San Juan, Puerto Rico
Best places to shop in San Juan
4 markets, malls and shopping districts in San Juan — what to buy, when to go, and the tourist traps to avoid at each one.
Last updated 2026-08-11
1. Old San Juan: Calle Fortaleza and Calle del Cristo
Photo: Ricardo Olvera · Pexels License · source
The colonial quarter's shopping streets — Puerto Rican designers, santos carvings, galleries and outlet stores in pastel buildings.
Where: Street ShoppingMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 10:00–19:00Cost: Mid-rangeTip: Puerto Rico is a US territory, so no passport or customs formalities for US travellers, and there is no duty on anything you carry home.
2. Santos and Puerto Rican craft
Photo: Pedro Colon · Pexels License · source
The carved wooden saints that are the island's oldest folk art, plus vejigante masks from Ponce and Loíza, and hand-rolled cigars.
Where: Street ShoppingMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 10:00–18:00Cost: Mid–LuxuryWatch out Mass-produced imports are sold as hand-carved santos and papier-mâché vejigante masks. Genuine pieces are signed by the artisan and cost several times more.
3. Plaza Las Américas
Photo: Moebiusuibeom-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
The largest mall in the Caribbean — hundreds of shops, department stores and a large food court, in Hato Rey.
Where: MallMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 09:00–21:00Cost: Mid-range
4. Mercado de Río Piedras and Santurce
Photo: Mohan Nannapaneni · Pexels License · source
The traditional market of Río Piedras, and the Placita de Santurce with its produce stalls by day and bars by night.
Where: MarketMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 07:00–18:00; Santurce nightlife from ThursdayCost: Budget
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