Shopping and Local Restaurant

[Kphawg]

Can someone give me advice on the best place to do some shopping outside of the cruise terminals. We would like to shop with the locals and get the best prices possible without haggeling. I assume we will be docking at Puerta Maya. I have been to Cozumel several times but have always shopped at the terminal shops or gone to Paradise Beach. Also - interested in eating at a good local restaurant. TIA!

[countrygirlcruiser1234]

there is excellent shopping down the main strip from the cruise port. There is also a very good restaurant La Mission down the strip..doesnt look like much but amazing food. we cruise in march to cozumel and we are going to try palmeras for dinner this time, we heard they are amazing.

[crewsweeper]

You need to go into San Miguel (downtown) and go inland past all the plaza shops to get to more "local" shopping, Avenida 10 and higher. Around El Mercado is a good place to start. Better yet, if there's something specific you are looking for, google or search various Cozumel websites for stores carrying those items that are away from the plaza area.

 

If you want the plaza/tourista type shopping, then the shopping area in Puerta Maya will cover just about every thing you're looking for. And the food at the Panchos Backyard branch there is better than most Mexican places in the US and certainly better than the tourista Mexican places in Coz.

 

As far as local restaurants, Casa Denis just past the plaza, or La Mission as mentioned above are good choices. El Mercado has a half dozen or so smaller open air restaurants too. And there are a number of loncherias or cocina economicas outside the plaza area that serve locals over tourists. Las Flamitas and Tonitas are two to look for.

[ABQrobin]

BEST shopping on the island.... get OFF the Main street! Go 1-3 blocks inland away from water. That is where all the local shops are. The cruise ships have bought up all the oceanfront stores. There are a few nice larger stores on the main road, like Viva Mexico.

 

Food... try La Choza (look it up on Trip Advisor for menu and map) which is a few blocks off the main square. On the square, try Casa Denis. Bewared, salsa is HOT.

 

AND.... when shopping in Mexico, in the small shops, be sure to negotiate! Starting price is always high. You always get better price for multiple purchases. They expect you to negotiate. (NOT true at Viva Mexico or Los Cinco Soles).

[suezyq50]

And the food at the Panchos Backyard branch there is better than most Mexican places in the US and certainly better than the tourista Mexican places in Coz.

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We love Panchos Backyard, too. Always good.