64 Best Places to Shop in Puerto Rico

Just east of Piñones is the town of Loíza, where you can find authentic coconut vejigante masks, dubbed "Mona Lisas" because of their elongated smiles. Craftsman Raúl Ayala Carrasquillo has been making these pieces for nearly half a century, following in the footsteps of his late father. Collectors prize these wild masks, most with tentaclelike horns. His one-room shop, in a shack that was painted yellow many years ago, is on the road between Loíza and Río Grande.

Noted local designer Lisa Cappalli sells her feminine, sensuous designs in this elegant boutique, which specializes in ready-to-wear and custom fashions including a small collection of whimsical, lacy wedding gowns.

This store features locally crafted artwork in various mediums, as well as souvenirs like coffee, hot sauce, picture frames, and clothing.

Family-run since the 1930s, this store is known for its large selection of pearls and precious stones, as well as for its jewelry design.

Centro del Sur Mall has more than 60 stores and small vendors, and a small food court with local and chain options. Some large names include Marshall's, Burlington, and Baby Depot. This mall is known for hosting costume conventions with dozens of small vendors and hundreds of visitors from around the island. 

The Cigar House has an eclectic selection of local and imported cigars from Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. At the lounge and bar, you can enjoy your purchase with a glass of your favorite spirit.

Club Jibarito has a fantastic collection of high-end watches by Audemars Piguet, Chopard, H.Stern, Harry Winston, Panerai, and other designers.

Stylish, upscale handbags for men and women can be purchased at Coach for a discounted price.

Here designer Matilsha Marxuach, who is keen on sustainable fashion, sells her hip line of fair-trade messenger and handbags, as well as bathing suits, vintage clothing, and items made by other local designers.

This Old San Juan establishment has been in the Barquet family for four generations, and items from their Coquí el Original line—depicting the local tree frog—have become popular souvenirs. Choose from 14K-gold or sterling-silver coquí pendants, rings, bracelets, and more. If you’re looking for unique and high-end jewels, ask to browse the private back room.

In addition to selling swimwear, sandals, sunglasses, and surf gear, this shop rents bodyboards, a variety of short and long surfboards, and snorkeling equipment. The staff can also organize surfing lessons.

Here the inventory, most of it Indonesian, ranges from bedspreads and furnishings to beaded jewelry and hand fans.

At El Galpón, knowledgeable owners Betsy and Gustavo will fit you with a Panama hat ($65–$900), and you'll learn that the genuine article is actually made in Ecuador. They also carry a large selection of Puerto Rican santos, hand-carved wooden saints.

The island's best place for gifts is right above the popular Dinghy Dock restaurant. Local artist Jorge Acevedo paints scenes of island life and Culebra's natural tableaux of mangroves and seascapes. Be sure to browse his one-of-a-kind works and original T-shirts, as well as his wife's handmade jewelry. If you happen to be around on a Saturday, follow him downstairs to the Dinghy Dock, where he plays conga music.

At his studio on a short, dusty lane across the street from the Artesanías Castor Ayala, artist Samuel Lind sculpts, paints, and silk-screens images that are quintessentially Loízano. Lind's work is displayed in the two floors of his latticework studio. Of special note are his colorful folk-art posters inspired by everyday Puerto Rican life.

For nearly three decades, Robert and Sharon Bartos have been selling antiques and objets d'art from all over the world, much of it from Europe.

This influential gallery displays art by the late Angel Botello, who was hailed as the Caribbean Gauguin as far back as 1943. (His works also hang in the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.) His paintings often feature the bright colors of the tropics and usually depict island scenes. Also on display here are works by other prominent local artists, Puerto Rican santos, and sculptures by Botello.

Among those who have displayed their works at Galería Petrus are Dafne Elvira, whose surreal oils and acrylics tease and seduce (witness a woman emerging from a banana peel); Marta Pérez, another surrealist, whose bewitching paintings examine such themes as how life on a coffee plantation might have been; and Elizam Escobar, a former political prisoner whose oils depict typically dark subjects. Exhibitions change frequently and focus on local artists like Bobby Cruz and Carlos Dávila Rinaldi.

This woman-owned shop in Old San Juan has a selection of sundresses, hats, accessories, and serves frozen rose while you shop.

This shop carries Haitian masks, statues, paintings, and wooden works of art. The second floor houses a large selection of paintings from the Caribbean.

Puerto Rican couture designer Harry Robles specializes in elegant evening and bridal gowns.

Up-and-coming young designer Jean Cintrón has his appointment-only shop on Calle Cerra. Visit the website to schedule a visit.

Forgot your snorkel? Left your bathing suit at home? Need a new pair of flip-flops or a souvenir for your favorite cousin? La Cava is the perfect place to meet all of those needs.

Loiza Dark is a small shop by the airport featuring gourmet, single-origin chocolate from Puerto Rico. Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you, inside there are decadent treats. Make your own custom truffle box with flavor options like passionfruit, coffee, and guava. Select from a variety of flavored chocolate bars, like cinnamon or lavender, with varying cacao percentages. They have seasonal gift baskets available, call to preorder for a special occasion. There is no seating or on-site dining available.

This small shop sells modern clothing and jewelry by independent artists from Puerto Rico and abroad.

Offering heavy-duty shopping, the Mayagüez Mall has local stores; a food court; movie theaters; and stateside chains like Old Navy, Walmart, and Marshalls. Artisanal kiosks line the hallways inside offering everything from handmade jewelry to traditional candies and snacks.

Explore shelves filled with carnival masks, colorful hammocks, freshly ground coffee, and bottles and bottles of rum. 

You might find a reproduction of your hotel at this shop, which specializes in tiny ceramic versions of San Juan doorways. The works are created by hand in the shop, which also carries fine art prints.