35 minutes to drive through. It is without a doubt one of the most congested and contaminated avenues in Peru so only go through this zone if you want to get to the central market or to Chinatown, to see it and eat delicious Chaufa rice (Chinese Peruvian friend rice) which is very much worth the trouble!

How much will I spend?

This depends on how much stuff you want to buy, with 20 soles you can buy yourself many souvenir keychains, which are well made and very pretty, in addition to this, you can gift them to more than one person and everyone will love the Peruvian decorations on them.

There is something for everyone! and if you only want to take a look at the souvenirs, all the same, walk through here and I am sure you will not regret it.

I hope you have enjoyed this short review and that you will soon go and discover every corner of Lima. Thank you for reading and see you another time.

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