Persa Bio Bío, if you love Markets don’t miss this one in Santiago

One of my favorite hobbies wherever I am is to visit markets. Santiago has one in which I must admit I have spent several Sunday mornings during last years.

It is one of the largest Markets I’ve ever been, this massive fair is a group of shops you will find within several streets and where you can find everything you can think of. Many say that vendors at the Persa Bio Bio have a motto

If you think on it, we have it

A “Persa” in Chile, is a fair where you can find a variety of products, from food to electronics, especially, you can find second-hand products that people sell from their houses. That in Chilean slang is called “Cachureos” which are all those things that are viewed as useless things by many, but are highly appreciated and prized by collectors who regularly visit this local market.

Nearly four thousand stores within several blocks, in the beginning were located mainly around Franklin, Bio Bio, Victor Manuel and Placer streets, hence took the name and called Persian Franklin as it’s the name of the neighborhood, many know it as the Persa Bio Bio.

It is said that the commerce in the area began during the forties, when the tannery and slaughterhouse that was located in the area was at its fullest. On Franklin Street and around which were organized street vendors to sell their products.

In 1982 a major economic crisis hit the country and it had to close its doors, with many other stores in the area, leaving many empty warehouses which were gradually occupied by these street vendors who began to settle in their interiors.

The Persa Bio Bio was growing and now occupies many sheds and open air areas, bringing together sellers of all kinds of items from antiques, clothes, shoes, military clothing, second-hand books, furniture, street food.

A great advice for my Foodies readers!

You can find in this neighborhood International food (Shawarmas, Colombian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai and more) and traditional Chilean food restaurants.

Here is where I’ve found at Placer Street the only Thai food restaurant with the original flavor in Santiago, it’s like eating a Pad Thai on any little Bangkok street!

Persa Bio Bío is one of those few places that keep the traditions and the popular culture in Chile. Santiago being a very divided city organized according to social classes, the Persa Bio Bío is one of the few places in the capital where citizens converge from almost all social classes and origins.

This market has been for many years the biggest mall in the country, today being replaced by the massive Shopping Mall, there are many people who still prefer to wander the streets and warehouses that make part of this paradise for those who love markets.

Within the are of Persa Bio Bío you can find different services in the area, from hairdressers to repair and maintenance of computers and vehicles, as well as art galleries and event centers where they kept alive Chilean music, especially the cueca brava.

One feature of business in this place is usually can taste or touch all you want and attempting to buy, it is also possible bargain prices and talk for hours with vendors, they always appreciate your time.

I still keep up the discussion with some friends about whether Persa Bio Bío it is even bigger than the wonderful Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, I think that if not bigger, is very close.

Emblematic street performers as ‘The Elvis’, blues musicians and more, this market has even received some emblematic artists. In 2013, Mike Patton from the band Faith No More visited the Persa Bio Bio, had his hair done and walked through the streets of this amazing market.

Security and cautions to have when visiting Persa Bio Bío

Like any busy place and where there are usually crowds, I suggest you be very careful with your belongings , especially valuables, such as wallets and mobile phones.On weekends around 30 thousand people visit this market daily, so pickpockets are usual or being a victim of a “cartereo”, the Chilean word for those robberies that take you by surprise among the masses of people and only when you realize you are paying or call you no longer have your things in your purse or pockets.

There are almost no ATMs available in this area, although today many shops accept payment by credit card, I suggest you bring cash so you will not have the surprise that you can not buy what you want because you do not have how to pay for it.

How to get to Persa Bio Bío

If you go by public transport, the best is to reach by Metro. From Franklin Station, just cross San Diego street and you are walking down Placer street and you will be in the first shops of the Persa Bio Bío.

If you go by car there are several parking lots around, even on the street there is a metered parking, which are most of the time occupied by taxis or trucks transportating furnitures and big items. It seems much more comfortable paying a gated parking and it’s a bit safer and can leave your car parked all day for a flat fee.

The shops of Persa Bio Bio are 100% open on weekends, usually between 10:00 and 16:00 is when we you will find everything open, some close around 19:00.

On weekdays only some shops keep their doors open, especially the ones who sales furniture or the ones who work with computers or cars.

 

Have you ever been at Persa Bio Bío? Have you visited any market in Chile? Where is your favorite market in the world?