Shopping in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's visitors from the United States will feel right at home when they go out for shopping trips on the island.  Not only is the shopping experience similar, and prices nearly the same, but a sales tax that rivals most states in the U.S. is in full effect. 

The Goods

When you shop for souvenirs in Puerto Rico, native handicrafts should be at the top of your list.  Purchasing items such as ceramics, cigars, coffee, hammocks, lace work, papier-mâché items, visual arts, wood carvings (especially of religious figures called santos) and woven straw items will not only be an authentic reminder of your trip, but support local artisans. 

Grotesque Masks

Made of  papier-mâché and worn primarily during Carnival season, grotesque masks serve as both costumes and wall decorations.  The masks are half-animal, half-demon faces, with fangs, horns, and bulging eyes.  The origin of these masks is still debated, with some believing it dates back to Spain, and others say the tradition is an African one.

Lace

For awhile, it seemed as though the art of lacework in Puerto Rico would die out, but thanks to a recent revival, handmade lade is back in demand once again.  Lace making in Puerto Rico dates back to fifth century Spain, and to this day produces a type of lace available only in Puerto Rico and Spain.

Santos

Another age-old craft in Puerto Rico is the production of santos, which are hand-carved wooden figurines of religious idols.  This craft dates back to the 16th century, and nearly every home in Puerto Rico has a santo that they pray to regularly.

Outside of local goods, a good bit of digging might procure descent sales on foreign goods such as china, clothes, crystal, and jewelry.

Where to Shop

Shopping in Puerto Rico is not unlike shopping in the United States.  There are super markets, malls, shopping centers, flea markets, open air markets, and stand-alone shops at different locations all throughout the country.  Where you are staying, your ability to travel, and the type of items you are looking for will be the biggest factors in the locations at which you shop.

The Old San Juan area has everything you could ask for in a shopping center: book stores, art galleries, clothing boutiques, and jewelry shops.  Along Calle Cristo is where you will find the outlet shopping center, while over in  Condado and  Avenida Ashford is where you will find fashion and luxury items.  There are also two craft markets,  Plaza de la Darsena (open during the week) and Paseo de la Princesa (open during the weekends).

San Juan is the retail center of Puerto Rico, and home to the largest shopping mall in Puerto Rico, which is Plaza Las Américas.  The building holds over 200 shops, restaurants, a bowling alley, and a movie theater. 

The area has clothing boutiques and jewelry shops, while Roosevelt Avenue is lined with trendy boutiques. 

Over on the east side of the island is the Outlet at Canóvanas; La Plaza de Colòn, Mayaguez Mall are on the west side of the island; and El Muelle Shopping Center and Nueva Plaza Del Mercado can be found on the south side of the island.

If you are planning to visit the small island of Viequez you will find a few small gift shops in the tourist area of Esperanza, as well as a Farmer's Market on Saturdays.

Duties, Taxes, and Tips

Because Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, vacationers from the U.S. are exempt from duty fees, however taxes are still applied.  There is a 7 percent sales tax applied to most items.  Prices for most items in Puerto Rico are comparable to those in the United States, so if there is something you plan to purchase while in Puerto Rico, check out the prices in your hometown first.  This way you will know when you have found a good deal.

Despite being referred to as a peso, the official currency of Puerto Rico is the United States Dollar (USD). 

Compared to the rest of the Caribbean, store hours are much more similar to those in the United States.  You can expect shops to remain open from 9 a.m. to at least 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Click here to read more about business hours of operation.

There is nothing tricky about shopping in Puerto Rico.  Shopping hours, prices, taxes, and currency are all similar to what American visitors will experience – the only difference is the unique locally made items that are produced.  Pick up a few of these souvenirs before you head home as a symbol of the time you spent on the island.