Bayamon Shopping and Districts

(Bayamon, Puerto Rico)

There are a lot of really interesting local crafts to shop for in Puerto Rico, and the San Juan metropolitan area is the best place to hunt for them. Simple artistic items like papier-maché pieces, needlework, ceramics and objects woven from straw all make for great souvenirs of your time in Bayamon. But the real artwork lies in the paintings and sculptures created by local craftsmen.

Tops among these are the carved wooden statues of saints called 'santos'. They are arguably Puerto Rico's finest contribution to the world's art scene and make incredible collector items. Check out Olé, the Galeria Botello or Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts in San Juan for the best selections.

When to Shop and Where

Similar to santos, but in a different vein, are the more frightening caretas. These papier-maché masks are worn at traditional carnivals on the island, but they also make fascinating pieces of art to take home. With their fangs, menacing horns, bulging demon eyes and leering expressions, they certainly aren't ideal for the walls of your kids' bedroom. However, they are one of the most authentic styles of handicraft on the island and excellent talking points when you have guests over.

Bayamon is quite famous in the San Juan area for its shopping venues. It has the most shopping centres per capita of anywhere else in Puerto Rico, and so if you are really keen on the art of shopping, this should be a target destination. The Plaza del Sol, the Plaza Rio Hondo, the Canton Mall, the Plazoleta del Canton and the Plaza di Luna are just a few of the big complexes in Bayamon.

Puerto Rico's biggest and most modern shopping mall, the Plaza Las Americas, is located in nearby Hato Rey. With more than 300 stores in total, there is plenty to look at here. Other excellent shopping areas include the Calle del Cristo and the Calle San Francisco, both of which are to be found within Old San Juan.

Shops in Old San Juan are typically open every day of the week, from 09:00 until 18:00. The standard shopping malls of Bayamon are usually open from Monday to Saturday, between the hours of 09:00 and 18:00.

More information about San Juan shopping.