Colombia Shopping - Shops, Stores, Best Buys and Inside Tips

Colombia is a country on the northern coast of South America. In Bogota, the capital, and throughout the country, you'll find plenty of malls, jewelry stores, and street vendors to keep you busy during your stay.

Atlantis Mall, Andino Mall, Hacienda Santa Barabara, Unicentro, are just a few of the malls found in Bogota. Atlantis is a shopping complex with botique clothing stores, American fast food chains like McDonalds and Taco Bell, and Hard Rock Cafe. Unicentro is a large mall where you can find anything from groceries, sunglasses, and perfume to clothing, sportswear, and makeup.

Colombia is a great place to buy jewelry, especially emeralds. Recent travelers claim they purchased emeralds on the street, but for obvious reasons this isn't recommended. Head downtown, specifically to the CarreraSeptima and Plaza De Bolivar to find the highest quality jewels. The malls and botique stores in Bogota's upscale areas are also prime spots to shop for emeralds. As you would anywhere else, do your research before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on jewelry.

While you may be hesitant at first, don't be afraid to shop at the open air markets. Street vendors can be found throughout Colombia and many of them sell handmade, expertly crafted goods that can't be found anywhere else. If you're looking for a unique souvenir to bring home to friends and family, you'll find more than a few options on the street. Colombia is especially well known for their fresh flowers and roses. Pick up a bouquet for a loved one while you're in town.

Editor's Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about shopping in Colombia.