cozumel/shopping/haggling

[Heatherdbby]

Where are the best places to go shopping in cozumel? I know I need to get off the beaten path where the port is...

I am looking to get blankets, crafted earrings, maybe some wooden animal carvings..
Do you have a prefered vendor for these?
What is a good price to pay? (AKA don't want to be ripped off)

And, I am specifically looking to purchase vanilla, should I go to a store like Mega for that?

Also my husband wants dark chocolate? Where should we go for that?

Would love any advice you can give, as this is the first time we are shopping in ports

 

[Flcruising]

Where are the best places to go shopping in cozumel? I know I need to get off the beaten path where the port is...

I am looking to get blankets, crafted earrings, maybe some wooden animal carvings..
Do you have a prefered vendor for these?
What is a good price to pay? (AKA don't want to be ripped off)

And, I am specifically looking to purchase vanilla, should I go to a store like Mega for that?

Also my husband wants dark chocolate? Where should we go for that?

Would love any advice you can give, as this is the first time we are shopping in ports

You said " I know I need to get off the beaten path..." personally I'd be careful about getting too far away from the beaten path, although I have done that without problems. But also there really isn't that much to see unless you are just interested in seeing neighborhoods.
As far as prices and variety of goods the multi story buildings at the end of the docks are as good as any I've found down the street. That said, some of the items being sold are just bought of the internet, unboxed and hung up to sell. I've found i can get some of the items on line and not worry about carrying them around. Google the items you want and see the prices on the internet. Doing that will give you an idea about costs and when you shop on your trip you will know if you find a bargain. If you don't find it cheaper on your trip come home and order it on line.

 

[71 Truck]

This is what my wife and I do, we stay in the main shopping areas. You have to do what you and your family feel comfortable with as to the places you go. No mater what, you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times any places you go, not just on vacations.

When my wife and I go to Cozumel we stay mostly in the tourist areas on the main street facing the pier.
Just about every souvenir store should sell what you are looking for.

What my wife and I do is go down the street looking and getting prices then buy on the way back to the ship.

We usually go to Mega to pick up beer, some candy and snacks we can't get back home, bring it back to the ship then go out to do our regular souvenir shopping.

It's been a few years however Viva Mexico is one of the stores we visited along with Cinco Soles. It is a lot of walking and I am not even sure if those stores are even still open. Last time we were in that part of Mexico was the spring of 2019.
At one time there was a port shopping talk done in the Buena Vista Theater on the Fantasy. It was done by an outside marketing company that would advertise vendors in their Port Shopping Guide as to what shops to visit while in port. Last time we were on the ship (November2022) it had been replaced by a person doing a talk for Diamonds International. At that time they were not giving out the Port Shopping Guides or VIP shopping cards, not sure if this has changed.

 

[Heatherdbby]

This is what my wife and I do, we stay in the main shopping areas. You have to do what you and your family feel comfortable with as to the places you go. No mater what, you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times any places you go, not just on vacations.

When my wife and I go to Cozumel we stay mostly in the tourist areas on the main street facing the pier.
Just about every souvenir store should sell what you are looking for.

What my wife and I do is go down the street looking and getting prices then buy on the way back to the ship.

We usually go to Mega to pick up beer, some candy and snacks we can't get back home, bring it back to the ship then go out to do our regular souvenir shopping.

It's been a few years however Viva Mexico is one of the stores we visited along with Cinco Soles. It is a lot of walking and I am not even sure if those stores are even still open. Last time we were in that part of Mexico was the spring of 2019.
At one time there was a port shopping talk done in the Buena Vista Theater on the Fantasy. It was done by an outside marketing company that would advertise vendors in their Port Shopping Guide as to what shops to visit while in port. Last time we were on the ship (November2022) it had been replaced by a person doing a talk for Diamonds International. At that time they were not giving out the Port Shopping Guides or VIP shopping cards, not sure if this has changed.

OOO would loove to know what snacks you get? Def getting alcohol for my husband at Mega, and we have a snack monster 9 year old so would love to know what to look for that he can try!

 

[Bonnie1222]

I agree with the above comments. Furthest off the beaten path we have gone is maybe 1 block in but I don't remember anything much different than the main drag. The prices will be pretty consistent. I purchase something from Cinco Soles almost every trip - usually tequila. I have purchased shirts and trinkets from Viva Mexico. I actually have found great shirts at some of the "Drug Stores" for good prices and it has been 4 years and I still wear the shirt - it holds up great. They usually sell the blankets too - We have had ours for probably 20 years.

Make sure you watch for the made in China stickers - not everything is Mexican made.

Mega is a fun place to stop if you have time just to walk around - I usually buy gum because I have never seen the flavors here in the US. Candy too.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I would strongly advise checking out any safety alerts before going "off the beaten path" in Mexico. There have been more attacks against tourists even in traditionally touristy areas.

 

[RedHead0186]

Yeah, I'll echo others' recommendations to stay on (or closer) to the beaten path. Yes, those are the more touristy areas and you might get charged more, but to me it's a small price to pay for my health and safety. It's not super likely you'll encounter vendors too far off the beaten path anyway, I'd imagine they'll all want to be in the tourist spots because that's where all the people are!

You also mentioned haggling in your thread title. I can't speak specifically to Cozumel, but when we were in St. Maarten we definitely haggled a little and were successful. My dad actually started to walk away because he didn't want to pay the price and the woman stopped him and offered a lower price, which my dad then accepted.

 

[71 Truck]

Yes as mentioned above do try to haggle on prices. If you are looking a lets say multiple items from one vendor always ask for a better price if you buy everything, the worst is they are going to say no .

When it come to watches and jewelry always, always, always haggle. The mark up on jewelry and diamonds is high, however you must know what you are looking at to make sure you are not getting ripped off.

Watch prices are set by the manufacture, however the authorized dealers on the islands, most of the time will negotiate on price depending on who makes the watch.

You can sometimes get some great deals in the islands you just have to know what you are looking at to keep from getting ripped off.

Back when they gave the Port Shopping Talk on the ship the company that did the talk would tell everyone that they vetted the vendors, you also had a certain amount of time after the purchase if there was a problem for it to be taken care of.

 

[Bonnie1222]

I will caution you if you are looking for silver earings, stick to the larger retailers. I might even suggest visiting a place like Diamonds international and "shop" for a little bit and then ask if they have any recommendations for a reputable place to buy silver jewelry. They won't stear you wrong because you may be a potential future customer. I have purchased from Touch of Gold in the past and have been extremely happy and I believe they also have a silver themed location/store.

To add a little more to the haggling - if you can't get anywhere on price - ask if there is anything they can toss in as an extra. You buy some tequila and a shirt at a store - maybe they can toss in some smaller items for free.

The only thing my husband and I do in Cozumel is wander up and down the strip and "shop". He loves to talk and haggle; I love to shop and sample tequila. It is a nice, fun, relaxing day for us.