What unique travel tips does Paul RYKEN offer for visiting South American markets?

Key Focus Areas

1. Go where locals go: Ask your host where they buy fruit, veg and snacks, and follow them there instead of sticking to tourist markets. Prices are fairer and the money stays local.
2. Eat at simple stalls full of locals, not empty “for tourists” places. We’ve found we get sick more often in fancy restaurants than in busy, basic eateries.
3. Learn a few key phrases in Spanish (or Portuguese/Brazil) to greet, ask prices and say thank you. You’ll get better interactions and often better prices without haggling hard.
4. Be selective with what you buy: prioritise locally made, not mass-imported souvenirs, and think about whether you’ll still want/need it in a year.
5. Carry a small daypack or cloth bag so you can refuse plastic bags.
6. Visit outside peak times when possible – early mornings are great for photos and genuine encounters without crowding or getting in the way of people doing their daily shopping.