Morelia
If you don’t have time to scour the Purépecha pueblos for the perfect folk-art piece, come to the House of Crafts inside a wing of the Ex-Convento de San…
Must-see shopping in Mexico
Campeche
The state-run Folk Art Bazaar, down by the malecón near the Centro de Convenciones Campeche XXI, offers one-stop shopping for regional crafts. One section…
Sonora
A fun place to browse for gift ideas is along this mural-lined street around 4km north of the old port. Also known as 'Rodeo Drive', Calle 32 has numerous…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
An attractive shopping mall converted from an old paper factory in San Angél. Several patios and courtyards are set between the brick buildings and it’s a…
Chiapas
Ocosingo is known for its queso amarillo (yellow cheese). There are nine main types sold by this cheesemaker, including ‘de bola,’ which comes in 1kg…
Mazunte
This very successful small cooperative, toward the village's west end, makes and sells products such as shampoo, cosmetics, mosquito repellent, soap and…
Puerto Vallarta
Among the Mexican wrestling masks, Huichol beadwork of vastly varying quality, and t-shirts bearing slogans such as 'Puerto Vallarta Hooter Inspector',…
Mexico City
This place has all the ingredients for Mexican witchcraft. Aisles are crammed with stalls hawking potions, amulets, voodoo dolls and other esoterica. This…
Mahahual
A must-stop for habanero chili aficionados, this roadside ranch sells a variety of enticing hot sauces and jams, such as fiery horneado (roasted peppers)…
Cuernavaca
This relaxed market has handicrafts such as coconut lamps and hand-painted ceramics, found all over Mexico, as well as a plethora of handmade chinelo…
Guadalajara
Massive – at 40,000 sq metres, it's the largest indoor market in Latin America – and labyrinthine and selling pretty much everything bar the kitchen sink,…
San José del Cabo
The community (including plenty of gringos, mind you) gathers at this organic market every high-season Saturday (November to May) for a smorgasbord of…
Oaxaca City
This daily indoor market, a block south of the Zócalo, peddles a mix of flowers, hats, shoes, cheap clothes and jewelry, baskets, leather belts and bags,…
Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías
Morelia
This seductive market, on the western side of the Centro Cultural Clavijero, deals in the region’s famous sweets, including a rainbow selection of ates de…
Northern Central Highlands
This interesting artesanías shop sells an array of rugs made on the premises; request permission to see the weavers at work at their looms in the workshop…
Mazatlán
Cross this creeper-choked courtyard gallery and jump from stone to stone across the little moat to check out colorful Mexican masks and dolls made from…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
From a converted house, a dozen boutique stores produce giftware, clothing and furniture, most with a Mexican spin. Each Friday to Sunday there's an ever…
Morelia
On weekends, a colorful outdoor artesanía (folk art) market is set up along the arches in this square just south of the cathedral. Come here for mementos…
Mérida
Here you’ll find lots of small Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) tableaux, tinwork and figurines of every sort, from ceramics to toy soldiers. They all…
Sonora
Despite it's name, this family-owned shop doesn't produce any tequila on site, but it does offer informative and fun presentations on tequila production…
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Pick up a bottle of artisanal pox (pronounced 'posh'; alcohol made from sugarcane) infused with honey, chocolate or fruits like nanche (a sweet, yellow…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
Local artists set up on the west side of Plaza San Jacinto in San Ángel to sell their paintings while vendors hawk art supplies. There is another location…
Tijuana
El Popo is the most colorful downtown market, with stacks of fresh cheeses, sweets, wooden spoons, piles of dried chilies, kitchenware, herbs, incense,…
Sayulita
Specializes in silk-screened t-shirts and hipster beach bags – how about the revolutionary Emiliano Zapata holding a bouquet of flowers/surfboard…
Ensenada
The Irish-Mexican owner is passionate about tequila, but you won't find any of the more commercial brands here; these 300-plus tequilas are sourced from…
Mazatlán
This sizable gallery-shop with entrances on two streets (the other one being on Belisario Dominguez) has striking ceramics, painted wood objects,…
Taxco
Treasure hunters will love rummaging in this storehouse of handicrafts from across Mexico. Most of the favorite souvenirs are here – coconut masks, papier…
Guadalajara Region
Mazamitla sports an interesting take on the Swiss alpine theme and you’ll see small storefronts including this one selling fruit preserves, cheeses,…
Puerto Morelos
Under new ownership, Alma Libre has a vast selection of new and used books. The store also carries art from the Yucatán, gift items and local gourmet food…
Guadalajara Region
This lovely shop is partly a hacienda museum with old farm implements, some ancient machinery and a beautiful old tahona (bullock-powered stone mill)…
Mercado de Artesanías El Parazal
Acapulco
Bargaining is the standard at this leafy and laid-back craft market, one of several handicraft markets around town. Here you’ll find better deals on…
Guadalajara
This lovely shop in central Tlaquepaque, whose name translates as 'From the Heart of the Country,' specializes in indigenous art; look for decorative…
Oaxaca City
A kind of greatest hits of Oaxacan crafts – including black pottery, rugs, clothes, shoes and alebrijes (painted wood carvings) – collected from around…
Mercado de Artesanías Matachiuj
East of Mexico City
This small fair-trade market a few blocks west of the zócalo has a range of quality weavings and other crafts that come with the benefit of meeting the…
Isla Cozumel
Like many shops along Avenida Melgar, this large store sells its fair share of kitsch. However, there are some keepers on the shelves if you take the time…
Cancún
The largest of the indoor malls is Plaza Kukulcán. Of note here are the temporary art exhibits, the many stores selling silverwork, and La Ruta de las…
San Cristóbal de las Casas
A great place for a leisurely browse over hot coffee or a steamy tea and simple snacks; come here to replenish your reading material from an excellent…
Zacatecas
The Zacatecas silversmith industry sells its work at this workshop a few kilometers east of town on the road to Guadalupe. Here, young artisans produce…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
Local artists line the pathways of this park to sell their paintings and vendors hawk art supplies.
Bahías de Huatulco
Crucecita doesn’t lack shops, but if you’re looking for something a bit quirkier than underpants and socks, this local craft outlet can oblige with black…
