Galeria Popular: The Traditional Market of Valledupar, Colombia

Galeria Popular is the most important traditional market in Valledupar, the capital of the Cesar Department, in northern Colombia. Operating since 1992, it is distinct from the local food market, known as the ‘mercado‘. If you ask a Vallenato or Vallenata (residents of Valledupar) where to find something special and affordable, they will recommend Galeria Popular.

It boasts over 420 retail outlets, selling clothes and shoes, electronic equipment, dishes, toys, gardening products, and cosmetics. Here, you can also have your phone or equipment repaired, have lunch or a snack, and much more. Galeria Popular is open from 7 AM to 7 PM from Monday to Saturday, and until 2 PM on Sundays.

Stroll over Galeria Popular in Valledupar

Right next to one of the entrances to Galeria Popular there is a police post, as well as bus stations. From here, one can travel to popular weekend destinations like the mountain villages of Manaure Balcon del Cesar and Pueblo Bello. These villages are renowned for their mild climate, stunning views, rivers, and waterfalls, as well as country houses and cultivations of coffee, cocoa, berries, and more.

In Valledupar, staying hydrated throughout the day is crucial due to the high temperatures. Luckily, there are numerous juice carts around, offering drinks made from watermelon, passion fruit, and mango, as well as sugarcane with lime. Small snacks such as deditos, empanadas, sausages, and chorizos are readily available. Finding a parking spot, using taxi services, or even catching a motorcycle ride for a lower fee is easy.

The amazing Colombian greeting customs

Galeria is well worth a visit not only for the goods but also for the welcoming atmosphere. The way the sellers greet customers, especially if they are foreigners, is unique.

“At your service, come in, welcome, no obligation, my queen, my king, my love”, or as it graciously sounds in Spanish, “A la orden, adelante, bienvenida, sin compromiso, mi reina, mi amor”. These are the typical phrases you will hear as you walk by the vendors. If a passerby doesn’t want to buy, there is also a polite way to decline: “No thank you, love” (No, gracias, amor), is perfectly acceptable.

Local merchants are the heart of Galeria Popular

Valledupar’s Galeria Popular is also about the ordinary yet vibrant stories of its merchants, characterized by conviviality, hard work, religious fervor, and their love for music.

Alexander Bareño is one them. A native of Valledupar, he has been working in Galeria for 20 years. He enjoys interacting with people, and the money he earns in Galeria helps him cover the basic expenses of his family. Most of his social life is based in Galeria, where his colleagues are also good friends.

One of his colleagues, Javier Castro has been working there even longer. For 30 years now, he has sold accessories for technical equipment, such as TV remote controls, holders, speakers, memory cards, and more. Javier is religious and believes that praying before starting work helps him perform better. He is also a musician and agreed to improvise a line from a Vallenato song for us.

The fame and popularity of Galeria Popular have also attracted sellers from other parts of Colombia, like Joksan Ramirez who hails from San Juan, a town in the Andean department of Antioquia. He moved to Valledupar for work and enjoys selling there because the people are friendly and helpful. He views Valledupar as a tourist town, with Vallenato music and the Guatapuri River being the main attractions.

For Joksan, being a good seller means being kind, attentive to the client, and providing excellent service. For good fortune, he keeps a statue of the Virgin Mary at his workplace, believing she will protect him and his wife, who also works with him. He points out that Galeria is a commercial center selling both cheap or expensive products, and he feels it is similar to any other commercial center in Colombia.

Cinco Esquinas

Cinco Esquinas is another commercial site, located in the El Carmen neighborhood, next to Galeria between Carrera 7th and Calle 18th. Galeria and Cinco Esquinas are the most visited places for those who want to buy anything for themselves, from small things like needles to pieces of furniture or technical equipment. Cinco Esquinas is an intersection where five streets meet, and you can find furniture or repair stores or even street beauty salons if you take a walk down one of these little streets.

Related: Corabastos, the Largest Market in Colombia