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Practical information : Treat yourself (& others) Colombia
Timetable
Stores generally open Monday through Saturday, around 9-10am until 7 or 8pm, and often on Sunday in tourist areas. Shopping malls open every day, usually from 9am to 11pm, a little earlier on Sundays. Local grocery stores(tiendas) have very extensive hours as well. Markets(plazas de mercado) open from 7am to 4 or 5pm.
Budget & Tips
For locally made products - leather shoes or bags, textiles marked Hecho en Colombia ("made in Colombia"), especially lingerie, handicrafts, jewelry made of gold, silver, emeralds...), prices are rather economical. On the other hand, for all imported products (wines, gourmet products, electronic devices, sun creams, etc.), the price level is quite high. The historical center of Cartagena is full of beautiful stores, but often more expensive than elsewhere. Regarding handicrafts, it is always more interesting to buy from the craftsman or in the city/region of production, than in the souvenir stores of the tourist cities, or even worse at the airport (as a last resort!)
Payment by credit card is accepted almost everywhere, but more rarely in artisanal markets and in small villages (bring cash, preferably in small denominations). When paying with a credit card, you can usually pay in one go(a contado) or in several times(a cuotas). You will be asked how many times you wish to pay(¿en cuantas cuotas?). Payment on credit is very developed and even encouraged by the banks that get rich with high interest rates. For example, it is possible to pay for your supermarket purchases in 36 monthly payments, or even 48!
Online payment is also becoming more and more widespread (the long confinement of 2020 has helped its development). MercadoLibre.com is the most popular online store, offering both new and used products at attractive prices, with fast and efficient home delivery. A safe site.
Sales
There is no official sales period, but from time to time (2 or 3 times a year), a Día sin IVA (Day without Value Added Tax, equivalent to our VAT). During 24 hours, most products (not food) are exempt from the 19% tax
Black Friday (last Friday of November) is also a big hit in Colombia, especially for electronic products
What's very local
The markets and streets of the tourist towns and villages are full of beautiful and varied handicrafts (made of wood, clay, metal, leather, cotton...), which are hard to resist! If possible, it is better to buy directly from the producer or the craftsman, who may show you his workshop. Bargaining(regateo) is not a common practice and it can be frowned upon to try to negotiate, except in tourist markets where prices are inflated for gringos
In the fruit and vegetable markets, it is common for sellers who are happy with their sales to offer a little something extra for free (a little more fruit for example), this is the famous ñapa, a term and usage that is found throughout Latin America.
Tourist traps
Beware of Made in China copies of local handicrafts, or counterfeit clothing brands, perfumes, sunglasses, etc. Also beware of fake gems (emeralds in particular). Always ask for a certificate of authenticity
Also, remember that the sale of pre-Columbian antiques is illegal. If they are authentic pieces, they must have been stolen. If they are not, they are reproductions and there is no problem, you can buy them, but not at any price. Do not buy either handicrafts made from coral, feathers of protected species, or turtle shells, or of course wild animals (monkeys, parrots, frogs...) that you could be offered