San Juan Shopping and Districts

(San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Shopping in San Juan is comprehensive, diverse and great fun. The massive Plaza las Americas Mall is the largest in the Caribbean and has over 300 stores, including a USA favourite, JC Penney. Sears Roebuck are here too, as are many famous designer names.

This is a typical American mega-mall, so expect movie theatres and miles of fast-food joints, as well as more healthy eateries. It is no surprise that the Plaza las Americas isn't the only shopping mall in San Juan. La Catalinas Mall and the upscale San Patricio Plaza compete with their larger neighbour, while the Plaza Carolina resides on the city's outskirts. Several factory outlets are also in the game, catering for the crowds from the frequent cruise ship arrivals.

When to Shop and Where

Malls may be the most convenient way to shop, but the markets and streets away from the main tourist areas are the best for people-watching, offering a glimpse of the local culture and lifestyle. As well as the main market in the city, there are a number of smaller markets which make for interesting shopping trips.

Old San Juan gives a shopping experience all of its own, combined with a walk through the city's rich colonial history. This is the destination for more leisurely shopping days, with diverse smaller shops and boutiques lining its cobbled streets. The Calle de Cristo and the Calle de San Francisco are the best places to start in this part of the city.

The variety of merchandise on offer will keep you browsing for hours and includes jewellery, leatherware, antiques, lace, masks, art, local crafts, ceramics and local rum. Some of the most unique and highly sought-after artefacts here are the traditional carved and painted santos - images of the saints.

The Plaza del Mercado's main market is worth at least a morning's exploration, followed by a lunch of roast pork sandwiches washed down with a tropical fruit shake, both specialities of the market. Bargaining is essential here - for lessons, watch the local housewives! If you are visiting on Friday, stay on for the off-beat happy hour, which attracts both the bohemian and the more conventional. Regular shopping hours see stores open from 09:00 to 18:00, closing on Sundays. In Old San Juan, many shops now also open on Sundays, from 11:00 to 17:00.