[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places for Shopping in Cancun

Shopping in Cancun offers some of the best retail experiences in Mexico. Cancun is renowned for its stunning Caribbean beaches and buzzing nightlife, but it offers plenty of shopping opportunities. Whether you’re looking for luxury items or fresh produce, you’ll find it in Cancun. This guide provides details on the best shopping spots downtown and in Zona Hotelera. Here, you’ll find top picks for whatever you’re looking for. 

Head to La Isla Shopping Village and Malecon Americas in downtown Cancun for luxury shopping. Here, you’ll find designer brands, boutique stores, and plenty of places to grab a bite. Alternatively, if you’re after a more authentic experience, try the markets in downtown, where locals pick up fresh produce for dinner. 

In Zona Hotelera, the main shopping area is Forum By The Sea. The mall is home to a number of high-end stores and great restaurants, making it the perfect spot for a day out. 

No matter what you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a shopping spot in Cancun to fit the bill.

The Best Places for Shopping in Cancun

1. LA ISLA SHOPPING VILLAGE

La Isla Shopping Village is located at km 12.5 in the Hotel Zone of Cancun and is widely considered to be the prettiest and best mall. It features an Interactive Aquarium, a movie theater, several restaurants, coffee shops, a drug store, upscale boutiques, and souvenir shops, all of which are open-air.

A charming canal runs through the mall, providing visitors with a pleasant stroll. There are also waterfront restaurants where one can sit and watch the sunset. Additionally, a fountain can be found near Hooters, a popular spot for taking vacation pictures, especially for local children who often play in the spouts of water shooting out of the ground.

An entirely new section was recently added to the mall, making it even better. With all of its offerings, it is no surprise La Isla is recommended for some of the best shopping in Cancun. 

2. MALECON AMERICAS

Malecon Americas is a popular mall located in downtown Cancun. It is a combination of both indoor and open-air stores. Inside, shoppers can find a variety of stores, including clothing and shoe shops, jewelry stores, bookstores, furniture stores, and a large Mexican department store called Chapur. In addition, there is a large food court located upstairs in the indoor portion.

The mall also features a trampoline park, an arcade, and numerous restaurants. Visitors can enjoy a meal at Olive Garden, Starbucks, Johnny Rockets, Chili’s, Mcdonald’s, Hooters, and more.

On weekends, the mall is filled with locals, making it a great place to shop, dine, and have fun. Malecon Americas and Plaza Las Americas are favorite spots among locals, and it’s easy to spend an entire day here.

3. La Isla Cancun

La Isla Cancun is a popular open-air complex in the La Isla neighborhood and Cancun’s Zona Hotelera. It is conveniently located, making it a great stopover for visitors heading to Interactive Aquarium Cancún or Cancun Golf Club at Pok Ta Pok across Nichupte Lagoon. 

The complex boasts a wide selection of well-known restaurants and retailers, such as Hooters and Victoria’s Secret. Additionally, it provides plenty of entertainment with its canals, Ferris Wheel Cancun, fountains, and kids’ play area.

4. PLAZA LAS AMERICAS

Plaza Las Americas is located in downtown Cancun on Tulum Avenue and has been a popular shopping destination for locals for many years. This mall offers a wide selection of stores, including clothing, sports, jewelry, shoe and department stores, a pet store, a nail salon, cafes, restaurants, and even a supermarket. Although the food court has been moved to Malecon Americas, new stores such as Old Navy and H&M have taken their place. At the beginning and end of every month, retailers set up tables outside their stores and fill them with sale items. During the weekends, musicians can be heard playing in the mall.

Getting to Plaza Las Americas is easy and can be done by taking the R1 or R2 bus to the first stop downtown. From there, visitors can walk or take a taxi to the mall.

Plaza Las Americas and Malecon Americas are considered the best places for shopping in downtown Cancun. They offer many stores, restaurants, and activities, making them ideal for a fun day out.

5. Las Plazas Outlet Cancun

If you’re looking for great deals, Las Plazas Outlet Cancun is the place to go. Although prices may not be as low as those at some other malls in Cancun, visitors can still find some exciting offers. At this outlet mall, located away from the beach, you can find leading brands such as Nike, Lacoste, Guess, and Under Armor at outlet prices.

The mall has a cinema, a casino, and a few restaurants for entertainment. So if you’re looking for a fun shopping experience, Las Plazas Outlet Cancun is the ideal place.

6. PUERTO CANCUN MARINA TOWN CENTER

Marina Town Center is Cancun’s newest shopping hub, located in the Hotel Zone, very close to downtown in the area called Puerto Cancun. This open-air mall and marina is home to a wide range of stores and services. It includes a Cinepolis movie theater, an IMAX theater, a food court, a nail salon, a barber shop, a gym, and many shops and boutiques such as Zara Home and H&M. Pets are allowed in the mall but must first be registered in the administration office.

Most stores at Marina Town Center are open from 11 am to 11 pm daily, making it a great place for a day of shopping. Getting to the mall is also incredibly easy anywhere in the Hotel Zone. All you need to do is take the bus north (the ocean side of the street) and tell the driver you want to go to Marina Town Center, the last stop before downtown.

Marina Town Center is highly recommended for some of the best shopping in Cancun because it is still growing and offers an array of stores and services.

7. Tulum Avenue

Tulum Avenue (Avenida Tulum) is in the bustling downtown of Cancun, away from the beachfront. It circles the Monumento a la Historia de México and is a great place to explore the cityscape.

This long thoroughfare offers plenty of shopping opportunities, from malls, local markets, Mexican department stores, and boutiques, to casual eateries serving authentic Mexican cuisine. To make the most of your visit, it is recommended to plan and pick out the spots you would like to see instead of walking the entire length of the avenue.

8. CORAL NEGRO FLEA MARKET

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Coral Negro is the only flea market located in the Hotel Zone of Cancun, conveniently located across the street from Plaza Forum. It is a vibrant and colorful place where visitors can find everything from traditional Mexican clothing, pottery, and silver jewelry to tattoos, body piercing, and adult videos. Haggling is expected with the vendors, but for those who would rather have fixed prices, there are retail stores available as well. 

This flea market is ideal for those looking for a unique experience in Cancun. It is recommended for some of the best shopping in Cancun because of its variety of Mexican souvenirs. People can relax, have fun, and take in all of the various sights and sounds of Coral Negro.

9. KUKULCAN PLAZA

Plaza Kukulkan is a charming shopping mall located in a quiet area. It offers a variety of stores, including clothing stores, jewelry stores, souvenir shops, and the Harley-Davidson store. There are also several restaurants, such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mr. Pampas, Pastorero, Ketchup, and Haagen-Dazs. Additionally, the mall recently added a Forever 21 and a Soriana supermarket. Amazon lockers are also available. Luxury Avenue, located on the mall’s south side, features high-end boutiques like Coach, Burberry, and Fendi.

Plaza Kukulkan is especially attractive due to its peaceful atmosphere. Because it is not overly busy, it is an ideal place to shop and dine. Furthermore, the mall frequently holds special concerts and events, particularly during the holidays. For these reasons, Kukulkan Plaza is considered one of the best places to shop in Cancun.

10. LUXURY AVENUE

Luxury Avenue is the place to go if you’re looking for upscale shopping in Cancun. You’ll find everything you’re looking for with exclusive high-end shops such as Burberry, Coach, Tous, Mont Blanc, Swarovski, Cartier, and Fendi. There is even a tax-free module where you can get a tax refund for purchases over 1,200 min.

To take a break from shopping, you can visit the bar for a cocktail or a tempting dessert. The mall also occasionally holds fashion and bridal shows. To make things even better, Luxury Avenue provides free valet parking to shoppers. You can also check out Kukulkan Plaza right next door if you’re on a budget. Luxury Avenue is the best place for shopping in Cancun.

11. MERCADO 28

Mercado 28, more popularly known as Market 28, is located in downtown Cancun. Despite its name, it’s easy to get around town with bus and taxi drivers understanding its namesake. It’s a large, maze-like market with vendors clamoring for you to enter their stores. It can be intimidating for those not used to aggressive salespeople, but plenty of great offers and Mexican handicrafts are still available. Silver jewelry, t-shirts, pottery, and traditional Mexican clothing are just some items you’ll find.

In the center of the market, there is a food court with many restaurants offering authentic Mexican food and seafood at affordable prices. Market 28 is highly recommended for the best shopping in Cancun. It’s the city’s largest and most popular open-air market, and prices are much more economical than those in the Hotel Zone.

12. FORUM CANCUN

Located in the heart of Cancun’s Party Center, Forum Cancun is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Close to the main entrance, Haagen Dazs is the perfect spot for people-watching. The mall has numerous retail shops that sell mostly swimwear, sunglasses, jewelry, and souvenirs. In the evenings, street performers are often on the mall’s main level. These provide great photo opportunities, or you can take a picture with the huge Hard Rock Cafe guitar right out front.

The mall is also home to Cancun’s world-famous Coco Bongo nightclub and bars and restaurants such as Hard Rock Café, Senor Frogs, Chuchito Pérez, James Pub, and a Chili’s. Forum Cancun is popular among tourists and locals alike, especially after dark. For these reasons, the mall is recommended for some of the best shopping in Cancun.