Shopping in Cozumel Cruise Port: 9 Popular Souvenirs

1. Hammocks

One of the few woven items that are made locally (at least in the Yucatan, specifically Merida) are hammocks (hamacas). At the Mercado Municipal, you'll find them on display in the tiny hole-in-the-wall stores just outside the central market (which mainly sells food), where the locals shop.

Hammocks from this region are among the finest and most comfortable in the world. There are six main sizes, but the most common are "matrimonial" (doubles), suitable for two adults, and singles, suitable for one adult or two small kids. Expect to pay around $35 to $55, depending on size, with singles costing roughly half the price of doubles.

You'll want to evaluate your hammock before handing over any cash. First, stretch out your hammock to its full size and make sure it's large enough; a matrimonial should be at least 16 feet long and between 10 and 15 feet wide, while a single should be roughly half that size. Then check the label to read the materials. You'll want to buy a cotton, rather than a synthetic hammock because those are the best quality and longest lasting.

A good-quality hammock will be tightly woven, without spaces between the threads, and the matrimonial hammocks should have 200 strings at either end (half that for the singles). There should be at least 15 strings along each edge, and the loops at the end should be tightly wrapped.

2. Blankets and Throws

Blankets are sold in every other doorway in Cozumel, but although they are made in Mexico, the majority is imported from Chiapas, in southern Mexico. However, there are shops that sell soft woolen blankets in a wide variety of designs that are handmade by the owners.

The best place to find these are in the Mercado Municipal, where you can pick up large blankets for as little as $11, or two for $20. These soft blankets make a lovely gift for small kids.

3. Ceramics

Your one-stop-shop for ceramics, pottery, carvings, trinkets and sculptures made in Mexico is Los Cinco Soles, which you will spot as soon as you get off the ship at the International and Puerta Maya piers, and also in San Miguel, a few blocks north of the main square. The goods here are not cheap, but they are authentic.

On each display, you will find a mounted card explaining the history and the provenance of the ceramics, as well as a sticker on each plate or bowl authenticating that it's made in Mexico. The majority is made by Alba Ceramica, in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato. You can get all sorts of designs and colors, but perhaps the most fun are the Day of the Dead-themed ones. Expect to pay around $14 for a midsize bowl.

4. Vanilla

At one time, Mexico produced the finest vanilla extract in the world. Vanilla is still a popular purchase in Cozumel, but beware: The majority of bottles labelled vanilla extract in Cozumel are imitation. How to tell? If it's in a large bottle, is a dark color and costs $20, it's a fake.

Look for the words "pure vanilla extract" -- not "pure vanilla flavor" -- if you want authentic, rather than imitation, stuff. A small bottle of pure vanilla will also cost $20. Our view: You are better off buying back home.

5. Tequila

You can't leave Mexico without a bottle of tequila, or mezcal. The good news is that there is an entire store dedicated to it downtown: Tequila House (Calle 2 Norte and 5 Avenida Norte), where before purchasing, you can sample the goods via a tasting experience with the experts. You may also be surprised to know that tequila does not have to be slammed -- that's really just for gringos -- it should be tasted, sniffed and sampled just like you would whiskey. Just make sure you look up current customs guidelines about bringing alcohol back into the U.S.

6. Leather Goods

There are some fine leather goods you can pick up in Cozumel, including handbags, wallets, change purses and sandals. Deja Vu (Av. Rafael E. Melgar No. 26, Local 5 Entre 7 y 11) is rated highly on our parent site TripAdvisor and on the Cruise Critic forums for high-quality, reasonably priced leather goods, as well as hand-crafted jewelry. You can actually watch the jewelry being made, so you know it's local.

7. Diamond and Gemstone Jewelry

You can find plenty of chain jewelry stores in Cozumel. There are two branches of Diamonds International, one in San Miguel, the other in the main port. You can also find Tanzanite International, Milano Diamonds, Cartier and others.

The Cruise Critic Forums and TripAdvisor reviews are fairly consistent about buying jewelry in Cozumel; they recommend you do not do it, unless you know exactly what you are doing. If you want to buy, do your research in advance. Prices should, in theory, be cheaper than in the U.S. as you can claim back taxes, but much of the time there is a significant markup and you will have to spend some time bargaining the price down. Yes, the diamonds are authentic, but it goes without saying they are not native to Mexico.

If you are on a time constraint, i.e., you've dropped in here on the way back to your ship, you may feel pressured into making purchase. Don't buy anything in haste because you're likely to regret the decision later.

8. Logowear from Popular Brands

Restaurant-bar chains Senor Frog's, Margaritaville and Pirana Joe all have standalone shops selling logowear and other branded items. You will find branches of all three of these brands as you leave your ship and enter the open-air shopping mall. There is also a branch of Senor Frog's right by the Playa del Carmen ferry port, also selling branded merchandise.

9. Pharmaceuticals

The Mexican federal drug administration is not quite as stringent as the United States', and you'll find farmacias selling all sorts of pharmaceuticals, including Viagra and Cialis, over the counter that would require a prescription in the U.S. You can also pick up Valium, Ambien and Temazepam over the counter. If you take anything more than a reasonable amount for personal use, you could be arrested either on the ship or when you return to U.S. shores. (Refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines for information on how to legally purchase medication abroad to transport into the United States.)

If you do want to purchase pharmaceuticals, make sure you do so from a licensed farmacia, not from a counter in a warehouse discount store.

*The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and reliance on such content is solely at your own risk. Cruise Critic does not encourage or promote the purchase of any medications illegally or without a prescription, either abroad or domestically. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before purchasing any new medication. Never substitute the information on this website for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Cruise Critic makes no endorsements, recommendations, representations or warranties with respect to any specific medications, products, procedures, opinions or other information referenced in the above article, nor is any warranty created or extended by providing such information, and Cruise Critic shall not be liable for any damages arising therefrom. *