MEXICO CITY SHOPPING

Everything that is produced in Mexico and regardless of exactly where it is produced, can be purchased in Mexico City. Mexican handicrafts including fabric, pottery, stonework, jewels, natural fiber items, woodworks, paper or carton objects, metalwork, paintings, sculptures, knitting and much more.

Shopping in Mexico City for souvenirs is available in many places including the popular Coyoacan Bazar; the Saturday Bazaar in San Angel, Centro Platero 16 (16 Silver Center) in the historical Center downtown, the National Handicraft Development Fund (FONART) located in Mixcoac as well as the one located in the Historic Center, the San Ciudadela Market which is close to the Historic Center and the San Juan Market.

The markets in Mexico City not only display Mexican wares, but also feature a variety of restaurants, as well as fruit and vegetable stalls, giving them the distinguishing flavour of Latin America.

Mexico City has also sophisticated shopping centers like the Bazar del Centro. Being a restored, late-17th-century mansion built around a garden courtyard it has several chic boutiques of prestigious jewelers such as Aplijsa known for its fine gold, silver, pearls, and gemstones, and Ginza,, whose Japanese pearls are unpaired. Taxco silver, Tonala stoneware, and Mexican liqueurs are other products available here.

The Portales de los Mercaderes (Merchants Arcade), opened in 1524, is also an appealing shopping area, where you can see an assortment of jewellery shops selling gold (often by the gram) and authentic Taxco silver. In the middle of Portales de los Mercaderes, there is an unusual shop that only sells fashionable men's hats in all colors, textures and shapes.

However, a more cosmopolitan shopping experience can occur in Mexico City when strolling in major malls, that depict the architectural geniality of the city. The shopping malls in Mexico hold their own and unique styles, sharing only the event that they all house many important stores where you can buy clothes, CDs, books, shoes, toys, cosmetics, crafts. You name it and all, in the comfort and even luxury of a high-class shopping area.

One of the countless captivating shopping centers of Mexico City is the former Fabrica de Papel Loreto y Peña Pobre (Loreto and Peña Pobre Paper Factory), now called La Taberna de León, where you can still admire its antique floors and the machinery used for making paper out of cellulose paste. Here we find shops such as Julio, Nine West, Guess, Mixup, Marti and 12 cinema screens as well as fast food places like Truffy, KFC and Pizza Hut.

Plaza La Rosa, a magnificent shopping arcade, with 72 prestigious shops and boutiques, including Aldo Conti and Diesel, reaches from Londres to Hamburgo streets, with entrances on both sides.

Mundo E, of a certain European design on the inside, boasts the most prestigious stores, high-tech cinemas, refined and theme restaurants like All Star Cafe and Rainforest Cafe. Mundo E is undoubtedly the most eye-catching mall of the area and a must visit.

Plaza Satelite, of a striking architecture, is an enormous mall surrounded by interesting buildings of a futuristic look. It contains from renowned fashion stores like Palacio de Hierro and Liverpool to casual dress shops, shoe shops, leather, gifts, beauty products and restaurants.

The neighborhood of Coyoacan has also a stylish shopping center, that is famous for its stepped fountains and its great variety of items. With department stores such as the Palacio del Hierro and shops specializing in children's, women’s and men's wear, furniture, shoes, gifts, antiques, trendy young clothes and more. Sanborn's is one of the restaurants in Coyoacan Plaza but there are many more, especially if you like fast food, like McDonald's on the ground floor. At the back of the second floor, Plaza de Antojos or "snack square" lets you have Greek food, pizza, baguettes, ice cream or Mexican snacks.

Galerías Melchor Ocampo, is still the meeting point for visitors and locals. Thanks to its Hollywood-like Paseo de las Luminarias (Stars Sidewalk), where national and international celebrities have left their handprints for posterity

In the wealthy Santa Fe district, Mexico City offers the largest mall in Latin America: Santa Fe, that has 285 stores, a movie theater, an international exhibition center, hotels, and several restaurants.

Cuicuilco, Perisur, Interlomas, can also be named among infinite other shopping centers in Mexico City; no matter how long you stay in the City, it will never be enough to know them all!