The best fashion and gift stores Mexico

Stop in this charming shop to buy souvenirs! Here you can find everything that is made in the state: ceramics, stone and wood carvings, woolen textiles, objects and accessories made of vegetable fibers and leather (very nice belts), jewelry. Huichol artists from the state of Zacatecas also sell beautiful small paintings, ideal for taking home a colorful gift from one of the country's most vivid pre-Hispanic cultures. It is here that you can find the most beautiful handicrafts in the state.

This large house houses the best of Mexican literature and fine books on several floors. The shelves, which are packed to the brim, cover almost the entire wall, climbing to the ceiling. If that's the kind of atmosphere that speaks to you, you should know that the bookstore has a very nice café on the top floor. You can eat inside, around the few tables set among the books, or on the pleasant terrace. There are several Pendulo's throughout the city and they are all equally extraordinary.

Palacio de Hierro is an iconic Mexican luxury brand, founded in 1888. Visitors can find international brands, as well as emerging Mexican talent. In addition to a wide range of products from fashion to homeware, the store is also renowned for its exceptional customer service, including personalized services such as shopping advisors. With its modern, elegant architecture and commitment to quality, Palacio de Hierro is a must for luxury lovers.

In the heart of the center stands a discreet house, once the home of Italian-Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. This residence, now a gallery, houses a rich collection of his works: from original drawings to sculptures and surrealist furniture. Its uniqueness is evident in elements such as a fireplace carved in the shape of a lion's mouth and hidden mythical reliefs. Inaugurated in 2002, it was one of the first to appear in the city, and also showcases talents such as Carmen Gutiérrez and Raymundo González.

Working closely with local farming families, the Jaganla team is fully committed to the production of cocoa and other premium fruits. Julio Salazar, a biologist specializing in natural resource management and rural development, works actively with farming communities in Chiapas, Oaxaca and Tabasco to promote sustainable agroforestry systems. Visit their boutique and let yourself be tempted by their irresistible selection of sweet treats, all as delicious as they are fair-trade.

Saltillo is famous for its colourful striped blankets, called sarapes. Unfortunately, Mexicans today have a strong preference for synthetically colored fabrics, and with little demand, most of Saltillo's traditional sarape-making workshops have closed. But there are still places that teach and sell these typical local products, like this shop, which was established over a century ago! It also offers handicrafts from other regions of the country.

This beautiful shop gathers the best of the production of this great cooperative of local craftsmen. You are bound to find jewels to your taste, for this work of an unequalled finesse and whose prices are posted in all transparency. The address in the small town of Guadalupe corresponds to the workshops of the artisans, which it is also possible to visit to discover the processes of elaboration of the jewels (it is preferable to announce your visit).

Driven by a deep passion for Mexican folk art, ex-ceramist Mayer and his wife Susan combined their talents to found a gallery in 2006. In the course of their travels, they unearth emerging artists whose creative potential is revealed in every corner of their exhibition space. The gallery, a harmonious blend of antiques, vintage furniture and decorative arts, doesn't just exhibit works; it tells stories, often embodied in unique creations specially commissioned from renowned artists.

Since its creation, this cooperative of over 200 indigenous Tzotzil women from different communities in Zinacantán has significantly increased its members' incomes. It has also created Yo'onik, a school offering free courses in weaving, embroidery, Spanish, English and Tzotzil to village children. To support their project, you can purchase items such as embroidered pillowcases, shawls, bags and huipils.

Nestled in the heart of a verdant patio, this eclectically designed store is a veritable ode to aesthetics. More than just a retail space, it's a visual spectacle that invites you to lose yourself in its every detail. Whether you're drawn to clothing, jewelry, cosmetics or home décor, each piece tells a story, often shaped by the skilled hands of local artisans and designers. The layout of the place, with its cacti, mosaics and wallpapers, arouses insatiable curiosity.

This very pleasant passage sheltered under a glass roof has been completely renovated and includes restaurants, cafés as well as stores and art galleries. You can rest on one of its benches for a while. It is of historical interest because it was created at almost the same time as the Colonia Roma, between 1907 and 1920. At the time, it housed a small market that has little to do with the elegant stores that are nestled there today. Be sure to take a look at the details of its facade before entering. A must see!

If you're a cigar lover (or you have one in your family), don't miss this elegant shop in the heart of Colonia Roma Norte. In the window, you'll find cigars of various brands, mostly foreign, from Panama, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and even Cuba (which explains why many Americans stop here!). The sellers are extremely friendly and will answer all your questions. The prices are particularly interesting.

Good bookshop with documents in Spanish, English and French, as well as discs, cassettes and postcards.

Charming store that presents with humor and a touch of tenderness the culture of Yucatán through the famous character of Donia Way. Here you can find notebooks, typical cookbooks, a "Yucatecan dictionary", colorful wooden sculptures typical of Oaxaca and all sorts of handmade objects made by local artisans. Don't hesitate to go back at least to have a look, the reception is very nice and in an impeccable French! The saleswomen are passionate and will be happy to tell you who Donia Way is.

This workshop-boutique, which has been in operation since 1907, is really worth a visit; everything that local cowboys need is made here in a traditional and customised way: leather work boots, saddles, reins, halters, etc. The machines of yesteryear are still in use, and it is easy to observe the master craftsmen at work. Their items, if available locally, are mostly sold across the border in the United States. There are also very nice leather mobile phone cases... To your purses.

This shop sells beautiful pieces created by Sara Almeraya, a young designer from Oaxaca. Don't miss the hand-embroidered denim jackets, which are her specialty. Some represent beautiful flowers, others are the effigy of Frida Kahlo and the most amusing ones carry messages(Pa'todo mal Mezcal, pa'todo bien también, "When everything goes wrong, mezcal; when everything goes right, mezcal too"). Also jewelry and calaveras. Very pop, we love it.

This small market, which the locals also call the Mercado Artesanal Benito Juárez, is laid out in such a way that you just have to pass its small shaded alley to finish your visit. Its famous roof, decorated with beautiful multicolored mandalas, allows you to take some spectacular pictures, but what really makes the charm of this place are its craftsmen. The latter, in their laboratories of basketry, pottery, textiles, embroidery or jewelry, devote themselves without reserve to offer you the most beautiful treasures and jewels.

The Zenon family is proud of its collection of traditional masks from all over the country (Guerrero, Oaxaca, Teotihuacan, Tlaxcala, Chiapas...). There is not a corner in their store where a head of devil, lizard, angel, jaguar, death, or god is not exposed... Manuel, the very nice owner, will be happy to explain the origin, the custom and the history of each mask and to give you a special treatment if you decide to buy one, by wrapping it carefully in a cardboard box.