Valencia Shopping and Districts

(Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela)

The shopping experience is rather anticlimactic in Valencia, since this city is not exactly a hot spot for tourists of any ilk. Most of the residents do their shopping at the modern indoor malls that are all the rave in Venezuela. While these malls certainly lack character, they at least provide an authentic glimpse at how the Venezuelans do their spending.

One of the best shopping malls in Valencia is the Centro Comercial Sambil (CC Sambil), which is part of the popular Venezuelan chain. This quirky place is actually shaped like a baseball diamond, with each area and level of the mall having a different baseball-related theme. You can find all the usual stores at the CC Sambil, although don't expect any deals. Nearly everything you would like to buy in Venezuela is just as expensive as at home.

When to Shop and Where

The largest mall in Valencia is the Metropolis. This complex is almost too big, but you will certainly be able to browse the entire gambit of stores that appeal to the residents. There are a couple of other smaller shopping centres in the city, but they aren't quite as clean and flashy as the Sambil and the Metropolis. Between these two shopping hubs you can certainly get your fill. The stores in the malls are typically open everyday from 09:00 to 19:00.

If you prefer shopping with more character, you will need to spend some foot time exploring the backstreets around the Plaza Bolivar. Although most of the shops in downtown Valencia are quite utilitarian and cater to the daily needs of the locals, there are a few interesting choices interspersed among them. Most of these stores sell things like clothing, shoes, music, electronics and the like.