Shopping In Port - Cozumel & Cost Maya?

[birdylady]

5 minutes ago, Seville2Cabo said:

Not where I come from or in Mexico - a deal is a deal and since you decided to open the negotiations again, anything goes

Well have to agree to disagree as what you say may be true as it appears I was ‘open negotiations again’, that would have been with the salesperson I was working with.  Not some random other employee that just happened to walk by and jump in the middle.  Especially since cash was already literally on the counter.

Just my 2 cents as I was there. 
Thank you though for sharing your view as everyone sees things from different perspectives.

Erika

[joeyancho]

I have been shopping in Mexico for 40+ years and this is my experience. Cozumel and Costa Maya have the same things for sale as any other Mexican port.  The usual:   Mexican blankets,  the colorful ones with the smooth finish and brightly colored stripes are the better ones.  Regardless of how much they ask, don't pay more than $15.00.  Pottery, two kinds.  The bright neon with red clay are the cheap ones,  use only ornamentally.  The more traditionally decorated pottery that is fired is the better stuff.  It is safe for food.  Leather goods,  not finely crafted but can be had at a bargain price if you negotiate.  I have purchased several belts with traditional design. $10.00 each.  My wife has looked at several jackets but passed on them because they are not well made.  Tee shirts, self explanatory.   Prices vary. I never pay more than $12.00 for a cotton one that I really want.   The Sun protection shirts with long sleeves are nice and usually between $15.00 and $20.00.  Silver jewelry,  there is a wide range of stuff available.   First make them show you the .925 stamp.  This indicates sterling silver.   Some of the designer type stuff is very nice.  Be sure to examine the craftsmanship for flaws before you buy.  Then there is the trinket type stuff like small earrings, necklaces and rings.  All silver can be had at good prices if you are willing to bargain.   I usually offer 1/2 the asking price.   Then stick to your guns.  Don't settle for a meet in the middle price.   And DON'T be afraid to walk away.  Usually this is where the best price can be had.  Remember you have cash,  he just has stuff.  And if you do walk away the next store has the same stuff.  Linens, some of it is very nice and very well made.   They are always willing to bargain for it.  We have purchased some very unique pieces.  Liquor,  buying from a liquor store will get the best price.  I have bought some high end,  name brand tequila for half the US price.  Buying liquor from a gift shop is more expensive and there is less selection.  I hope this helps with your shopping experience.  

[LeeW]

22 hours ago, poocher said:

Ive been using mine for 5 years.  Nobody’s gotten sick yet.🤷‍♀️

 

On 9/18/2022 at 7:52 AM, Seville2Cabo said:

Need to be careful in Mexico.  Not all "cooking" pottery are safe.  Some have lead paint and have not been properly cured or coated.  Nice for display, but we don't use it with food.

 

Watch out for the bright reds and yellows.  Uranium can leach out of these during cooking or into acidic food.  And cloisone jewelry actually caused radiation burns back in the 80s.  Haven't heard about these problems in years so more likely they are using safer coloring agents now.

[BirdTravels]

We go to downtown Cozumel to shop (not the port shops). 

[bedfordmom]

Be careful of robbers. I saw a mugging last time I was in Cozumel. An elderly women handbag was ripped from her person. It was in the main shopping street. Shop keepers said it happens all the time. 
 

There is a large grocery store at thr port. Saw lots of crew there stocking up. I enjoyed just looking l. Great prices on vanilla and candy. 

[mpdog42]

On 9/16/2022 at 8:36 AM, Xtentions said:

We did that cruise on Adventure last December.  It was our first time to Costa Maya.  Not much there for shopping other than "local" crafts.  My wife got suckered on a blanket while we were on the beach that was supposed to be locally hand made.  After we got back to the ship we found the made in china tag.  Still a pretty blanket and we do use it for the beach but not what was represented.

 

Cozumel has everything you could possibly want.  Vanilla is the only thing I would personally recommend and you want the blue cap variety though I do not remember the difference.  The only other thing on your list we would be interested in is the alcohol but it is not discounted enough to worry about.  Also keep in mind that technically you will need to declare and pay TX state taxes on the liquor which usually would wipe out any savings.  You do you on the declaration I don't care.

 

Thankfully my wife is not big on jewelry and doesn't want it or makes her own but we have shopped it in Cozumel when she wanted some diamond studs and found that as far as we could tell there was no difference in pricing versus stateside stores.

 

Others will chime in with likely different experiences and that is fine.

I remember the last time i sailed out of Galveston before covid, They tryed to pull that tax thing on me and i told them very loudly that i was a citizen of Missouri, and i told them to his face call the police i didn't care

[mpdog42]

5 hours ago, joeyancho said:

I have been shopping in Mexico for 40+ years and this is my experience. Cozumel and Costa Maya have the same things for sale as any other Mexican port.  The usual:   Mexican blankets,  the colorful ones with the smooth finish and brightly colored stripes are the better ones.  Regardless of how much they ask, don't pay more than $15.00.  Pottery, two kinds.  The bright neon with red clay are the cheap ones,  use only ornamentally.  The more traditionally decorated pottery that is fired is the better stuff.  It is safe for food.  Leather goods,  not finely crafted but can be had at a bargain price if you negotiate.  I have purchased several belts with traditional design. $10.00 each.  My wife has looked at several jackets but passed on them because they are not well made.  Tee shirts, self explanatory.   Prices vary. I never pay more than $12.00 for a cotton one that I really want.   The Sun protection shirts with long sleeves are nice and usually between $15.00 and $20.00.  Silver jewelry,  there is a wide range of stuff available.   First make them show you the .925 stamp.  This indicates sterling silver.   Some of the designer type stuff is very nice.  Be sure to examine the craftsmanship for flaws before you buy.  Then there is the trinket type stuff like small earrings, necklaces and rings.  All silver can be had at good prices if you are willing to bargain.   I usually offer 1/2 the asking price.   Then stick to your guns.  Don't settle for a meet in the middle price.   And DON'T be afraid to walk away.  Usually this is where the best price can be had.  Remember you have cash,  he just has stuff.  And if you do walk away the next store has the same stuff.  Linens, some of it is very nice and very well made.   They are always willing to bargain for it.  We have purchased some very unique pieces.  Liquor,  buying from a liquor store will get the best price.  I have bought some high end,  name brand tequila for half the US price.  Buying liquor from a gift shop is more expensive and there is less selection.  I hope this helps with your shopping experience.  

Exactly!!! Go to MEGA for your liquor!!