Shopping in Puerto Rico
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A
Caribbean Walk
Tiny, but full of local art, this creative shop in Isabel Segunda harbors intricate jewelry and plenty of other dexterously sculpted crafts.
reviewed
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B
La Tienda Verde
For groceries, La Tienda Verde near the baseball field in the center of town is your best bet in Esperanza.
reviewed
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C
Morales Supermercado
If you’re looking to stock up on provisions, try Morales Supermercado.
reviewed
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D
Nueva Plaza Del Mercado
Winding through crowds of shoppers on Paseo Atocha will lead you to the city’s most exciting indoor market, four blocks north of the Plaza. The selection of produce – freshly hacked off the vine – is marvelous, and can be complimented by less healthful options like cheapie sweets and fried snacks, as well as lottery tickets. Just up the block, the slightly more crowded Mercade Juan Ponce de León has stalls hocking pan-religious voodoo charms and salsa tunes on vintage vinyl platters, reconditioned boots and hand-rolled cigars.
reviewed
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E
West Coast Surf Shop
Downtown on the Plaza de Recreo you will find the West Coast Surf Shop, a cool and funky place with some excellent graphics and big-screen TV images. Aside from selling all the appropriate gear, the owners have great local knowledge and can organize lessons for any standard or age at short notice. Hot Wavz Surf Shop is on the lighthouse road and can rent you a surfboard to fit conditions for $20 to $25; boogie boards cost about $15.
reviewed
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Market
If you like the smell of fish and oranges, the bustle of people, and trading jests in Spanish as you bargain for a bunch of bananas, this market is for you. As much a scene as a place to shop, the market continues the colonial tradition of an indoor market that spills into the streets.
reviewed
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F
Utopia
Selling colorful vejigantes (masks), santos (small carved figurines representing saints) souvenirs and Puerto Rican trinkets, Utopia is the nicest souvenir shop on the square. The bonus? The little bar up front will sell six-packs of beer to go, the only such place on the plaza.
reviewed
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G
Candy & Magazine Store
This small shop has some dusty magazines (with an amusingly random assortment of English language titles including Mountain Biker ) and one computer with a printer and limited internet access (about $3 per 30 minutes). It ain’t much, but it’s easily found downtown.
reviewed
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H
Plaza Las Américas
The Caribbean’s largest shopping mall is the 200-store Plaza Las Américas situated in Hato Rey. It’s as indigenously Puerto Rican as Starbucks, but it sells almost everything you’re ever likely to need.
reviewed
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I
Siddhia Hutchinson Gallery
At this gallery of a local artist and designer, Siddhia Hutchinson, you can pick up first-class paintings of colorful tropical scenes. Siddhia also organizes periodic painting workshops.
reviewed
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J
Plaza Carolina
This mall lies to the east of the city, offering US standards such as JC Penney and Sears among its collection of 150 shops. It is off Hwy 26 (Expreso Baldorioty de Castro) in Carolina.
reviewed
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K
Superette Mayra
At Superette Mayra you’ll find all of the basic food supplies along with other nonedible essentials such as washing powder, diapers and toilet rolls.
reviewed
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L
Artistic Invisions
This gallery displays and sells the work of local artists, including paintings, mosaics and sea glass. You can even get your favorite piece reproduced on a mug or T-shirt.
reviewed
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M
Artisans Fair
Head here for more traditional shopping. The market is generally open on weekends, but call the PRTC ahead of time to inquire about changing hours of operation.
reviewed
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N
Butterfly People
There's good shopping at Butterfly People. Popular Puerto Rican souvenirs include santos crafts, domino sets, cigars, rum and coffee.
reviewed
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O
Butiki
A local art shop run by an American expat that sells paintings, jewelry, masks, T-shirts and plenty more. Almost everything is island-made.
reviewed
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P
El Muelle Shopping Center
The El Muelle Shopping Center has a book exchange, a well-stocked, brightly lit grocery store, and a contract post office.
reviewed
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Q
Lazy Parrot Tropical Gift Shop
In the Lazy Parrot Inn, this shop is a must-stop for parrot-heads. You will also see Lisl Voigt’s handmade sea-glass jewelry here.
reviewed
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R
Vieques Flowers & Gifts
On the Strip in Esperanza, this shop has everything from local crafts, pottery, clothes and – of course – fresh flowers.
reviewed
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S
Galería de Regalos
A colorful gift-and-clothes shop that sells priceless República de Culebra T-shirts and plenty of other unique knickknacks.
reviewed
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T
Colmado Lydia
For groceries, Colmado Lydia, near the baseball field in the center of town, is your best bet in Esperanza.
reviewed
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U
Bookworm
Gay literature in Spanish and English as well as mainstream picks. Very helpful and friendly staff.
reviewed
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V
Colmado Milka
Colmado Milka is the island’s second-largest supermarket.
reviewed
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W
Librería Thekes
Novels, travel books, bios, thrillers and magazines in both English and Spanish.
reviewed
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X
Bell, Book & Candle
Pulls in the vacation crowd and offers a wide range of English titles.
reviewed