5 Must-Visit Shopping Spots in Cabo

The most popular activity on a Cabo vacation? It’s not relaxing. Or going to the beach. It’s shopping.

Whether you’re searching for the perfect souvenir to commemorate your trip or seeking the ideal gift for a loved one back home, Cabo’s eclectic array of outlets, emporiums and shops will exceed expectation and satisfy all tastes and budgets.

Here’s our pick of the top five shopping spots in Los Cabos.

1. Artesanos

A large, dusty two-story building off the highway on the outskirts of Cabo San Lucas, Artesanos is chockablock with handicrafts and objets d’art from around Mexico. Colorful ceramic pottery is the main draw (matched dinner sets with everything from dishes and bowls to salt and pepper shakers), but this cavernous wholesale outlet (cash only) carries an array of beautiful pewter trays, hand-blown glassware and decorative items.

2. Puerto Paraiso Mall

Fronting the marina, this three-level, air-conditioned mall has more than 100 shops and businesses, several restaurants and art galleries, plus 10 movie theaters. Name-brand stores range from Nautica and Lacoste to Harley Davidson and Tommy Bahama. The Sergio Bustamante gallery features silver- and gold-plated jewelry by the eponymous Mexican artist who uses the sun and the moon as design elements in his creations.

3. Flea Market at the Marina

A downtown Cabo San Lucas mainstay, this popular flea market just off the marina offers a cornucopia of one-of-a-kind knickknacks, handmade Mexican handicrafts, high-quality textiles, straw hats, silver jewelry, pottery, clothing, handbags, gadgets, and Cabo-themed souvenirs. Take a break from shopping for a meal at one of the many waterfront restaurants nearby. Some vendors will accept credit cards; nearly all take U.S. currency. And pesos, of course.

4. Glass Factory

A short drive from Pueblo Bonito Resorts in the village of El Arenal is the San Miguel Blown Glass Factory. Two tons of empty bottles are picked up from the resorts each week and carted to the factory, where they are cleaned, crushed and melted in super-hot ovens. Artisans dip long tubes into the molten glass to blow bubbles and create colorful hearts, vases and fish. (These figurines are also available for sale in the resorts’ gift shops).

5. Eclectic Array

“Handmade in Mexico – Fair Trade – Empowering Artisans” are the guiding principles at this well-regarded shop with two locations in Los Cabos, including one in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Unique handmade products range from dog leashes and beach blankets to beach bags, straw hats, and beautiful beaded items. Home décor includes bedding, pillows, table cloths, lamp shades and headboards.