Holiday Shopping

Shopping for Christmas gifts in Mérida will bring a delight to the senses. There is an incredible array of objects which can be chosen for friends or family.

Some of the things that are unique to the Yucatán include finely exquisite gold or silver filigree jewelry, the traditional Yucatecan hammock, honey, Xtabentun anise and honey liqueur, chocolate, artwork, sculpture, clay replicas of Mayan gods, chili habanero sauce, henequen baskets, wood carvings of Mayan gods, paintings by Yucatecan artists, Ticul pottery, embroidered huipiles or ternos (Mayan women's dresses), hammocks, and the traditionally famous Yucatecan guayabera shirt.

Things from other areas of Mexico that can be found here include vanilla, coffee, serapes, hand woven bedspreads, folk art, masks, Day of the Dead curios, Talavera ceramics, Oaxaca black pottery, miniatures, embroidered clothing, silver from Taxco, pewter, unique furniture, Frida Kahlo images, paintings, sculpture, and Mexican blown glass to name a few. If you love folk art, don't miss Alma Mexicana, with special discounts on everything! Hand blown glass, beautiful silver jewelery, leather handbags, Retro Mexican beach & cosmetic bags, Equipale rustic tropical hardwood & leather furniture, gorgeous bronze door knockers, retablos & ex-votos, saints & angels, Frida Kahlo / Diego Rivera paper dolls, stocking stuffers, authentic natural vanilla extract & beans fresh straight from the hacienda! See photos in Related Gallery.

There are many places to shop, from specialty stores to markets to art galleries. Two hotels which have special gift stores are Hotel Mediomundo, with art from Michoacan, Guanajuato, and Guatemala. 100% Mexico at Hotel Casa San Angel is a FONART franchise, promoting the production and distribution of varied artisan objects to help the indigenous people of Mexico.

Art galleries offer another way to give a lasting gift and own original art. Galería Tataya has a large choice of contemporary Cuban paintings and prints as well as a unique collection of ¨artesanías¨ / folk art, with special emphasis on ¨alebrijes¨ wood carved animals and monsters. All pieces are one-off. Also metalwork, clay and lacquer. Nahualli Casa de los Artistas has paintings and sculptures created in their original space and gallery. Soho Galleries offers a unique idea: you can purchase any of the original works of art in their gallery, or for a smaller investment, purchase a limited edition print of something that you like. And don't forget the Corredor Internacional de Arte, where every Sunday on Paseo Montejo you can find a great selection of local art.

Jaguars from the jungles of Chiapas have been spotted in Merida at Hotel MedioMuno's Gift Shop.  Open daily to the public 9AM to 10PM. Hotel MedioMundo, Calle 55 #533 pro 64 y 66 Centro. http://www.hotelmediomundo.com/shop.php

Does your gift list include a cigar lover? Visit La Casa del Habano (formerly known as Mercer Cigars) for authentic Habanos and other cigar paraphernalia. Someone who loves books? You'll be tempted to shop for yourself as well when you see the selection at Amate Books, or you could give a gift of a membership to the Mérida English Library.

For a variety of shopping experiences in one place, visit one of Mérida's many fabulous shopping malls. And don't forget the Plaza Americana adjacent to the Hotel Fiesta Americana, with a wide variety of Mexican handcrafts to choose from. Another place with many options is the Mercado Municipal de Artesanías Lucas de Galves.

How about a gift of relaxation? Consider a gift certificate for any one of the many spas in our area. Speaking of gift certificates, how about a gift of a romantic dinner for two? Or consider a cooking class at Los Dos Cooking School. Another fantastic gift certificate idea would be an overnight package at a special hacienda or hotel in our area. Consult your copy of Yucatan Today for spa, hotel, and restaurant ideas.

Where to shop:

100% Mexico, Hotel Casa San Angel
Paseo Montejo x Calle 49, Centro

Agustín Art Studio
Calle 58-A No. 483 x 25 y 25A, Itzimná

Alma Mexicana, folk art,
Calle 54 No. 476 x 55 y 57, Centro

Artesanaria
Calle 60 x 55, Centro

Artistas de la Playa
Cel. 9991 44 4792  artdeplaya@yahoo.com

Bodega 41
Calle 60 No. 386-D x 41 y 43, Centro

Café Orgánico
Calle 33-D x Ave. Reforma, x Cupules y Colón

Carmen Victoria, gallery and framing
Calle 21 No. 100A, Itzimná

Casa de Artesanías Mercado
Calle 61A x 60 int. Pasaje Revolución, Centro

Casa de las Artesanías
Calle 63 x 64 y 66; and Paseo de Montejo x 41 y 43

Galería Mérida
Calle 59 No. 452 x 52 y 54, Centro

Galería Tataya
Calle 60 x 45 y 47, Centro

Guayaberas Jack
Calle 59 No. 507 x 60 y 62, Centro

Hecho a Mano
Calle 31, Facing Plaza, Izamal

Hotel Mediomundo Gift Shop
Calle 55 No. 533 x 64 y 66, Centro

KiXocolatl, Mayan chocolates
Calle 55 x 60 y 62, Centro

Los Dos Cooking School
Email: info@los-dos.com

Luna del Oriente
Calle 65 No. 541-A x 66 y 68, Centro

Mayan Xic T shirts,
Calle 21 No. 76 Local 9 x 12A y 14, Chuburna de Hidalgo

Mérida English Library
Calle 53 No. 524 x 66 y 68, Centro

Mérida Tradicional
Paseo Montejo x Calle 45

Nahualli Casa de los Artistas
Calle 60 No. 405 x 43 y 45, Centro

Perro Paraíso Doggy Spa, Daycare, and Hotel
www.perroparaiso.com

Plaza Americana
Adjacent to Hotel Fiesta Americana

Soho Galleries
Calle 60 No. 400A x 41 y 43, Centro

Xtabentun liqueur
Calle 16 No. 240, Vista Alegre