Splurging in Baja

From contemporary to traditional buys

By Sarah Muñoz

You won’t see many travelers returning home from Cabo empty-handed. The finds here run from the most refined to the T-shirts and other mementos for relatives, and everything else: top liquor from duty-free emporiums, fine jewelry, handmade leather apparel from posh galleries and plenty more.

As Cabo grows, so do the options and places in which to find them. In fact, nowadays you don’t have to go very far to spot that special something you’ve been searching for.

Shopping in San Jose del Cabo
Shopping in The Corridor
Shopping in Cabo San Lucas

San José: Arts Central. An easy stroll around Plaza Mijares and along Mijares Boulevard in San José, for instance, will yield plenty of gorgeous finds, as most of the town’s galleries and crafts shops are concentrated around this area. There are hand-carved statues of various saints and of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron of Mexico, which are not just for the devout but make gorgeous decorative pieces. You will also discover quite a few ornaments and home pieces that combine contemporary designs with traditional Mexican culture, such as colorful masks and even jewelry with Frida Kahlo’s visage on it. There are a number of galleries on Obregón Street that hold amazing artwork from local and international artists — in fact, San José hosts an Art Walk on Thursday evenings from November through May.

A sure bet for quality pottery and ceramics in San José (and right by Plaza Mijares) is Necri. The family-owned store is known for a wide array of Mexican pewter, which does not tarnish and can be used to hold any type of food. Items to look out for, besides dinnerware, are chandeliers and candlesticks. Necri also carries Talavera pottery from Puebla that is hand-painted, signed and certified. You’ll find serving platters, coffee sets, bathroom sinks, vases and more made from this type of pottery. Necri also carries different designs of Majólica ceramic, which, like Talavera, has European origins and has been admired for centuries. The most popular pieces are vases and plates. Necri has wonderful items, and couples can even register for their wedding gifts there — a great alternative to the usual ho-hum stores.

Of course, there are lots of other things to buy in San José, and indeed throughout Cabo. Although there are not many crafts native to the area, there are still plenty of wonderful finds — some Mexican, some imported (one notable exception is hand-blown glass; visitors can take a tour of the Fábrica de Vidrio Soplado, or Blown Glass Factory, or just buy their favorite piece). For instance, top-quality jewels, watches and gemstones are often found at a fraction of the price, as are fragrances. You’ll often discover gold pieces of 14, 18 and 22k adorned with fine sapphires, amethysts, diamonds and other precious stones. Silver is tops, of course — look for the .0925 or .0950 on the back of each piece, and “Mex” or “Mexico” also stamped on them to make sure you’re getting the real thing. Other enticing options to purchase are traditional Mexican souvenirs such as decorations for the home, dolls, colorful blankets, Huichol Indian art pieces (which are handwoven) and tequila. Another smart buy is a bottle of Mexican wine, 90 percent of which is produced in the state of Baja California. Conoisseurs can have their pick of Grenache, Cabernets, Petit Sirahs and more, including inventive blends.

The Corridor: Basics and Finest. The Corridor keeps growing with more resorts and stores, becoming a veritable shopping mecca. Across from the One&Only Palmilla resort is The Shoppes at Palmilla (formerly Las Tiendas de Palmilla), an upscale shopping center worthy of being compared to Rodeo Drive. The Shoppes pampers to discriminating shoppers with internationally known brand names such as Harry Winston, Chopard, Pineda Covalin, Tommy Bahama and Home by Ralph Lauren, among others, featuring fine selections of men’s and women’s apparel, timepieces and jewelry, furniture, home accessories and exquisite art.

Also adjacent to the One&Only Palmilla is Plaza El Faro, a design center appealing to the high-end customer looking to outfit their new home, remodel or just find interior accents. Plaza El Faro has details from some of the best Mexican interior designers and architects, home accessories, art, furnishings and outdoor ideas that can transform your home.

You’ll also see a familiar and trusty sign where you can stock up on snacks, wines, tequila or just about any old thing you may have forgotten at home. Yep, there’s a Costco in Los Cabos, too! From vitamins to beach towels, this is one of your best bets for affordable necessities and even a few Mexican surprises. This particular Costco has a pharmacy, food court and an optical department, should you run into any problems with your prescription glasses.

Once a deserted strip with only resorts to call its own, The Corridor is fast welcoming more boutiques and art shops than one can count. It’s always worth it to stop at the different shopping strips to have a look at what’s new.

Cabo San Lucas: The Sky’s the Limit. There are stores all over Cabo San Lucas, with a few shopping areas standing out among visitors. You can begin your “shopping tour” at the Marina Golden Zone, which threads along the marina, and explore this area straight through mealtime, as there are plenty of dining options here, not to mention a tequila museum, fine jewelry stores and even a place to stock up on Huichol art.

Right by Marina Golden Zone is Puerto Paraíso, a shopping mall where you can find pretty much anything: swimwear, shoes, elegant apparel, gifts and even original art. There are quality jewels and brand-name stores such as Kenneth Cole, with gorgeous footwear for men and women, as well as clothing and quality handbags; Hugo Boss, dressing up individuals in the very latest of international styles and accessories; and Nautica, with classic active sportswear for both sexes. Here also are Lacoste with its very trendy crocodile on classic, colorful sportswear that is perfect for sailing or just lounging about elegantly, and Façonnable, which began as a tiny tailor’s shop in Nice and now has stores all over the world with men’s formal and casual wear, as well as assorted pieces for boys and ladies.

Another place you will find here is Cabostyle, a regional brand of fun apparel inspired by Baja Sur’s active lifestyle, with a nice mix of modern tropical clothing and accessories to hit the beach or just enjoy the sweet days of summer.

Diamonds International also has a strong presence in Puerto Paraíso and indeed throughout Cabo San Lucas and San José. As one of the largest jewelry retailers in the world, Diamonds International offers fantastic prices on high-quality diamonds, watches and special items by such designers as John Atencio, Marahlago, Asher, Morris & David, and Edward Mirell, whose titanium pieces are a big hit. They also have the Eighty-Eight — an exclusive eight-sided, 88-faceted diamond. Brides-to-be will want to stop here for a peek at the store’s nice selection.

Speaking of sparklers, on Marina Boulevard you’ll run into Royal Jewelers and its many fine diamonds and jewelry lines such as Kabana and Yvel. The shop also carries the opal-like ammolite, one of only three gemstones created by life processes, in an impressive array of colors.

Not far from Puerto Paraíso is Plaza Bonita, where you will find stores dedicated to leather handbags, crazy T-shirts and other fun souvenirs. Boasting a prime waterfront location at the center of the Cabo San Lucas Marina, Luxury Avenue offers the most exclusive fashion, jewelry, fragrance and cosmetic collections — each in its own designer boutique for a shopping experience that until now could only be found on the streets of Milan, Paris, New York and Beverly Hills. Luxury Avenue features world-renowned brands such as Cartier, CH Carolina Herrera, Chopard, Coach, Fendi, Hermès, Montblanc, Salvatore Ferragamo, Swarovski, Paul & Shark,  Tiffany & Co., Tous, Vilebrequin and more.

There are also several outdoor markets throughout Cabo San Lucas, filled with more souvenirs than you can put in your bag. Don’t miss a stop at Magic of the Moon on Hidalgo Street — just a short walk from Puerto Paraíso and Marina Boulevard — for fun apparel made right in Los Cabos. Women will find beaded and hand-painted clothing, as well as many colorful dresses for any occasion. Owner Pepita Nelson designs her own style of lively women’s wear with hundreds of fabrics to choose from, and can create ensembles and separates tailored to your own size and preference.

Get a complete list of shops and art galleries, here.

Boutique Owner With an International Background

By Rick Stedman

Andrea Ehrenberg Costa learned her shopping skills at an early age, and she learned from one of the best teachers. "My mother is a shopper at heart, and it's what she does best," says Ehrenberg Costa. As owner of Necri Boutique in San José del Cabo, Ehrenberg Costa still enjoys stocking her upscale boutique with the finest Mexican handicrafts. "Buying the merchandise and meeting a lot of people are what I love most about this job," says Ehrenberg Costa.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Ehrenberg Costa's parents are of German descent. Her mother Christa immigrated to the United States from Germany just before the Berlin Wall was built, and eventually moved to Mexico in 1964. Ehrenberg Costa, too, has an international background, having lived in Europe, the United States and Mexico.

After finishing high school in Mexico City, Ehrenberg Costa then attended school in Switzerland for three years, receiving a diploma from Les Roches in hotel management. She later received her "grand diplome" from Cordon Bleu as a chef. She also has a B.S. in hotel management from Cornell University.

Upon her father's retirement, the family moved to Los Cabos. Christa then opened the family's first store in Cabo San Lucas on Boulevard Marina in 1988. However, that store recently closed and Necri Boutique in San José is now their sole focus. Featuring fine Mexican handicrafts, Necri specializes in Talavera ceramic from Puebla and pewter from Mexico City. "I have always loved the craftsmanship of the Mexican artists," says Ehrenberg Costa. "It amazes me how they create such beautiful objects from scratch."

In addition to being a business owner, Ehrenberg Costa is also a wife and mother of two young children. She married a Californian, Darin McDonald, who also works at the boutique. The couple met while he vacationed in Los Cabos. "I'm still trying to import him," she jokes. "His Spanish is still not the best, even though he's been here for 10 years." McDonald can also be seen at the boutique most days, taking care of the business end of things for Necri. The safety engineer by trade also makes a special hot sauce called Cabo Heat, which is available at the boutique. "It's a chipotle honey hot sauce that's sold exclusively at Necri," says Ehrenberg Costa.

In her spare time, Ehrenberg Costa loves to read, go to the movies, take yoga classes and cook. The Los Cabos businesswoman is also involved with her children's school and their other activities. You can visit Necri Boutique at Blvd. Mijares, No. 16, in the central historic district of San José del Cabo.

Click here to browse the shops in Cabo and other areas of Baja, Mexico.