Never get bored with the local markets. Indeed, it's never enough of local markets. All the local food, local produces, and local people gathering and mingling. Same in Cusco, I have been to a few Peruvian local markets and honestly, I fell in love. Fresh food, fresh juice. Delicious yet affordable. Talking about Cusco, 'San Pedro Market' may pop up in mind but uh oh, this time let's do things a bit less touristy! 'Saturday Baratillo'
I filmed this 360-degree video while scrolling to and around the market. Real vibes, check it out!
Shot with this compact 360-camera
Saturday Baratillo or Baratillo Market
A few months back, when I was traveling in Peru. Cusco was my last stop and I spent a few weeks living and exploring it slowly. I stayed at one of the hostels a bit outside of the tourist area / Cusco Historic Center and luckily, the open market the hostel owner recommended, 'Saturday Baratillo or Baratillo Market' is just roughly 10 mins walk away.
- Street food checked!
- local products checked!
- Artisan Market Checked!
Those are things I care about the most. There are 2nd hand shops, clothes, and other miscellaneous stuff but honestly, not that big of a fan. As long as there's street food, we're all good to go!
Saturday Baratillo is HUGE!
It's open weekly and guesses, on what day is that? Well, guess again. I know you know it!
First thing first, it's so huge, and super duper busy. I almost couldn't breathe at some point but it was an enjoyable walk. There are a few big zones like 2nd shops selling clothes, books, and other household stuff. The artisan market also got its own really big section.
You can find really affordable Peruvian handmade products here at Saturday Baratillo
I heard it's one of the most reasonable prices if you'd like to look for some handicrafts. A few locals even make products and sell them right there at the market. Impressive! Ponchos, scarfs, bags, clothes, and all you name it.
The hostel owner who recommend I go visit Saturday Baratillo also told me that, this is one of the best place to go get Peruvian handicrafts. No, not even the famous San Pedro Market or the famous Pisac Sunday Market would beat this one. Real deal!
Peruvian Street food at Saturday Baratillo
By saying 'street food', I mean it. Here at Saturday Baratillo, street food is an actual street food where they sell on the street with a small stall and maybe a few seats for customers or not at all. I was not that hungry at the time I arrived, but after seeing all the small street food shops here and they, I coulnd't help it but grabbed a few bags home.
Sure thing! Peruvian freshly squeezed oj!
This thing you see on the street almost in every corner and I became pretty addicted to it. Most of the time they cost S/ 2.5 or $0.73 for a glass. Then, one you finish, Say 'Yapa' a Quechua word which means 'to add a little more, something extra' to add for like half a cup more #oooh! Love that trick!
I will call this, Peruvian Briyani
You know briyani right? Well, a mixed flavoured rice (Most of the time, for some reason, it's yellow!) combined with meat. The dish is especially popular throughout the Indian subcontinent. This thing I had at Saturday Baratillo reminded me of something like that.
The shop seems popular with all the locals gathered around and eating like #omg it's so yummy so, I got one! S/ 5 ($1.45) for a really big box full of rice and one big piece of chicken. Nom!
Chicharones!
Love it! Crispy big pieces of fatty pork accompanied with some potatoes, corns, and spicy sauce. It's quite a popular dish there at local markets around Cusco. I have tried a few and this one so far, quite unique. Both the way they sell and the combination of the food on the plate.
Same deal here, S/ 5 ($1.45) for a full plate. Yum!
The Saturday Baratillo famous jelly
I saw soooo many people having this on their hands eating while browsing around Saturday Baratillo. Once I found the shop that sell the same thing and got many people surrounding, I sure went for one. Wait, before I ordered, I asked amiga in the line, es muy Rico si? She said yes, then I went for it.
OH WELL... I couldn't finish it. I don't get the combination. On top it's whipped eggwhite and the bottom is a jello then sprinkle a bit with some cinnamon. Not sure how delicious that was, I'm just not a fan.
Truly local Saturday Baratillo!
Love it there! Like mentioned, it's one of the busiest local market I have been to in Peru but believe it or not, I could actually count how many tourists/foreigners were there. It's a bit outside of Cusco Historical center but for sure walkable distance from there.
So much stuff, so colorful. The Peruvian street food I LOVE! and it's just the truly local vibes.
Much love from Saturday Baratillo, Cusco, Peru
Saturday Baratillo or Baratillo Market
Cusco 08001, Peru
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