Tips for Shopping in Cancun, Mexico

When you go shopping in a tourist city like Cancun, Mexico what kind of gifts and collectibles are you looking for?  Keep in mind that Cancun is a very eclectic city with a variety of cultures, appealing to both Mexicans and Americans.  The downtown section of Cancun has a more traditional Mexican culture, whereas the Hotel Zone seems to cater to youthful culture.  When it's time to go shopping you will find a variety of shopping resorts, malls, marketplaces mom and pop styles stores and even American favorites like Wal-Mart.  When it comes to shopping Cancun gives you an enormous selection, more quality merchandise than you will know what to do with!

Some people shop for necessities and daily living products while others come to Cancun for the unique shopping experience (and maybe the beach!).  The items that you find from Mexican stores and vendors are truly unique.  Many of these products for sale are arts and crafts, made by artisans of the country as a means of personal expression.  You are buying art, not just manufactured products.  As you proceed on to different centers of shopping, you will notice a distinctive personality in the products sold.  There are stores for general shopping, malls and resort style stores that sell Cancun related memorabilia, and the crafts market. 

Two of the most active areas of Cancun are in the Hotel Zone and Downtown Cancun.  The Hotel Zone seems to favor pricier shops such as the La Isla shopping mall, which features hundreds of stores from American favorites like Polo to Mexican style stores like Gasolina.  Downtown Cancun is known for being less expensive in general and for having more culturally significant gifts.  There are also many stores in the downtown area, along with other supermarkets like Commercial Mexicanas Chedraui's and Sorianas.  Don't be surprised to find a variety of American stores such as Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Office Max, Cam's Club, Costco, Starbucks and Block Buster Video.

You can also shop along the many beaches of Cancun after a relaxing day of sun and ocean breeze.  Many natives of Cancun actually make a living by selling arts, crafts and Cancun-exclusive collectible to beach tourists.  Some of the most often purchased items include sarongs, seashells, jewelry, handcrafted figures and many other unique creations.  Remember that when you're dealing with local artisans, bargaining is a part of the culture.  Americans may be used to asking bottom line price but in Mexico it shows respect to befriend the seller and negotiate a price that you both can be happy with. 

The most important factor to keep in mind when shopping in Cancun, whether for pleasure or for gift giving back home, is to choose an item that is unique and represents the Cancun experience that you have enjoyed.  This is why many shoppers vote for seashells and crafts over common luxury products they can find at home.  When you shop in Cancun you are buying a piece of Cancun culture—choose carefully and find something close to your heart!