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There are excellent shopping malls throughout the island. Plaza Las Américas Shopping Center, near the geographical center of the San Juan Metropolitan Area, is the largest shopping center in the Caribbean. Sears has a three-story department store and a two-story home center. JC Penney and Macy's both have huge department stores. In addition, there are almost 200 specialty stores, banks, cinemas, restaurants and fast food outlets. It also has an extensive area for professional offices. Plaza Las Américas is also a frequent sponsor of exhibits and other cultural activities. English-speaking clerks are available at most shops. Major credit cards are accepted throughout. A recent trend at shopping malls is to issue the mall’s own credit card, which is also accepted at most places throughout the mall. Plaza Las Americas has ample free parking facilities. Mall hours are generally between 9:30 AM and 9:00 PM except Sundays and on local holidays when store hours are established by local laws. Call Mall Management at (787) 767-1525 to learn mall hours for any particular date. Private guards are stationed at lookout towers throughout the parking area. However, don’t feel overconfident. Observe the same precautionary measures as you would keep anywhere else. Valet parking is available at this and other large malls with fees starting at around five dollars. Old San Juan features several streets lined with stores competing for the tourist dollar, with fair to good savings on jewelry, liquors, dinnerware and others. It is also the dock for many tourist ships that visit the island regularly. English-speaking clerks are available at most shops. Tourists and natives alike are attracted to Old San Juan for its shops and for its architectural landmarks, some of which are among the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. Most stores open between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM and close by 6:00 PM. A few tourist-oriented shops are open until 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM. At times, sidewalks, shops and restaurants become quite crowded. There are adequate parking facilities at the entrance to Old San Juan at hourly rates. Free trolleys move passengers from the parking places to most places of tourist interest. For safety, move with the crowds and do not stray away to more deserted areas. Wear comfortable shoes. By all means, bring your camera. Several fine restaurants and many fast-food outlets are located throughout the Old San Juan sector. Pubs add spice to the night life. Ashford Avenue, “main street” of the Condado sector, is lined with boutiques, souvenir shops and other specialized stores. Most of the tourist hotels along Ashford Avenue also have similar shops. It is a convenient shopping area for those staying at any of the hotels in the area. English-speaking clerks are available at most shops. Parking facilities are available at hourly rates at most hotels and at several public parking lots along the avenue. Some visitors are amused by a peculiar type of market that has been developing along some of the most important traffic lights. As you stop at any red light, you may be able to purchase any of several newspapers and a wide variety of articles such as avocados, tomatoes, peppers, root vegetables, honey, fresh flowers, toys, balloons and countless others. Government attempts at controlling these “stop-light markets” have been feeble. The convenience of shopping from your car’s window, at prices which are often below comparable store prices, has brought enough public support to the street vendors to permit them to thrive in that market. Similar open markets are found along several highways, with all kinds of articles offered for sale. If you cannot find the information you need, and we will try to help you find it. |
You can find most of the better-known U.S. and international brands of products. If you are coming to Puerto Rico for a short trip, you would be
wise to bring along such personal items as toothpaste, soap,
deodorants, hair sprays, and medicine-chest products such as
aspirin, antacids and others. You will find most of your favorite
brands in the larger drugstores, but they will most probably be
priced somewhat higher than prevailing prices back home.
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