What to Buy in Mexico (From Someone who Keeps Going Back)

I’ve visited Mexico numerous times. From partying at all-inclusives in my 20s to searching for the monarch butterflies in Michoacán, to luxury stays in Cabo and laid-back vibes in La Paz. While you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops selling the same mass-produced trinkets, these are the things to buy in Mexico that I actually look for (and suggest others buy when they visit).

Food Souvenirs from Mexico

Some of these souvenirs are going to vary by region (for example, the coffee you will see below I could not find in Mexico City at all, but it was in every store in the Baja region of Mexico).

Mexican Vanilla

This is where you can get the good stuff! Grocery stores around the world are full of artificial vanilla and if they do have real vanilla, it is quite expensive. Add purchasing a couple of bottles of Mexican vanilla to the shopping list, but remember to put them in your checked luggage because of the liquid rules on planes. (I pack a couple of ziplock bags for this, wrap glass bottles in a tshirt and put in the ziplock in your luggage, and you should have no problem getting it home. You can also place it inside a shoe!)

Molinillo

While the molinillo may be one of the weirdest-looking on this list of foodie things to buy in Mexico, it is actually a very practical and useful souvenir. It is used to make hot chocolate on a stovetop (you might have even seen it in chocolate shops around the world).

With this tool, you can throw away the store-bought chocolate powder and get some drinking chocolate to put in a stove. With a molinillo between your palms, whip the melting chocolate. into a state of creamy perfection. When not being used to make chocolate, it works as a conversation starter and you can buy one in most Mexican markets.

If you plan on being in the Yucatan part of Mexico, I have a post on souvenris unique to the region. It also includes the molinillo and more! You can read it in this post: What to buy in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Mexican Chocolate

If you were wondering why the Mexicans have a tool specifically for making hot chocolate, it is because Mexicans have a deep love for chocolate and make some of the most delicious bars in the world. Mexican chocolate is mostly produced in Tabasco, Chiapas, and Oaxaca, but most of the true chocolate artisans reside in Mexico City. There, you can pick up lush bars from chocolate makers like New Art Xoxolati and Que Bo! Original Mexican chocolate is versatile and works for cooking, drinking, and baking, not just for everyday munching and makes a great souvenir gift.

Mole Paste Mexican Souvenirs

Mole is a classic paste that has featured in many Mexican dishes for centuries. It is made with different types of tomatillos, sugar, dried fruits, spices, and thickeners. These ingredients are flame-roasted and then ground until they are reduced to a powder, which can then be made into a paste. There are many variations of this staple delicacy, and it can be found in stores even in the West. But if you are in Mexico, you can find a more authentic Mole paste at any of the city’s markets. You can buy different varieties, including some with chocolate, from local vendors.

Instant Coffee (Yes, I mean it)

This may sound a little strange, but in certain parts of Mexico (mostly, I have come across this in the Baja region) they drink Nescafé with a twist! It is called Cafe de Olla and has hits of cinnamon and caramel. It is a distinct flavor and one you should try (and buy) if you see it. You can sometimes find it in OXXO stores, depending where you are in Mexico. I saw it everywhere in Baja but never saw it to buy in Michoacan (but was served it quite often).

Mayan Wooden Mask

Mexico’s culture and historical heritage are deeply tied to its works of art. Among the Mexican people once lived the Mayans, who flourished in the Yucatán peninsula for at least a millennium. Part of the artistic heritage of the Mayans are the wooden masks that they carved to depict different deities, prey, and predatory animals and other mystical symbols that gave meaning to their lives. There are still a number of Mayan villages that tourists can visit. In these villages, you will be able to purchase Mayan wooden masks if you wish to add one to your collection of Mexican souvenirs.

Lucha Libre Mask

If you’re looking for something fun to bring home that won’t take up much room in your suitcase, a Lucha Libre mask is one of my favourite souvenirs from Mexico City for kids. These colourful wrestling masks are iconic, inexpensive, and make great gifts.

If you’re visiting Mexico City, I highly recommend checking to see if there’s a Lucha Libre match during your stay. You can walk up and buy tickets before the match so dont worry too much about buying in advance. Even if you’re not a wrestling fan, the atmosphere is a lot of fun!

Before the matches, the streets outside the arena are lined with vendors selling masks inspired by legendary wrestlers, along with plenty of colourful designs to choose from. I found them to be far more memorable than the typical souvenir-shop trinkets, and they’re easy to pack in your luggage without worrying about them breaking.

Huipil

For the fashionable tourist wondering what to buy in Mexico, a huipil is a classic piece of clothing worn by most Mexican women. It is a simple blouse made with common fabric that is covered with breathtaking embroidery. This embroidery comes in an array of different patterns and is one of the ways Mexicans express their art. If in Mexico, you can find the huipil at any of the local markets. Mercado de la Ciudadela is frequently visited by tourists and if you are not sure where else to go, it can be a good place to pick up some huipil.

Considering a relocation to Mexico or even a long term visit? Check out the best places to live in Mexico

Taxco Silver Jewelry

Buying jewelry as souvenirs is great because they can be worn regularly, thus keeping the memories of a great experience alive. Mexicans made and still make fascinating jewelry but from among them, Taxco jewelry stands out. This is jewelry made from silver mined in Taxco – an ancient mining site of Mexican legend. Taxco silver is made into different forms of jewelry for men and women, from earrings to anklets. It is relatively affordable for a precious metal and can be purchased at most boutiques in Mexico. If you are buying souvenirs as gifts for your friends, Taxco silver jewelry is a worthy option as they can wear it pretty much forever.

Xtabentún Liqueur

When considering possible Mexico souvenirs, alcohol is definitely a go-to option. And while you may have heard of Latin-American alcoholic beverages like tequila or mezcal, Xtabentún Liqueur is underrated and an excellent alcoholic drink. It is a delicious anise liqueur produced in the Yucatán area, using honey which is derived from xtabentún flower nectar and then fermented. This mix of fermented honey and anise mixture is further mixed with rum to add real spirit to the drink. Although indigenous to Yucatán, you can find Xtabentún Liqueur in liquor stores all over Mexico.

Figurines For Día de Los Muertos

In Mexico, those who are dead are celebrated once a year in a nationwide holiday. Every year on Dia de Los Muertos – or the Day of the Dead – friends and family members come together to remember those who have passed from the living into the land of the dead. On this day, offerings and prayers are made to help the dead along their journey. In remembering those who have passed, figurines are often made to keep their memories alive. These are usually made in the shape of skulls to remind those still alive that death awaits even them.

Achiote

Most people spend a large part of their time in Mexico enjoying the delicious delicacies that Mexican cuisine offers. They are usually enthralled by the rich array of spices that go in the food and love the idea of taking back some spices as souvenirs. A particularly noteworthy spice is Achiote; a regularly used Mexican spice that gives many Mexican meals their distinctively Latin-American flavor. Achiote can be found in most Mexican markets in powder or paste form and is a great souvenir for a Mexican food lover who also enjoys cooking.

Photos are the best souvenirs from Mexico

Photos of your trip make amazing souvenirs. I have found that I almost always end up behind the camera. More and more, when I travel I have looked for professional photographers who I can book a photo session and then not stress about getting great family memories! If you are like me and love photos, consider booking a photoshoot.

Some trips deserve more than selfies! Occasions like honeymoons, anniversaries, family holidays, solo adventures and even surprise proposals are perfect moments to capture with a Flytographer shoot or simply because you believe that memories are the best souvenir.

Make the effort to print these memories or make a photo book. It might be one of the best souvenirs from Mexico and will last for years to come.

Souvenirs I’d Think Twice About Buying

Not every souvenir sold in Mexico is actually made in Mexico. If I’m going to spend my money, I’d much rather support local artisans and bring home something that reflects the region I visited.

Many tourist markets are filled with inexpensive trinkets, keychains, magnets, plastic toys and mass-produced souvenirs that could have been made almost anywhere. They might be cheap, but they don’t tell much of a story once you get home. Below you can see some magnets from El Rosario Sanctuary in Michoacán. Not everywhere is going to have locally made souvenirs, and that is ok. If a fridge magnet is what you want to buy to remember your trip to the monarchs, go ahead and buy it.

But when there is an opportunity, I always look for items that are handcrafted or clearly marked as made in Mexico. Whether it’s Talavera pottery, handwoven textiles, copper crafts, locally produced vanilla or artwork from a local artist, those purchases directly support the people and traditions that make Mexico so special.

A good question to ask yourself is, “Could I only buy this in Mexico?” If the answer is yes, that’s usually the souvenir worth making room for in your suitcase.