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Shopping Overview

The centros comerciales (malls) in Cancún are fully air-conditioned and as well-kept as similar establishments in the United States or Canada. Like their northerly counterparts, they also sell just about everything: designer clothing, beachwear (including tons of raunchy T-shirts aimed at the spring-breaker crowd), sportswear, jewelry, music, video games, household items, shoes, and books. Some even have the same terrible mall food that is standard north of the border. Prices are fixed in shops. They're also generally -- but not always -- higher than in the markets, where bargaining for better prices is a possibility.

There are many duty-free stores that sell designer goods at reduced prices -- sometimes as much as 30% or 40% below retail. Although prices for handicrafts are higher here than in other cities and the selection is limited, you can find handwoven textiles, leather goods, and handcrafted silver jewelry.