shopping
Actually, if you have not yet been to Ensenada, you will be pleasantly surprised at the selection of gorgeous shopping centers and the sheer amount of retail stores that are here.
In the short 4 years we have lived here, we have seen on the outskirts of Ensenada, the arrival of a Walmart, Home Depot, Costco, Dairy Queen, Dollar stores, movie theaters, and much much more. The brand new Walmart shopping center also called Macroplaza Del Mar, pictured above, is just like any high end strip mall in the US. There are a lot of beautiful clothing stores, restaurants, multi-plex movie theaters, fast food, boutiques, shoe stores, pizza parlors, health food stores, smoothies, jewelry stores, Thrifty ice cream, etc. Across the way and still part of the plaza are new modern banks, Ashley Furniture, coffee shops, biliard halls, Applebees and a Home Depot. It is as modern and well designed as any found in the US. In the evenings the parking lots are full of cars belonging to beautiful teens and twenty somethings perusing the walkways strutting their stuff and banging away on Ipods or I-Phones, texting friends and looking for a good time.
Mexico is still largely a cash society. However, most of the larger retail chains accept all major credit cards. There will be a small service fee on your bill. Visit ___________ for more information.
Downtown Ensenada, the shopping experience is just as great, if not better. Juarez Street is the place to be (and buy). This street runs the entire length of town and houses just about every kind of store, business, or service you can imagine. Mexican women are extremely fashion conscious. So there is a proliferation of clothing and shoe stores on this strand. They do love their shoes. You will also find veterinarians, beauty shops, electricians, restaurant supply, fabric stores, computer repair, hardware, jewelry, paint shops, mini convenient stores and food markets, gift shops, upholstery repair, shoe repair, toy stores, farmacias, taco stands, office supply, dollar stores, i mean you name it and its there. I believe this road cuts Ensenada into its quadrants.
There is also of course, the Malecon and Ave Lopez Mateo, which was described on the main page, but also a MUST when shopping Ensenada. Prices are high but its fun to see all many trinkets and handmade treasures there are to offer. Take a walk to the Fish markets and Carnival port. The largest flag i have ever seen in my life is there too and you wont miss it. The CEARTE (Ensenadas State Center of The Ars) is near there as well (more on that on a seperate page)
RETURNING MERCHANDISE? forget it!! in Baja or anywhere in Mexico for that matter, stores rarely accept returns, even with a receipt. Sometimes, if youre lucky you can get a store credit. i once brought something back to Dorians with the receipt AND the price tag still attached. I was told they have a 2 week return policy, but where was the sign for that? Besides, it was only 4 weeks later. After 30 minutes i was still wrangling with the manager. You’d think they were issuing a new law into the consititution, but i DID eventually get my $$ back.
There is a major difference between the US and Mexico, as far as shopping the big plazas go and that is security. You will find security guards working round the clock, walking the parking lots. They are keeping the parking lots safe from would be car theives. This is a concern in Mexico. Walk the parking lots and you will find steering wheel locks on 9 out of 10 cars. Noone, ever, leaves their windows rolled down, even in the hottest summer months.
The guards will work for you. I am a dog lover. I take my pal wherever i go. I therefore have to leave the windows rolled down in summer. If you ask the guards to guard your car, they will; give them a small tip, and they will vigilantly camp out by your car. My dog is so friendly and gentle she would welcome anyone. Luckily she knows better than to jump out, not even for food.
Now downtown, this is different. There are no guards on the main roads. You can only enjoy security at the shopping plazas. I try to park in the shade, which is rare in summer months, or simply leave her at home if i need to go downtown.
While you are exploring downtown, take any side street close to the KFC, to the right as you are heading into town, and you will eventually find LOS GLOBOS swap meet. This is the largest outdoor garage sale you will ever go to. There is not one thing that isnt for sale (well yes THAT one thing – but you can find that in Enseada too) if you look hard enough. Appliances, furniture, clothing, food, vegetables, books, electronics, toys, everything you can imagine. More on that on a seperate page.
No credit cards accepted here whatsoever.
Groceries……COMMERCIAL MEXICANA. This is by far the largest grocery retail in town. Also referred lovingly to the “Pelican” store. (thats their logo) When you first walk in you’ll be bombarded by the vast array of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are ATM machines to the left as you walk in. They have a few kiosks which sell smoothies, ice cream, jewelry, travel and even a bank. Follow the produce area around to the HUGE area that sells fresh locally caught fish. After you pass the wonderful smells of the bakery and all the sweets and breads you could imagine. There is even a very nice liquor section (with a guard posted of course) for your pleasure. There is large area for prepared take out foods like menudo, birria, tortillas, fried chicken etc. Way over on the other side of the store is a general merchandise area for patio and garden items, household, stationary, furniture, appliances, toys, clothes, hardware, pet supply etc, then a large Electronics area. Past that is the Farmacia. One could get lost in this place. My choice for a one stop shopping experience. My guess is they tried to mimic Walmart and did an outstanding job. No photo developing though.
Major credit cards are accepted.
Soriana. This is anther huge grocery chain. Just changed to Soriana from Gigante. Major credit cards accepted.
Tortilla Shopping. One will not get better tortillas in the entire world than the ones bought fresh and just handmade in Mexico. They last forever. The taste is simply amazing. Watch as they make one. Fascinating. Flour tortillas are traditionally made with lard and white harina, corn tortillas made with ground corn. I used to eat the flour until i heard that. I switched immediately to corn, although I prefer flour. Once in a while i will indulge. You can buy a small stack of just made tortillas for 10 pesos. They will be wrapped in paper not plastic. Oddly enough, if you go to the breads section (wrapped loaves) you will find plastic bagged Mission brand flour and corn tortillas in all flavors. I find this bizarre. You will never go back to Mission once youve tasted fresh handmade tortillas in Mexico.
Ofice Depot is in Ensenada, True Value Hardware, Costco, GNC, Dairy Queen, Blockbuster, 2 different Dollar Stores, Solo un Precio (only 1 price) and Waldos, Auto Zone, Walmart, Smart and Final, Home Depot, AM PM, several small warehouse stores offering bulk foods, and lots and lots of small mom and pop convenience markets.
One thing you wil not find is pet stores. There are vets that offer limited pet supplies, however, there are no large stores just offering just pet supplies, like a PetSmart or similar. Just not a priority here, alot of citizens can barely afford to feed themselves let alone a pet. That doesnt stop them from having pets however.
