Mexico City Shopping and Districts
(Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico)
In most of the shops around Mexico City, the prices are fixed and clearly marked. However, when shopping at one of Mexico City's many street markets and bustling public markets (mercados), this is quite different and it is usual practice to negotiate over the price, particularly if you are intending to purchase several items. The main markets in Mexico City include the weekly Mercado Insurgentes, the Saturday market on the Plaza San Jacinto, and the Sunday market at the Plaza del Angel, all of which feature endless shopping opportunities.
The markets around Mexico City are worth visiting for their atmosphere and eclectic mixture of merchandise, where the sights, sounds and smells are all part of the experience. When shopping at these markets, you can expect to find everything from textiles and pottery, to spicy food and the freshest of fruit.
Where to Shop
Within Mexico City, the main shopping area is centred around the Zona Rosa, which is bursting with local fashion boutiques, jewellers and shops selling antiques, paintings and leatherwear. Within the very heart of Mexico City's Zona Rose, the 12 blocks are the heart of the shopping action and where most people head.
The Polanco neighbourhood is another notable shopping district in Mexico City and lies on the north-eastern side of the Bosque de Chapultepec, tending to be one of the city's more upmarket places to spend your holiday money. In particular, the Avenida Presidente Masaryk within Polanco is a great spot for some serious window shopping, where designer outlets are plentiful and full of famous brands.
When shopping in Mexico City, look out for the numerous shopping malls, centres and districts, such as those listed below:
- Coyoacan - a traditional colonial-style neighbourhood in Mexico City, featuring cobblestone streets and a number of local speciality stores selling good quality handicrafts
- La Ciudadela - a large group of craftsmen based right in the very centre of Mexico City, with more than 250 different workshops in total
- La Condesa (La Condechi) - a good place to go shopping for souvenirs, featuring a number of art galleries, antiques stores and more
- La Lagunilla - a popular collection of markets within the downtown district of Mexico City. This is a good place to find a hot snack, cheap clothing and furniture
- Mazarik Avenue - a rather upscale part of Mexico City's Polanco, where designer shopping abounds
- Mundo E (E World) - one of the most appealing entertainment and shopping centres within the whole of Mexico City, boasting a vast food court and state-of-the-art multi-screen cinema complex
- Perisur - known for its concentration of businesses, such as banks and currency exchange outlets, along with travel agencies, food shops and clothing stores
- Santa Fe Mall - one of the largest shopping centres in the whole of Mexico, complete with department stores, restaurants, cinemas and other entertainment venues
- Tepito - one of the most notable districts in Mexico City, home to a bustling street market with hundreds of traders and a number of stores specialising in secondhand clothing and other items