ChI Shops at….
Recommended boutiques, shops,
Shops are generally open from 9 or 10 am to 6 or 7 pm and they do not close for lunch.
• El Balay. If you have not had time to travel and want to stock up on all
things folk, this is the place. Some things are tacky but there are some great
finds at good prices. It´s a bit like a warehouse so allocate a good spot of
time to browsing - you will definitely come away with lots of goodies for
friends and famliy back home.
Carrera 15 No. 75-63
• Feria de Artesanías. This trade fair takes place every year around
December in Bogotá, mainly for commercial buyers but also open to the
general public. You will shop till you drop! Amazing accessories straight from
the Amazon, beautiful carved wooden utensils and hand-woven textiles, this
is THE place for cheap, chic, ethnic objects.
Check out http://www.corferias.com/en/images/encabezado.jpg for more
details on interesting fairs in Bogotá.
• Malls Big USA influence here, unfortunately aided by security issues,
Colombia is very into the idea of malls so most good shops are located in
these. They all have very good underground parking and if you buy something
make sure to ask if it covers the cost of parking; if it does, they should stamp
your receipt which you show at the parking till on your way out. Also quite
convenient is the fact that most of these house a large super-market so you
can do your shopping before leaving for home. Some of the best malls are;
the newly opened Santa Ana (Calle 110 Avenida 9 ), the Andino (Carrera 11
N° 82-71) , the Atlantis (Calle 81 Carrera 14) and the Hacienda Santa
Barbara (Carrera 7 N° 115-60). The latter is particularly interesting because
part of it is an old colonial hacienda maintained with its weaving stone
corridors and quite picturesque.