It’s common knowledge that shopping is the No. 1 leisure activity for people on vacation. That’s true even in Los Cabos, a spectacular desert-meets-sea destination that boasts a wide array of outdoor activities. The desert hiking tour and the snorkeling adventure can wait—the lure of shopping beckons.
If you’re looking for something unique for that special someone, here’s our pick of the top five shopping spots in Los Cabos.
Armonia Spa. Very few spas go to the trouble of creating their own line of organic products. Armonia Spa worked with SALUD Y VIDA NATURA, a Mexican company that formulates products with organic, natural, and agro-ecological ingredients. The result? Armonia Spa Organic, a signature line of spa lotions, creams and other items that are free of preservatives. Products are made with USDA-certified organic shea butter, organic cocoa butter, and Dead
Sea salts plus essential oils such as argan, ylang ylang, laurel, almond, rosemary, and jojoba. Dehydrated herbs and organic grains are used to maintain the oils to the highest standards. Guests can purchase Armonia Spa Organic products for use at home. It’s a great way to extend the spa’s sense of tranquility and renewal. And if you want your home to smell as heavenly as Armonia Spas, the lavender air freshener in the gift shop is a must-have.
La Europea. This well-established retailer of fine wines and spirits, founded in Mexico City in 1953, has an outpost at the Walmart plaza in Cabo San Lucas. The establishment, which has shaded outdoor seating for those who wish to imbibe on the premises, offers a full range of specialty foods and top-notch vino, notably Spanish and Mexican vintages. There’s also an extensive selection of tequila, which is derived from blue Weber agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco. The most popular type is the blanco (white) version, a popular choice for margaritas, but there’s also reposado (rested in oak for up to 12 months); anejo (aged up to three years in the barrel); and cristalino, which is anejo tequila filtered to remove its caramel color. Want to go deeper into the essence of Mexico? Try mezcal, a smoky artisanal spirit produced mainly in Oaxaca that can be distilled from nearly 30 different varieties of agave. No two bottles are alike. Each has its own unique character and flavor profile. La Europea’s knowledgeable staff will help you pick the perfect bottle.
La Coyota. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood of Cabo San Lucas, La Coyota occupies a Colonial-style hacienda that was once the home of Edith Jimenez (as in Edith’s Restaurante and The Office). She later converted her house into a stylish Mexican shopping emporium where every room is organized by theme. One of the bedrooms is decked out in embroidered linens. The kid’s room is packed with plush toys, dolls, and games. Another has Day of the Dead-
themed figurines and curiosities from Oaxaca. A room on the second floor is outfitted from floor to ceiling in religious artifacts. Handcrafted cotton clothing, silver serving pieces and jewelry can be found in other rooms off the upstairs balcony. In La Coyota’s shaded courtyard, non-shoppers can enjoy a beverage at the bar while avid shoppers can peruse hand-blown glass ornaments, hand-painted Talavera pottery, colorful Oaxaca ceramics, light fixtures, curio boxes, napkins, placemats, and countless other treasures. Friendly staff. Closed on Sunday.
Luxury Avenue. For high-end fashion brands, this trendy enclave within Puerto Paraiso Mall, situated directly above Cabo San Lucas marina, is the place to go. Heading the list of retailers are Caroline Herrera, Longchamp, Montblanc, Pandora, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tag Heuer, Swarovski, Lacoste, Vilebrequin (swimwear), and many more. Port, a German brand synonymous with quality, carries leading men’s brands such as Hugo Boss, Faconnable, and John Varvatos. Ultrafemme displays the latest in men’s and women’s colognes and perfumes. Top fragrance brands include Acqua di Parma, Cartier, Chanel, Creed, Guerlain, Jo Malone, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more. For makeup and facial treatments, Ultrafemme’s beauty experts will help you find the ideal product based on skin type, taste and personality. Clarins, Clinique, Estee Lauder, La Mer, Lancome, and La Prairie are among the leading brands available.
Artesano’s. This rambling two-story warehouse on the outskirts of Cabo San Lucas is a wholesale establishment beloved by interior designers and bargain-hunters. The courtyard at its entrance, filled with metal sculptures, leads to a sprawling main floor chockablock with handicrafts and objets d’art from throughout Mexico. Colorful ceramic pottery, mainly from Oaxaca, is the main draw. Matched dinner sets include plates, dishes, bowls, vases, creamers, little spice dishes, and salt and pepper shakers. But there’s more. This cavernous outlet (cash only) carries pewter trays and bowls, hand-blown glassware, decorative items made from onyx, pure beeswax candles, hand-embroidered pillows, tea kettles, bird baths, flower pots, Christmas ornaments, and religious figurative pieces. The upper floor is a mish-mash of furniture, handwoven straw baskets, wood carvings and decorative knick-knacks. Every touchable surface has a thin film of dust, but Artesano’s thoughtfully provides hand wipes at the check-out counter. Closed on Sunday.
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