Shop Dine Relax
Shop – Dine – Relax is the motto flying from the flag poles throughout Las Tiendas del Palmilla, the upscale ocean view shopping plaza seen from the highway at the Palmilla resort. This is definitely the place for an intimate and relaxed shopping experience like no other with the finest array of world-class merchandise.
We started at Delight Café Gourmet, checking our e-mails (wireless Internet is free throughout Las Tiendas) while munching on fresh baked pastries and café mocha. Since a bathing suit was the prime target, Tropica Calipso Swimwear was our first stop. Margarita Partridge carries an extensive selection of swimwear, and her Scala hat collection, pareos, and shoes are must-have accessories. The fish-shaped straw bags attracted us both—we each had to have one!
Cabana also features gorgeous designer swimwear from the U.S., Italy, and Brazil, and beautiful Italian leather handbags. The decisions were killing us. What’s a girl to do? A suit from each shop, of course!
At local designer Pepita Nelson’s namesake Las Tiendas boutique, there’s always something new and different. Talk about chic, she takes tie-dyed jeans and creates unique skirts, decorating them with sequins, beads, and lace. Perfect for back home, my friend murmurs, and asks if she can get one custom made. No problem. The small handbags make great gifts and are so chi chi! We were on a roll and my girlfriend loved every minute of it. We found Lety Klein’s Casa Vieja with beautiful original Mexican designs. Vicky Batiz creates one-of-a-kind lightweight sweaters made from—get this—cactus fibers. She weaves, dyes and spins the fiber into gorgeous designs. Lety also carries lovely linen dresses with crochet inserts, hand-painted shirts, designer shoes from San Miguel de Allende, and jewelry. What caught our attention were the hand-painted scarves, purses, men’s ties, and even shoes with iconic Mexican themes. The Monarch butterfly collection is outstanding, and all would make lovely gifts.
Time out for a quick lunch on the terrace at Gato en la Luna (Cat in the Moon) owned and operated by the exuberant Elena, Chef de Cuisine extraordinaire who couldn’t do enough for us. The food is outstanding and the wine selection is exceptional, with wine and liquor off sales here too.