Across from the Park Royal Piramides Cancun is the newly opened La Isla Shopping Village. Take a break from browsing the luxury shops of this chic and ultra-trendy mall by visiting its marina, disco, aquarium, movie theater and restaurants. La Isla is also home to several art galleries. One of the most well known is the The Renato Dorfman Gallery, which sells hand-carved replicas of Mayan art. Down the road from the Melia Turquesa Cancun and the Royal Sunset Cancun is Plaza Caracol, a mall that rivals Kukulcan Plaza in its size. Plaza Caracol's most popular stores, Benetton, Bally, Ralph Lauren and Gucci, offer lower prices than their U.S. counterparts. Caracol is also home to more exotic shops that feature Mexican art and fine pieces of gold and silver jewelry. Marble floors and plant-filled atriums contribute to the mall's modern, chic style. Nearby Plaza Mayfair has a host of shops, bars and restaurants that surround an open-air courtyard in which a free nightly show of Mayan dance and music takes place.

While downtown's layout can't accommodate the sprawling malls of the Zona Hotelera, the area has an array of shops worth visiting. Near the Radisson Hacienda Cancun , find deals on perfume, cosmetics and jewelry at UltraFemme, a popular duty-free store. Down the road is Foto Omega, an electronics shop known for having the best selection of cameras and video equipment in the resort. De Piel Es Martin carries leather bags softer than any you'll find in America and sells them for cheaper prices, too. Fama, near the Hotel Plaza Kokai Cancun , is a great place to stock up on necessities for your stay in the resort. The department store sells clothing, English-language books, sporting gear and toiletries. Though they are much smaller in scale than the Zona Hotelera's malls, downtown has two shopping centers worth visiting. Locals flock to Plaza 2000, a mall near the Margaritas Hotel Cancun , to pick up inexpensive footwear and cheap clothing. Plaza las Americas features a few large stores, including Sears and JC Penny's, along with about 40 smaller shops and a supermarket.

If jewelry is what you're looking for, take a quick ferry ride from the Playa Caracol dock near the Miramar Mision Cancun and the Gran Melia Cancun to Isla Mujeres, a tiny island with its own shopping district. Isla Mujeres is renowned for the quality of its gemstones and made-to-order work. Purchase diamonds, rubies and sapphires and have them crafted into jewelry while you explore the island. Workshops near Isla Mujeres' central plaza compete to give shoppers the best deal on pre-made gold and silver finery. In addition to jewelry, the island's markets feature items similar to those found in Cancun , often for cheaper prices. Sellers hawking masks, t-shirts, onyx, silver, blown glassware and folk art compete for the attention of visitors. Though their goods may seem steals at first, bargain to get the best deals.

Cancun has markets, malls, and stores to suit every kind of shopper. With an extensive selection of everything from luxury clothing to handmade crafts, Cancun's shopping rivals that of any resort. Look closely and you're bound to find something that strikes your eye and will remind you of Cancun for years to come.

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