Think Different - Supermarkets, Shopping Center & Markets
There are some things in South America that are quite different than in western Europe and the United States.
For instance supermarkets, in Europe usually the cheapest place for buying food, water and other commodities are supermarkets. Yet, depending on the economic development of an South American country a supermarket could be a high-class (mostly for tourist) market. This is also reflected by their numbers, e.g., in Bolivia (developing economy) you will have a hard time finding a supermarket, whereas you will find plenty in Chile (one of strongest economies in South America).
Hence the local markets or halls full of small shops are usually way cheaper than supermarkets and especially shopping centers. Of course, they are also more dangerous - although I never had any problem. Also they are far more interesting to explore and run around. All small shops lined up, in some cases if you ask for something and they don’t have it, they buy it from the other shop and sell it to you or guide you there.
