Shopping in Northern Central Highlands
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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
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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
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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
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B
Centro Platero Gallery
The Zacatecas silversmith industry lives on in workshops at the Centro Platero, a few kilometers east of town on the road to Guadalupe at the converted 18th-century Ex-Hacienda de Bernardez.You can shop in its gallery in town.
reviewed
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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E
Donkey Jote
A tiny gem of an English bookstore with an excellent selection of books, plus dual English-Spanish publications and language dictionaries.
reviewed
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Guadalupana
The interesting Guadalupana, a market for food, is on Carrizal, a block north and northeast of the plaza.
reviewed
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F
Casa Maxwell
This rambling store (considered an institution in San Miguel) offers a tremendous array of decorative and household goods.
reviewed
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Mercado de Artesanías
The Mercado de Artesanías, a crafts market, is on Carrizal, a block north and northeast of the plaza.
reviewed
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G
Mercado el Nigromante
This has good produce stands and market eateries. It’s centrally located, but light years away from the gringo scene.
reviewed
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H
Fonart
This outlet, a shop in the government-run chain, has a good selection of quality handicrafts from all over Mexico.
reviewed
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FAI
Has a great range of handicrafts, many of which are made locally. Proceeds from sales go to the charity.
reviewed
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La Casa del Artesano
For local products, try this shop full of potosino pottery, masks, woodwork and canework.
reviewed
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Librería Cultural del Centro
This central bookstore has a great selection of cultural titles, some of which are in English.
reviewed
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L
Casa Terán
Good bookstore in lovely setting; Mexican cultural center and patio café also here.
reviewed
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M
El Viejo Zaguán
Wonderful bilingual publications, art books, gifts and a relaxing coffee stop.
reviewed
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O
Galería San Miguel
One of the town's first commercial galleries is Galería San Miguel.
reviewed
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Artesanal Wixarita Wirikuta
Worth checking out for Huichol pieces is Artesanal Wixarita Wirikuta.
reviewed
