Best Christmas Shopping in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas' large Marina-based mall is a multi-level complex with an excellent variety of shopping destinations. Puerto Paraíso hosts many fine arts and crafts galleries offering handmade goods from México and beyond, plus a large number of clothing boutiques featuring the latest swimwear, sunglasses, and resort style clothing. Drinking and dining options are also noteworthy: Ruth's Chris and other marina facing restaurants, as well as a recently installed food court on the mezzanine level. Entertainment options include a 10-theater cinema, Cinemex, which also serves as a host site during the annual Los Cabos International Film Festival. General services and sundries are also available, from an onsite bank branch with ATMs to a money changing station.

Cabo Wabo has come a long way in 32 years, since its MTV advertised premiere birthed a brand new Spring Break destination. Originally opened in 1990 by Sammy Hagar and his then Van Halen bandmates — who can forget the eponymous song from their OU812 album? — Cabo Wabo has since become a mandatory stop for just about everyone who visits Cabo San Lucas, even cruise ship passengers who only come ashore for a few hours. It's a complete lifestyle experience, albeit one which continues to revolve around live music. A house band jams good-time rock n' roll seven nights a week, with occasional cameos from visiting country and rock stars. But there are other reasons beyond boogying down to stop by, from "waboritas" (the house version of the margarita) to comfort food specialty dishes and souvenir t-shirts. The best time to visit is during October, when "The Red Rocker" himself hosts his annual birthday bashes with plenty of big-name guests.

Minerva's has been in Cabo San Lucas for over 35 years - since before the city's Marina was built and remains one of the most trusted local charter fishing operations. The company also maintains a well-stocked downtown tackle shop, Minerva's Baja Tackle, that carries the area's largest supply of fishing rods, reels, lures, terminal tackle, and fishing gear and apparel. Charter fishing can be arranged from the store, including fishing licenses and boxed lunches, and this is also the go-to place for rod and reel maintenance, repair and respooling. The store stocks many top lures, such as Black Bart, Zuker, Williamson, Rapala, Allure and Yo-Zuri, and thus is an excellent source for fishing-related Christmas gifts.

Located across from Cabo San Lucas' town square, Plaza Amelia Wilkes, the Cabo Coffee Company is a popular meeting place for those seeking morning joe, breakfast bagels and the like. The coffee drinks are excellent and should be given that they were sourced from organic Arabica beans grown in Oaxaca's cloud forest, at Finca La Reina de Pluma Hidalgo. Cabo Coffee Company roasts these exceptional beans locally, and bags of coffee are brisk sellers, both to locals and to visitors, the latter either taking them home post-vacation or ordering online to get their Cabo Coffee caffeine fix year-round. Also popular as a souvenir item are the café's t-shirts, which feature the very memorable motto: "Death to Decaf."

Set at the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach property on the Pacific Coast of Cabo San Lucas, The Market at Quivira is a sprawling, ambitious 15,000 square-foot food hall concept that offers all manner of delightful culinary experiences, from gourmet hamburgers at a 1950s style diner to dishes and delicacies representative of Mexican, Asian, Italian and other international cuisines. Patterned after iconic food halls in places like Harrods in London and The Plaza Hotel in New York, The Market at Quivira not only boasts tasting opportunities galore but communal seating for up to 450 diners, as well as gorgeous surroundings thanks to an eye-catching design from Jeffrey Beers International. The best views are found at the Sports Bar, while El Chocolate is the go-to spot for souvenirs and sweets.

One of the best women's beachwear boutiques in Los Cabos, Zingara showcases a large selection of swimwear, dresses, cover-ups, shoes and accessories such as hats and handbags. Zingara sources only fine Italian fabrics and each seasonal swim and beachwear collection is based on a blend of bold patterns and the best available materials. From hats and flats to tunics, dresses, skirts, shorts and pareos, this is one of the signature local shops for women's resort-style fashions. Zingara even has its own jewelry collection, with bracelets, earrings and necklaces that are perfect for sun-drenched days on Playa El Médano or Lover's Beach.

The walk-in humidor at J&J Habanos (AKA La Casa del Habano) smells like a cigar aficionado's idea of heaven, not surprising since the store is the most reliable place in Los Cabos to buy Cuban cigars. Authenticity may be questionable at best at other local tobacconists, but J&J offers nothing but genuine stogies, singly or by the box, from premier Cuban producers like Montecristo, Cohiba and Romeo y Julieta. Prices aren't cheap for top brands, but affordable cigars are available, and J&J also boasts one of the largest local collections of premium 100% blue agave tequilas. Big Papa mojitos cocktails and top-shelf tequila tastings are also popular features.

Magic of the Moon is Los Cabos' best designer boutique, with ladies' fashions since 1991. Owner and designer Pepita Nelson offers original custom creations, ranging from beachwear and lingerie to skirts, slacks, formal dresses and everything in between. Designs are available in all sizes and for all ages. Matching designs for mothers and daughters are available, as is virtually everything else under the Baja sun. But it isn't just the clothing that is customized. So is the shopping experience, as each client is guided through a series of questions, colors, and fittings until they have something completely unique, and perfectly tailored to their complexion and personality.

Luxury Avenue is a high-end, boutique mall situated next to Puerto Paraíso on the Cabo San Lucas Marina. The mall is accessible from Puerto Paraíso, but it is much more fun to walk up the steps — red carpet accessorized on special occasions — to Cabo's most prestigious address, and what is certainly the area's most exclusive (and expensive) shopping center. If you want to pick out a new watch at Tag Heuer, or browse the latest fashions from Salvatore Ferragamo or Caroline Herrera, this is the place to go. Luxury Avenue is home to chic boutiques from around the world, including Longchamp, Montblanc, Victoria's Secret, Lacoste, Ultrafemme and Ultrajewels. There is another Luxury Avenue location in Cancún.

With over 125 stores internationally, including a trio in Los Cabos, Diamonds International is the world's largest duty-free jeweler. The company sources stones from the world's largest diamond mines and offers them at the best possible value. Shop locations near the cruise port, in downtown Cabo San Lucas, and at Puerto Paraíso Mall for rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and pendants featuring emeralds, opals, pearls, rubies, diamonds and tanzanite. In terms of memorable gifts for men and women, from birthstone gems to eternity bands, this is the top shopping destination in Los Cabos. Outstanding collections of engagement rings and wedding bands, as well as great gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen, are also available.