Guanajuato StateShopping

Shopping in Guanajuato State

  1. Fábrica La Aurora

    The largest concentration of contemporary art galleries and design studios (mainly expatriates’ work) is housed in the trendy Fábrica La Aurora, a remodeled raw-cotton factory on the north end of town. Many galleries are promoted in local papers, but otherwise, be guided by your whim.

    reviewed

  2. Rincón Artesanal

    Owned and run by a friendly mother and daughter, this shop is packed to the rafters with objects made from carved wood, pewter, wax, ceramics and papier-mâché - all made in different workshops throughout Guanajuato state.

    reviewed

  3. A

    La Casa de las Artesanías

    Talavera ceramics have been the signature handicraft of Dolores ever since Padre Hidalgo founded the town's first ceramics workshop in the early 19th century. On the plaza, La Casa de las Artesanías sells a selection of items. For better prices and variety, head to the workshops along Av Jimenez, five blocks west of the plaza, or (by car) to Calzada de los Heroes, the exit road to San Miguel de Allende. Some workshops here make 'antique,' colonial-style furniture.

    reviewed

  4. Casa de Capelo

    Drop in to the workshop-showroom of renowned ceramist Javier de Jesús Hernández (aka Capelo). Located high above Guanajuato, it's a great opportunity to have a nosey around the artist's studio as well as to make a few purchases.

    reviewed

  5. Tianguis

    Be sure to hit the Tianguis, the biggest weekly outdoor extravaganza, beside the Gigante shopping center, 2.5km east of the center on the Querétaro road. Take a 'Gigante' or 'Placita' bus (10 minutes) from Mesones, near Plaza Civica.

    reviewed

  6. Plaza Piel

    Great-quality leather buys – shoes and general items – can be found in the Zona Piel, the main leather district (near the bus station, off Blvd Hilario Medina), or further south in the shopping malls Plaza Piel.

    reviewed

  7. Plaza del Zapato & Plaza Piel

    Great quality leather buys - shoes and general items - can be found in the main leather district near the bus station, off Blvd Hilario Medina, or further south in the shopping malls of Plaza del Zapato and Plaza Piel.

    reviewed

  8. B

    Mercado Hidalgo

    Hidalgo is the main market in Guanajuato. It boasts the region's best candy and a stack of stalls loaded with beautiful pottery. The building itself was constructed for the 100th anniversary of Mexico's independence.

    reviewed

  9. Mujeres Productoras

    This is a rural women’s cooperative from surrounding municipalities which sells a range of handmade goods, the source of income (often the only one) for the family.

    reviewed

  10. C

    Mercado de Artesanías

    A collection of handicraft stalls of varying quality in the alleyway between Colegio and Loreto; prices can be on par with the town’s shops and the quality varies.

    reviewed

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  12. D

    Donkey Jote

    A tiny gem of an English bookstore with an excellent selection of books, plus dual English-Spanish publications and language dictionaries.

    reviewed

  13. E

    Casa Maxwell

    This rambling store (considered an institution in San Miguel) offers a tremendous array of decorative and household goods.

    reviewed

  14. F

    Mercado el Nigromante

    This has good produce stands and market eateries. It’s centrally located, but light years away from the gringo scene.

    reviewed

  15. G

    FAI

    Has a great range of handicrafts, many of which are made locally. Proceeds from sales go to the charity.

    reviewed

  16. H

    El Viejo Zaguán

    Wonderful bilingual publications, art books, gifts and a relaxing coffee stop.

    reviewed

  17. I

    Galería San Miguel

    One of the town's first commercial galleries is Galería San Miguel.

    reviewed

  18. J

    El Colibrí Bookstore

    Paperbacks, magazines and art books in English and Spanish.

    reviewed

  19. K

    El Tecolote Bookstore

    Has titles in English and Spanish.

    reviewed