Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
&
Mercado San Juan
Top 10 Things to Buy
An artisan's cooperative, the
indoor booths of the market fill
two floors offering traditional
handmade goods such as finely
crafted silver jewelry, painted
ceramics, and woven textiles.
d
Ayuntamiento and Aranda • Map N3
• 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm Sun
!
Ceramics
Mexico produces a
wealth of colorful pottery and
ceramics, the Talavera style
being the most notable.
@
Woven Fabrics
Look for fine shawls from
San Luis Potosí,
panchos
from Saltillo and Zacatecas,
and
charro
jackets from
Zacatecas and Durango.
£
Cigars
*
Mercado de Artesanías de
la Ciudadela
The largest gathering of souvenir
and handicraft vendors in the
Centro Histórico area, this semi-
open market offers a variety of
traditional items.
d
Balderas and E.
Dondé • Map M3 • 9am-6pm daily
Most upscale hotels and
cigar shops sell Cuban and
Mexican cigars.
$
Sweets
Sweet breads are offered
in dazzling arrays. Fried
churros
(doughnuts), often
dipped in hot chocolate,
make a great treat.
%
Jewelry
(
Jardín de Arte
This weekly outdoor art
market in the Plaza del Carmen
has artists lining the walkways
with their works. Of high quality
and brilliant hues, the subjects
of the paintings range from
historical Mexican scenes to
contemporary themes.
d
San
Ángel, Plaza del Carmen bordered by
Frontera and Amargura • 9am-7pm Sat
Silver jewelry of the best
quality is readily available. A
stamp of “925” indicates the
highest silver content.
^
Antiques
Furniture, silver jewelry,
ceramics, paintings, and art
objects are all available in
antique shops in Zona Rosa,
Polanco, and San Ángel.
&
Leather
Decorative leather
jackets, belts, boots, and
gloves are popular, as are
saddles and bridles.
*
Carvings
Paintings on sale, Jardín de Arte
A popular folk art, the
best woodcarvings come
from Oaxaca.
(
Liquor and Wine
)
Bazar de Sábado
A very popular weekly (only
on Saturdays) artisan and handi-
crafts market, it also has a
charming courtyard and an excel-
lent restaurant. Bazar de Sábado
technically refers to the skilled
craftsmen in the building,
however, many of the outdoor
booths have excellent wares as
well
(see p90)
.
Tequila and
mezcal
are
internationally renowned
Mexican liquors.
)
Other Crafts
Exquisite embroidery
work, brightly painted papier-
mâché figures, and tin
lanterns are also available.
53
Ask about the artist when buying handicrafts; not everything in
the markets is made in Mexico
