Outlet shopping in South America is mostly about what is made nearby. Leather boots, wool sweaters and cotton shirts often cost less close to the workshop. Imported brands are a different story, because taxes can make them more expensive than at home.
Some travelers walk a whole street of shoe shops with a tape measure and a plan. Others look for one great leather jacket and a coffee break. Sizes can differ from American and European charts, so try everything on. Paying cash can sometimes earn a small discount. Smaller shops often close for a long lunch in the middle of the day. Ask whether the shop ships abroad.
The destinations on our list include modern outlet malls with fixed prices and air conditioning. Others are factory streets and open markets where shoes are lined up by the hundreds. Those take patience but you might leave with something made by hand.
