Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Mexican handicrafts on display
Right
A Mexico City market
Shopping Tips
!
Shopping Hours
&
Museum Stores
one of the most popular
shopping districts in the
city, especially with
tourists. The chic, high-
end fashion boutiques
are primarily located
along Avenida Presidente
Masarik in Polanco and
also along Altavista
Street in San Ángel.
Department stores
and shopping malls are
generally open from
10am-7pm Monday
through Saturday. Art
galleries are generally
open on Sundays, but
closed on Mondays and
some of them require
advance appointments.
Boutique stores usually
open at 10am, but may
close from about 1pm to
3pm, and then reopen.
@
Paying and
Mexico City's
museums offer some of
the most interesting
shops in the city. The
merchandise reflects the
museums' collections,
and selections vary from
CDs and books about
performing arts at the
Palacio de Bellas Artes
(see pp22-3)
, to prints of
Frida Kahlo's famous
works at Museo Frida
Kahlo
(see p89)
.
*
Souvenirs
%
Art Galleries
Art galleries are
found in many parts of
Mexico City. Polanco is
best known for its high-
end galleries and design
studios, while Zona Rosa
offers a mix of fine art
galleries and antique
shops which also offer a
huge variety of art.
d
www.arte-mexico.com
^
Department
Bargaining
High end storefronts,
department stores, and
most boutiques do not
entertain bargaining. But
bargaining certainly is
part of the experience of
shopping in the
mercados
, or markets.
How much to bargain for
varies by market and by
vendor. The best is to
simply decide what the
item is worth to you, and
bargain accordingly.
One of the best
places to shop for
Mexican handicrafts and
souvenirs is at Mercado
de Artesanías de la
Ciudadela
(see p53)
.
Across from the Zócalo,
along Monte de Piedad,
many fine silver shops
offer jewelry in a range
of tempting prices.
Stores and
Shopping Malls
There are two major
department store chains
in Mexico City - El
Palacio de Hierro, an
upscale department store
chain, that specializes in
designer clothing, and
Liverpool which offers a
wide range of mid-priced
products and clothing.
Antara Polanco is a
fashionable shopping
center. Centro Santa Fé,
with more than 300
stores is the largest
shopping center in
Mexico. d
El Palacio de
Hiero: www.palaciodehierro.
com.mx
d
Liverpool: www.
liverpool.com.mx
d
Antara
Polanco: Av Moliére and Av
Ejército Nacional, Col
Polanco
d
Centro Santa Fé:
Av Vasco de Quiroga
(
Mexican Crafts
Mexican handicrafts
can be found at Fonart
(see p78)
, Museo de
Artes Popular
(see p70)
,
Arte Mexicano Para el
Mundo
(see p72)
, and
Mercado de Artesanías de
la Ciudadela
(see p53)
.
Victor Artes Populares is
for the serious collector.
d
Victor Artes Populares,
SEnPPS"W.BEFSPt
toQN
Mon-Fri
£
Mercados
Mercados
, or markets,
are the traditional
shopping venues for
Mexicans, and they are
still the most fascinating
places to shop. Most
neighborhoods have one
or more
mercados
. Even
if you are not shopping for
anything, walking through
a market is an excellent
cultural experience.
)
Religious Art
The gift shop at the
Villa de Guadalupe
(see
pp30-31)
is a great place
to find a huge collection
of religious art.
$
Boutiques
During the day, Zona
Rosa, with its many
clothing boutiques, is
110
