Acapulco Shopping

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*More PICTURES to see below the main picture, CLICK TAB*

*Lots of shops to choose from

*Variety of items

What to buy: *

*Mexican trinkets (Turtles pictured) >

*Mexican food

*Leather goods

*Handmade items

*Pottery items

*Although I've been to many parts of Mexico - over 50 trips, there always seem to be something worth picking up even at these flea markets.

*Many of the times, I know I really don't need it, so I buy them for my friends...
..I can keep it for a while and when I am ready to dump the crap, I then pawn it off to my buddies as a gift.

What to pay: *
*Always haggle for the best price, whatever they first quote, offer 50% of that amount.
Start walking away in order to move along the negotiations.

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*There are a number of shops selling fresh fish, shellfish, whatever they catch for the day!

*Prices are reasonable and Fresh! Fresh! Fresh!

*So if you have the chance to rent a condo/apartment with a kitchenette, you'll be able to buy the fresh catches of the day!

*Sunglasses for sale by street sellers on foot and street vendors

*If you're like me and have gone through a million sunglasses during their lifetime, while also losing expensive sunglasses, in Acapulco you can buy cheap sunglasses.

*The sunglasses usually are not all that fancy but they'll do the job

*Some of the street vendors also have knock-offs for sale too

*During my travels, I usually buy a bunch to take back home with me

*Remember to always offer only 50% of the first price they quote you
*And if you're buying more than one, always require that they give you a discount for buying more than one

This is the place all the locals come to get the things to sell you while you are on vacation. Get in a Taxi and tell him to take you to the Central Mercado or Central Market, not the tourist market. If that is confusing to him tell him to take you to the Flower market where all the fresh flowers are bought and sold daily. While there wander around to see the fresh seafood. What an experience. Take a cab home or walk 4-5 blocks to the beach.

What to buy: Anything

What to pay: You figure that out

Lots of little stalls, each selling a variety of local goods. Usually one vendor runs several stalls so don't be afraid to walk throughout the entire market or visit other ones before getting down to negotiations.

What to buy: You can get some decent Mexican leather buys (shoes, purses) as well as local crafts in these markets. They are also good for purchasing bulk size candy which I brought back to work to share.

What to pay: Haggle, haggle, haggle! You can cut the price by more than 50% by negotiating. Be firm and walk away if the price is too high. Just be sure to have the exchange rate straight in your mind BEFORE entering the market! Merchants will sense the confusion and capitalize on it if you're not careful!

Shopping is an ART! You have to bargain for everything! I love shopping anywhere in Mexico because I love to bargain. When we were in Acapulco during December there wasnt a lot of tourists so most of the vendors were willing to negotiate. If they ask for 20 for something, say you'll buy it for 10 and start from there always ask for 50% less or even more than that, if they say no just start walking away and trust me they'll either start chasing after you and you'll end up getting that souvenier for a great price.

What to buy: Souveniers, Swimsuits (really cheap), wood carvings, hammock (we got a great deal on this one)

As at other ports, there are numerous vendors in the port terminal.

In Acapulco they are generally of a higher quality. I bought some handmade, hand painted iguanas from the artist who made them.

December 2003