Of all of the places you will visit during your Caribbean cruise, San Juan, Puerto Rico offers some of the best shopping options. Because the island is a United States territory, you won’t have to pay a duty on the items that you bring back home. You also won’t have to deal with confusing exchange rates. In this post, we’ll detail a few things you need to know before taking off on your San Juan shopping adventure:
Hours
For decades, Puerto Rico has had very strict rules about when stores can be open, largely due to the religious nature of many of its residents. In 2010, these regulations were loosened and now stores are able to be open anytime except between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays. Most shops close around 7 p.m., but many will stay open a bit later when cruise ships are in the harbor.
Where to go
- Old San Juan – This part of the city consists of seven square blocks of narrow streets. Despite its small size, you’ll find an endless number of local shops and luxury retailers. The streets where you’ll find many of the best stores include Calle Fortaleza, Calle San Francisco and Calle del Cristo. Old San Juan is where you need to go if you want to buy handmade items from local artisans.
- Modern San Juan – The districts of Hato Rey and Condado may look like they belong in your town, rather than a 500-year-old city. Here you’ll find the Plaza Las Américas shopping mall that houses over 200 stores.
Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee from Cafe Yaucono as you watch the waves roll up on shore
What to buy
When it comes to certain items, you can just as easily purchase them on the mainland as you would in Puerto Rico. So what should you look for? Here are a few suggestions:
- Caretas – These are the menacing papier-mâché masks that are often worn by performers at island carnivals. The tradition of creating these masks dates back to the early 17th century, and a dedicated group of artisans are keeping it alive. La Calle is the premier store to buy these items. Depending on their size and quality prices can range between $10 and $2000.
Photo courtesy of Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts
- Coffee – You won’t find just any coffee in Puerto Rico. The island’s most popular roast, Alto Grande, is hailed as one of the top three coffee blends in the world and known for being the “coffee of popes and kings.” It’s served at most hotels and restaurants. While you can find Alto Grande at some specialty stores stateside, why not stock up while you’re on the island?
Photo courtesy of Spicy Caribbee
- Rum – It goes without saying, but Puerto Rico is a rum lover’s paradise. Ignore the Bacardi and Don Q brands and bring something home that’s a little more exotic. Trigo Reserva Añeja is an island favorite that is produced in small quantities and rarely makes its way to the United States.
Take a Boozy Bites Rum Tasting Tour brought to you by Flavors of San Juan Food and Culture Tours in order to sample all the best Puerto Rican rums.
- Santos – The item that most visitors to Puerto Rico want to take home is a santo — a hand-carved figurine of a saint or other religious figure. Why are they so popular? Because the best are made by local artists who are known internationally for their work. To find good examples of santos, be sure to make a stop at a museum or gallery.
Photo courtesy of Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts
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