Shopping in Guanajuato

·Irapuato and Leon are such heavily polluted cities, and so difficult to navigate, that I would not recommend wasting your vacation time and money going there. The leather district of Leon might be an exception.

·Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel are both worth the time and money to go shopping.

CITIES

Pottery:

Location: Guanajuato - High quality majolica pottery is manufactured in the city of Guanajuato. In the centre of the city you will find crafts shops where it is possible to purchase jewelry in silver and gold, the traditional “pajaritos” jewelry and baroque silverwork.

Location: Leon Gto.: Leather and Shoe Capital of the World:

Shopping in León is an irresistible attraction, and a visit to its commercial centers exclusively devoted to the sale of shoes and leather goods is a must. Here you can find jackets, belts, portfolios, bags, wallets and the latest in fashion. All of export quality and at excellent prices.

San Miguel, Gto. Shopping:

The entire city is a bazaar. Houses have been respectfully converted to exhibit handicrafts, furniture and accessories as well as works by renowned national and international artists. In this bazaar it is possible to acquire mirrors, beds and brass lamps; wool clothing items and ponchos; carved stone objects and the well-known blown glass of San Miguel de Allende, all with an artistic quality much appreciated in Europe and North America, points to which they are exported.

Center of pottery production:

A special feature of this city is its china, with a Spanish influence and Talavera type finish, in plates, vases and tiles. The latter are exported, given their exceptional quality. The hand-painted pottery is striking: dinner sets, tea sets, flowerpots and traditional pottery in the form of pots and pitchers. Location: Dolores Hidalgo Gto.

Strawberry Capital of the World:

Forty minutes from Guanajuato is Irapuato "The Strawberry Capital of the World". This city is an important agro-industry and textile centre. On the farmlands around it strawberries are grown for the national market and for the United States and Europe. They can be enjoyed as a dessert in chocolate, jellied, with cream or alone in a number of the city’s restaurants. The city’s craftsmen are known for their carefully made basketwork and, even better for the palate, for the various regional sweets made here.

Making Cajeta:

Celaya is famous for its custard cream, called “Cajeta”, and other sweets made from milk, such as custard, coconut jams and wafers, that can be acquired directly at the factory or at outlets in the city centre. A good purchase is the traditional cardboard craftwork and the “alebrijes”, a fanciful mixture of animal figures that suggest winged dragons in bright colors.Location: Celaya Gto.

DIFFERENT SHOPS

Hidalgo Marketplace

Nowadays, this is the main market of the city of Guanajuato. Here you will find from a regional candy to the most beautiful piece of pottery. The construction of this magnificent building was due to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Mexico 's Independence Day, it was inaugurated in 1910 by General Porfirio Diaz, who was in those days the President of the Republic. Most parts of the building are made of iron and pink quarry; it features a beautiful dome that allows light to enter through its large windows. On the center you will find an impressive clock with 4 faces.

Handicraft Shop

This store is located at San Gabriel de Barrera's ex-hacienda. This construction dates from the 18 th century. Even though it was intended to be a kitchen for the hacienda, it is now a gorgeous stand where you will find majolica pottery, clay, brass, glass, wool and hundreds of works of art made with creativity and the magic hands of Guanajuato's artisans.

Nina Bonita (Pretty Girl), gallery and handicrafts

This gorgeous gallery is located in the city of Guanajuato. It features original and elegant decorative objects for your house, they are ideal for a special gift, or simply as a souvenir of this beautiful place. The articles you will find here go from cute key chains, T-shirts, ashtrays, pottery and regional candies, to exclusive manta clothes, jewelry, lithography, antiques and paintings of urban landscapes created by Guanajuato artists who are proud of their native land.

La Rana (The Frog)

Right in the heart of the city and just beside to the "Museo del Pueblo de Guanajuato" (Town of Guanajuato Museum), you will find a quaint store with a wide and colorful variety of handicrafts: hampers, papier mache mythical creatures, the traditional blown glass, beautiful pottery pieces, traditional toys, and much more. Besides, you will find books edited by the "Instituto Estatal de la Cultura" (State's Culture Institute), this institution supports the creative talent of the people of Guanajuato for it be recognized in a National and International level along with their works about legends and history of the region.

La Casa del Minero (Miner's House)

Guanajuato is also taste and scent; that is why if offers a wide variety of traditional candies going from home-made coconut candies, milk caramel spread and glazed strawberries, to the very famous peanut caramels shaped as mummies. Here you will be able of buying all kinds of delights. This store is located just steps away from the Valenciana temple. This place's distinctive characteristic is its personal attention and the quality of its products.

Casa de los Angeles (House of the Angels)

This beautiful and genuine shop is located at San Miguel de Allende's gorgeous downtown; here you will find all kinds of marvelous traditional articles elaborated by the artisans of this region. It is possible to buy mirrors, beds and candleholders made of brass; clothes made of wool, as well as objects and sculptures carved in quarry and fine woods from Celaya and Apaseo el Alto, neighbor towns from San Miguel de Allende.

Claroscuro

During your visit to San Miguel de Allende's downtown, apart from appreciating the beautiful monuments, gardens and churches, you should also visit Claroscuro, a handicraft shop that offers papier mache articles, wrought iron, wax figures brought from Salamanca, majolica pottery from Guanajuato and clay from Dolores Hidalgo, as well as basketry made in Irapuato.

Plaza del Zapato (Shoe Market)

This mall's characteristic has been for more than 20 years, the fact that it only sells shoes, since then it has been recognized as the first establishment specialized in footwear in all Latin America and the largest one in Mexico. Here you will find leather articles for your whole family in the great variety of stores from different nationally and internationally recognized brands. Fulfill your every whim taking with you a part of Leon.

Enjoy Guanajuato!

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A small guide to help the traveler to Mexico know what to enjoy when arriving in this obscure but significant Colonial Mexican Town.