Do you ever buy traditional handcrafts as souvenirs? A beautiful artisan-made souvenir, like this ceramic vase from Nicaragua, hand-carved and painted in the traditional pre-Columbian style, can be the best way to remember your trip for years to come.

However, heed this sustainable travel tip: make sure your purchase benefits the local artisans and their families, and not just middlemen who hike up the price and pay their suppliers a pittance. The best way to do this is to buy directly from the artisans themselves, or to buy from a nonprofit organization that funnels 100% of the proceeds to the artisans or the local community.

Photo by ORO Travel.

This entry was posted on August 1, 2013 at 7:58 PM and has received 912 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.