Shopping in Guadalajara

Guadalajara Shopping

Tapatíos love shopping at outlet malls north of the border. Nevertheless, the city supports a swath of modern malls, and most double as gathering spots with their restaurants and theaters. The Centro Histórico is packed with shops as well as ambulatory vendors, who compete with pedestrians for sidewalk space. You'll find the most products under one roof at labyrinthine Mercado Libertad, one of Latin America's largest markets. Tlaquepaque and Tonalá are arts-and-crafts meccas. Shoe stores and silver shops are ubiquitous in Guadalajara.

Stores tend to open Monday-Saturday from 10 or 11 until 8, and Sunday 10-2; some close during lunch, usually 2-4 or 2-5, and others close on Sunday. Bargaining is customary in Mercado Libertad, and you can talk deals with some crafts vendors in Tlaquepaque and Tonalá. The ticketed price sticks just about everywhere else, with the exception of antiques shops.

Neighborhood street markets, called tianguis, also abound in Guadalajara. They take place at various times throughout the week, with a larger share on Sunday morning. Some focus on specific items like antiques or art, but many have a variety of vendors selling everything from chicken, homemade mole sauce, and fruits and vegetables to flowers, clothing, and housewares.