An authentic souvenir is a piece of a place's history and ingenuity. In Medellín, handicrafts combine rural tradition with modern design, offering travelers high-quality objects with deep cultural value.
For guests of Sloh Hotel & Bar, this guide ensures that purchases are made consciously and mass-imported products are avoided.
1. The 5 Best Places to Buy Handicrafts
1. San Alejo Market
· Product Type: Traditional handicrafts, art, antiques, jewelry.
· Logistics and Frequency: Only takes place on the first Saturday of each month in Bolívar Park. It is the best place to buy directly from the artisan.
2. El Perpetuo Socorro
· Type of Product: Industrial design, furniture, concept stores, and contemporary art galleries.
· Logistics and Frequency: Area near El Poblado. Ideal for Sloh guests looking for modern and avant-garde design.
3. Pueblito Paisa (Cerro Nutibara)
· Type of Product: Traditional crafts (shawls, hats, sweets).
· Logistics and Frequency: It is a tourist spot. High concentration of souvenir shops. Ideal for quick shopping.
4. Artesanías de Colombia (Official Stores)
· Type of Product: High-quality products with a national seal of guarantee.
· Logistics and Frequency: Stores in shopping malls or tourist areas. Guarantee of authenticity and good design.
5. Boutique Stores in Manila and Provenza
· Product Type: Designer jewelry, local fashion, home décor, and wellness products.
· Logistics and Frequency: Manila (near Sloh) and Provenza are home to small stores run by emerging designers.
2. What Crafts to Look for in Antioquia?
● Ceramics from El Carmen de Viboral: Plates, tableware, and decorative pieces hand-painted with floral motifs. These are the region's most iconic souvenirs.
● Wood Carvings: Figures of traditional characters, animals, and decorative objects carved from local woods.
● Backpacks and textiles: Look for backpacks woven by indigenous communities (e.g., Wayúu, Arhuaca). Although they are not from Antioquia, their sale supports communities in other regions of Colombia.
● Leather goods: The Colombian leather industry is of high quality. Look for bags, wallets, and belts from local designers.
3. Tips for Conscious Shopping
Ask About the Story: If you are shopping at a market or from an artisan, ask about the creation process. This adds value to your piece and is a way to honor the work.
Cash at Markets: In places like the San Alejo Market or the Plaza Minorista, cash (Colombian pesos) is the most common and preferred method of payment.
Haggle (Respectfully): In large markets (such as Pueblito Paisa or small shops), you can negotiate the price respectfully, especially if you are buying several items. In design stores or boutiques in El Poblado, prices are usually fixed.
4. Sloh: Your Refuge After Shopping
A day of shopping, especially in markets, can be exhausting and exhilarating. Returning to a peaceful environment is the best way to assimilate the experience.
● Proximity to Design: is strategically located near the El Perpetuo Socorro District and the boutique shops of Manila and Provenza.
● Minimalism and Calm: Our smart, minimalist-designed rooms invite you to appreciate the beauty of the pieces you purchased in an environment of absolute peace, far from the noise of the city.
Choose an authentic souvenir that makes you happy.