Gate area shop in LPB selling alpaca everything
This small Alpaca Products Shop sits airside at El Alto International Airport (LPB), in the main passenger area used as Terminal 1. It focuses on Bolivian alpaca goods: scarves, gloves, hats, ponchos, and small souvenirs with “La Paz” or “Bolivia” printed on them. You’ll see the usual stacks of folded sweaters and racks of shawls right off the main corridor.
Pricing skews higher than city markets: basic alpaca-blend scarves typically run around local tourist-shop rates rather than Mercado 16 de Julio prices, and pure alpaca or baby alpaca pieces jump a tier above that. Expect to pay airport markup for the convenience of buying after security instead of bargaining in town at 4,000+ meters altitude.
Quality looks mixed, with some pieces labeled as “100% alpaca” and others obviously synthetic or blended. If fiber content matters, check tags carefully and touch the knit; softer, warmer, less shiny usually signals more actual alpaca. Inventory leans heavily on winter accessories you can stuff into a carry-on rather than bulky blankets.
Payment works fine for international passengers: staff generally accept major credit cards and Bolivianos, and sometimes quote approximate prices in USD for quick mental math. Stock tends to be better during daytime banked departures, roughly 09:00–19:00, and can thin out on late-night flights after 22:00.
Practical tip: if you want something truly warm, skip the flimsy souvenir knits and spend the extra bolivianos on a thicker baby alpaca scarf; you’ll appreciate it the next time a layover hits 10 °C in an over-air-conditioned terminal.