Shopping in Tulum is one of the most intriguing shopping experiences I have encountered in the Mayan Riviera.
When it comes to shopping for clothing, hats, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind pieces in Tulum, you will notice that Tulum has a very distinct style that stands out from everyday normal attire.
Shopping is always one of my favorite activities to do while on vacation or traveling to a new city. It brings me happiness to browse local markets, upscale shops, boutique stores, and even the 7/11 convenience stores.
I find that it is an awesome way to understand the styles, flavors, scents, and local products of where you are visiting. It’s another way of getting to know the country you are visiting.
Also what better way to remember your trip than to come home with a new and totally fabulous, hat, purse, or piece of art.
Now when we are talking about Tulum, of course, you are going to be amazed at the beautiful sandy beaches, entertaining nightlife, and sublime restaurant scene, but you might just fall in love with the shopping style of this boho-chic tourist destination.
Tulum has a wide range of shopping with a distinct local style. Whether you are looking for souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, or handcrafted goods you will be sure to find it.
In this article, I will go over with you all the different types of shopping in Tulum and give you details as to what you can expect. From high-ticket boutique stores to local markets, I have you covered.
I have been living in the Riviera Maya for several years now and love making shopping trips to Tulum whenever I get the chance.
Before we jump into the details about the best shopping in Tulum, let me go over a few details to make your shopping trip seamless and easy.
During Day of the Dead in Tulum, you will find even more unique pieces to buy in the different boutiques.
Tips for Shopping in Tulum
My first tip: if you see something and you are so in love with it, buy it! There have been a few times that I have been to Tulum, seen something that I really loved in a store, and didn’t take it home with me. Only to make it back to the store and it was gone. Or because of travel plans, I never made it back to the store at all.
A lot of clothing articles, hats, and handbags in the boutique stores of Tulum are one-of-a-kind items, that simply don’t last forever. So if that specific item calls to you, don’t leave it for later.
Payment
When it comes to forms of payment, the majority of the shops in Tulum accept credit cards, debit cards, local currency which is the Mexican peso, and US Dollars.
Note that if you pay in US dollars, the cashier will usually use the exchange rate of the day, and your change will be given to you in Mexican Pesos.
Markets and small shops will only accept cash and they will likely have a bad exchange rate if you try to pay with US Dollars. I always recommend using local currency while shopping in these environments. Check out our guide to getting and using Pesos.
Hours of Operation
Most stores in Tulum are open at 10:00 am and close around 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm. Do remember that these hours might vary depending on local holidays and also the high and low seasons of tourism.
It’s always best to check on a store’s social media accounts for the most accurate opening times.
Sustainability
While shopping in Tulum, it is important to shop locally and support small businesses. So many stores offer handmade goods using local materials. Shopping at family-run businesses rather than big-name chain stores has a positive impact on the locals.
Renting a bike is a good way to get around Tulum when it’s not too hot. It takes about 25 minute to ride from the Hotel Zone to the town center.
Haggling
From personal experiences shopping in Mexico, store owners in Mexico prefer to avoid haggling as you would experience in countries such as Thailand or India.
Of course, haggling is unheard of in grocery stores, boutique stores, and jewelry stores.
If you are up for it, in a market-style shopping setting you might go ahead and try your luck haggling. Especially if you have decided to purchase many items from the same vendor, I think it is acceptable to ask for a friendly negotiation.
Transportation
The easiest way to navigate your Tulum Shopping experience would be with a vehicle of your own, especially if you are splitting your time between the Hotel Zone and the town center.
Parking is easy to find with many parking lots along the hotel zone and street parking in the center of town. Car, Scooter, and bicycle rentals are all available in Tulum for your convenience. Check prices and prebook cars on Discover Cars here.
Tulum does offer local transportation between the two zones, but I always find having my own method of transportation is much more convenient.
What to buy?
Not sure what is the best Mexican souvenir to bring home from Tulum? Forget the shot glasses, tacky tee shirts, and fridge magnets.
Tulum is the perfect spot to pick up a beautifully hand-crafted dream catcher, hammock, or piece of macrame art. In Tulum Centro or in the Hotel Zone, you will find these pieces everywhere.
But here is an insider tip: if you head out of Tulum on Highway #109 towards Fransisco Uh May, along the way you will find various street vendors selling these items for a much better price. You will need a vehicle to travel out here as it is about a 30-minute drive, but the adventure is totally worth it!
Where to go Shopping in Tulum
What you are looking for will determine where you want to start shopping.
As you explore Tulum, you will find that the city is split into a few different sections. You have the Hotel Zone, the center of town or the puebla, Aleda Zama, and La Valeta.
The Hotel Zone and Tulum Centro will be your main events for shopping. Aleda Zama and La Valeta are new and upcoming neighborhoods with their main focus right now being residential areas and restaurants.
For luxury shopping in Tulum, you will want to explore the Hotel Zone. Here you will find some of the best boutiques in Tulum for clothing, art, and jewelry. As you shop around, you will notice that Tulum has its own boho style that is so different from other parts of Mexico.
In Tulum Centro, you will find many luxury and boutique shops as well. This is also where you will find markets, grocery stores, and street vendors selling handcrafted goods. For day-to-day items, Tulum Centro is the place to shop.
Now that you are aware of the tips and locations of Tulum shopping, let’s get into more detail on the best places to do your shopping in Tulum.
While shopping in Tulum you can pick up different pieces like macrame wall art or handmade rugs to bring a little bit of Tulum back home with you.
Shopping in the Hotel Zone of Tulum
Shopping in Tulums hotel zone will leave you amazed. The Hotel Zone offers a unique blend of boho chic and luxury boutique stores.
From Tuluminati-style beach wear, clothing, hats, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs, the shopping options in the Hotel Zone are fabulous and diverse.
Each shop has its own distinct vibe and style that adds to the special ambiance of shopping in the Hotel Zone of Tulum.
While shopping here be prepared to find some amazing fashionable items, but also be prepared for some high ticket pricing.
Below are a few of my favorite shops in the Tulum Hotel Zone
1. Tuluminati Boutique
If you are looking for that one-of-a-kind Tuluminati/Burning Man style hat then please pay a visit to Tuluminati Boutique. Even if you don’t want to purchase anything this store is fabulous to check out for its decor and cool vibe.
Tuluminati is a brand of handmade hats, with an artisanal and unique design. The company is committed to quality designs and ensures all their hats are handmade by Mexican artisans.
Try on and fall in love with one of the many hats on display. Or if you can’t find the exact hat to suit your needs, Tuluminati Boutique offers custom-made hats.
Along with hats, they sell a small variety of clothing, accessories, and funky kimonos. All suited to perfectly deck you out for the Tulum party scene.
2. Sandmade Swimwear
Sandmade Swimwear is a Mexican brand that was started in the Carribbean. It is a great place to find that perfect hand-crafted bikini, swimsuit, or beach cover-up.
Choose from a wide variety of swimsuit styles in too many colors to choose from. The swimsuits are made from quality lycra and the tops and bottoms are sold separately, perfect for mixing and matching.
The staff in the boutique are so kind and friendly, ready to help you out with all your needs at the store.
Be sure to stop into all of the beautiful boutiques around the Hotel Zone to see what beautiful artisan designs they have.
3. MaryJane Tulum Boutique
MaryJane Boutique features elegant resort wear with a focus on leaving women feeling confident and empowered.
MaryJane Boutique pays much attention to creating quality items that are designed to last, using high-quality fabrics and materials.
You will find swimwear, kimonos, dresses, handbags, and jewelry, all tailored to fit you gracefully.
4. Spectacle Room
For that iconic piece of eyewear check out the Spectacle Room. If you have forgotten your sunglasses or are looking for a cool new piece for your collection, this is the store for you.
With a wide selection of sunglasses and eyewear from worldwide brands, your eyes will be happy.
5. Zak Ik
Zak Ik is a luxury store in Tulum that is worth paying a visit to while you are in Tulum.
Zak Ik is the boutique store that belongs to the Azulik Hotel. They sell everything from shoes, dresses, handbags to totes, sunglasses, swimwear, jewelry, and so much more. All of the pieces are Tulum style unique and many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind works of art.
To begin your shopping experience at Zak Ik you are asked to remove your shoes upon arrival in order to connect with the Earth. The inside of the store resembles an artistic museum where the products for sale are the main exhibits, with maze-like paths leading you to different areas of the store.
Even if you aren’t in the mood for shopping, Zak Ik is a cool place to visit to indulge in that vibey Tulum experience.
Dress the part when shopping (or doing anything in Tulum for that matter). Check out our packing guide here.
Shopping in Downtown Tulum
Downtown Tulum is the heart of the city with a laid-back vibe. In the center, you will find many boutique shops, small markets, local Mexican stores, grocery stores, and so much more.
Shopping in Tulum’s downtown will lead you to find almost anything. From handcrafted souvenirs to local fruits and vegetables, if search hard enough you can probably find what you are looking for.
Below I have listed just a few of the many fabulous shopping destinations in downtown Tulum. The best way to explore is to wander around the streets and see for yourself all the cool little boutiques you find.
Mercado Tulum has so many great produce vendors inside.
6. Mercado Tulum
For a local-style shopping experience check out the Mercado Tulum.
Here you will find everything from local meats and dairy products with a butcher on site, souvenirs, cheap clothing and shoes, local produce, and a food court. If you are staying at an Airbnb while you’re in Tulum, this is the best place to come for your ingredients for self-catering.
The food court in the market is a great way to experience traditional Mexican cuisine at budget-friendly prices. You’ll find tacos, fresh juice, and sweet desserts on offer.
It’s also a good place to come for some souvenirs for those that love to cook. I usually pick up dried chilies, boxes of achiote paste, and any other dried goods that catch my eye.
7. Mixik
Mixik is a popular store in the center of Tulum that sells handcrafted souvenirs at reasonable prices.
In the store, you can find dishes, glassware, clothing, artwork, tiles, blankets, rugs, and so much more. The staff will happily wrap up any breakable items for you to safely bring back home.
There are so many incredible artisans in Tulum. You’ll end up buying somethings you weren’t even looking for!
8. MexicArte Tulum
MexicArte Tulum is a a shop you might want to check out if you are searching for local handcrafted art.
The store is known for its beautiful sculptures, pottery, homeware, clothing, art, and more. From handmade jewelry to quirky painted sugar skulls, this is a great place to find that perfect souvenir to remember your trip.
Grocery Shopping in Tulum
In the Downtown of Tulum, you will find all of your major grocery stores.
Mexican grocery stores have so much different produce, I always feel like such a kid in a candy shop!
9. Chedraui
Chedraui is the largest supermarket in Tulum. Here you will find the largest selection of all of your day-to-day products. Food items, household products, cleaning supplies, imported products, and liquor. Chedraui is your go-to store.
This is where I head when I arrive to pick up sunblock, bugspray, and any dried foods I might want like pasta, rice, and ice cream. For everything else, I head to Mercado Tulum.
10. Super Aqui
Super Aqui is the second largest grocery store in Tulum. They have a good selection of your day-to-day items, but just not as many options as you’ll find in Chedraui.
From groceries, to beach towels and even bedding Super Aqui is the place to shop with friendly prices.
11. Bodega Aurrera
Bodega Aurrera will be the smallest and most budget-friendly grocery store. With a good selection of produce, household items, and everyday essentials, this is a cost-efficient place to do your day-to-day shopping.