Shopaholics should push up their sleeves and have at least 2 reserves of a high energy drink before they visit the Caraqueno malls and boutiques. There are innumerable stores in Caracas that supply the best in clothing, furniture, artifacts, jewelry, and local goods.

Las Mercedes is the prime district for expensive, designer clothing. It is located in the elegant Chacao neighborhood.This neighborhood is a trail of art galleries, nightlife , fine dining, and boutiques.

Unless cheap fabric and poor construction are on the list, do not traverse Avenida Principal de Las Mercedes. Explore the side streets, which tend to host some of the more fabulous boutiques.

Centro Comercial Sambil on Avendia Liberator may be more appropriate for shoppers who do not want to go on an old-fashioned, designer scavenger hunt. Famous brands such as Alessi and Louis Vuitton are offered in El Sambil.

However, its main impact is that it possibly is the largest mall in South America. It contains over 500 vendors and a host of entertainment and performing arts complexes.

Indigenous, hand-made crafts are less likely to be found in most of these districts and malls. Mercado Guajiro and most of the day-trip villages have a variety of artifacts, relics, and other collectible items. Be wary of pick pocketing, especially in the mammoth crowds at Centro Comercial Sambil.

 Another place to shop, particularly hand made artifacts, is El Hatillo. The area has plenty of artsy stores without leaving the city.