29 Best Souvenirs in Cancun and Where to Buy Them

Looking for the best souvenirs in Cancun and where to buy them? Worry no more, I’m here to help.

There is no shortage of places to buy souvenirs in Cancun. It can often feel like everywhere you turn there are shops trying to sell you brightly colored souvenirs with the word “Cancun” printed all over them.

While that type of flashy souvenir can be fun, Mexico has a rich history of handicrafts and artisan products that make for quality, unique souvenirs.

Keep reading to learn about the best souvenirs to take home from your vacation in Cancun and where to find them. 

Best Cancun Souvenirs

Souvenir shopping can be tricky. Whether you are buying something to remember your vacation with or shopping for presents to take home to loved ones, you want to find great souvenirs without spending your entire vacation looking for them.

Thankfully, Mexico is known for its amazing handicrafts and unique food items, both of which make for great souvenirs. Here is a list of the best souvenirs so you know what to shop for:

1. Mexican Sombrero

For years, no souvenir says “a trip to Mexico” more than bringing back a colorful sombrero.

Sombreros are traditional Mexican hats with a wide brim and often have colorful woven patterns.

When people think of Mexican sombreros they often think of a woven hat, but many high-quality sombreros are made out of cloth.

Traditionally, cowboys and people working under the sun would use sombreros to protect their skin.

While on vacation in Cancun you will most likely see mariachi musicians dressed in traditional outfits with matching sombreros. 

Unlike sombreros you find at party stores or Mexican restaurants in the United States, authentic sombreros are truly a work of art.

They are beautifully crafted with attention to detail and colorful designs- making them a great item to take home with you! 

2. Mexican Jewelry

If you, or someone you are shopping for love jewelry, Cancun is a great place to shop for something special.

Jewelry is a great souvenir because it does not take up any space in your luggage, and you can use it.

Whether you get a piece that you only use on special occasions or a piece of jewelry you can use every day, wearing it will remind you of your vacation (which is one of the best reasons to buy souvenirs).

Mexican artisans produce all types of jewelry and you can find some truly unique and beautiful pieces here. 

While in Cancun, you can shop for traditional Mayan-inspired jewelry.

The Maya civilization has a long history of making jewelry- they started over 5,000 years ago! Traditional Mayan jewelry uses large pieces of stone that are typically brightly colored.

You can find pieces with polished turquoise, blue and green jade, and other semi-precious stones.

You can find rings, bracelets, and necklaces as well as animal figurines, and masks. 

Mexico is a country that loves color, and jewelry is no exception.

All over the country, you can find colorful crochet jewelry.

There are colorful earrings, bracelets, and necklaces to choose from. 

Mexico is known for its silver. Taxco, in the state of Guerrero, has been making high-quality silver jewelry for hundreds of years.

Now, you can find beautiful silver pieces all over the country.

Silver jewelry ranges from quite affordable to pieces for thousands of dollars, depending on what exactly you want. 

Another distinct Mexican piece of jewelry is the Huichol (pronounced wet-chol) beaded jewelry.

These pieces are made with brightly colored beads that are arranged in distinctive geometric patterns and shapes.

You can buy Huichol bead earrings, bracelets, necklaces, as well as different figurines. 

A great gift or keepsake for your trip to Mexico are woven friendship bracelets.

You can find these all over and they are a fun, inexpensive jewelry item to pick up. 

3. Huipiles

Huipiles are the embroidered shirts and dresses that Mayan and Zapotec women traditionally wore.

You will still find many women in Cancun using these comfortable, lightweight, and beautiful shirts and dresses.

They usually have flowers or other symbols embroidered around the neckline.

Huipiles are often white with colorful flowers, but you can find them in a variety of colors too.

There is a big price range for huipiles depending on the material used and whether the designs were hand embroidered. 

4. Huaraches

Huaraches are traditional sandals that are made from woven leather.

Traditionally they were all leather, but now they are made with rubber soles.

You can get them in tan colors, or, just like almost everything in Mexico, they come in a variety of color combinations.

There are countless different styles of huaraches, some look more like a slip-on flat, while others have the look of a traditional sandal.

Tip: Like most things, you get what you pay for.

You can find huaraches at a wide variety of prices, but try them on before buying them, sometimes the cheapest versions rub your skin. 

5. Guayabera 

Guayabera are traditional men’s shirts that are popular in Mexico and across Central America.

Also known as “camisas de Yucatan” or shirts from the Yucatan Peninsula, you will see these lightweight shirts all over, from formal hotel workers to politicians.

In fact, the president of Mexico is known for always wearing Guayaberas.

They are made from linen, silk, or cotton and worn outside of pants.

They often have vertical pleats that run the length of the front of the shirt.

They were traditionally made in white or pastel colors, but today you can find them in all different colors.

Guayaberas are a great way for you to look classy and stay cool in hot weather and a souvenir that you will be able to put to use. 

6. Embroidered Handbags

Mexicans have been embroidering fabrics for many generations.

Traditionally embroidery was used to commemorate important events and show social status.

Today you can still find a huge variety of embroidered items in Mexico.

You will typically find flowers and unique animal designs.

Embroidered handbags make great souvenirs because they are beautiful and practical.

You can find them in all different sizes and styles and the embroidery comes in all different colors. 

7. Mexican blankets & pillows

Colorful woven Mexican blankets and pillows are great souvenirs.

You can easily find them in souvenir shops all over Cancun.

Colorful pillows and pillow coverings are great for decorating your home.

Mexican blankets come in varying thicknesses and can be used for decorating your home, or thicker blankets are great for taking to the beach, using for picnics, and taking camping or hiking because they are durable. 

8. Mexican Leather

Mexico is known worldwide for its high-quality leather products.

You can find a variety of leather items including shoes, wallets, belts, bracelets, purses and backpacks, and so much more.

In general, leather is very affordable in Cancun. You can even buy specialty leather items that are embroidered with a special cactus fiber! 

9. Serape

Serapes are long, colorful shawls that often look like a blanket.

They are rectangular shaped and modern serapes often have a hole where your head pops out some new designs even have a hood.

Serapes come in all different colors and designs and have fringe at the ends.

They come in different lengths but usually go to the wearer’s knees.

Serapes that you find in the Cancun area were traditionally woven by Mayan women and worn by men. 

10. Zapotec Rugs

Zapotec rugs are handwoven rugs made from wool.

The rugs each have a unique design on them, often featuring traditional Zapotec patterns.

They are all one of a kind and the dyes used on the wool come from natural products such as plants, insects, and minerals.

Zapotec rugs are made on hand-operated looms and have become incredibly popular in the last few years. 

11. Silverware

Mexico is the place to go if you want to buy silver.

The best silver in the country comes from Taxco, a region of Mexico that began making silver before the Spanish arrived in Mexico.

Today, silver for Taxco is sold all over the world and is known for being high quality.

You can find anything and everything you could ever want to be made out of silver.

Silver comes in all different price ranges depending on how intricate it is and the size of the item. 

12. Hand-painted Margarita Glasses

When you are out at restaurants in Cancun you will probably notice that many use thick, beautiful margarita glasses.

These glasses are handblown and handpainted and are brightly colored and simply beautiful.

A set of hand-painted margarita glasses make for a great present or a fun way to take a piece of your vacation home with you.

Tip: At Vidrio Soplado in Puerto Aventuras you can watch the artists blow the glass.

There you can also pick up all sorts of colorful glassware at great prices. 

13. Weaved Baskets

Hand-weaved baskets are one of the oldest traditional handicrafts in Mexico.

Artisans use a variety of materials including wicker and palm to weave baskets into all different shapes and sizes.

Today weaved baskets are often used for decoration and storage in homes.

Weaved baskets are both practical and aesthetically pleasing, making them an ideal souvenir to take home with you. 

14. Hammocks

Nothing says a Mexican vacation like lounging on a beach in a hammock.

That’s why hammocks are a great souvenir to take home with you.

You can string it up on a beach, while camping, or in your own yard and relax and channel your vacation energy.

Throughout the Yucatan Peninsula hammocks are still a popular way for people to sleep.

They do not take up much space- you can take them down during the day, and traditionally kept you safe from bugs and critters.

Plus, in the hot climate, many people feel that sleeping on a hammock is fresher than sleeping on a bed.

In Cancun, you can find all different size hammocks- even ones big enough to fit your whole family!

They are hand woven and come in a variety of colors. 

15. Pottery

People have been making pottery in Mexico for many generations.

You can find different pottery styles throughout the country, and the most common style you will find in Cancun features brightly colored pieces with lovely designs on them.

You can find everything from large serving dishes to sugar bowls and salt and pepper shakers.

Pottery is a great souvenir because you can use it in your kitchen daily. 

16. Onyx Sculptures

Onyx stone is found throughout Mexico.

It has been used for all different things, including decorating churches.

Today, onyx sculptures are a popular souvenir.

You can get chess sets, glasses, vases, and all the different statues and figures made out of onyx. 

17. Mexican Lacquerware

Mexicans have been making lacquerware products for hundreds of years.

They traditionally made oil from ground seeds and different powdered minerals to make a protective and decorative layer on items.

Lacquerware was often used on gords to make drinking glasses.

When the Spanish arrived the art changed, and has continued to evolve until today.

Now you can find the technique applied to all sorts of items including furniture and kitchenware.

18. Olinalá Wooden Boxes 

Olinalá boxes were traditionally made out of aloe wood and covered with lacquer.

Today they can be made out of many different types of wood and have beautiful designs on them.

They are ideal for storing jewelry or other small items.

They are great souvenirs because they are decorative and functional. 

19. Mexican Chocolates

Mexicans have been drinking chocolate drinks since pre-Hispanic times.

You can find powdered chocolate mixes to take home and make drinks out of, as well as sorts of chocolate and cacao items.

Chocolate is a great souvenir, whether you are keeping it for yourself or gifting it to someone, you know that whoever drinks or eats it will enjoy it. 

20. Molinillo

Molinillos are wooden whisks used for making hot, frothy (and often chocolatey) beverages.

Molinillos are beautiful and functional and great for people who like to cook and prepare fancy beverages. 

21. Tequila

Tequila is the national drink of Mexico.

It is a product of origin, and to be called tequila, it must be made in the state of Jalisco with the blue agave plant.

There are many different types of tequila- white and aged.

You can find tequila all over Cancun, look for varieties that are not readily available where you live! 

22. Xtabentun Liquor

If you want to find a liquor that is truly authentic to the Yucatan Peninsula, look for Xtabentun liquor.

It is made from anise seed and fermented honey that comes from the nectar of the Xtabentun liquor.

This liquor is only found in the Yucatan Peninsula and dates back to when the Mayan people began producing honey.

The liqueur has a light amber color and tastes like honey with an anise finish. 

23. Mezcal

While tequila is the national beverage of Mexico and you will find it all over right now, one of the most popular drinks in mezcal.

Like tequila, Mezcal is made from the agave plant, but unlike tequila, it can be made from any type of agave.

When making mezcal, the agave plant is roasted, giving it the finished product a smokey flavor.

Like tequila, it is a product of origins and can come from the states of Oaxaca, Zacatecas, Durango, Guerrero, and San Luis Potosi.

One of the most fun things about shopping for mezcal is that you can often find small, independent producers. 

24. Mexican Marionettes

The different indigenous groups of Mexico made their versions of marionettes.

Marionette puppets are still popular in Mexico and you can find all different types.

They come dressed in traditional or modern clothing, and you can find marionettes of famous historical people and pop culture personalities.

25. Maracas

Maracas are a percussion instrument that you find throughout Latin America.

Traditionally they were made out of dried coconut shells or gourds and filled with seeds or dried beans.

Today you can find them made out of all different materials including leather, wood, and even plastic.

Maracas are a fun present to take home, especially for children, and you can find them in all sorts of bright colors. 

26. Handmade Mexican toys and decorative items

When you shop for souvenirs in Cancun you will find a huge variety of handmade toys and items to decorate your home with.

From adorable, brightly wooden turtles that have bobbing heads, to games made out of wood, there are lots of items to buy for children to play with.

Mexico is known for loving bright colors and their textiles, baskets, and countless other decorative items can add energy and color to any space. 

27. Mexican Day of the Dead souvenirs

Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd, but you can find souvenirs that commemorate this holiday all year round.

Day of the Dead is a time when Mexicans celebrate their loved ones who have died.

If you have the chance to visit Mexico during this time you will see altars that have pictures of loved ones, sugar skulls, and cempazuchitl flowers (marigolds).

You can find beautiful Calavera Catrinas, or elegant skulls that celebrate the beauty and nature in death.

You can find calaveras on all sorts of items, such as purses, shirts, as well as Day of the Dead figurines. 

28. Lucha Libre Masks

Lucha libre plays a big part in Mexican entertainment.

Wrestlers dress up in colorful costumes and entertain spectators with their wrestling moves and hilarious commentary.

You can find the brightly colored masks the luchadors wear all over Mexico.

They can make for an important element in a costume in the future and are just a lot of fun for kids and adults!

29. Mexican snacks and spices

If you are not sure what to buy for yourself or a loved one, consumables are always a great option.

Picking up spices and snacks that you cannot get at home lets you take a piece of Mexico with you.

It will not take you long in Cancun to see that no matter where you go, someone will be selling snacks, and Mexico has a lot of unique flavors to taste.

Just like all of its cuisine, Mexican candy is full of flavor.

Some of the most popular candies are covered in spicy chile powder, to make for a sweet and spicy snack experience.

Flavors such as mango and tamarindo are popular to combine with spicy chile.

If spice is not your thing, check out Mazapan, a crumbly candy made with peanuts.

Candy is an easy and inexpensive souvenir to take home, plus the surprising flavors make a fun gift. 

If you want to be really adventurous in your snacking, get your hands on some dried grasshoppers.

Grasshoppers are usually dried and roasted until crispy on a flat pan, and then salt, garlic powder, and of course, chile are added.

If you ask them, many Mexicans will tell you snacking on grasshoppers is a lot like eating potato chips or any other salty, crunchy snack.

Sal de gusano, or worm salt, is made from toasted and ground up agave worms, salt, and spices such as you guessed it- chile.

Worm salt is often served with mezcal or other cocktails, but you can also use it on anything you’d like from salads to ceviches.

A jar of worm salt is a great gift for mezcal lovers. 

One of the most obvious, and best, souvenirs to take home with you from Mexico is hot sauce.

You can find a variety of hot sauces at souvenir shops, or just pop into any grocery store and check out the hot sauce aisle.

You will probably recognize some brands that are exported all over the world, but look for smaller, regional brands for different flavor combinations. 

If you are looking for an authentic ingredient you can take home with you consider buying dried hominy.

Hominy is whole corn kernels that are soaked in lime juice to soften and remove the hard outer layers.

Hominy is used to make all sorts of Mexican dishes, one of the most famous being pozole- a soup with these large, chewy, and fluffy corn kernels and pork.

You can also grind up hominy to make tortillas or tamale dough.

Another way to take authentic Mexican flavors home with you is to buy mole powder.

Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce that is made out of a variety of chili peppers that are roasted and then ground into a powder.

You can use the powder to make a sauce that goes great with chicken, turkey, or any other meat or vegetable you want to use!

Authentic Mexican vanilla is a great souvenir.

Mexican vanilla is considered some of the best vanilla in the world- just pay attention while shopping when you buy the real stuff.

Many stores carry synthetic vanilla and try to trick you into thinking it is authentic.

Look for real vanilla in spice shops and be prepared to pay more for it.

The great flavor is worth paying a bit extra for. 

Where to find the best Cancun souvenirs shops

Now that you have an idea of what you will shop for, you need to learn where to find it.

Thankfully, there are plenty of great shopping areas to get souvenirs at in Cancun, so you can pick the spot that is the most convenient for you. 

📍 Map of souvenir shops in Cancun

👉🏽 Market 28

Market 28 is one of the best places to shop for souvenirs, plus, visiting there is an experience on its own!

Market 28 is located in downtown Cancun off of Xel-Ha at Plaza San Miguel.

Market 28 is made up of countless shops and stalls selling every kind of colorful souvenir you could ask for.

Take your time getting lost among the shops, and be prepared to haggle with vendors for the best price.

Not only can you do all your souvenir shopping at Mercado 28, but you can also find great prices on tours and delicious, authentic food. 

👉🏽 La Islas shopping village

La Isla shopping village is located in the heart of the Cancun hotel zone at kilometer 12.5.

This modern shopping center has open-air walkways with water channels and over a hundred different stores to shop at.

You can shop for major international brands, luxury items, and souvenirs all in one visit.

La Islas has a Ferris wheel, lots of great restaurant choices, and entertainment for the whole family, making it a great spot to spend an afternoon. 

👉🏽 Mercado 23

Mercado 23 is located in downtown Cancun at the intersection of Avenida Tulum and Avenida Chichen Itza.

Mercado 23 is a popular place for locals to go to buy fresh produce, meats, and cheese.

If you are looking for authentic food items to take home with you- this is the place to go.

You can find stalls selling spices, salsas, and Mexican candies.

The outside of the market has several souvenir shops to shop at too.

Just like Market 28, make sure you plan to eat at Mercado 23.

There you can eat with, and like, a local at taco stands and small restaurants. 

👉🏽 Coral Negro Flea Market

The Coral Negro Flea Market is the only flea market in the hotel zone.

It is located near the Forum by the Sea shopping center and is filled with all sorts of souvenirs.

You will find an endless supply of keychains, t-shirts, and baseball hats with Cancun written on them.

Once you look past that though, you can also find a great variety of souvenirs and handicrafts.

The market is a great spot for Mexican pottery, hammocks, traditional Mexican clothing, and even jewelry.

Prices are not marked so be prepared to bargain with the salespeople, and as always, remember that if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

👉🏽 Plaza las Americas

Plaza las Americas is a large shopping center located in downtown Cancun near the entrance to the hotel zone.

This shopping center is popular with locals and tourists and you can find a huge variety of international and regional stores as well as a large grocery store. 

👉🏽 Plaza la Fiesta

Plaza la Fiesta is a huge shopping center with an amazing variety of Mexican products and handicrafts.

It is located at kilometer 12.5 in the hotel zone and you can find all types of souvenirs here.

You can get tequila, clothing, handicrafts, and food items here.

Tip: Have a plan of what you want to buy when you go there. The huge amount of items can be overwhelming otherwise!

👉🏽 Mercado Ki Huic

Mercado Ki Huic is one of Cancun’s oldest markets located on Avenida Tulum near the entrance to the hotel zone.

Mercado Ki Huic is made up of several small shops and stalls where you can find authentic Mexican handicrafts, art, embroidered clothing and textiles, and home decor.

It is a great place to pick up presents and souvenirs for a great price- just be prepared to bargain a little bit!

👉🏽 Tianguis de la 94

Tianguis are informal street markets in Mexico.

They are famous in Mexico City, where every Sunday streets close as vendors set up shops to sell everything from food to old records to clothing.

If you want to experience Mexican tianguis, check out the Tianguis de la 94. Located in Region 94 of Cancun, this market stretches several blocks from Avenida Juarez to Leona Vicario on Calle 56 Norte on Saturdays from 2 pm to 9 pm.

At this street bazaar, you can find clothing, furniture, food, and Mexican handicrafts and artisans.

Warning – I need to let you know that in both cases (Tianguis 100 and 94) is not one of the safest areas in Cancun and although I have passed through, I have never actually been in the market. Personally, I would avoid going there, but if you are curious, make sure you leave all your personal belonging in your hotel safety box and bring only a few pesos if you want to buy anything.

👉🏽 Tianguis de la 100 

The tianguis of Region 100 in Cancun is the city’s oldest and biggest tianguis.

The market happens every Sunday between Jose Lopez Portillo and Francisco I Madero in Region 100.

You can truly find anything and everything here- kitchen items, used clothes, furniture, books, records, you name it.

Take your time strolling through and see what kind of treasures you find.

👉🏽 Manos Magicas

Manos Magicas is located in the Jardin del Arte, or Art Garden, at kilometers 4.5 in the hotel zone.

Here you can find over 200 Mexican artisans selling their products.

This is a great place to go shopping and pick up locally-made products.

Plus, in addition to shopping, there are workshops where children can learn from local artists. 

👉🏽 Fiesta Mexicana

Fiesta Mexicana is located in Plaza Caracol at kilometers 8.5 in the hotel zone.

You can find a little bit of everything here- sombreros, hot sauce, maracas, sculptures, and all sorts of Mexican toys.

In addition to the authentic handicrafts, you can get brightly colored shirts, hats, and bags with Cancun written on them.

👉🏽 Walmart Cancun

You might be surprised to know that you can get souvenirs at Walmart in Cancun.

Walmart, just like Walmart in the United States, has a bit of everything from electronics to home goods to fresh produce.

The Walmart in Cancun is located downtown, and if you are already planning a trip there to buy supplies for your vacation, check out the souvenir section. 

👉🏽 Cancun Airport

If you decided there was a souvenir you can’t live without, realized you forgot to buy a present for someone, or just like to leave shopping to the last minute, you’ll be happy to know that the Cancun airport has extensive souvenir shopping.

Los Cinco Soles store is located in the Cancun airport and has all sorts of Mexican handicrafts.

You can pick up everything from jewelry to colorful pottery to Mexican candies while you wait for your flight home. 

Buying Cancun souvenirs online

In today’s global world, you do not actually have to come to Cancun, or even Mexico, to purchase souvenirs.

If you realize you want more of a product you found in Mexico or forgot to buy a souvenir for someone, you can easily purchase Mexican products online.

While nothing compares to the experience of strolling through a foreign market, using local currency, and trying to bargain for the best price, it is good to know you can purchase items you want online. 

Amazon

It should probably not come as a surprise that you can find all sorts of Mexican souvenirs on Amazon.

You can search for all sorts of Mexican handicrafts and products and have the convenience of sending them to any address you would like.

Shopping on Amazon is easy and a great option if you do not have space in your suitcase to carry souvenirs. 

Cancun souvenirs shopping tips

✔️ Shopping for souvenirs should be fun.

✔️ Whenever possible, try to purchase your souvenirs with pesos.

Many stores and vendors will accept US dollars, but they can set their own exchange rate, and it will generally be a bit lower than at the bank or currency exchange centers.

To make your money go the furthest, have pesos, in cash.

Credit card companies charge a commission to shops, so vendors that accept credit cards will be less likely to give you a great bargain for an item. 

✔️ Speaking of bargaining, be prepared to negotiate prices with vendors.

You will find that in many markets, especially Mercado 28, nothing has its price marked. That is because vendors expect you to haggle with them a bit.

The way to get the best price is to ask around at other shops to have a general idea of what an item you want costs.

And remember to always be respectful when negotiating.

Vendors are not trying to make you angry, bargaining is just part of the sales process.

Some of the larger souvenir stores have prices marked.

If you see a marked price it is generally safe to assume the price is firm, but you can always ask the salesperson for confirmation. 

✔️ When shopping, do not buy the first items that catch your eye.

The number of souvenirs in the markets can be overwhelming, but take your time looking around before making your selection. 

✔️ Lastly, it is easy to buy more souvenirs in Mexico than you expected.

With so many amazing handicrafts and local food and drink items, you can easily buy more than you have room for in your suitcase.

Plan ahead when coming to Mexico and leave some of your suitcase empty so you have room to take home all souvenirs you buy! 

Frequently Asked Questions about Souvenirs in Cancun

Final Thoughts: The Best Souvenirs in Cancun

The best souvenirs will help you remember your vacation and transport you back to your time in Cancun.

Mexican souvenirs are a great representation of the country- brightly colored and fun! Mexico has a rich history of handicrafts, from hand-woven textiles to colorful pottery, and you can take a piece of that home with you.

Have fun with your souvenir shopping- just remember to leave enough space in your suitcase to get all your purchase home with you!