Shop Pisac Market in Peru’s Sacred Valley

The Andean town of Pisac is not more than a short car ride from Cusco, and its Sunday market is perhaps the best market in Peru. Locals from surrounding towns arrive in their traditional clothing. They bring their wares, hoping as well to find something interesting to acquire as well. All around the main square, the hundreds of booths sell everything from musical instruments to alpaca sweaters.

Tuesdays and Thursdays also see the Pisac market up and running, but neither of these days quite matches the Sunday affair in terms of atmosphere. The half of the market that dedicates itself to handicrafts has become quite touristic because its a stop on standard group tours of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, but that doesn’t make the experience any less colorful, nor the wares less tempting. Before you know it, temptation overtakes you and you find yourself with a brand new, fluffy alpaca fur hat.

The most authentic half of the market is actually the half that sells produce, food and drink, so think about buying yourself a chicha or a frutillada to sip. (The former is home-fermented corn beer, while the latter is the same with fruit additions.)
Although much of the merchandise can get repetitive, there are gems to be found. Because the market has become more touristic in recent years, the first price offered is not likely to be a fair one. Make one or two counter offers, trying not to pay more than about 85% of the original price. Haggling can be stressful for foreigners, but you are unlikely to find stalls or stores with written prices. Just think of it as immersing yourself in the local culture and try to enjoy the process. You’re not short-changing anybody- the wares are marked up just as they would be anywhere else.

Don’t forget to add a visit to the Inca ruins in Pisac before you head back to Cusco. The entrance is already included in the standard tourist ticket that allows entry into archeological sites in Cusco and the surrounding valleys.