Location really is everything, and this stand of mainly envelopes and postcards knows it. Situated…read moreperfectly between one of the largest Chilean postal offices and the very touristic Plaza de Armas, the stand offers exactly what someone milling around this busy corner is looking for: touristy gifts or envelopes. Envelopes?! Yes. A handful of times this small stand has saved my day with their selection of envelopes! The postal office closes promptly at 2pm and I always seem to be sending an urgent letter *right* before it closes. Because the postal office conveniently does not sell envelopes and because I am *always* prepared, I frantically end up running around downtown. The closest book store ("libreria") is my first stop where either they are always out of envelopes or think it is fun to taunt me with their envelope signs but empty racks once I walk in. That is when I always remember about the stand in front of the correos de Chile. They sell individual envelopes - all different sizes and types (like the onces with padding). They even sell boxes and tape! The envelopes are super cheap (a legal size costs around 250 pesos). Thanks for always saving the day!

Yet another crafts fair in Santiago. Apparently all the merchandise is done and sold by native…read moreindigenous Chileans. Very cool ambiance, literally some kind of cave, with beautiful architecture on the outside. Literally in the Cerro Santa Lucia, next to Terraza Netuno, so it doesn't hurt drop by if you are visiting the park.

Great place to visit and purchase local arts and crafts…read more Better to go there during the week as the center is packed at the weekend.

This place is an oasis of tranquility and it is just steps away from Los Dominicos Metro Station…read more Just as the name suggests, it is like a small town where you can find mostly handmade, traditional things, but you can also find lots of animals. Since there are many stores, you can spend a whole afternoon there. There are places to eat, art exhibitions and an insectary. If you're a tourist and really want to take pictures I suggest you do so, but in stealth mode. Some sellers can get really irritated. Overall, is a nice place to spend the day.

This is a great spot to get come and pick up traditional chilean art. Although, the majority are…read moregoods from Peru, so if you will be making a stop there, I would pick it up when you are there. However, luckily I live a few blocks away and when I am in need of a quick present or gloves this is the place. Make sure to get here before 7 as they start to close up - and they are closed on Sundays. Also, bring cash as most places don't take credit cards. The only places that do are the delicious all natural fruit juice and crepe place as well as the more high-end stalls that sell jewelry and lapiz lazuli. If you live in Chile I think Santa Lucia is mainly thought of as a place for tourists, but they have some awesome and unique products such as Indian style clothing and great quality all leather shoes and bags. Definitely worth a trip here to see what the local artisans have to offer. Tip: There is one stand that has a GIANT indio picaro. If you don't understand Spanish that well, I will warn you: they charge to have you pick him up. It is great fun but if you don't know you will be getting charged to do it, it feels a bit weird when you have to hand them over your change (unfortunately speaking from personal experience from my second week in Chile and didn't speak a word of Spanish). Right outside of the market are artisans who sell tie-dye and jewelry made by hand. I suggest checking out what they have. You can also barter here although it is not very common. But if you buy multiple of one thing ask for a deal.

Coming as a tourist I think the feria is fun to explore and you can sometime score fun items. One…read morething I have noticed is that most of the vendors sell similar or the same item. I would say it is also made up of Peruvian imports rather than Chilean made things. The feria is really large and there are lots of spots to explore. You can barter with some of the vendors and there is a wide range of things that are really inexpensive, to drastically overpriced. I enjoy the feria for things like scarves, gloves, and wallets. Some of the goods are made by the vendors however most of them seem like they are bought and just resold. If you are going to be walking around the Santa Lucia/Bellas Artes neighborhoods definitely stop by and have a look, who know what you might find.

Every Tuesday this vegetable and fruit farmers market forms itself right in the entrance of metro…read moreEscuela Militar (military school). It's made up of probably 8 or 9 venders and all of their products look really fresh. It's great if you're heading home from working in this area and need to pick up a few extras for dinner. Be warned that the prices are really steep especially compared to The Vega. However, the venders and really friendly and the quality is great so every once in a while I will get my last minute bananas or broccoli. There a pretty wide selection of fruits and veggies considering it's just outside the metro. Apples, kiwis, brussel sprouts, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, these are just some of the many things you can buy here. I've seen it run even when it's raining out. I would recommend getting there before 6pm when the metro gets loaded with tons of people heading home from work.

As you walk down Arturo Prat your eye automatically goes straight to Toy Box. Their sign says it…read moreall: Disney, Pixar, Cars, Trains, Legos -- a paradise for children and adults alike (that is if you like toys or collect them) The only caveat: most of these toys are second hand and imported (the majority from the US). Some are still new and in their boxes, others are in a bin of toys where you can get 5 for 1.000 This is a great place to get your child something you know they will grow out of quickly -- or big ticket items like life-size toy cars or kitchenettes. During some weekends, they host a mini flea market in their parking lot where not only toys are being sold, but other interesting things such as furniture, shoes and clothes. If you are on a budget, I totally recommend coming here - although it might take a while to sort through the toys to find a "jewel" amongst this rough of toys.

This is a great little store in the heart of Santiago. They've got a great selection of tunes,…read moremostly Chilean artists and more. I picked up Macha y el Bloque Depresivo, something we had been listening to a lot of while in Argentina. Beautiful stuff, look him, and his group make some beautiful music. I also picked up an obscure Chilean garage bands from the 60's doing a bunch of garagy covers of music. It's pretty good. Dude in the shop also gave me a list of other Chilean bands to check out and to come back later that afternoon as an instore was happening. I went back, they were great. Over-all it was a very welcoming experience and great store.

Do you wanna pack a nice alpaca to take home with you? Well Kanthaka is an ideal spot for tourists…read moreto pick out some really elegant pieces for women. This boutique women's alpaca store is located right at the entrance of Patio Bellavista. They have a wide selection of beautifully made sweaters, scarfs, gloves and even some artisanal jewelry pieces. Their designs are unique and and it is obvious that a lot of time and care was put into their design. Although their prices are really and I mean REALLY high they are super worth it. I think this is one of the only alpaca stores I have been to that has such great pieces. The staff are also really helpful and explains each pieces and if it's alpaca, baby alpaca, or wool. They sell pendants also that are made specifically for the sweaters. It is really easy to get lost in this tiny little store and if you're not careful you might just take one of everything home with you.