Taking the Tack Out of Bric-a-Brac
Don't get distracted by the shiny shopping complexes full of the same ol' chain stores that plague Cancun and the Riviera Maya's tourist traps. Shopping pros know the coast is a haven for handcrafted goods that make unique souvenirs, so hit up the best boutiques and artisan markets for some real Mayan treasures.
Market 23, Cancun
© DEREK CAMPBELL
Market 23, Cancun
Between Av Tulum and Av Uxmal, Downtown Cancun
This bustling market is filled with both locals and tourists browsing the quirky stalls that sell everything from piñatas to flowers. If you get peckish while souvenir hunting, the food stalls are a great place to grab a traditional taco or quesadilla.
Writer's pick: Pink and orange pareo with sequins, $15. This is the ultimate beach accessory (basically a sarong). Sling it over your bikini and you'll be heading to the pool bar for a drink in style.
Pachamama, Playa Del Carmen
Calle Corazon, off Fifth Ave, Playa Del Carmen
Bursting at the seams with vibrant, top-quality Mexican handicrafts, everything in this colorful little boutique is carefully selected by the shop's owner, Melinda Burns. Among the religious art, candles and handmade books, we found a beautiful ceramic butterfly, the traditional symbol for rebirth and joy in Mexico.
Writer's pick: Ceramic butterfly, $15.
La Galerita, Isla Mujeres
Av Matamoros, between Av Rueda Medina and Av Juarez, Isla Mujeres; +52 998-144-7625; www.la-galerita.myislamujeres.com
This tiny gallery sells local art as well as jewelry, toys and clothes made by local craftspeople. Everything is made from recycled materials like matchstick boxes and ring pulls, and all proceeds go directly to the artists as well as local charity PEACE.
Writer's pick: La Calavera framed print by Rebecca Peragine, $37, produced exclusively for La Galerita. The skull represents the traditional Day of The Dead celebration in Mexico.
Alma Libre, Puerto Morelos
Town Square (south side), Puerto Morelos; +52 998-251-1206; www.almalibrebooks.com (open between November and April)
The largest English bookstore in the Yucatan offers an eclectic collection of books that cover everything from Mayan culture to Mexican cooking, as well as a great selection of easy, breezy beach reads.
Writer's pick: The Maya by Michael D. Coe, $20, This is a great primer to Mayan civilization before you visit the ruins at Chichen Itza or Tulum.
Craft market, Tulum
Entrance to the Tulum ruins, Carretera Cancun-Tulum KM133, Tulum
If you're looking for an authentic souvenir, you've come to the right place. This traditional open-air Mexican market boasts friendly traders that sell everything from hammocks to jewelry. It's also slightly cheaper than anything you'll find in Cancun, so stock up on gifts.
Writer's pick: Hand-painted drinking glasses with cactus, $11. The intricate cactus design is also the symbol that graces the Mexican flag (trust us, it's beneath the eagle).
Xbaal, Isla Mujeres
Av Hidalgo No 26, Downtown, Isla Mujeres; +52 998-882-1235; www.xbaal.com
This socially conscious boutique sells natural and simply designed toys, clothes and accessories that are made in community workshops near Cancun.
Writer's pick: 'Cancun' doll, $16. These handmade Marias de Mexico dolls are each dressed in traditional costumes from different Mexican regions. We chose those the Cancun doll, which features one of the city's emblematic starfish.
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