Souvenirs in Mexico City

Painted skulls, jaguar whistles, chocolate, lucha libre masks, paper mache, blankets, silver, obsidian, woven bracelets, chillies, anything with stone of the sun

The best souvenirs from Mexico City will vary in advice depending on personal preference, and lists of the best souvenirs to buy in Mexico City will have overlap for certain. Avoiding the generic, there are a few items that I would call must buy souvenirs from Mexico City. Some are also general to Mexico. With each, I have included where to buy the best souvenirs in Mexico City.

Painted Skulls:

Painted clay skulls or “calaveras” are seen everywhere in Mexico City. The simple and colourful painted skulls vary in size and style, as well as pattern complexity. Most are bright and unique in style.

I have purchased a number of these skulls over the years, always from the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela. This market remains my favourite location for buying souvenirs in Mexico City

I preferred the quality in the market to those outside on the street and in other locations across the city. The stalls will barter and do deals/discounts for multiple purchases. Don’t just buy at the first stall, take your time to peruse.

There are a number of unique souvenirs to buy from Mexico and especially Mexico City. From painted skulls, to obsidian Teotihuacan pyramids to lucha libre/luchador masks to papier mache characters.

My favourite spot to buy souvenirs in Mexico City is the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela, although there are a number of other artisanal markets scattered across the city.

From Balderas metro, the market is a short walk north. The metro exits into a park, Parque Tolsa, where there are often food stalls. I enjoyed the custard filled pastries called “tortas de nata” from here years ago, but they haven’t been there when I have visited more recently. The road towards the markets is filled with various stalls selling similar trinkets as well as books and games.

I buy vinyl records on my trips, and there is a seller with a particularly good collection at the northernmost end of the block before the market.

The Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela is a series of covered lanes, two running in a big “U” with various lanes joining in between. It is a bit of a maze, and you always find something new and intriguing.

The standout for me are always the colourfully painted skulls. I preferred the quality to those outside the market and in other locations. The stalls will barter and do deals for multiples. Don’t just buy at the first stall, take your time to peruse.

There are also at least two stalls with a great selection of lucha libre masks.

I purchased my Teotihuacan pyramid here as opposed to from the actual site, and I’m glad I made that choice for price and quality.

There are handmade toys and sculptures, woven baskets and mariachi hats and guitars. There are even ponchos with international sports team logos emblazoned on them.

Walking through, checking out all the stalls, it will take you potentially half an hour at the least. There is a café in the centre for a well deserved coffee break.

For sweets/candy/piñatas/clothes/produce etc, go to Mercado de la Merced.

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