Shopping in Yucatán Peninsula
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Plaza Kukulcán
The largest (and definitely among the stuffiest, attitude-wise) of the indoor malls is chichi Plaza Kukulcán. Of note here is the huge art gallery (taking up nearly half of the 2nd floor); the many stores selling silverwork; and La Ruta de las Indias, a shop featuring wooden models of Spanish galleons and replicas of conquistadors’ weaponry and body armor. But all is not lost; the plaza has a bowling alley and a large food court.
reviewed
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A
Miniaturas
Here you’ll find lots of small Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tableaux, tinwork and figurines of every sort, from ceramics to toy soldiers. They all have two things in common: they’re easy to pack and have nothing to do with Yucatecan artisan traditions! The store is definitely fun to browse and prices are fixed at a fair rate, so you needn’t worry about bargaining.
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Mercado Municipal
This is a good, authentic Mexican market where locals come to shop for cheap clothing, homewares, meat, produce and what-have-you, and to eat at inexpensive taquerías. The east side is the most colorful, with flowers and stacks of fruit and vegetables on offer. Most of the activity takes place between 06:00 and 14:00.
reviewed
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B
La Isla Shopping Village
Unique among the island’s malls, this is an indoor-outdoor place with canals, an aquarium, ultramodern parasol structures and enough other visual distractions to keep even the most inveterate hater of shopping amused. For tipplers on your list, consider picking up a bottle of xtabentún, a Yucatecan anise-flavored liqueur.
reviewed
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Mercado Principal
Though startlingly rustic compared with Campeche’s spruced-up center, the main market, Mercado Principal, across the street from the Baluarte de San Pedro, offers some terrific snacks. A number of cocina económica (basic eatery) stalls ring the interior rotunda.
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C
Bazar Artesanal
The state-run Folk Art Bazaar, down by the malecón near the Centro de Convenciones Campeche XXI, offers one-stop shopping for regional crafts. One section of the market is reserved for demonstrations of traditional craft techniques. Prices are set – no bargaining.
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Mexican Art Gallery
Located at the Hotel El Crucero, this gallery features the brightly colored work of local artist Enrique Diaz, whose motto is to ‘paint the colors of Tulum.’ His art is vivid and fun, a variety of portraits and landscapes that seem vaguely Picasso-esque.
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Librería Dante
Has a small selection of paperbacks in English, as well as some guidebooks, and a large selection of archaeology books in English, French, German and Spanish. The company has other branches throughout the city.
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Fama
Fama has a good selection of domestic and international newspapers and magazines. You'll also find a variety of international books, Mexican road maps and atlases, and racy swimsuits if you left yours at home.
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G
Mercado 23
Locals head to Mercado 23 for clothes, shoes, inexpensive food stalls, hardware items and so on. If you’re looking for a place without corny T-shirts, this is where to go.
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Xpress Super
A few blocks east of the Plaza Grande is an Xpress Super, a market/department store chain. It is a great spot to pick up ingredients for a sumptuous DIY dinner or picnic lunch.
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Mercado Principal
Prowl around the main market and survey the spices and herbs, exotic fruit, honey and chilies. Bonetería Bazar Puebla has a good selection of huipiles and guayaberas.
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Chedraui Supermarket
Across Avenida Tulum is the Chedraui supermarket, whose upstairs clothing department sometimes has souvenir-grade items at very affordable prices.
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Camisería Canul
A good place for guayaberas and huipiles. It has been in business for years, offers fixed prices and does custom tailoring.
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Alma Libre
Has more than 20,000 new and used books. The friendly owners are also a great resource for information about the area.
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Super Bodega
A few blocks east of the Plaza Grande is a branch of Super Bodega, a market–department store chain.
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Comercial Mexicana
For groceries, try Comercial Mexicana, a centrally located supermarket close to the bus station.
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Mercado 28
Locals head to Mercado 28 for clothes, shoes, inexpensive food stalls, hardware items and so on.
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Super Willy’s
Super Willy’s is a small supermarket with a big variety of groceries and household items.
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Mercado Municipal No 2
Numero Dos is a less crowded but still cheap and good market, on the north side of Parque de Santiago.
reviewed
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N
Hamacas El Aguacate
Hamacas El Aguacate has quality hammocks and decent prices, and there's absolutely no hard sell.
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Colormax
Just north of Claveles, Colormax offers a wide assortment of film. It does developing as well.
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Bazar Municipal
This place is a collection of market-style shops, popular for their big, cheap breakfasts.
reviewed
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Market
The market, half a block west of the Noreste bus terminal, has the usual cheap eateries.
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Q
Supermarkets
A few blocks east of the Plaza Grande are side-by-side supermarkets.
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