Souvenir Shopping Guide: 17 Must-Buy Local Products from Mexico City
1. Hand-Blown Glass
The Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanias (The National Fund for the Development of the Crafts), also known as FONART, is one of the main retailers for these types of items. There are actually five locations around Mexico City, including the Galería Juárez location in the center of the city near Alameda Park. The address for this store is Juárez 89, and it is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m, Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It also features some of the most diverse, handcrafted home furnishings and accessories in Mexico City. Blown-glass products start around $15 for a single goblet.
Address: Juárez 89
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
2. Jewelry
One unique jewelry boutique in the area is Entenaya, which features silver pieces combined with turquoise, coral and other semi-precious stones. Other unusual pieces include those made from glass and seeds. This store is located at Montes de Oca 47, and it is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. It does accept credit cards as well. Travelers can check out local sidewalk cafes and stroll along tree-lined avenues in this upscale neighborhood.
Address: Montes de Oca 47
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
3. Día de los Muertos
Visit the store, Arte Mexicano Para el Mundo in the Zócalo área. It is located at Monte de Piedad 11 and open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Día de los Muertos items start around $10 USD, and also include miniature coffins with pop-up skeletons, candles and other items. This store is huge and features three floors of Mexican crafts and arts, such as pottery and papier-mâché dolls. While you’re there, check out the 6th floor cafeteria that features views of Zócalo square, home to the Mexican presidential palace, Aztec ruins and the sinking Metropolitan Cathedral.
Address: Monte de Piedad 11
Operation Hours: Monday-Tuesday: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Wednesday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
4. Tribal Art
In the center of Mexico City, the store Arte Prehispánico is located at Córdoba 148 and it is open from Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. This shop features excellent copies of masks and statues that are as good as those found at any local museum and that start around $35 USD. While you’re there, check out other artisan works of art, such as woven wraps from Chiapas and other reasonably-priced handmade items from existing indigenous tribal members.
Address: Córdoba 148
Operation Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
5. Chocolate
Travelers can bring home a taste of Mexico with rich, Mexican hot chocolate mixes, blocks of hard chocolate for baking or drinks, or even chocolate bars flavored with chiles. Shop for your ideal Mexican chocolate, as well as other traditional Mexican sweets, such as cajeta, at Dulcería de Celaya. This sweet boutique is located in the Centro area of Mexico City at 5 de Mayo 39. It was founded in 1874 and also has a branch in the La Roma neighborhood. It is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Candy starts as low as $1 USD for small pieces.
6. Tequila
Whether you are looking for a cost-efficient tequila or an expensive, top-shelf tequila, such as Patron or Don Julio, La Divina has them all. While there are several locations of this upscale liquor store around Mexico City, one of the biggest stores is in the ritzy neighborhood of Polanco. The address is Newton 136, and it is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday. La Divina features more than 200 types of tequila, as well as many gift packages. Medium-quality tequilas there start around $15 USD a bottle.
Address: Newton 136
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
7. Huipil Clothing
Visit the Mercado de la Merced near the Zócalo to find huipils for women, men and children. This popular market is the biggest in Mexico City, and it is housed in several modern buildings. One of the main entrances is east of the Zócalo, on Circunvalación between Adolfo Gurrión and General Anaya. It’s open every day from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and you can find a wide variety of vendors that sell huipils, starting around $15 USD apiece. You can also find many other items sold at this market, including fresh Mexican chiles, rebozos, handmade jewelry and embroidered purses. Visit the nearby Templo Mayor, the ancient Aztec temple that is dedicated to the Aztec deities, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war, and Tlaloc, the god of rain and agriculture.
8. Mexican Art
9. Vanilla
While you can find Mexican vanilla all over Mexico City, many tourist areas feature synthetic vanilla extract, which is not as good as the real thing. Shop like the locals and visit the upscale grocery store, Comercial Mexicana Sumesa in the Polanco neighborhood. This store is located at Virgilio no. 15 Col. Polanco Deleg. Miguel Hidalgo, and is open every day from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. It features a wide variety of vanillas, that range in price from $5 USD to $40 USD, depending on the brand and size. Choose from simple bottles, or elaborate containers that feature silver plated labels and may be considered works of art themselves. Bring home a bottle for yourself and your favorite baker friends.
10. Crosses
Visit the Mercado de La Ciudadela to find a Mexican cross that fits into your decorating theme. This quaint market is located on Balderas, between Reforma and Chapultepec. It features hundreds of authentic Mexican arts and crafts, including crosses that start around $10 USD. It’s open every day of the week from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and many vendors there accept credit cards as well. While you’re there, check out the Escuela Nacional de Artes, across the street from the market. It’s only a 10-minute walk from the Alemeda, and you can find other unique items there, including talavera pottery, tile-framed mirrors, hammocks and leather products. What's good is that whenever you need a break from all the shopping, you can have a picnic at the nearby scenic park.
11. Calendars
You can also add to your outdoor patio art with an Aztec calendar. Choose from many different sizes, as well as plain clay versions or brightly-painted colored calendars. Get a calendar that is simply a calendar, or choose an ashtray or clock calendar. Find what you’re looking for at the popular, Mercado Insurgentes, located in the Zona Rosa (pink zone) at Londres and Avenue Florencia. This crafts market features a wide variety of handmade items, and it is open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Calendars start out around $15 USD. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out the numerous jewelry stores, art galleries and boutiques. Zona Rosa also features many trendy sidewalk cafes and nightclubs.
12. Mexican Coffee
While you’re in Mexico City, you’ll want to visit at least one café to try out a cup of Mexican coffee, and you may even want to bring home a bag of coffee beans to treat your friends and family. Check out one of the most unique places in Mexico City, the Cafebrería El Péndulo, located in the Condesa neighborhood. This favorite local spot is a café, bar and bookstore in one. It also has a small venue where local bands play a wide variety of music in the evenings. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a cappuccino with a slice of cake or other Mexican pastries. The address is Avenue Nuevo Leon 115, and it even has valet parking. It is open from Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 12 a.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. until 12 a.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. You can buy bags of coffee beans to go, starting at around $8 USD. Don’t have time to go to a café? - Pick up a bag of gourmet coffee at upscale liquor stores, such as La Divina and La Navel.
13. Textiles
One of the best locations to find textiles is the store, Las Fábricas de Mexico, located in the Zócalo area. The address is Pino Suárez 17, and it is open Monday from Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Las Fábricas de Mexico features a majority of cotton items that start around $25 USD for smaller items. Large items, such as tablecloths, may cost as much as $200 USD, depending on the pattern. Visitors can also find embroidered clothing, such as huipil shirts, and cotton underwear at this shop. While you’re in the area, check out nearby street markets for other textile items as well.
14. Rebozos
While visitors can find dozens of shops and market vendors that offer rebozos, the Museo Nacional de Artes e Industrias Populares carries one of the best selections of rebozos in all of Mexico City. Two of the most popular styles, the Santa Maria and the Tenancingo, can be found at this store. It is located in the Zócalo area, also known as the textile district. The address is Avenida Juarez 44, and it is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Prices vary, depending on the style and material. For example, Tenancingo rebozos start at around $30 USD, while Santa Maria rebozos start around $80 USD. Silk rebozos typically start around $165 USD.
15. Talavera Pottery
Bring home this aspect of Mexican décor with a small talavera piece of your own. Find an item that fits your home and décor at the store, Artesanos de Mexico, located in the center of the city. The actual address is Londres 117, and the store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Talavera pieces start around $15 USD, and you can also choose from other decorative pieces, such as masks and painted trays.
16. Kalúha
Find your next bottle at one of Mexico City’s finest liquor stores, La Naval. There are many locations of La Naval around the city, but one of the biggest is located near the center of the city at Avenue Insurgentes Sur 373. This store is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday.
17. Sports Clothing
While many markets feature knockoff versions of these jerseys, you can get the real thing at the popular Mexican sporting goods store, Marti. This specialist sports store has outlets all around Mexico, including several large locations in Mexico City. One of the biggest stores is in Plaza Interlomas, located at Vialidad de la Barranca No. 6. This sports-fan emporium features a wide variety of international and national soccer jerseys, as well as mountain climbing and ski equipment. It is open every day from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Most soccer jerseys start around $70 USD, but Marti often features sales and volume deals. Don’t forget to pick up the national Mexican team league jersey while you’re there.
Other Interesting Souvenirs from Mexico
If traveling to Mexico is not on your immediate agenda, or you simply can't afford an extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting Mexican souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the Mexican products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.
2. Molinillo - A traditional Mexican whisk (shaker/frother), known locally as "Molinillo", is a piece of kitchenware used for preparation (stirring) of hot chocolate, milkshakes and other beverages. Known since the days of "la nueva España", the period of Spanish colonization, this kitchen essential is handcrafted in Mexico by local artisans using solid wood from sustainable forests.
3. Taxco Silver - “The silver capital of the world,” Taxco is primarily associated with silver and has a reputation for silverwork: jewelry, silverware, and other items. Taxco earrings are particularly popular, made from pure sterling silver, often complemented by beautiful stones, such as Amazonite and more. Other pieces of jewelry made in Taxco include necklaces, rings, brooches, bracelets, and cufflinks. True keepsake treasures designed to be loved for years to come.
4. Cajeta de Mexico - This thick, paste-like dark syrup, made from caramelized sugar and milk (traditionally goat's milk), is perfect by itself or as topping for cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit, fried bananas and authentic Mexican desserts. Also good in the form of delicious candies, hard or soft, or caramel spread.
5. Achiote Paste - This is a popular blend of spices firmly associated with Mexican cuisine, especially that of Yucatán and Oaxaca. The spice mixture usually includes annatto, oregano, cumin, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, allspice, garlic, and salt. The annatto seeds give it a distinctive red color, adding to the food a hue of orange. When mixed with lemon juice, water, oil, or vinegar, the paste is used to marinade meat or be rubbed straight on it and then grilled, baked, barbecued, or broiled. Sometimes, the mixture is added to corn dough to create a zesty flavor and color in empanadas and red tamales.
6. Handmade Hammocks - Hand-woven by Mexican artisans in accordance with centuries-old tradition of craftsmanship, these comfortable hammocks will envelop your body for ultimate comfort and serve you for years. Highly durable, holding up to 550lbs, the hammocks are great for naps, siestas or even all night sleep! Just stretch yourself lengthwise or lay horizontally for a desired level of comfort and take a snooze.
7. Dried Chilies - Arbol, Pasilla Negro (“little black raisin”), and Cascabel chilies are staple ingredients for authentic Mexican recipes, such as tostadas, burritos, tacos, quesadillas and enchiladas, as well as tamales, salsa, chili, meats, soups, stews and BBQ. Hand-selected from the finest spice purveyors and chili growers in Mexico, these dried peppers should be at hand whenever you wish to go big on heat and flavor. Fantastic addition to any number of moles, salsas, and adobos. Combined with fruits, mushrooms, garlic, fennel, honey, or oregano, they are excellent with duck, seafood, or lamb.
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