Acapulco – Purchases of Popular Arts, Crafts & Souvenirs – Where to Go
When you come to Acapulco you can see how easy it is to find folk art quality, as well as gifts and pleasant memories. This article shows that in Acapulco can go shopping for souvenirs and folk art. A related article provides information general and discusses tips and Mexican Silver third.
Cruise ship passengers. If you arrive by cruise ship, the time will be limited, and probably want to stay in the area of the city where the ship has docked. (If you have all day, however, do not be afraid to take a taxi and explore the bay!) The few shops in the terminal are good choices. They are reliable, and although their prices are the lowest in the city that are safe and convenient. The employees speak English and French and Spanish, and the selection is always very good. If you walk to the fort near San Diego, gift shop also has books, art and some crafts authentic. Around the central plaza, the Zocalo, a few blocks away, you can find many other stores, too, although they tend more toward the memories that folk art and crafts. About 10 minutes beyond the Zocalo is Parazal Craft Market (also called "Tepito") where you will find a huge collection of booths and tables of all kinds, selling almost everything imaginable. You will be in Acapulco's oldest commercial district, and spends a lot of other stores on their way to and from. On the way back can get a couple of popular art shops in the two blocks immediately east of the Zocalo, Arnoldo German Coast.
Acapulco tourists. If you will be in town for a while, you should plan to achieve a few different places, mainly up and down the Costera Alemán. Technically, an outdoor souvenir market is a "Craft Market," but Locals call it a "flea." Some are more art than trash, more trash than other art, and they all have a lot of things to eat well. In addition to the Craft Market Parazal mentioned above, there are smaller versions in Caletilla Beach (below the western end of the Coast), compared to Playa Tamarindo (called Noa Noa, near Horn), up from Papagayo Park and opposite the Crowne Plaza hotel in the "Zona Dorada". At the roundabout, Diana, Diana Craft Market covers a large area, and offers a rich selection of special folk art, like blouses and skirts. Scattered along the Coastal from one extreme to another are small areas that vendors have spread their wares. Not as permanent (or semi-permanent) as the tiaguis, but also have a good selection and value. Indian vendors are usually women, almost always dressed in colors, the waist shirt dresses with sleeves and skirts wrinkled accordion swollen, covered with an apron in a contrasting color and pattern. For most people, Spanish is their second language, and good proportion of them speak at least as good as you. Gestures work well.
For gifts and decorative items in a wider range of high quality shops have become very popular among tourists. Costa Azul, near the east side of the bay, is the "Casa de la Cultura" (about half CiCi Water block past Park on the same side of the street). Here the city government runs a cultural center that also supports the sales of local artists their own works. Ceramics, pottery, jewelry, painting, all kinds of craftsmanship is on sale here, and prices are generally very reasonable. Sometimes the artisans create a show for passersby to show how to create their art. Finas de Acapulco Crafts (Locally known and Afa-ACA) is a great store with a large inventory of work in Mexico. You can even buy a full mariachi suit if desired. Furniture, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and hand-embroidered clothing and table cloths are available here. Many believe this is the top store of its kind in Acapulco and perhaps all of Mexico. It is at the corner of Horatio Nelson and The Coastal Costa Azul or in the center near the corner of Coast with Juan Escudero (two blocks east of the Zócalo). In the center of the Plaza Bahia Caracoles is Alebrijes And that has an inventory of fun items for children as well as decorative items for home and garden.
For the more adventurous, there are some "serious" markets of the city, where the chefs go early in the morning to buy for its restaurants, and where people go to buy everything you need for your home. The prices are better than in the supermarkets and most elegant shops, but the conditions are rather primitive. The Central Market (on the Rio Film) and the Farmer's Market (in progress) are two examples. Some crafts and souvenirs can be found there, but their main reason to go would be just to look at how the non-tourist city really works.
About the Author
Bernal Castillo writes for RealAcapulco.com, the most complete and reliable source of information about Acapulco, in English and in Spanish. To reach him, go to Acapulco and navigate to the contact page.
Mexican folk dancing
