Chedraui
Selling everything from food and clothing to appliances and medicine, and keeping long hours, this Mexican grocery chain is about as close as you can get to the Walmart experience. You'll find the island's best selection of groceries here.
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Although Isla produces few local crafts, the streets are filled with souvenir shops selling cheap T-shirts, garish ceramics, and seashells glued onto a variety of objects. Amid all the junk you may find good Mexican folk art, hammocks, textiles, and silver jewelry. Most stores are small family operations that don’t take credit cards, but almost everyone gladly accepts American dollars. Stores that do take credit cards sometimes tack on a fee to offset the commission they must pay. Hours are generally Monday through Saturday 10–1 and 4–7, although many stores stay open during siesta hours (1–4).
Selling everything from food and clothing to appliances and medicine, and keeping long hours, this Mexican grocery chain is about as close as you can get to the Walmart experience. You'll find the island's best selection of groceries here.
Bypass the street vendors and come directly to this lovely shop for the best quality silver in town. It also sells Talavera and custom-made jewelry at amazing prices. Don't be afraid to haggle.
For authentic made-in-Isla gifts—including wooden boxes, hand-carved sculptures, and ceramics—head to Galeria Elemento Arte. Jewelry is another top draw: pick your stone, setting, and clasp, then watch the masters make a custom piece before your eyes.
Gladys Galdamez’s eponymous shop carries Isla-designed and manufactured beachwear for both men and women. Select something off the rack, or bring a photograph of your dream bikini and she'll sew a bespoke version for you.
Held every Thursday from November through April, this community event showcases the work of resident artists, designers, and authors. It’s a great place to buy jewelry, clothing, and artwork or even have your palm read—all to the benefit of local nonprofits. Food vendors and musicians also take part in the fair, which runs from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Reasonably priced jewelry from Taxco (Mexico's silver capital) and crafts from Oaxaca are sold at Joyería Maritza.
For fresh produce, the Mercado Municipal is your best bet. It's open daily from 6 am until 2 pm. A second market (Mercado Javier Rojo Gomez) operates during the same hours on Avenida Guerrero between Mateos and Matamoros.
For jewelry, check out the Silver Factory, which specializes in pieces made in Taxco.
One of two main grocery stores on the island, Super Aki is well stocked with all the basics and is a good in-town option if you can't make it out to Chedraui.
Nearly 60 local women are part of this beading cooperative, which creates handcrafted jewelry and sells it for a very reasonable price. It’s worth the drive to the middle of the island to see these talented artisans at work.