Shopping in Mexico

Shopping Area at Puerta Maya Terminal, Mexico

You shouldn’t leave Mexico without shopping first for souvenirs and bringing home authentic Mexican items. From elaborately embroidered clothes and the famous Mexican hats to birthday piñatas and original Mexican tequila, there are countless items in Mexico that are sure to catch your eye.

Good places to shop in Mexico include Mexico City, Campeche, Acapulco, Guadalajara, Merida, Taxco and Oaxaca, among others. Great finds in Mexico include silverware, woven blankets and scarves, charro hats, dresses and shirts, hammocks, and pottery.

Most cities in Mexico have shopping malls and designer boutiques that are similar to American malls. Some resorts and hotels also have souvenir shops that sell local goods; however, but you may find similar goods that sell for a lot cheaper at bargain centers outside the hotel or resort.

Fonart is a line of stores that are operated by the government. They carry quality handicrafts with already fixed but reasonable prices. Profits from Fonart help in the funding of the arts and craft of Mexico. Mexico also has dedicated craft shops, such as Mercado de Artesanias in Mexico City, where you can bargain with the vendors.

When looking for cheap finds, try going to bargain shops and rustic markets. Indoor markets are popular, especially in Oaxaca and Puebla. There are also a lot of choices on the streets, offered by roadside stalls and street vendors.

There are places in Mexico that specialize in producing and selling certain items. If you’re looking for pottery, such as Talavera ceramics, try going to Puebla. Meanwhile, woven products are specialties of people in Oaxaca.

Most shops are open from 9 or 10 am to 8 pm, from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, malls and tourist locations are usually open. Smaller shops and bargain stores usually do not take credit cards; larger stores, especially in tourist centers, can take credit cards but may require you to pay an additional charge.

A good tip when shopping in Mexico is to bargain with the vendors whenever you can. Try negotiating for up to half the price they’re initially asking you to pay, and you can usually settle for a price somewhere in between. Never buy a product from endangered species, such as crocodiles or Mexican birds, as they can be confiscated when you cross the border. If you happen to buy a faulty product, try to have it exchanged; if the store won’t accept it, you can go to the office for federal consumer protection, known as the Procuraduria Federal del Consumidor.