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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 raunchy T-shirts aimed at the Spring Break crowd), sportswear, jewelry, music, electronics, household items, shoes, and books. Some even have the same terrible mall food that’s standard north of the border. Prices are fixed in shops. They're also generally—but not always—higher than in the markets, where bargaining is a given. Perfumes in Cancún are considerably less expensive than at home (and even than at the duty-free shops at the airport). Of course tequila is a bargain here as well, but make sure you buy at the supermarket rather than at a souvenir shop.
There are many duty-free stores selling designer goods at reduced prices, sometimes as much as 30% or 40% below retail. You can find handwoven textiles, leather goods, and handcrafted silver jewelry, although prices are higher than in other cities and the selection is limited.
Monday through Saturday, shopping hours are generally 10–1 and 4–7, although more stores are staying open throughout the day rather than closing for siesta. Many are now opening on Sunday afternoon as well. Centros comerciales tend to be open daily from 9 or 10 am to 8 or 9 pm. If all that shopping leaves you feeling frazzled, you’re in luck. With wall-to-wall resorts lining Cancún’s coastline, competition among spas pushes the limits on pampering. From gemstone-treatments to hydrotherapy circuits and wine-and-caviar facials, expect to be treated like royalty.
Mercado 28 is Cancún's largest open-air market. In addition to a few small restaurants, it has about 100 stalls where you can buy many of the same items found in the Zona Hotelera at a fraction of the cost. Expect to be confronted by aggressive vendors trying to coax you into their shop. This is a great place to haggle, and usually you can end up paying half of the initial asking price.
With several locations in El Centro, this popular superstore (a Mexican version of Walmart) has a large selection of local and American products.
Next to the convention center, this open-air market has about 50 stalls selling crafts and souvenirs. Everything here is overpriced, and vendors are pushy, but you can try bargaining. Stalls deeper in the market tend to have better deals than those around the periphery.
This three-level entertainment and shopping plaza features brand-name restaurants, upscale clothing boutiques, a food court, and chain stores, all in a circus-like atmosphere. For spring breakers the main draws are the nightclubs, Coco Bongo and Señor Frog's. The bungee trampolines set up here during high season are especially popular with children. You will also find several ATMs.
If Mercado 28 (Veintiocho) is El Centro’s large local Mexican crafts market, Mercado Veintitrés (open daily) goes more local still. Here’s where the typical Cancunese comes to shop for produce, although you’ll find a selection of souvenirs here, too. This market provides a healthy dose of local color, but speaking Spanish is a must here.
North of the convention center, the two-story Plaza Caracol has chain stores, souvenir shops, jewelry boutiques, and pharmacies. If you work up an appetite, it also has a food court. Free Wi-Fi is available at the Häagen-Dazs ice cream shop.
Around 80 shops that sell mainly clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs fill this small mall, but the Outback Steakhouse and Bubba Gump restaurants are the main attraction for many visitors.
In addition to housing about 30 shops and restaurants, this mall also hosts art exhibits and other cultural events. While parents shop, kids can enjoy the games arcade and play area.
Near the convention center, the large Plaza la Fiesta probably has the Zona Hotelera's widest selection of Mexican goods, including jewelry, clothing, handicrafts, alcohol, and other assorted souvenirs. Look carefully at what you buy, though: not everything here is made in Mexico. There are some good bargains, but this is not a place to haggle.
With 100-plus shops, several big department stores and restaurants, two movie theaters, a video arcade, and plenty of fast-food outlets El Centro's shopping mecca will—for better or worse—make you feel right at home. The mall is intolerably crowded on weekends.
One of the major Mexican grocery-store chains, Soriana has multiple locations. The most convenient is at Avenidas Tulum and Uxmal, across from the bus station; its largest store, farther north on Avenida Kabah, is open 24 hours.
This is a smaller grocery store with several branches throughout downtown Cancún.
As in the United States, Walmart is a popular place to pick up beach supplies, snacks, and necessities you forgot to pack.
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