From fashionable boutiques selling contemporary designs to bustling local markets selling traditional Mexican handicrafts, Mexico has something for every kind of shopper. There is silverware and fine jewellery from Taxco, gold from Oaxaca and furniture from the expert wooden craftsmen of Guadalajara. Products from different regions of Mexico are all available in Mexico City. Shopping establishments also arrange to ship large and bulky purchases at reasonable rates.
Some cities in Mexico have artisan's markets which have been set up by the government, in order to provide a commercial outlet for Mexico's rural craftsmen who do not have the wherewithal to market their handiwork.
This Mexico Shopping Guide gives a short introduction to what you may like to shop for on your travels in Mexico. No doubt all this shopping will make you hungry, so we'd recommend you have a look at our Mexico restaurants guide as well. For details on specific shops, or to learn more about shopping within a specific destination, click on the destination below you would like to know more about:
- Los Cabos
- Yucatan
- Cancun
Mexico Shopping Guide
Shopping in Mexico
Pottery and ceramics made in Mexico are great souvenirs to take back home. Black clay pottery and dishes from Oaxaca are highly recommended. Sarapes (blankets woven in wool), rebozos (silk and woollen scarves in bright colours) and charro (hats with intricate embroidery) make excellent souvenirs. Ladies can try out huipiles, a Mayan dress. These white dresses are embroidered with flowers in different colours. Men can shop for guayabera (a pleated shirt in fine cotton voile) and traditional sandals called huaraches.
The artisan's markets in Plaza del Buen Tono and La Ciudedala offer great bargains. The Ki Huic Open Air Market in downtown Mexico City also offers bargains which are much better than the stalls at the Hotel Zone in Cancun. While rugs, hammocks, baskets, embossed leather and carved wood artefacts are found all over the place, avoid buying them near beach resorts as they are overpriced at these outlets. The Mercado de Artesanias in Acapulco is another good outlet for Mexican goods, but do remember to haggle.
The Mercado Libertad is one of the biggest shopping malls in Mexico. This sprawling mall is located in the bustling commercial city of Guadalajara and sells everything from a pin to an elephant!
Tourists and local shoppers can also conveniently access the rural arts and crafts from all over Mexico under one roof at the artisan's markets which have been set up by the government. Look for these governments sponsored markets in Guadalajara, Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende.
There are many shopping malls in the beach resorts of Mexico which are very popular with the tourists. These malls range from expensive establishments like the Plaza Caracol (Cancun) to the more reasonably priced ones like the Marbella Mall at Acapulco. However, most malls feature both local brands and international designer labels.
Local Handicrafts
The handicrafts of Mexico are creations of a knowledge and skill that have been handed down the generations. Do not be surprised if you come back with bags full of these, as Mexican handicrafts are really hard to resist. They reflect the materials available in the region from where they come and are usually made of textiles, wood, metals, yarn, and leather.
It is advisable to buy Mexican handicrafts from the artesanos (craftsmen) themselves. They are found in small rural villages and towns where they earn their livelihood by making a variety of things from small trinkets to large works of fine art.
A fine example of authentic Mexican handicraft is the Alebrijes or figurines of mystical creatures and animals. Smaller figurines are carved in wood and then painted in vivid colours, while the larger ones are first shaped with metal wires and then covered with papier-maché before being painted. The larger figurines are more expensive, but each alebrije is a masterpiece.
Another popular Mexican handicraft is the Mexican mask. These hand crafted masks which date back to the pre Hispanic era are used in rituals and festivals, but most of them are mounted on the walls as part of the décor. The best wooden masks come from Tocuaro.
A large chunk of the handicrafts in Mexico are made from wood. There is furniture made from fine mahogany which is sourced from the licensed forests of South Mexico. There are also lacquered trunks, boxes and trays crafted from scented wood of the Aloe tree grown in Olinala village in Guerrero. Lately, the demand for this wood has outstripped its supply and therefore most of the wooden handicrafts found in the markets of Mexico today, are made from pinewood and scented thereafter with natural essences.
