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Smauky
After a pretty nice ride through the countryside we got to the market without any expectations. The stuff they offer there is nothing you don't get at other places in Bolivia.But locals are quiet welcoming and people watching is interesting.All in all a decent experience on a slow Sunday in Bolivia.
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Gubernas
Tarabuco Market itself is quite an interesting experience... large lively textile/flea market. As others have mentioned, most of it is tat, and you're better off buying items from certified "fair-trade" places in Sucre. People-watching was awesome... so many locals going about their business. Do try the food, it's simple & delicious.Our entire experience was ruined by the ineptitude of Oasis tours. First they moved us from our pre-allocated seats to the back of the bus without any explanation.Despite being told to be 15 minutes early, the bus left 15 minutes late. Air-con was not working so in order to avoid stuffiness, windows were opened. This resulted in constant inhalation of diesel fumes and dust, making breathing even more difficult for the next 6 hours (remember, you're still at altitude).Maps/guides of the town/market were handed out to some people on the bus... but bad luck if you were seated towards the back, as they had run out. No apology offered, just a shrug of the shoulders. When it was time to return to Sucre, the driver was late, leaving all passengers waiting in the heat outside the bus. Some wrong turns were taken on the way back into town, resulting in an even later arrival.All in all, an OK activity for a Sunday but Oasis Odyssey Tours need to get their act together.
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RodP136
Some 70 km to the east of Sucre lies Tarabuco. It's probably best to keep your expectations low. This is not a village where you will see local folklore or even people going about their normal daily routine. Tarabuco is approached via an enormous arch in the form of a leather hat which is worn by the local people when performing their folk dances. The village itself is one enormous market for (mainly) textiles however the prices are 'Tourist' prices and better bargains can be found in Sucre. When we visited the streets had been torn up to install gas piping (I think) and walking was difficult. We travelled from Sucre by private taxi (200Bs for the day) and the journey was really interesting (our driver was very happy to stop to let us take photographs). Worth a visit but don't expect too much.
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Gregg-Brussels
We went to the market mainly to feel the vibe of all the people from the area coming to the market in their typical clothes. Avoid the main square (full of made in china stuff) and just wander in the streets, observe people trading vegetables for grains (no money here but real troc).Yet be aware this is not the best place to buy authentic textile (no supply here). If you want to buy authentic textile, either go in the good shops of sucre either (this is the option we took and it was a great experience) take a local guide and go to the village of candelara (another hour on the road) and buy from the local cooperative (you are truly at the source and this is where you find the best prices (yet don't forget you usually buy pieces which required weeks or months of work)
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SuttonHill
It's hard to believe that the tiny one horse town we had driven through the previous day would be transformed into such a hubbub of colour and activity when market day descends. Locals crowd the market hall and the narrow streets to barter and sell goods, which range from mundane household items to foods and clothing. Get there early to see it in full swing as it winds down by lunchtime.If you're hoping to find quality handicrafts/weaving then you may be disappointed -we found only standard tourist items. Better to visit one of the weaving co-operatives in a local village such as Candelaria or the better artisan shops in Sucre.Still worth a visit to see the local colour.
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Arcimboldan
We went upon recommendation from a local.If you are interested in local crafts, the market itself is honestly nothing different from what you can find in other cities around Bolivia, Sucre being one. We just felt in a place where they just concentrate tourists to buy crafts. The rest of the market (mercado campesino) is a crawling mass of misery and dirt. Overwelmingly poor conditions in a spoiled and contaminated environment, full of garbage everywhere and destroyed buildings. If you think poverty and misery are a tourist attraction, go ahead and enjoy the place.
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KCinDC2013
I took one of the tourist buses for about 35 bs. Pretty easy to catch and they meet in the main square. It was interesting to see the countryside, but the view wasnt fantastic. When you get to Tarabuco, you are immediately connected with a local restaurant/dancing place. A good place to use the bathroom before heading to the market. In all honesty, compared to other markets I have been to, this one was not that impressive and it was hard to determine which was the stuff from China and which was actually authentic. The best part was walking around the stalls where the locals go to. All in all, you only need about an hour, and I wish I didnt have to waste pretty much a whole day. The restaurant was not that great, although I just got a sandwich. The executive menu looked better.
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Faithalicious_x
This market was not as big as I was expecting, about 2 blocks worth of stalls - many of them selling similar things. Nothing compared to Otavalo Market in Ecuador. Apart from the textiles, there isn't much that you can't buy in Sucre/the rest of Bolivia.It takes about 2 hours to get there from Sucre. 'Tourist buses' cost 35Bs an an be organised with tourist agencies or sometimes your accomodation.
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LenaW95
From Sucre, take a trufi at the parade de trufis a tarabuco, you'll pay 10 BS. Alternatively, if you're lucky, privte persons or taxis might offer you a lift for the same price, a lot more comfortable than sitting on a tiny seat in a tiny car with "not so nicely" smelling bolivians. On the market, force yourself to walk round first, before buying something. And never buy something for the money they tell you. It might already be cheaper than prices in Sucre, but they'll lower the prices a lot, just stay strict. Be there rather early, at 2 PM the first merchands start packing their stuff. If you look for a nice cafe, there's a BEAUTIFUL place about one cuadra from the main plaza. opposite direction of the HI hostal, but I don't remember the name. Prices okay, very nice backyard all in white reminding you of greece or something.
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kpcharlier
If I were to recommend visiting the Sunday market, it would be because it offers you an opportunity to be among the locals (who are going about their life whether tourists are there or not) without looking like a tourist. It is a chance to observe rural Bolivian life. You will stand out if you are not in traditional Bolivian attire, but the locals are used to tourists and are friendly if you speak your best attempt at Spanish with a smile and do not get in their face with a camera ( I still recommend dressing modestly as in the rest of Bolivia). The goods are cheaper here than in the city, and are very similar if not the same as goods in nearby big cities (such as in bigger cities in Bolivia or nearby Peru). You can get a good homecooked meal for under $2 at nearby, family-run restaurants and just enjoy a day of not rushing or being pressured to buy something.
