The best fashion and gift stores - Yucatán Peninsula in 2024

Practical information : Treat yourself (& others) Yucatán Peninsula

Timetable

The opening hours vary greatly depending on the tourist season, especially in the seaside resorts of the Caribbean coast. In the high season most shops are open every day with extended opening hours. In very low season, many establishments close. Shops generally open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm or 8pm in the cities, and from 8am to 6pm in the countryside. Shopping centres are open every day with later opening hours, often from 10am to 10 or 11pm. Souvenir shops also close late in tourist resorts like Playa or Tulum.

Budget & Tips

Cancún boasts a number of modernshopping centers in the hotel zone, such as Plaza Kukulcán, with boutiques selling most of the major international brands, at the same prices as at home, or even more expensive for imported products (especially gourmet foods). In Playa del Carmen, you can't escape the Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, which is overflowing with stores of all kinds, sometimes leading to overdose... Hard to resist for some, even if prices are higher than elsewhere. Note that Quintana Roo does not levy taxes on cosmetics and luxury goods. Perfumes and cosmetics are 30% cheaper than elsewhere.

For more typical and authentic items, head for the colorful markets, such as Mercado 23 or Mercado 28 in Cancún, or Mercado Lucas de Gálvez in Mérida, for example. In the markets, bring cash, as credit cards are rarely accepted.

Sales

Black Friday is a much-anticipated event for Mexicans, with major promotions(ofertas) in all areas. It takes place on the last Friday in November.

What's very local

The market stalls and souvenir shops are full of fine and colourful handicrafts. You will probably fall in love with the magnificent cotton hammocks, sisal bags or dream catchers, stone sculptures reproducing Mayan deities, wooden or papier-mâché masks, necklaces, bracelets or earrings... Not forgetting a sombrero jipi, a guayabera (for men) or a hipil (for women), very chic to wear in summer! If your luggage doesn't already exceed the maximum weight for the return flight, don't forget bottles of tequila or mezcal, much better than what we find here, melipone honey, vanilla, cocoa... For more details, see our file "What to bring back from your trip? ».

It is always preferable to buy your items directly from the artisans and producers, in the specialized villages. Avoid haggling with the artisans, their prices are generally far from being exaggerated considering the work done. Bargaining is more acceptable in the big tourist markets, especially if you plan to buy many things from the same seller.

Tourist traps

In markets or from street vendors, beware of made-in-China copies of local handicrafts or counterfeit designer clothes. Don't buy handicrafts made from coral, feathers from protected species or turtle shells...

The best fashion and gift stores Yucatán Peninsula

LA CASA DE DONIA WAY

BAZAR DE ARTESANÍAS GARCÍA REJÓN

GUAYABERAS CARRILLO

EL NOHOCH

SEÑOR COCO

EL HAMAQUERO

GUAYABERAS KARY

HENEQUEN ARTE GALERIA

TALLERES DE ARTE POPULAR

EL BECALEÑO

GUAYABERAS KARLA ALAM

CASA DE ARTESANÍAS TUKULNÁ

ESENCIA MAYA

MERCADO MUNICIPAL LUCAS DE GALVEZ

CASA DE LAS ARTESANÍAS

CIELO HAMACAS

PLAZA KUKULCAN

CAB GUAYABERAS FINAS

LIBRAIRIE ALMA LIBRE

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