One of my favourite things about going on holiday is that you can have fun doing what you love the most, whether that’s sunbathing on a beach, hitting nightclubs for some colourful cocktails or shopping till you drop. In some countries, you can do all three; one place where this is true is Cancun.
Cancun is known for its white-sand beaches, powder-blue sea and high-rise accommodation. But after you’ve sufficiently topped up your tan, splashed around in the water and indulged in your hotel, it’s time to do some damage to your credit card.

Find out the best shopping spots here.

Shopping malls

As one of Mexico’s most popular destinations, it makes sense that there are plenty of shopping malls in Cancun. These are great to head to if you want a variety of stores selling a range of goods, from clothes and shoes to furniture and technology.

Whether you’ve got a lot of money to splash or not, I find that going to a shopping mall in the middle of a hot summer’s day can be incredibly refreshing. Ok, so you won’t have the fresh sea air inside a huge shopping centre, but being able to enjoy air-conditioning when temperatures reach above 30 degrees C certainly feels like a luxury.

There are often plenty of restaurants and cafes inside these malls, so if you do need to stop and replenish your energy, you’ll find a place within easy reach. And, of course, when you’re feeling more energetic, you can continue buying shoes, perfumes, toys…

Craft markets

The great thing about Cancun is that it isn’t just about tall shopping malls. In fact, it has a huge number of crafts markets as well. So if, like me, you love hunting around bazaars to find little traditional knick-knacks you can decorate your house with, you’ll have to make your way to some of these markets.

If you want to get a taste of traditional Mexican living, this is the place to go. Here, you’ll see colourful textiles and locally-made handicrafts aplenty, so make sure you get your hands on some souvenirs to bring back for your friends and family (or even just for yourself).

I love trying authentic cuisine when on holiday, and if you’re a fan of Mexican food, you’ll have to sample some in these markets. Lots of the best dishes in the country are made on the street, such as enchiladas and meat pastries. Cancun, being on the coast, is great for its seafood, so try some barbecued fish or grilled shrimp, which you can easily chomp on while you shop!

Mayan stores

If you want the entire shopping experience in Cancun, you have to visit some shops located in Mayan buildings.

These types of stores enable you to visit small shops selling specialised products. Heading to these boutiques could see you return from your trip with some pretty items, while the experience of shopping in these old-fashioned stores will be one you remember forever.

Visiting this type of shop will allow you to see both aspects of Cancun – the modern side with air-conditioned shopping malls and the ancient Mayan buildings housing quaint trinkets.

So, if you’re looking to book flights to Cancun, don’t forget to look at what there is to do away from the beach – if you can drag yourself from the golden shores for a few hours, that is!