From handicrafts to the finest in designer apparel, Mexico City, like any major metropolitan area, is a marvelous place for shopping. From malls to mercados, numerous places display fascinating native products and sophisticated goods.
The two best districts for browsing are on and off Avenida Presidente Masaryk, in Polanco, and the Zona Rosa. Polanco's shops include Burberrys of London, Christian Dior, Versace, Gucci, Hermès, Luis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Tiffany's, and Cartier. Think New York's Madison Avenue, Beverly Hills's Rodeo Drive, or Chicago's Magnificent Mile, and you'll get the picture. The 12 square blocks at the heart of the Zona Rosa are home to antiques shops, boutiques, art galleries, silver shops, and fine jewelers. A few unique shops deserve particular mention.
Several government-run shops and a few excellent private shops have exceptionally good collections of Mexico's arts and crafts. Here's the rundown on the best places to shop, from small crafts shops to vast general markets.
Jewelry -- Dozens of jewelry stores and optical shops are on Madero from Motolinia to the zócalo, in the portals facing the National Palace. Nacional Monte de Piedad (National Pawn Shop), also opposite the National Palace, has an enormous jewelry selection. The first Latin American branch of Tiffany's is on Avenida Presidente Masaryk in Polanco.
