Patagonia is one of those places where the experience itself is what you really want to bottle up and bring home with you.
The enormous mountains, glaciers, turquoise lakes and seemingly endless landscapes are hard to replicate once you get home. But there are some distinctly Patagonian souvenirs that can remind you of your trip.
Since Patagonia stretches across both Argentina and Chile, what you find will depend on exactly where you travel. Look for locally made products rather than generic Patagonia t-shirts and magnets, especially when visiting smaller towns and artisan markets.
If you are wondering what to buy in Patagonia, here are five souvenirs worth making room for in your suitcase.
Best Souvenirs From Patagonia
Patagonian Wool
Wool is one of the most practical souvenirs you can bring home from Patagonia.
Sheep farming has long been part of life in the region, and you will find locally made sweaters, scarves, hats, blankets and other wool products as you travel through Patagonia.
If you are looking for something special, visit artisan markets and look for pieces that have been woven or knitted locally rather than mass-produced clothing with a Patagonia label sewn onto it.
A scarf or hat is also relatively easy to squeeze into your suitcase, which is always a bonus.
Calafate Berry Products
If your Patagonia trip includes El Calafate, you will quickly become familiar with the little berry that gave the town its name.
Calafate berries are used to make jams, chocolates, sweets and liqueurs, making them one of the easiest edible souvenirs to bring home.
There is also a local legend that says anyone who eats the calafate berry will return to Patagonia.
Considering how spectacular this part of the world is, that doesn’t sound like such a bad thing.
Packaged calafate products are much easier to travel with than fresh fruit, although you should always check the food import rules for your home country before packing them.
A Mate Cup and Bombilla
Mate is much more than a drink in Argentina. It is part of the culture and something you will likely see people carrying throughout your travels.
A traditional mate cup paired with a bombilla, the metal straw used to drink it, makes an easy souvenir to bring home.
You will find mate cups made from different materials, including gourds, wood and leather-covered designs. Some are quite simple while others are beautifully decorated.
Even if you don’t become a regular mate drinker when you get home, a handmade mate cup is a small souvenir that immediately reminds you of traveling through this part of South America.
Local Art and Handicrafts
When I am shopping for souvenirs, I would almost always rather buy something from a local artist than another mass-produced magnet.
Patagonia has artisan markets where you can find paintings, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodwork and other handmade products inspired by the region.
Small paintings or prints are particularly easy to bring home. Look for landscapes featuring some of the places you visited, whether that is the dramatic peaks around El Chaltén, glaciers near El Calafate or the mountains and lakes of Chilean Patagonia.
If you are planning a bigger trip through the region, Patagonia luxury tours can also take you through several different areas of Patagonia, giving you opportunities to look for locally made souvenirs in different communities along the way.
Patagonian Leather Goods
Leather goods are another souvenir to keep an eye out for, particularly on the Argentine side of Patagonia.
You will find wallets, belts, bags and other small accessories in artisan shops and markets.
As with wool products, I would look for something locally made rather than simply buying the first item labelled “Patagonia” that you see.
A small leather wallet or belt is practical, relatively easy to pack and something you can continue using long after your trip is over.
Where to Buy Souvenirs in Patagonia
Where you shop will depend heavily on your itinerary because Patagonia covers such an enormous area.
El Calafate is a particularly easy place to souvenir shop. Its Paseo de los Artesanos has stalls selling locally made textiles, mate cups, leather goods, ceramics, jewelry and artwork.
Other towns throughout Patagonia have artisan markets, independent boutiques and small shops where you can find locally produced goods.
I would also keep an eye out while visiting estancias and attractions. Sometimes the best souvenir isn’t found in a dedicated souvenir shop at all.
And don’t overlook grocery stores when you are looking for edible souvenirs. They can be great places to pick up jam, chocolate and other packaged foods for much less than you might pay in a tourist shop.
Patagonia Souvenirs I’d Skip Next Time
I would skip the generic Patagonia-branded products that could have been manufactured anywhere.
If I have traveled all the way to Patagonia, I would much rather bring home something made by someone who actually lives there.
I would also think twice about anything very large or fragile. Patagonia is the kind of destination where you are often moving between several places, so hauling around a giant piece of pottery for the rest of your trip probably isn’t worth it.
A wool scarf, jar of calafate jam, handmade mate cup or small piece of local art gives you something connected to the region without taking over your suitcase.
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.