Mexico is the perfect place for those looking for an unusual gift. Even the souvenirs remind you of the local cuisine: spicy, savory, with the smokiness of a campfire or a hint of chocolate. If after a trip to Cancun or a stroll through Mexico City’s markets you want to bring home something special, it’s not an easy choice.
Discover Mexico City with the Tourist CardWhat should you bring back from Mexico amidst this abundance? We have gathered the most interesting souvenirs that will remind you of the hot sun, street musicians, and the smell of fresh salsa.
» READ MORE – The Blue House in Mexico City and the Life of Artist Frida Kahlo
Minerals, Obsidian, and Silver: Jewelry with History
Mexico is rich in unique materials, such as blue amber. Apart from the Caribbean coast, it can’t be found anywhere else. Locals sell it as jewelry or in pieces.
Amber is familiar to us with a honey tint, but why does it change color? It’s because of the warm climate: the resin under water heats up, perylene forms in it, and refracts the rays so that we see azure shimmers. Inside the stones, there are pieces of volcanic lava that glow in the sun, as well as inclusions — the remains of ancient animals and plants.
Mexico also has the largest deposit of obsidian, a volcanic glass made from sharply cooled lava. It is used to make traditional Aztec knives, statuettes, amulets, and jewelry.
In addition to minerals, the country is a leader in silver mining, and silver jewelry is highly sought after at markets and fairs. It is used to make massive earrings, necklaces with traditional patterns, cutlery, mirrors, boxes, and even musical instruments.
Tequila or Mescal? Mexico’s Alcoholic Duo
Bringing home a bit of fun can be done in glass bottles, and it’s not illegal to take it out of the country.
Everyone knows tequila — it is made only from blue agave. The raw material is roasted, fermented, and distilled twice. The drink has a mild, clean flavor that depends on its aging process. Young tequila (Blanco) is pungent, with agave notes, while aged tequila (Añejo) resembles a noble brandy.
Different varieties of agave are used for mescal, and the raw material is baked underground on coals. Because of this, the drink has a pronounced smoky flavor. Sometimes, a Hypopta agavis caterpillar (a moth larva) is placed in the bottle. It is believed to change the flavor of mescal, giving it a slight nutty note.
There are plenty of spirits to try right on the farms or on the floating gardens of Xochimilco.
Coffee with a Volcanic Character and a Pepper That Will Surprise You
Mexican coffee is very delicate, with notes of milk chocolate, vanilla, nuts, and bergamot. Coffee lovers will appreciate such a gift from Mexico.
On the Caribbean coast, Arabica is mainly cultivated, particularly lowland varieties, so it is called because it grows lower relative to sea level. However, highland Arabica is also grown. During cultivation, almost no fertilizers are used, which is especially appreciated by lovers of organic food. Thanks to the volcanic soil, the taste is distinct – with a slight sourness.
The main production areas are in the south of the country, in Veracruz and Chiapas. The latter has its own sought-after variety – Mexico Chiapas.
Speaking of spices, the first thing that comes to mind is chili, dried or in sauces – there are many types of chili: mild poblano, smoky ancho, fresh serrano, or spicy habanero, which are used in salsa.
Chocolate with Pepper and Pickled Cactus – Will You Try It?
Even the Mayans turned cacao into chocolate, so why not bring back a gift from Mexico that’s related to the local cuisine?
As well as the usual bars in different shapes and flavors, there are special Mexican-inspired ones with cacti and chili. There is also chocolatl, a drink made from cocoa powder, the Indian ancestor of Nesquik. It is sold as pressed tablets that are dissolved in milk or water. Mexican chocolate is slightly offbeat and has a cleaner composition: much less sugar and fat.
Cacti are added everywhere: in candies, chips, and sauces. They can be brought pickled in jars, and they taste like pickles. If you don’t want to bring glass, supermarkets sell cactus flour and powder.
Sombreros, Ponchos, and Leather – What to Wear in Mexico?
Freeze, minimalist lovers, here comes Mexican maximalism!
- The national hat, the sombrero, whose mighty brim will protect you from the sultry sun, tops the list. Straw hats are actively decorated with contrasting ribbons, embroidery, and patterns in rhombuses and stripes
- Mottled shirts and ponchos share the honored silver – the former will delight in warm weather, the latter will keep you warm in chilly weather
- In addition to clothes, you can bring carpets from the state of Oaxaca – cheerful, with bright patterns
- Mexico has a large selection of exotic leather, so go for ostrich, alligator, and python products. At fairs, you can find belts, bags, boots, and many other items, with colors to suit your taste – some are calm, and some are brighter
- Fans of spectacular images should take a closer look at Lucha Libre masks – leather headdresses of Mexican wrestlers, which have become a symbol of the local culture
If you’re looking for a gift from Mexico that will be both memorable and practical, this is the place to go.
The Black Pottery of Oaxaca and the Shining Talavera
From the state of Oaxaca, a special volcanic clay has spread throughout the country. In its raw state, it is indistinguishable from ordinary clay, but after firing, a miracle happens: depending on the type of treatment, it turns black or red.
- The most popular variant is black ceramic, shiny and smooth. It is rubbed with quartz before firing to achieve this effect. This clay is used to make hand-carved vases, dishes, figurines, and jewelry
- If you want something a little more fun, you should look at Talavera. It is made from white clay and glazed with tin, which makes it extremely smooth and shiny. Brightly colored and patterned, the designs vary from flora and its inhabitants to geometric shapes
Colorful Alebrije Trinkets, Beads, and Magic Masks
Children and adults alike are sure to love alebrijes – colorful fairy-tale animal hybrids made of wood or papier-mâché. It is still unclear who invented them, but such creativity was found in the Zapotecs, and they were popularized by the artist Pedro Linares. One thing is certain, colored hybrids have entered Mexican culture: everywhere you can find street art featuring their image, in addition to figurines, T-shirts, and accessories with multi-colored animals. These creatures were even brought to life in the animated film The Secret of Coco.
The Huichol people, also known as the tribe of artists, produce hypnotic beadwork patterns. Their figurines of animals and skulls used to be decorated with stones and bones, but now they are decorated with glass beads. In addition to figurines, the Huichol create paintings embroidered with thread, which are also full of colorful symbols.
All these colorful items can be found at La Ciudadela market.
There are also memorable Mayan gifts – replicas of temples and pyramids, calendar coins, and wooden masks. All of these are sold near the ancient ruins and at local markets or museums.
» READ MORE – Mexico City’s Museum of Anthropology: a world of ancient civilisations under one roof
Do You Want «Spooky» Souvenirs?
You can find an unusual gift from Mexico at witch markets and souvenir shops, especially around the Day of the Dead (1-2 November). Such items are sold all year round, with the most common being sugar skulls and colorful skeleton figures, also called calacas. In addition to sugar skulls, there are ceramic skulls and other types, sometimes resembling famous personalities, such as Frida Kahlo.
Colorful depictions of death, complete with scythes and large statues of painted skeletons, stand around the cities, reminding us that life is short and fun should be had in the time we have.
Not creepy enough? Head to the witch markets for an abundance of magical items: candles, voodoo, herbs for rituals, and amulets. The most innocuous items are bags of herbs and minerals, which shamans use to attract good luck. But there are also darker goods, intended for protection from enemies or rituals, which it is better not to ask about.
Everyone will decide for themselves what to bring back from colorful Mexico, but whatever it is, whether it’s a poncho or a sugar skull, it will definitely remind you of an unforgettable holiday and the warm friendliness of the Indian descendants.
Nan Palmero / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 
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