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Photo: Scott Montgomery
Baratillo is Cusco’s weekly happening flea market. If you’re spending time in Cusco, and have some free time on a Saturday, then I recommend that you go to Baratillo.
One of the things that I always hear is that Baratillo is the best place in Cusco to get robbed.
After making no less than 20 trips to the market during the last several years, only once has somebody tried to rob me. But he was was a clumsy pick-pocketer, and I could instantly tell what he was trying to do. Yes, theives sometimes lurk through the market, just as they do in any crowded market in South America.
My advice is to not bring valuables that you don’t need, and to keep your money in a safe place. If you need to, strap your backpack to your chest. And be vigilant.
It’s a little-known fact that there are actually two different Baratillos: the super-early pre-dawn one, and the one that happens during the day. If you can make it before 4 am, you’ll be on time for the start of Baratillo.
Most early vendors come from villages outside of Cusco to sell their textiles and other handmade items. If you want to find a good deal, then this is the best time to go. By sunrise, most of the early vendors are already gone, having sold their market spaces to other vendors who come later in the day.
Photo: (wikipedia)
You’ll find brand new mass-produced clothing from China, old and new shoes, hats, jackets, backpacks. Most of the new clothing will cost you a fraction of what you would pay if you bought it from a store in Cusco.
There are also several multi-floored warehouses where vendors set up tarps that are piled with waist-high mounds of used clothes. Most of the garments will cost less than three dollars.
Photo: Scott Montgomery
If you want to invest in something that is rich in history, then this is a good place to go.
There are two entire streets of the market dedicated exclusively to textiles.
You’ll find a wide variety of garments, from handmade and naturally died clothing, to machine made synthetic sweaters. If you are not experienced at telling the differences between high-quality and low-quality textiles, bring a knowledgeable friend if you can.
Photo: Scott Montgomery
Check out Bellavista Street if you’re wondering where Cusco’s best luthiers are located. There are about 15 different shops on this street where you can buy instruments of all shapes and sizes. If you are going to get an instrument in Cusco, these are the best kinds of places to buy one.
Photo: Scott Montgomery
You’ll know where the artisanal luthiers are when you walk into their shops. You’ll be greeted by wood shavings and mounds of instruments in various stages of creation. Most luthiers in Cusco specialize in making charangos, bandurias, recintos, harps, manodlines, and drums.
Photo: Scott Montgomery
You’ll find llama bone and condor bone flutes, ceremonial gords, ceramics, healing stones, rare seashells, and old coins. You can make these sorts of finds all over the market, but most are located in the market’s textile section.
Photo: Scott Montgomery
Baratillo is the best place in Cusco to go if you want to try unique street foods. You’ll find more than 10 types of chicha, tamales, ceviche, assortments of fried meats, churros and all kinds of sweets.
Photo: Scott Montgomery
There are several vendors at the market who sell rare texts that explore the cultural and spiritual history of Peru.
Unfortunately, many of these books are illegally photocopied, so use your discretion.
When people in Cusco get something stolen, it’s a good bet that your things will make their way through Baratillo. That’s why locals who get robbed know to scour the market in hopes of recovering their stuff.
We recommend that you stay away from used electronics so that you’re not supporting theives. It’s not to say that all used electronics come from the black market, but it is a possibility.
The market is located on Prolongación Pera street, along Ejercito Ave, and near the Santiago Bridge,
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