Cancun Souvenir Shopping: 17 Mexican Things to Buy

Sombrero is a traditional Mexican hat with a very wide brim, a slightly pointed crown and a chin string. In Spanish, the word “sombrero” means ant type of hat. Sombreros have various designs, colors, woven patterns and decorations. They may be made of straw, like a peasant sombrero, or of felt. Sombreros were very popular with Mexican cowboys, because they provided more shade than any other hat. Nowadays, sombreros are rarely seen in the cities and are worn mostly during national celebrations, as a part of the traditional Mexican outfit. Usually, mariachi (musicians) and charros (horsemen) wear them still.

You can find beautiful handmade sombreros at one of the oldest markets in Cancun, Ki-Huic. It hosts approximately 100 vendors and offers a wide variety of handcrafted goods. Sombreros cost between $25 and $80.

Taxco silver in known worldwide; the production of silver in Taxco began long before the Spaniards arrived. When the first Conquistadors found out about it, they were instantly drawn to the region and very soon it became Spain's primary source of precious metals in the New World. Nowadays, all kinds of jewelry and silverware are made of Taxco silver because of its high quality. Taxco-made silverware is highly appreciated both in Mexico and abroad, and is quite popular as gifts. Prices range from $30 to many a thousand, depending on the item.

The Mayans began making jewelry about 5,000 years ago, being one of the first civilizations in the Americas to make jewelry. The Mayans fancied bright, vibrant colors accentuated with polished stones of turquoise, blue and green jade, sterling silver, gold, bronze, copper and semi-precious stones. Mayan jewelry is heavy and chunky, and is very detailed; it ranges from masks to animal figurines to semiprecious stone pendants. There are also many different kinds of rings, bracelets, necklaces and other accessories with Mayan motifs to be found.

For Mayan jewelry, try Ki-Huic. At Market 28 you may also find some beautiful Mayan jewelry. Other than open-air markets, you may also check out one of the Cancun malls, such as Kukulcán Plaza. Or visit the Flamingo Plaza. Prices for Mayan jewelry start from $15 to over $900.

Mexico boasts a highly developed glassware industry with thousands of tourists buying hand-blown Mexican glass as gifts and souvenirs each year. Some of the most popular items are margarita glasses, hand-blown and hand-painted. There are hundreds of variations of color and design and no glass is the same. Sometimes, the margarita glasses carry cute, funny pictures. You can also get a customized glass with your name on it or anything else to your preference. A large variety of margarita glasses can be found in Market 28. You can also find them in Ki-Huic Market. Additionally, try glassware shops and boutiques in any of the Cancun malls. Prices vary between $15 and $50.

Hammocks were invented by the native inhabitants of Mexico as a safe place to sleep in, suspended high above ground to ensure protection from wild animals, and had been used by the locals for two centuries before the Spanish arrived. Eventually, the Europeans adopted them as well for use on sailing ships. Hammocks were preferred over bunks as they took less space and could move in concert with the motion of the vessel so the user was not in any danger of falling out.

Nowadays, in Mexico there are two types of hammocks - Mexican and Mayan. Beside bark and sisal, hammocks are also made of many different materials, such as nylon, silk, cotton and others. On the Yucatan peninsula, hammocks are usually handmade and come in a variety of colors and sizes. If you are interested in buying a hammock, try one of the open-air markets in Cancun. One of the best for that is Market 28. Hammocks are also available in Ki-Huic market. Prices range between $50-$60.

Serape is a long blanket-like shawl, similar to the Mexican poncho, brightly colored and fringed at the ends; it is worn by Mexican men. Serapes are available in different sizes, colors and design patterns featuring Mayan motifs. The length of a serape varies, but usually both the front and the back reach knee level. The colors and patterns on the Serapes depend on the region where they were made. The production of serapes is often done by Mayan families who usually depend upon agricultural work and manufacture serapes in small quantities for additional income. Normally, serapes are made by Mayan women using their traditional home looms.

Because serapes are made by Mayans in villages, the best place to buy one is in the Cancun open-air markets. A serape usually costs $20-30. One such market is Ki-Huic where many artisans bring their works for sale. Another place to buy serapes is Market 28.

Hand-weaved baskets is one of the oldest traditional handcrafts in Mexico. Once part of the daily life in Mexico, nowadays these baskets are mostly kept as decorative pieces since people lean more towards plastic stuff due to its cheapness. The woven baskets are still made today using the same old methodology as centuries ago, and serve a nice addition to the rustic-style interiors. The materials used for that are wicker, palm, ditch reed, rush, sugar cane, straw and rod, which, in turn, largely determines the techniques applied by artisans. Mexican hand-weaved baskets come in a great variety of colors and forms. In Market 28 you can find a large selection of baskets for sale. You can also find them in Ki-Huic market. Mexican baskets cost from $10 to $40 apiece.

Lacquered items, such as chests, trays, folding screens and small Olinalá lacquered boxes, have been produced in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times. The chests - usually made out of aloe tree - were used to store clothes, as the scent of the wood gave it an agreeable smell. The aloe trees have been exploited to the great extent but, nowadays, other woods are also used to make these products, for which purpose they're being perfumed with essences. The exterior of the boxes is traditionally decorated with various motifs, either traditional or spontaneously created. The small lacquered boxes are ideally suited to store jewelry or any other bric-a-brac that you see fit. The best place to find Olinalá boxes is Los Cinco Soles. Additionally, you may try Kukulcán Plaza. The prices for Olinalá wooden boxes vary between $20 and $80.

Tequila is a national drink of Mexico and is produced only in the state of Jalisco and several more regions in other states. Tequila is a distilled beverage made from blue agave plant. For the first time, it was produced in the 16th century near the city of Tequila; hence the name. It is commonly made with 38-40% alcohol, but sometimes 35-55% alcohol is also available. There are a few types of tequila: Blanco/Plata (white/silver) – un-aged; Joven/Oro (young/gold) – mixture of Blanco and Reposado; Reposado (rested) – aged at least 2 months; Añejo (old) – aged at least one year; and Extra Añejo (extra old) - aged at least 3 years. The name “Tequila” may only apply to the distilled blue agave spirits made in Mexico.

A good place to find a large selection of tequilas is La Isla Shopping Village. You can also buy it in Kukulcán Plaza. A bottle of Tequila, depending on the brand and age, may cost between $24 and $88.

Huipiles are traditional Mexican clothes - blouses or tunics - worn by local Mayan and Zapotec women. Traditional huipiles have various Mayan patterns on them which often depict the village, marital status and personal beliefs of the wearer. Huipiles have different lengths, from tops - that go down to the waist, to tunics - that go as low as the knees. Since the arrival of the Spanish, the huipiles have evolved, adding Spanish, European and even Asian elements; they changed in length and design. Today, huipiles are still very much present in indigenous communities, if not for everyday use, then for ceremonies or special occasions.

A nice selection of huipiles may be found in Kukulcán Plaza. Beautiful huipiles may also be found in the open-air markets of Cancun, such as Market 28 or Ki-Huic. Prices for huipiles vary from $10 to $550, depending on the fabric and whether the embroidery is hand- or machine-made.

The Zapotec rugs are traditional handmade rugs with Zapotec and Mixtec patterns. As they are all handmade, each rug has its own unique look, making it one of a kind. The rugs are made from wool, dyed with natural dyes mostly. These, in turn, are made from a variety of plants, insects and minerals; rarely do they use chemical dyes. The rugs are woven in family workshops using hand-operated looms. Since the very old times, Zapotec rugs have been extremely popular and in great demand. With the advance of technology, Zapotec rugs have become known and appreciated worldwide. These rugs make a beautiful addition to southwestern decor. The best place to buy Zapotec rugs in Cancun is Market 28. A nice selection of traditional rugs can also be found in Ki-Huic market. Prices for Zapotec rugs depend on their size and quality: smaller ones cost from $50; and larger ones - up to $1,000 and more.

Maracas are native percussion instruments from Latin America. They are made of dried calabash/gourd- or coconut shell, filled with seeds or dried beans. Nowadays, some maracas are also made of leather, wood or plastic. They are often brightly colored and have various patterns on them. Maracas are played in pairs with one pitched high and the other low. They play an important role in Latin American folk music, but also used in modern pop. Maracas are often seen at special events and are very popular with children. Beautifully colored maracas can be found in most markets throughout Cancun. Market 28 has a good selection of maracas. You can also go to Ki-Huic Market. Maracas go for $1 to 15$.

Mexican leather is considered among the best in the world, having gained much reputation and popularity over the years. Mexico is now one of the largest supplier of leather and leather goods, running exports to numerous countries around the world. There is a wide choice of leather goods on offer: huaraches, wallets, purses, belts, jackets, boots, and more. Of special note are the products called “cuero piteado”, leather embroidered with a special cactus fiber. Depending on the item, the prices range from $8 to $100 or more. In Cancun, you can find quality leather goods at Kukulcán Plaza. The Kukulcán Plaza leather shop offers a wide choice of items. A nice selection can be found in Market 28.

It is believed that Native Americans were using marionettes for entertainment long before the Europeans settlers arrived. The indigenous tribes of Mexico made clay figures with articulated limbs which were used in funerary rites and several other rituals. Mexico has the longest history of manufacturing and using marionettes in North America. Nowadays, Mexican marionettes are quite popular, especially with kids. There are different kinds of marionettes representing historic personalities, artists and even politicians; dressed both in traditional and modern clothing. To buy Mexican marionettes, visit Plaza Terramar. You can also visit one of the Cancun markets. Marionettes cost from $15 to $40.

Huaraches are a kind of Mexican hand-woven leather sandals, originating in pre-Columbian times. At first, huaraches were mostly used in rural areas by the natives, but later they made their way into the cities as well. Originally, huaraches were made with leather soles, but starting 1930s, rubber from old tires began to be used, as it was less expensive. For this reason, huaraches became very popular in Mexico and also abroad. They are also very comfortable and made to fit. Nowadays, huaraches come in a variety of shapes, colors, styles and sizes. Prices for huaraches begin at $40.

Market 28 carries a large selection of traditional clothing and footwear, including huaraches. Alternately, you can buy huaraches in Ki-Huic Market. If you want to spare yourself haggling in the markets, go to buy huaraches in Kukulcán Plaza, the largest mall in Cancun.

Xtabentun is an anise liqueur specific to the Yucatan region. It is made of anise seed and fermented honey, obtained from the nectar of the xtabentun flower, with an addition of rum. The origins of this liqueur can be traced as far back as the production of honey from the xtabentum flower by the Mayans. There is a legend suggesting that the vines of the xtabentun flower once grew on the grave of a woman, called Xkeban. Xkeban lived the life of love, which wasn't to the liking of her neighbors; when she died, she turned into an aromatic flower which grew on vines. The nectar of this flower was as intoxicating as her own love life.

Xtabentun is very difficult to find outside Mexico and even in Mexico; it is found only on the Yucatan peninsula. There are a few brands of Xtabentun available, but the two most common ones are D'Aristi Xtabentun and Vallisoletano Xtabentun. Xtabentun liqueur is light amber in color with a honey flavor, followed by anise; it is 30% alcohol. A bottle of Xtabentun makes a signature gift from Yucatan. The price of a bottle is about $10-$12. You can find Xtabentun at a liquor store in Kukulcán Plaza. Another place for buy Xtabentun liqueur is the La Isla Shopping Village.

Onyx stone is available in large quantities throughout Mexico and it has been used in the production of various items over the years, including masks made by the natives. When the Spanish arrived, they also used onyx extensively for decorating churches. Nowadays, onyx stone is used in a variety of things, including carved onyx sculptures. The latter are rather popular gifts in Cancun. Onyx stone is also widely present in chess sets, statuettes, figurines, trays, glasses, vases and other decorative pieces. There are many handmade onyx goods for sale in malls and markets throughout the city.

You can buy onyx sculptures at Kukulcán Plaza. If you feel like haggling, you can also visit Market 28.