9 Unique Souvenirs To Bring Home From Mexico

Mexico is world-famous for its spirits. Tequila—from the state of Jalisco—was the first to gain widespread popularity abroad, while mezcal, also made from the agave plant and found in the state of Oaxaca (among others), is a more recent addition to bar menus from Chicago to Singapore. But there are others, too, that may entice thirsty travelers. Pox, made from corn and brown sugar in Chiapas, is attracting a new fan base, though it remains unknown in many areas; similarly, the agave-based sotol and raicilla from the northern states are becoming higher-profile as well.

Insider tip: Visit Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, for mezcal; San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, for pox; or try them all at bars that specialize in Mexican spirits, such as La Botica or Luvina in Mexico City.

Mole is a general term for sauces made from seeds, chilis, and sometimes chocolate. You’ll find a great variety of types throughout Mexico City, Puebla, and especially the state of Oaxaca, famous for its seven main kinds (from green to yellow to black). Any trip to these locales ends in cooking inspiration—make sure to take advantage by bringing back mole powder for your own dishes at home.

Insider tip: Be aware of both airline and customs rules before buying. Most airlines allow mole powder but not mole paste, while many countries allow you to import mole as long as it’s clearly labeled and packaged.

Oaxaca maintains long traditions of pottery-making, and in the state you’ll find two main types: barro negro, or black clay, and barro rojo, red clay. The techniques still used today date back to the Zapotec civilization, the capital of which, Monte Albán, peers over Oaxaca City. In boutiques that line the colorful streets, you can find intricate designs on vases, cups, mugs, and monumental centerpieces—just don’t forget the bubble wrap on your way home. If you want to get closer to its production, you can also visit the nearby villages of San Marcos Tlapazola, for red pottery, or San Bartolo Coyotepec, for black.

The remarkable tree of life sculptures produced in central Mexico reflect a tradition that took hold during the Spanish conquest, when colonizers banned Indigenous religion, and local artisans melded Christian images with existing pottery techniques. One hot spot for the craft is the pueblo mágico ("magic town") of Metepec in the State of Mexico, about 1.5 hours from Mexico City and an easy day trip. There, you can walk through workshops and witness the process of assembling these complex devotional pieces. Many are multicolored while others remain unpainted or alternatively glazed in black; equally, some may be small enough to hold in your palm while others take up a whole room.

Editor's note: Travel to Michoacán and Guerrero is not recommended due to serious safety risks in this area. Please follow your government's guidance and travel advisories.

Metalsmithing has served as an integral part of the economy in many places around central Mexico throughout history. Visit the pueblo mágico of Taxco in Guerrero, just a couple hours from Mexico City. This small town, nestled in the mountains, has long been a center of silver production. Weave through the narrow streets, stopping at small boutiques and seeing the world-class handiwork of the local metalsmiths.

Alternatively, if copper is more your style, visit Santa Clara del Cobre in the state of Michoacán, another “magic town,” which keeps the tradition of working copper alive. Bring home a spoon, bowl, or even a clock made by hand.

The story behind alebrijes, colorful animal figurines made of paper-mâche (in the State of Mexico) or wood (in Oaxaca), may be even more fascinating than the creatures themselves. There's debate over the origins, but many favor the following story: Pedro Linares López was an artist living in Mexico City, who in 1936 became sick and began to have fevered hallucinations. What he saw were animals and animal-like magical creatures who saved his life. When he returned to work, he knew he needed to create art that honored his helpers, so he began the craft of making alebrijes (a name he came up with himself).

Over the next decades, his art became extremely popular and others expanded on the form. Now, the figures have a special connection to Oaxaca, where you can find them throughout every part of the city—you can even sign up to paint your own.

Insider tip: State of Mexico alebrijes are characterized by hallucinogenic, unreal forms, whereas Oaxacan versions are more true to life ... albeit more colorful.

La Lagunilla is an expansive market north of the historic center of Mexico City, where every Sunday a tianguis (traditional market) spills onto the surrounding streets. The focus here is antiques, including furniture, vintage clothes, and Mexican knick-knacks from decades (or centuries) past. You can spend hours here, sifting through the weird and wonderful mixture of cheap and expensive, high- and low-brow, new and old. Highlights include ex-votos (folk art entreating or thanking saints), movie posters, and lithographic prints by up-and-coming young artists.

Insider tip: Beware that objects of anthropological interest, such as genuine masks or pre-Hispanic artifacts, are not legally allowed out of the country.

Chocolate originated around what is now the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, and it continues to be important to the culture in that part of the country. In Maya culture, chocolate was sacred—reserved for use by priests, kings, and warriors, who used its caffeine to maintain stamina on long journeys. Even now, chocolate is a common breakfast drink, alongside coffee and tea. Just don’t expect whipped cream and marshmallows—traditional hot chocolate is bitter and made with water.

Take advantage of the drink’s many health properties upon your return home with some chocolate and a molinillo, a traditional mixing stick that creates the delicious froth on the top of a good cup.

You can find beautiful textiles across Mexico, from the northern states of Sonora and Chihuahua all the way to the Yucatán. In Puebla and the State of Mexico, seek out huipils, loose-fitting dresses that Indigenous women have been wearing since pre-Hispanic times. In Chihuahua, you can find belts embroidered with triangular designs worn by the Tarahumara people. And in Oaxaca, you’ll be surrounded by a bounty of textiles for both clothing and the home, from napkins to tablecloths. One place to peruse a variety of different textiles is in Mexico City at El Bazaar Sábado, a weekly art market in the neighborhood of San Ángel, near Coyoacán.