Shopping Overview

Tapatíos love shopping at outlet malls north of the border. Nevertheless, the city supports a swath of modern malls, and most double as gathering spots with their restaurants and theaters. The Centro is packed with shops as well as ambulatory vendors, who compete with pedestrians for sidewalk space. You'll find the most products under one roof at labyrinthine Mercado Libertad, one of Latin America's largest markets. Tlaquepaque and Tonalá are arts and crafts meccas. Shoe stores are ubiquitous in Guadalajara -- probably because shoes wear out so fast here.

Stores tend to open Monday-Saturday from 9 or 10 until 8, and Sunday 10-2; some close during lunch, usually 2-4 or 2-5, and others close on Sunday. Bargaining is customary in Mercado Libertad, and you can talk deals with some crafts vendors in Tlaquepaque and Tonalá. The ticketed price sticks just about everywhere else, with the exception of antiques shops.