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Best Colombia souvenirs: What to buy in Colombia by a Medellin local
Wondering what to buy in Colombia? Here are 10 of the best Colombia souvenirs, including coffee, chocolate, guava sweets, leather goods, and more.
Visiting Colombia is a tantalizing experience for the senses. Thus, it only makes sense to bring home Colombian souvenirs like world-famous Colombian coffee, chocolates and Guava sweets. To help you find the best Colombia souvenirs, we spoke to one of our Holafly experts, Francis Marquez, who is also a Medellin native.
Francis brings firsthand knowledge of what to buy in Colombia, local markets, and how souvenirs fit into everyday Colombian life. This helps bridge the gap between the basic souvenirs and what locals genuinely value, ensuring you know what to bring back from Colombia.
To make your Colombia souvenir shopping even smoother, consider getting a travel eSIM to research all the best shopping places and rates beforehand.
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10 Colombia souvenirs worth packing
Colombia offers a wide range of souvenirs, and you can expect recommendations of all sorts. Without further ado, here are 10 of the best souvenirs from Colombia, including local favorites and unique finds.
1. Colombian coffee and coffee beans ☕
Colombian coffee is a national symbol and one of the famous exports from South America’s coffee region. Colombian arabica coffee, specifically, is known for its balanced flavour and mild sweetness.
“Because beyond being a product that represents Colombia, you can find excellent coffees in Medellín. Recommended brands? Juan Valdez, Café Quindío, Tostao’, Pergamino and Matiz.”
Francis also recommends speciality coffee shops such as La Tienda del Café as an excellent guide for finding farm-grown coffees. Overall, sealed coffee beans travel well for about a month and are one of the safest and most appreciated Colombian gifts.
2. Colombian chocolate 🍫
The country’s growing cacao industry in regions outside Northern Colombia means a wide range of good-quality chocolate.
You’ll find many local and ethical brands focus on single-origin cacao and traditional preparation, unlike mass-market chocolate. Some of the best Colombia souvenirs are local chocolate bars, cacao nibs, and tablets used to make traditional hot chocolate.
Francis recommends visiting local cacao farms to taste and buy directly from producers. This is honestly one of the best souvenirs from Colombia because who doesn’t like chocolate?
3. Guava sweets and bocadillo 🍈
Guava sweets are integral to Colombian food culture. Bocadillo is made from guava paste and pairs well with cheese.
Francis tells us, “Guava sweets with manjar blanco are easy to pack and very traditional. Locals grow up eating them.”
These sweets hold their shape, travel well, and are some of the best Colombia souvenirs.
4. Arequipe (dulce de leche) 🍯
This is Colombia’s version of dulce de leche or caramel spread. It’s commonly used in pastries and cakes, making it a staple in Colombian baking recipes.
You can try a local favourite like Alpina, and grab some small jars to take back with you. This is an ideal gift and perfect for foodies curious about Latin American desserts.
5. Aguardiente Antioqueño (national drink) 🍾
Aguardiente Antioqueño, also known as guard, is the national drink of Antioquia and is loved by the locals.
“When Colombians give gifts to each other, it’s often a bottle of aguardiente,” Francis shared.
It’s made from sugarcane with hints of anise, and linked to music, nightlife, and Colombia’s national sport culture. While it is one of the most authentic things to buy in Colombia, you should always check airline alcohol limits.
6. Colombian leather products 👜
If there’s anything to consider getting in Colombia, it’s leather products. Thanks to high-quality leather and affordable prices, leather bags, wallets, and boots are popular Colombia souvenirs.
“Medellín produces excellent leather,” Francis explained. “Wallets and purses are especially good purchases.”
Look for dark leather and clean stitching from local artisans rather than mass-produced leather products in store chains.
7. Handmade mochila bags 👛
These are probably the most unique Colombian souvenirs on this list. Mochila bags are handwoven by indigenous women from indigenous communities in northern Colombia.
Each bag can take weeks to complete, making it a thoughtful souvenir to gift. Plus, buying such items supports local groups and preserves traditional craftsmanship.
8. La Chamba pottery 🫖
This specific type of pottery comes from a small town known for black clay ceramics. These traditional bowls and cookware pieces are fired using ancient methods.
They’re functional and heat-resistant, making a great Colombia souvenir to keep for yourself or gift to a loved one. If you plan on taking this home, make sure to pack it carefully.
9. Flower-inspired Colombia souvenirs 🌸
According to Francis, Medellín is known for flower production, including roses, hydrangeas, lilies, carnations, pompons, alstroemerias, and many more.
“That’s why the flower festival is held in August, making it a great time to visit the city.” Francis explained. “However, be way of hotel occupancy at its peak!”
Pressed-flower art, floral prints, and decorative pieces are subtle but meaningful souvenirs tied to Medellín’s heritage.
10. Gold jewellery and Colombian emeralds 💎
Colombia is famous for its emeralds (considered the highest quality in the world) and gold. Getting Colombian emeralds or gold jewellery might sound too extravagant, but such luxury souvenirs are definitely memorable.
Buy from reputable dealers or visit the Emerald Museum to understand quality grading, if you’re interested. You could also go for gold jewellery that draws inspiration from ancient motifs.
Medellin, Colombia souvenirs: Where to shop like a local 🛍️
If you’re shopping for Colombia souvenirs, where you buy matters as much as what you buy. Medellin, in particular, has no single “best market”, but you can find many unique neighbourhoods, centers, and weekend stalls.
According to Francis Marquez, timing and location are key.
“Temporary craft stalls, especially on weekends, are usually where you’ll find the best prices and the most authentic items. That’s where locals shop too.”
Best places to shop for authentic Colombian souvenirs
- Parque El Poblado: On weekends, this area is filled with small artisan stalls selling a variety of Colombian souvenirs, including handmade Mochica bags, leather products, and jewellery. Prices are negotiable, too.
- Plaza Botero: This is a popular tourist area with stalls selling local art, prints, and crafts inspired by Medellin’s artistic identity. You’ll find many stalls here, especially if you’re looking for an artistic Colombian souvenir.
- Provenza and El Poblano streets: Here you’ll find higher-end Colombian souvenirs, including leather bags, jewellery, and more luxury gifts.
- El Pueblito Paisa: This area is ideal for tourists and first-time visitors as it’s designed to resemble a traditional Antioqueño village. While it is slightly touristy, it’s also a convenient place to find a huge variety of Colombian souvenirs in one spot.
- San Antonio Metro Station: Not the most basic souvenir shopping location, but here, you’ll find official Medellin metro souvenirs. Francis explains how they’re very representative of local culture.
“These items are especially representative of local pride and Colombian culture, making them unique gifts from Colombia you won’t easily find elsewhere.”
What to expect price-wise 💲
Shopping centers like Santa Fé Mall and other bigger malls do carry Colombian souvenirs, but Francis points out that prices are generally higher.
These stores are convenient and polished, but you’re often paying for location rather than craftsmanship.
“There’s no fixed rule,” she added. “The best way to avoid tourist mark-ups is to compare prices at different stalls and ask questions. Vendors are usually open to conversation.”
Stay connected while shopping in Colombia with Holafly
Staying connected with reliable mobile internet makes shopping in Colombia easier. You’ll need it to compare prices at local markets, find weekend craft stalls, and navigate your souvenir shopping trips.
With Holafly’s eSIM for Colombia, you can get connected as soon as you land. There’s no need to dedicate time to look for a local Colombia SIM card, deal with language barriers, or rely on insecure public WiFi.
You can enjoy:
- Unlimited, high-speed data
- A daily hotspot allowance of up to 500 MB to share
- 24/7 customer support
- Immediate eSIM delivery
If you’re planning to visit Colombia and want a smooth, stress-free way to stay online, an eSIM is a practical travel essential that fits perfectly alongside the best souvenirs from Colombia. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone!
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
