Art & Craft shopping in Mexico
-
A
Taller Leñateros
A society of Maya artists, the ‘Woodlanders’ Workshop’ crafts exquisite handmade books, posters and fine art prints from recycled paper infused with local plants, using images inspired by traditional folk art. An open workshop, you can watch the art in progress.
reviewed
-
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
-
B
Casa de Las Artesanías
If you don’t have time to scour the Purépecha pueblos for the perfect folk art piece, come to the House of Handicrafts, a cooperative marketplace launched to benefit indigenous craftspeople. Attached to the renaissance-style Templo de San Francisco, arts and handicrafts from all over Michoacán are displayed and sold here. Prices are high, but so is the quality and all your cash goes directly to the craftspeople. Upstairs, artists demonstrate their craft in small shops that represent specific Michoacán towns. You’ll find guitars from Paracho, copper from Santa Clara del Cobre, lacquerware, pottery and much more.
reviewed
-
Casart
You’ll find quality arts and crafts in more peaceful surroundings at the state crafts store, Casart. There’s a big range, and the crafts are often top-end pieces from the villages where the craft styles originated. Prices are fixed, and higher than you can get with some haggling in markets; gauge prices and quality here before going elsewhere to buy. Craftspeople, such as basket weavers from San Pedro Actopan, often work in the store.
reviewed
-
Arte 256
It's well worth the slog to find this fabulous gallery owned and operated by Tijuana native Joly Lacarra. The revolving exhibitions are generally outstanding. To get there, head out Blvd Aguas Calientes, and up Tapachula, past the Hipódromo. After Tapachula veers left, hang a right (at the big black building). This streets merges with Mérida which you follow up to the gallery.
reviewed
-
C
Miniaturas
Here you’ll find lots of small Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tableaux, tinwork and figurines of every sort, from ceramics to toy soldiers. They all have two things in common: they’re easy to pack and have nothing to do with Yucatecan artisan traditions! The store is definitely fun to browse and prices are fixed at a fair rate, so you needn’t worry about bargaining.
reviewed
-
D
Fonart, Juárez
The well-known government-run handicrafts shop displays beautiful wares from around the country, ranging from Olinalá lacquered boxes to Oaxacan alebrijes and blankets from Teotitlán del Valle. Prices are fixed and higher than you pay in the Ciudadela market around the corner, but the quality is undeniably up there as well.
reviewed
-
E
La Mano Mágica
You’ll find some wonderfully original and sophisticated craft products at this shop and gallery, including work by one of its owners, the masterly Teotitlán del Valle weaver Arnulfo Mendoza. Some Mendoza pieces go for tens of thousands of dollars, and when you see them you’ll understand why.
reviewed
-
F
Veryka
Plaza Bonita (Cárdenas at Blvd Marina) has several shops, including Veryka, which showcases the very best of Mexican artisans and crafts persons. The prices are high, but these are internationally known artists. It's worth a browse even if you don't intend to buy.
reviewed
-
G
Mexican Art Gallery
Located at the Hotel El Crucero, this gallery features the brightly colored work of local artist Enrique Diaz, whose motto is to ‘paint the colors of Tulum.’ His art is vivid and fun, a variety of portraits and landscapes that seem vaguely Picasso-esque.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Tlaquepaque
Tlaquepaque is an important center for arts production and contemporary design - and offers some of Mexico's fanciest shopping. Look for wood carvings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, jewelry, leather items and paintings. Quality is high, as are prices.
reviewed
-
H
Casa de Las Artesanías de Jalisco
The Casa de las Artesanías de Jalisco is a large museum-like store selling high-quality Jalisco handicrafts including pottery, glassware, jewelry, textiles and furniture. Prices are reasonable and there’s a small, free ceramics museum.
reviewed
-
I
Corsica
San José is a veritable museum of contemporary painters, and browsing its galleries - whether you intend to buy or not - is a highlight. Corsica features works by some of Mexico's top artists. This is one to pop into even if you're not buying.
reviewed
-
J
Mercado de Artesanías
This indoor crafts market is strong on alebrijes, stamped tinware, embroidered textiles and tablecloths. As you walk through, you’re likely to see some of the vendors passing the time by plying their crafts, such as weaving or embroidering.
reviewed
-
K
Plaza Bonita
Plaza Bonita has several shops, including Veryka, which showcases the very best of Mexican artisans and crafts persons. The prices are high, but these are internationally known artists. It's worth a browse even if you don't intend to buy.
reviewed
-
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
-
L
Las Artesanías
Las Artesanías, on Pasaje Polanco, has a large showroom of local crafts, including lacquer ware, woven textiles, leather items and silver jewelry at only marginally higher prices than elsewhere (given the location).
reviewed
-
Stewart Gallery
As an artists' colony, Todos Santos has a plethora of art galleries and loads of boutique stores. The man who essentially kicked off the Todos Santos art scene is Charles Stewart, and his Stewart Gallery is a good place to start.
reviewed
-
M
Mercado Juárez
This indoor market, a block southwest of the Zócalo, sells a diverse mixture of food, flowers, clothes, hats, sandals, and leather belts and bags. Women hawk mounds of grasshoppers on the street outside the Flores Magón entrance.
reviewed
-
N
Carápan
This shop is in a whole other class, and is Monterrey’s best outlet for artesanías (crafts). The genial owner, who is full of advice about what to see and do in Monterrey, stocks museum-quality work from across Mexico.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
O
Instituto Marca Chiapas
The Chiapas state crafts shop, 2km west of Plaza Cívica, sells a great range of the state’s artesanías (handicrafts), from Amatenango ‘tigers’ and funky Cintalapa ceramic suns to colorful highland textiles.
reviewed
-
P
Casa de las Artesanías de Oaxaca
This store sells the work of 80 family workshops and craft organizations from around Oaxaca state. Its patio is surrounded by rooms full of rugs, ceramics, tinware, alebrijes and other crafts.
reviewed
-
Q
Étnico
Allende (Allende 113; [hrs] 10am-2pm & 4-8pm Mon-Sat); Gurrión (Gurrión 104; [hrs] 10:30am-8pm) Has a very attractive line in patchwork bedspreads and cushions made from pieces of huipil.
reviewed
-
R
Casa de las Artesanías del Estado de Chihuahua
This state-run store has a good selection of chihuahuense crafts (including Mata Ortiz pottery) and food, such as pecans, sotol, oregano oil and sun-dried tomatoes.
reviewed
-
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