🇦🇷Argentina Travel Souvenirs: Buy Authentic Mate Cups Online Now!

When traveling to Argentina and hunting for the perfect souvenir, there’s nothing more iconic than a mate tea set, much like the one cherished by Messi 🧉. Anyone who has browsed the bustling street gift shops knows that a single mate cup can easily set you back 400,000 to 500,000 pesos [Facepalm R].

Luckily, a local friend tipped us off about a hidden gem of a market. On the morning of our departure, we spent two delightful hours there and managed to snag five mate cups at nearly half the price we expected. Good things are meant to be shared! [Clap R] However, with such great deals come a few important considerations:

[Star R] This market is a favorite among local vendors who stock up for resale, so there’s a minimum purchase requirement (80,000 pesos, plus a 21% tax). The most affordable options start at over 1,000 pesos, which is roughly 1 USD, with most priced under 10,000 pesos, or less than 10 USD. The pricier ones we picked were around 10,000+ pesos each.

For example, P2 shows five mate cups, a set of straws, and a pack of filters totaling 100,000 pesos. Including tax, it came to 120,000 pesos, or about 120 USD.
[Star R] The styles here are primarily what locals use daily, so you won’t find many trendy or novelty designs. We spotted a unique hoof-shaped cup in the city center, but it wasn’t available here.

[Star R] All the mate cups are handmade, which means they might have some minor imperfections. The gourd cups, in particular, may not always be thoroughly cleaned on the inside.
[Star R] You’ll find a variety of materials, including gourd, wood, plastic, silicone, ceramic, and metal. In conversations with locals, we learned that while traditional mate cups are made from gourds, ceramic or metal ones are often recommended.

Gourd and wooden cups require more maintenance, which can affect their longevity. Choose based on your personal preference.
[Star R] The store doesn’t sell yerba mate leaves; locals typically buy these at supermarkets. There are different types of leaves, and if you’re new to drinking mate, it’s best to start with milder flavors.

[Right Arrow R] Opening hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:30, closed on weekends.
[Check-in R] Address: Junín 449, C1026 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Wishing everyone a fantastic shopping experience!