Where to Shop on Your Cancun Vacation

In between the parties, the beach, night clubs and sleeping, many Cancun vacationers find themselves temped by the many shopping opportunities that this tourist-friendly town has to offer. The wide variety of shopping options and easy access to them all makes it easy for tourists to spend a couple hours, a day or an entire vacation exploring the many shopping venues in Cancun.

There are a few basic types of shopping that are popular in Cancun.

Shopping in Cancun (Like a Tourist)
Throughout Cancun’s Hotel Zone and other touristy areas within the city, you can find a number of popular touristy shopping malls. In these malls, it’s common to find a variety of bars, restaurants and upscale retail stores including Ralph Lauren, Versace and Gucci. For more trendy shopping experience, shopping areas like La Isla, Kukulcan Plaza, Flamingo Plaza and Plaza Caracol are all good options. The more touristy shopping areas cater to guests but are often not the best places for an authentic Cancun shopping experience.

Shopping in Cancun (Like a Local)
Open air markets and street vendors offer the best opportunities for shoppers seeking unique souvenirs from Mexico. It is in these markets that visitors have the opportunity to negotiate and make deals with local vendors offering a unique variety of both hand-crafted and mass-produced souvenirs, most of which were made locally or in surrounding Mexican towns. Aside from day-tripping to less touristy towns, flea markets offer the most local shopping experience around. You’re likely to come across souvenirs such as handmade pottery, art, hammocks, clothing and more. Some of the more popular open-air markets include Mercado 28, Mercado 23 (catering more towards locals) and Mercado Coral Negro.

Pesos, Dollars and Euros Oh My!
Few things are more frustration than trying to negotiate a purchase in an open-air market after consuming more Margaritas that you’re used to. This is why it is often recommended that tourists take caution in these situations. Be aware of currency conversion rates and make sure you understand exactly how much you are paying for each trinket that you purchase for loved-ones back home.

In Cancun, almost every vendor and retail store is prepared to accept payment in a variety of local and foreign currencies, with the US dollar being the most common. However, most vendors are well aware of the local exchange rates for Euros and Canadian dollars as well. So if you’re uncomfortable paying in Pesos, consider using a form of currency that you’re more familiar with. Once more thing to note is that change will often be given in Pesos.

Regardless of your shopping preferences, Cancun has plenty to offer. From trend-setting retailers to local vendors, Cancun offers a variety of shopping opportunities for vacationers and locals alike.