Cancun Shopping

 Cancun offers excellent shopping and most stores are conveniently concentrated in several ultramodern and attractive shopping centers located in the Hotel Zone.

La Isla Shopping Village opened in late 1999. Exclusive boutiques and attractive restaurants flank the center's brick-lined streets. A man-made river fountains and benches, as well as an outdoor setting beside the lagoon, make it a pleasant place to stroll and browse.

Forum by the Sea is another unique shopping complex, this one boasting a beachfront location. It has three floors of popular restaurant-bars, a disco, and a variety of shops. Fine jewelry, in particular, is featured here.

Kukulcan Plaza is undergoing a complete renovation. In addition to green areas, giant cupolas, the center will feature Luxury Avenue , a passageway lined by such upscale shops as Fendi, Cartier, Dior and Versace.

Plaza Caracol is located near the Convention Center. Its mazelike passageways are lined with fine jewelry shops, clothing boutiques, shoe stores, and cosmetics outlets.

Imported goods, such as perfumes, and gold and silver jewelry, are among Cancun's best buys thanks to low import taxes and a sales tax exemption, which lead to prices that can be 15 to 40 percent lower than in the United States .

El Zocalo, in front of the convention center, is an outdoor bazaar with stands displaying Mexican handicrafts and silver jewelry. It's a good place to find huaraches, attractive durable handmade leather sandals for men and women.

Shops generally open at 9 or 10 a .m. and stay open until 9 or 10 p.m. A few close during the lunch hour, from 2 to 4 p.m. and on Sundays.

Shops & Malls in Cancun...

Playa del Carmen Shopping

Playa del Carmen's main strip, Quinta Avenida (or Fifth Avenue), is flanked by numerous sidewalk restaurants interspersed with stores carrying handicrafts, myriad brands of tequila, amber and silver jewelry, and other items made in Mexico. You can also find a variety of handmade goods from neighboring Guatemala , as well as casual resort clothes, and even fine cigars.

Malls and Shopping Areas in Playa del Carmen...

Riviera Maya Shopping

Along highway 307, you'll find many government run markets selling Mexican blankets, hammocks, Mayan pottery reproductions, Guatemala bags and an assortment of tourist trinkets. For very upscale shopping, visit Puerto Aventuras Marina where you'll find several up market boutiques and art shops. In Akumal you can find small boutiques that offer attractive women's clothing and two interesting shops that have indigenous Mexican crafts from around the country. One of the largest shopping areas in Riviera Maya is on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. This pedestrian street feels more like an esplanade where you can find many quaint shops, restaurants and cafés.

Shopping Areas in Riviera Maya...

Cozumel Shopping

Cozumel 's firs major shopping center recently opened at the Punta Langosta cruise terminal, just outside of downtown San Miguel. The open-air complex has been designed to house about 100 bars, restaurants and boutiques, such as DKNY, Versace, Nike, Sony, and TGI Friday's.

The town, particularly the waterfront, brims with shops selling handmade Mexican arts and crafts, especially articles for the home, and sterling silver jewelry, as well as imported brand-name perfumes, gold jewelry, as well as imported brand-name perfumes, gold jewelry, gems, watches, crystal and porcelain.

Prices for imported goods in Cozumel are higher than on duty-free Caribbean Islands , but usually lower than in much of the rest of Mexico , because of low import taxes and a sales tax exemption.

Several handicraft markets are located on the main square, including Plaza del Sol and Confetti.

Cozumel Shops...

Isla Mujeres Shopping

Shopping is a casual activity here. There are only a few shops of any sophistication. Shop owners will bombard you, especially on Hidalgo , selling Saltillo rugs, onyx, silver, Guatemalan clothing, blown glassware, masks, folk art, beach paraphernalia, and T-shirts in abundance. Prices are lower than in Cancún or Cozumel . Isla is known for its excellent, duty-free prices on gemstones and handcrafted work made to order. Diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies can be purchased as loose stones and then mounted while you're off exploring the island. The superbly crafted gold, silver, and gems are available at very competitive prices in the workshops near the central plaza.

More Isla Mujeres Shopping...