Bilingual visitors have a choice of names when it comes to Los Cabos’ premier boutique shopping center. In Spanish, it’s called Las Tiendas de Palmilla. In English, the rather more affected "The Shoppes at Palmilla."
Under either name, it’s a mandatory stop for sophisticated shoppers, thanks to an exceptional collection of showrooms, galleries, restaurants and lounges and a privileged setting near benchmark ultra-luxury resort One&Only Palmilla and the acclaimed Jack Nicklaus-designed Palmilla Golf Club.
The three properties are part of the Palmilla resort community – Las Tiendas de Palmilla is the only one open to the general public – and they're located in the tourist corridor that connects cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
Las Tiendas de Palmilla-based gallery Pez Gordo specializes in contemporary Latin American art — Photo courtesy of Pez Gordo Gallery / The Shoppes at Palmilla
Las Tiendas de Palmilla marries a graceful colonial-style exterior – artful design touches include arch-covered esplanades, Spanish tiered fountains and wrought iron benches – with elegant and airy interior spaces given over to a mixed-use array of shops, restaurants and professional services.
The shopping center’s two dozen or so businesses are an eclectic lot, to say the least. Las Tiendas de Palmilla is home to a sushi restaurant and champagne garden, but it also houses lawyers, accountants, real estate agents and the only U.S. consular agent in Los Cabos.
The primary shopping attractions, however, fall into three main categories: art and jewelry, women's fashions and interior design and furnishings.
Casa Vieja and Pepita's Magic of the Moon are two of the premier shops for women's fashions in Los Cabos — Photo courtesy of Casa Vieja
Pez Gordo Gallery (in English, "Fat Fish") boasts colorful work from a sterling roster of contemporary, largely Latin American artists. And the jewelers at SAX create one-of-a-kind collections each year for a clientele that runs from celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Demi Moore to Mary Kay and the First Lady of Tai Pei.
Two of the best women’s clothing boutiques in Los Cabos – Pepita’s Magic of the Moon and Casa Vieja – are represented at Las Tiendas de Palmilla, too.
The former is a showcase for the custom creations of owner and designer Pepita Nelson, which range from lingerie and beachwear to skirts, slacks and dresses. The latter displays ladies wear from some of the finest Latin American designers, including silk print tunicas, huipiles, handbags and scarves with traditional Mexican patterns from Pineda Covalín, linen wear from Velia Sierra and cactus fiber knit clothing from Vicky Batiz.
Antigua de México’s only showroom outside Tlaquepaque is located at Las Tiendas de Palmilla, and it’s the preferred local stop for meticulously handcrafted and custom-designed furniture.
Atlantis House also specializes in interior design, and Casa Paulina Collection features home furnishings from a number of exclusive brands, as well as unique accessories like antique doors and services such as fine art and sculpture installations.
But Las Tiendas de Palmilla isn’t merely a cluster of businesses: it’s a celebration of gracious living, Cabo style.
So in addition to its attractiveness as a shopping destination, it’s also a popular gathering place for wine tastings, concerts and other special events.
