San Miguel de Allende
This massive outdoor market is definitely an experience, where stalls offer up everything from fresh fish (driven overnight from the coast) and fruit to…
Must-see shopping in Mexico
Valles Centrales
This covered market, on the south side of the central plaza, opens daily. Food, clothes, pottery, textiles, mezcal, chickens, art and cheap junk – it's…
Condesa
Owned by wrestler El Hijo del Santo – Mexico's most famous, iconic lucha libre star who rose to fame in the 1980s – this small specialty store sells (you…
Centro Histórico
This citywide bookstore chain has a voluminous range of texts on Mexico and Mexico City. More branches can be found at Bellas Artes and San Ángel. There…
Xalapa
This attractive old market building houses a handful of stalls selling the region's famous flowers alongside the usual fruit and veg and other household…
Guadalajara
Plaza del Sol, 7km southwest of the city center, is one of those big shopping centers where locals go to get their fix of fancy-label shopping. To join…
Weekend Book and Crafts Market
Cuernavaca
The two streets opposite the cathedral entrance become pedestrianized (up to Calle Rayón) for two small markets to greet weekend visitors. On Ruiz de…
Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec
This cluster of upmarket and chain stores is half open-air and although there is little you won't find elsewhere in the world, it's a designer destination…
Cabo San Lucas
This bright, colorful shop will get you in the holiday mood. Stocking reasonably priced resort wear made of natural fibers, as well as great handbags,…
Zihuatanejo
This large craft market sells mostly mass-produced tat, such as t-shirts emblazoned with 'Eat My Burrito' and other low-brow slogans, but you can also…
Cancún
Plaza Las Américas at the south edge of the centro, is a vast modern shopping mall that includes department stores, a multiplex cinema and a food court…
Guadalajara
This large shopping center, 2km west of the city center, is popular with locals seeking a dose of retail therapy. To reach it, take bus 258 going west…
San Cristóbal de las Casas
A fair-trade store that sells products made by Zapatista communities: weavings, embroidery, coffee and honey, as well as Ejército Zapatista de Libéracion…
Centro Histórico
This enormous complex comprises three buildings: building No 1 contains clothes and fabrics, No 2 has food and No 3 sells furniture. Beware of petty theft…
Unión de Palenqueros de Oaxaca
Oaxaca City
This hole-in-the-wall place is the outlet for a group of small-scale mezcal producers from Santiago Matatlán. It has decent and very well-priced reposado,…
Oaxaca City
A small, relaxed market dealing in natural products, especially crafts and organic vegetables and made-on-the-spot food, nearly all sold by their makers…
Veracruz
This market sells organic food and regional handicrafts. The sign outside reads ‘ Mujeres con huevos,’ which represents one of the vendors: a rural women…
Condesa
This market is a mix of upscale items and mass-produced trinkets, with clothing, gifts and an excellent cheap eats area. It's runs from Fuente de Cibeles…
Plaza de la Computación y Electrónica
Centro Histórico
Hundreds of electronics stalls huddle in the Plaza de la Computación y Electrónica, south of Uruguay. Best prices and availability in the city for laptop,…
Guadalajara
This daily craft market, set up along Av Chapultepec between Av Vallarta and Av de la Paz, sells all manner of local handicrafts, from pottery and dolls…
Cabo San Lucas
A sprawling arts and crafts flea market with Baja souvenirs galore: skulls, ceramics, crosses, hats, clothing, you name it. Avoid this place when there's…
Guanajuato
This wonderful old bookshop sells an interesting range of publications in Spanish and English, including art books and souvenirs. It also has a charming…
Alameda Central
This citywide bookstore chain has a voluminous range of texts on Mexico and Mexico City. There's another central branch at Madero 32.
San Luis Potosí
This cooperative of small stalls sells a great range of artesanías potosinas that are 100% locally made. There's also clothing and more standard souvenirs.
Condesa
Odds are you've probably seen this studio's world-famous, revolution-era sepia photos. Items on sale include framed pictures, calendars, T-shirts and…
Veracruz
The town is famous for its incredibly ornate artisanal saddles and horse tack, and this is one of the best places to come to if you wish to tart up your…
Inland Michoacán
La Macadamia sells – you guessed it – local macadamia nuts and products made from same, from delicious macadamia marzipan to macadamia moisturizer.
Tianguis Dominical de Antiguedades la Lagunilla
Mexico City
At this collector’s flea market you can hunt for antiques, old souvenirs and bric-a-brac. Books and magazines are alongside the Lagunilla building.
Oaxaca City
An indoor crafts market almost entirely devoted to textiles: tablecloths, bags, blouses, huipiles (long, sleeveless tunics) shawls and more.
Western Central Highlands
This large market south of the main square has produce on the 1st floor and stalls with cooked Mexican dishes (M$50 to M$80) on the 2nd floor.
Guadalajara
This large shop has stacks of used paperbacks – many of them in English – and the friendly owner is often willing to buy or trade stock.
San Miguel de Allende
A decent collection of handicraft stalls appealing to different tastes (and of varying quality) in the alleyway between Colegio and Loreto.
Mexico City
East of Avenida Cuauhtémoc, this trash and treasure antiques market has items large and small: books, beer trays, posters and furniture.
Inland Michoacán
This shop sells exquisite (mostly) handmade textiles produced at the Fábrica San Pedro.
Tijuana
This place has fair silver prices that are already marked, plus the English-speaking owner is knowledgeable and not too pushy.
Veracruz
Check out local handicrafts, including the distinctive, painted wooden masks worn by dancers during the town's many festivals.
Centro Histórico
English-language newspapers and magazines are sold at La Torre de Papel, which also stocks newspapers from around Mexico.
Taxco
If you are looking for silver, there are several fine shops to wander through in the Patio de las Artesanías building.
Guanajuato State
This women's cooperative makes regional dolls in traditional costumes. They make lovely souvenirs of the village.
Guadalajara
Galerías Guadalajara, 8km west of the center, is the biggest and swankiest mall in town. It's served by bus 25.
