When I travel I do my best to avoid purchasing thoughtless souvenirs. Even on the occasion where I find myself at a string of shops specifically designed to draw in tourists like me, I at least try to get a back story – something that connects what I am purchasing to the place even more so than the thing itself.
While in Costa Rica I found pretty necklaces that I brought back to some of my friends. Before purchasing them I asked the seller information about who made them and where they came from. It turns out his family made everything, except they aren’t from Costa Rica, they’re from Antigua, Guatemala. I’m not sure how often he travels to Costa Rica or if he has completely relocated. And I’m not sure if his travels, whether intermittent or permanent, are due to the fact that there may be more tourists in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica than in Antigua, Guatemala. I could have asked, but he was kind enough to humor me in Spanish with all of that and I didn’t want to keep him from other customers.
Either way, I think I walked away with a bit more than just a piece of jewelry.
Beyond purchasing little pieces of a place for my friends, I try to look for items for myself – for memories. One day while we were in Quepos we stumbled upon an art gallery that had unbelievable pieces from local artists. If the size of our suitcases or money was not an issue – I would have taken that entire gallery home.
We did find a piece from which I couldn’t walk away.
On the back the artist, local to Costa Rica, signed his name and the title of his work – tranquilidad - meaning, tranquility or peacefulness. Simple, to the point and spot on.
What do you look for in a souvenir when you travel?
Great find! I agree with you, but I’m sure I still fall into the touristy souvenir category. In Italy, I picked up a little painting from a street vendor as well as some Murano glass stuff. They’re all cool and things I couldn’t find here, but probably the equivalent of an I <3 NY key chain
That’s such a special painting–I love it! I also try to buy a work of art when I travel to decorate my house with. As well as a piece of clothing or piece of jewelry. Other than that I spend my money on adventures and good food/drinks. When I was in Guatemala I found the most gorgeous travel bag and scarf. I can’t remember what I bought in CR???
Local art (whether paintings or vintage posters), postcards and jewelry from markets. Always jewelry! Also, recently I’ve been collecting children’s books from around the world in the native languages.
This might be cliche but I always go for ethnic shirts, maybe cute ethnic jewellries for my friends if I look for souvenirs when I travel
but when I went to China I got a lot of little statues to decorate my room as well.
I like finding stuff that I’ve never seen anything like before, somehjng no one else has or things have stories as you said. Supporting foreign local artists (is that an oxymoron?) is good. My favorite purchase was a white wine I bought while up in the Finger Lakes (it tasted like a red…weird) and this cool tiny painting I bought while traveling the ring of Kerry in Ireland. It was about ten years ago and this guy was just walking on the side of the road while we were taking a picture on a cliff and he asked if wewanted to buy this random painting he had and was tired of carrying for two pounds. That was odd…do you have any other tips for avoiding touristy stuff? What was your worst purchase??
I totally agree with you. It was so sad to see when I was in Venice and I went to Murano island where people were falling over themselves to buy Murano glass only to find out from a local most of it was imported from China!
I usually buy local art from people painting along the streets. I bought gorgeous ones in santorini and in italy and spain. i also buy some kinda jewelry and whenever i wear it it reminds me of the trip.
I’m a big fan of colored gemstone or crystal necklaces that originate from where I travel, or music specific to where I travel (local artists or music genres). There there is always the tried and true local college T-shirt! Tim loves being asked if he went to Yale when he wears his Yale T…so he can tell people that, yes, he did go to Yale-long enough to buy the T-shirt
[...] She had necklaces on hand that were beautiful, but she was also making them to order in the color preference desired by her customers. And she was doing it quickly, within a couple of hours. Her glass is authentic Murano, and that is represented in the price. But she was doing unique pieces which was interesting. [This reminds me of a post done by Susan of Transient Travels on the topic of buying local souvenirs.] [...]