Mazatlán shopping runs the gamut from precious stones to seashells -- with plenty of T-shirts in between. Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 or 10am to 6 or 8pm. Very few close for lunch, and many stores are open on Sunday afternoon. There's also an art walk to a number of galleries from 4 to 8pm on the first Friday of the month between November and May; for details visit www.artwalkmazatlan.com.
La Zona Dorada (the Golden Zone) is the best area for shopping. There are a number of quality silver shops along Avenida Playa Gaviotas, including Pacific Jewelry (tel. 669/913-3754), at Av. Gaviotas 413. It's open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 8:30pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For more fine jewelry, seek out Rubio Jewellers, in the Costa de Oro Hotel, Av. Camarón Sábalo 710 (tel. 669/914-3167; www.rubiojewellers.com). It's open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 1:30pm.
Sea Shell City (tel. 669/913-1301), at Av. Playa Gaviotas 407, is exactly what the name implies -- more shell-covered decorative items than you ever dreamed could exist, from the tacky to the sublime. It's open daily 10am to 7pm. Michael Gallery (tel. 669/916-7816; www.michaelgallerymexico.com), at Av. Las Garzas 18 off Avenida Camarón Sábalo, has an excellent selection of Tlaquepaque crafts, art, diamonds, and fine silver jewelry. It's open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm. Señor Frog's, which has its main store located next to El Cid resort at Camarón Sábalo s/n (tel. 669/985-1110; www.senorfrogs.com/mazatlan), is the most popular souvenir store in town, selling Señor Frog's signature shirts, hats, handbags, and beachwear. There are about a dozen branches of Señor Frog's around town. They're open daily from 9am to 11pm.
The Centro Mercado in Old Mazatlán is another kind of shopping experience. Here you'll find women selling fresh shrimp under colorful umbrellas; open-air food stalls; and indoor shops stacked with pottery, clothing, and crafts (mostly of lesser quality). The market opens around 6am and stays open until sundown.
Small galleries and shops are beginning to appear in Old Mazatlán; one of the nicest is NidArt Galería, Av. Libertad 45 and Carnaval (tel. 669/981-0002, or 985-5991 for after-hours appointments; www.nidart.com), next to the Teatro Angela Peralta. It features changing exhibits of contemporary art. Open Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm or after hours by appointment.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
