Baja's Big Buys

Shopping in Los Cabos is a sport in itself. Get ready for a workout!

By Sarah Muñoz

Did you think you were going to come to Mexico and leave empty-handed? Guess again. Los Cabos' range of shopping options and locales — lofty boutiques, duty-free emporiums, brand-name stores and more — are sure to have you hunting every minute you're not on or in the water. From indigenous pottery to uncommon jewelry, Los Cabos has a little something for each type of shopper.

In Los Cabos, high-end accessories, watches, fragrances and makeup are often found at a fraction of the price. You can also stock up on top names in liquor and wines, as well as those standard Mexican souvenirs we know and love: dolls, home décor and even Mexican lucha libre (wrestling) masks, now in vogue with kids and teens. And when it comes to jewelry, you can't go wrong; the selection is huge here, with gold pieces of 14k, 18k and 22k in diverse designs ready to adorn any neck, wrist or finger. Often you'll find fine sapphires, emeralds, rubies, amethysts and diamonds adorning these pieces.

And then there's silver, the item to get in Mexico. When you shop around, look for the .0925 on the back of each piece, and "Mex" or "Mexico" also stamped on them to make sure you're getting the real thing. You won't just find silver jewelry though; keep an eye out for beautiful kitchenware, vases and assorted accessories for the home.

Cabo San Lucas
International clothing brands can be found here, but there's also a place where you can buy clothing made right in Los Cabos: Magic of the Moon. Here, Pepita Nelson offers her own designs of lively ladies' apparel with more than 600 fabrics to choose from. Her two stores — one in downtown Cabo San Lucas and one in Las Tiendas de Palmilla — take custom orders, and their ensembles and separates can be tailored to your size and liking. Women will find beaded and hand-painted clothing, as well as an array of colorful dresses for any occasion.

Puerto Paraíso Mall, the region's main shopping mecca, has brought together stores, restaurants and live entertainment to the hustle and bustle of Cabo San Lucas' Marina. With more than 100 shops and businesses, this three-level center often features live music and is within easy walking distance of many other attractions. Here you'll find art galleries with works by talented Mexican and international artists, lots of swimsuits and beachwear, shoe boutiques, specialty gifts of all types, elegant clothing stores and much more. Puerto Paraíso is also the epicenter for much of the diversion and congregation in Cabo San Lucas. If you've rented a car, Puerto Paraíso has a spot for it — its garage holds up to 2,000.

Puerto Paraíso is home to Cabostyle, whose brand T-shirts are one of the must-buys in the area and make great gifts for those who've stayed at home. Here you'll find a nice mix of modern tropical clothing and accessories to hit the beach or just enjoy your days in Baja. Besides its store in Puerto Paraíso, you'll also find Cabostyle in Plaza Bonita and Plaza del Sol. Here you will also find Cotton Club, which has comfortable and airy resort wear by Mexican and Latin American designers, as well as sandals, shawls and assorted gifts.

Also in Puerto Paraíso is Harley-Davidson Motor Cycle Boutique, home to everything from T-shirts to belt buckles to leather jackets and boots, most bearing the legendary motorcycle maker's name and attitude. You can even pop in just to admire some classic "rides" that leave you dreaming of kicking up dust along the Corridor.

Puerto Paraíso is located right next to the famed Marina Golden Zone, whose enviable location by the sea brings the charm of the region to shoppers and diners enjoying its many options. The atmosphere here is always soothing yet a bit electric, with visitors from around the world enjoying a leisurely walk, that yummy Cabo breeze and some of the best shopping around. Here, you'll find everything from traditional Huichol art to a museum dedicated to the making of tequila, as well as quality paintings and jewelry… and when you're done shopping, you can stay right here to have a bite to eat or enjoy a tangy and refreshing margarita as boats come in from a day at sea.

Not far is Royal Jewelers, where, besides glorious diamonds galore, you'll find the rare and opal-like ammolite, one of only three gemstones created by life processes. Ammolite is uncommon yet comes in a nice array of colors, so be sure you stock up lest you change your mind on the way back home.

Ultrajewels on Marina Boulevard has duty-free prices on high-end items for men and women, and is the exclusive distributor in Cabo San Lucas of Rolex, Cartier and Tiffany. Its array of luxury items, highly trained personnel and customer service center make this one of the most popular destinations in town. Sister store Ultrafemme carries top-of-the-line fragrances and makeup, from Issey Miyake and La Prairie to Estée Lauder.

Kabana's jewelry collections are whimsical and just plain adorable, with everything from marine life-inspired earrings to classic yet eye-catching rings adorned with mother-of-pearl, vibrant opals, diamonds and more. Pieces with opal and turquoise are especially showy. Kabana pieces are unique in design, like small works of art, and are timeless in their appeal.

Once you've had your share of jewels and are ready to hit the golf course, head to Indian Head Golf Shop at Playa Grande Resort for quality ladies' and men's sports apparel, as well as sunglasses, caps and anything else you may need for a good time on the greens.

To stock up on essentials, look no further than the Centro Comercial Californiano, home to a huge assortment of clothing, health and beauty products, fishing accessories, electronics, books and magazines, and lots more. This is truly a one-stop shop for all your needs, with a deli and bakery as well. If you're in Los Cabos for more than a couple of days or staying somewhere with access to a kitchen, you can also get good prices on fresh produce and groceries.

The Corridor & San José del Cabo
Driving out of Cabo San Lucas along the Corridor, or Transpeninsular Highway, you'll see a number of hotels and resorts (many with enticing shops), as well as local crafts stores filled with enticing novelties (you can catch a bus for the half-hour ride from Cabo San Lucas to San José or vice versa for $2 each way). Here on the Corridor is the high-end Las Tiendas de Palmilla, where Prestige Design has lovely works by award-winning Mexican designer Emilia Castillo, who designs gold and silver jewelry as well as coveted pottery with inlaid silver. Prestige Design also carries top names such as Lalique, Daum and Baccarat.

Las Tiendas de Palmilla is a deluxe shopping and dining extravaganza of the utmost taste and refinement, so bring your wallet and make sure your credit cards are not maxed out. You can spend a day or two getting ready for the shop-till-you-drop experience by enjoying a leisurely massage or a juicy bite of Los Cabos' finest seafood at one of several restaurants. Then it's off to snatching up some of your favorite brands, including Harry Winston, Piaget and Chopard. Besides Prestige Design, you can peruse for your favorite sparkler at Diamonds International; choose your favorite high-quality Mexican handicraft; purchase both men and women's resort wear in anything from colorful silk to breathable linen; or even get yourself an itsy-bitsy hot bikini to go along with your sexy Cabo vacation. And should Baja's intoxicating glamour take over, stop by Snell Real Estate, also located at Las Tiendas de Palmilla, and buy yourself a piece of paradise.

San José del Cabo is Los Cabos' more low-key brother, quieter than Cabo San Lucas yet with a style all its own. Its narrow streets are adorned with gorgeous colors and architecture, and shops here are as fetching as the town. For a peek at pretty and useful patio accessories, stop by Patio Design Center, home to both classic and modern outdoor furniture. The pieces are sturdy, comfortable and oh-so attractive. If you want to infuse your home with some of that Baja magic while cozying up your backyard, this is the place to visit.

Pottery is a big buy in Mexico, bringing together centuries of heritage and tradition with modern-day designs. You will see everything from dainty embellishments for walls to useful yet eye-catching tableware. For gorgeous hand-painted pieces, visit Necri, where you will find authentic Talavera — not imitations, as found in many other shops and markets. This type of pottery, whose Mexican origins date back to the 16th century, is a proud inheritance from the country's Spanish roots. Authentic items are signed and made by certified workshops in the Talavera Zone, which include the towns of Puebla, Atlixco, Cholula and Tecali. Talavera items make great home additions, especially kitchen and dining room pieces — from serving platters to coffee sets — in a variety of colors and designs. Here you will also find majolica ceramics from the Guanajuato region and pewter frames and trays. You can also get pretty smaller items that make great commemorative pieces for meeting delegates, wedding parties and more. You can find a Necri store in San José's Mijares Boulevard and in Cabo San Lucas' Marina Boulevard.

You can't go wrong at Diamonds International, one of the largest jewelry retailers in the world. Here you can purchase high-quality watches, diamonds and special items by such designers as Gabriel & Company, Bentelli, De Hago, Asher, Bijou, Morris & David and Honora, which combines cultured pearls with leather for the avant-garde. They also have the Eighty-Eight — an exclusive eight-sided, 88-faceted diamond, which dazzles like no other. Brides-to-be will want to stop here for a peek at the store's nice selection. Diamonds International has stores in San José and in Cabo San Lucas.

Don't rush through the shopping experience here; even the tiniest street may hold unexpected treasures waiting to be snatched up. Spend time in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo and get ready to be surprised. For more information on these and other shopping items, please consult our advertisers' index in the back of this book.

Get a complete list of shops and art galleries, here.

Boutique Owner With an International Background

By Rick Stedman

Andrea Ehrenberg Costa learned her shopping skills at an early age, and she learned from one of the best teachers. "My mother is a shopper at heart, and it's what she does best," says Ehrenberg Costa. As owner of Necri Boutique in San José del Cabo, Ehrenberg Costa still enjoys stocking her upscale boutique with the finest Mexican handicrafts. "Buying the merchandise and meeting a lot of people are what I love most about this job," says Ehrenberg Costa.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Ehrenberg Costa's parents are of German descent. Her mother Christa immigrated to the United States from Germany just before the Berlin Wall was built, and eventually moved to Mexico in 1964. Ehrenberg Costa, too, has an international background, having lived in Europe, the United States and Mexico.

After finishing high school in Mexico City, Ehrenberg Costa then attended school in Switzerland for three years, receiving a diploma from Les Roches in hotel management. She later received her "grand diplome" from Cordon Bleu as a chef. She also has a B.S. in hotel management from Cornell University.

Upon her father's retirement, the family moved to Los Cabos. Christa then opened the family's first store in Cabo San Lucas on Boulevard Marina in 1988. However, that store recently closed and Necri Boutique in San José is now their sole focus. Featuring fine Mexican handicrafts, Necri specializes in Talavera ceramic from Puebla and pewter from Mexico City. "I have always loved the craftsmanship of the Mexican artists," says Ehrenberg Costa. "It amazes me how they create such beautiful objects from scratch."

In addition to being a business owner, Ehrenberg Costa is also a wife and mother of two young children. She married a Californian, Darin McDonald, who also works at the boutique. The couple met while he vacationed in Los Cabos. "I'm still trying to import him," she jokes. "His Spanish is still not the best, even though he's been here for 10 years." McDonald can also be seen at the boutique most days, taking care of the business end of things for Necri. The safety engineer by trade also makes a special hot sauce called Cabo Heat, which is available at the boutique. "It's a chipotle honey hot sauce that's sold exclusively at Necri," says Ehrenberg Costa.

In her spare time, Ehrenberg Costa loves to read, go to the movies, take yoga classes and cook. The Los Cabos businesswoman is also involved with her children's school and their other activities. You can visit Necri Boutique at Blvd. Mijares, No. 16, in the central historic district of San José del Cabo.

Click here to browse the shops in Cabo and other areas of Baja, Mexico.