The best fashion and gift stores Argentina

Timetable

In Argentina's larger cities, stores generally open from 9 to 10 a.m. to 7 to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, most stores close around 2pm (no shopping afternoons as in Europe), with the exception of shopping mall boutiques, which often close at 10pm on weekdays and remain open on Saturday afternoons. However, for shopping and starting your souvenir collection, it's more practical and common to visit the craft markets (known as paseos artesanos), generally open every weekday until 6 or 7pm, or the more common weekend ferias de artesanos.

Budget & Tips

If you're looking to buy handcrafted products, head for the paseos and ferias de artesanos . Generally covered, these large warehouses house a variety of stalls and premises run by local artisans. In this way, you can avoid manufactured products and focus instead on short circuits, all to the benefit of the local economy. However, you won't have much opportunity to exercise your skills as a carpet merchant, as haggling is not really practiced in Argentina.

The good news, however, is that if you've got a lot of money to spend in one go on a shopping spree, you can get a refund of the VAT (known here as IVA). There's a simple system for making tax-free purchases in Argentina. You can recover 21% of what you paid in foreign currency in a participating store, on each product over a certain value (invoice required). This system is managed by Global Refund. You'll need to ask the seller for a refund cheque at the same time as your purchase(cheque de reembolso). At the end of your stay, before boarding your plane, you will present this cheque and the corresponding invoice to customs, who will stamp them. Once in the international zone, all you have to do is go to one of the Global Refund offices to obtain the refund in question (in cash). Alternatively, you can send the documents by post, in which case the refund will be transferred to your account. Global Refund centers are located at airports in the most popular tourist destinations.

What's very local

It's impossible to give an exhaustive list of souvenirs and other trinkets to bring back from your trip. From Andean handicrafts, dyes and ceramics to local gourmet products, indigenous handicrafts, precious stones andAlbiceleste soccer shirts, you'll be spoilt for choice. There's nothing more typical than taking home a bottle of wine, some Bariloche chocolate or a tango vinyl. Other ideas? A poncho, mate kit or dulce de leche. .. Souvenirs that couldn't be more local!