If you’re like many people, you probably love going shopping when you are on vacation. Mexico has a rich heritage and culture that attracts visitors from all around the world. It’s also a great place to own a dream vacation home thanks to the great weather and lovely beaches. If you’d like to visit Mexico soon and aren’t sure where to go… Meanwhile, read below to learn about top souvenirs to buy during a Mexico getaway.

 

1. Elegant Talavera Pottery

For starters, Talavera pottery is a beautiful type of pottery that is a top souvenir to buy in Mexico. The style of pottery was introduced by the Spanish during the colonial era in the town of Puebla near Mexico City. The elegant and beautiful pottery has delicate patterns and designs that are now part of Mexico’s rich culture. The best place to find quality Talavera pottery is in Puebla, which is where the pottery was first started. However, you can also find Talavera pottery in shops and stores throughout tourist destinations in Mexico such as Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Riviera Nayarit. There are a variety of pottery pieces available to choose from including lovely plates, plates, cups, spoons, and salt and pepper shakers. Check the bottom of the pottery piece for a DO4 symbol which signifies it is an official Denominacion de Origen stamped on original Talavera pottery.

 

2. Tequila & Mezcal

Secondly, nothing is more authentically Mexican than Tequila! In fact, Tequila and mezcal spirits are the most important and popular spirits that are made in Mexico. The state of Jalisco is where tequila’s birthplace is, and you can visit the town of Tequila on a day trip from Puerto Vallarta. If you want to purchase 100% Azul tequila or mezcal as a souvenir, then Mexico is the best place to get it. If you aren’t sure which brands to try, some of the best tequila brands include Herradura, Clase Azul, and Don Julio. As far as mezcal, El Silencio and 400 Conejos are popular brands that you can take home with you. During your visit to Mexico, you can also sign up to attend tequila and mezcal tasting courses so you can sample great spirits as you learn more about these wonderful Mexican liquors.

 

3. Colorful Mexican Glassware

Thirdly, handmade Mexican glassware is another wonderful and useful gift that you can buy in Mexico. Plus, the beautifully made glassware will compliment your tequila and mezcal if you end up buying a bottle or two to take home. There are many various styles of glassware available in different colors, too. You can buy delicate wine glasses, margarita glasses, shot glasses, and more. In general, traditional handmade Mexican glassware is clear with flecks of different colors within the glass and a vibrant blue rim. Plus, the lovely glassware makes a great gift for friends or the perfect compliment to your own kitchen.

 

4. Handmade Mexican Blankets

Next, if you want a functional and beautiful handmade item to bring back from Mexico, check out traditional handmade Mexican blankets. They are a great souvenir to take home from your Mexican vacation because they are beautiful and useful. Also known as Serapes, authentic Mexican blankets usually have a striped weave design in various colors. and Made with natural fibers such as cotton and wool, they are very durable so they will last forever. They are the perfect souvenir and gift as well. They are very versatile and can be used as blankets, quilts, or even as a picnic blanket.

 

5. Delicious Mexican Chocolate

Lastly, Mexico is actually the birthplace of chocolate. Today, you can find tons of great Mexican chocolate in the country’s top destinations. You can find many different forms of chocolate to buy to take back with you including chocolate bars, chunks, and chocolate mix. Make sure you pick up extra to give to friends and family members for gifts.

 

If you find yourself visiting Mexico soon, you now know the top souvenirs to purchase during your stay. Also, if you’d like to start planning a trip, remember to contact Villa La Estancia in Cabo San Lucas or Riviera Nayarit. Currently, we have all-inclusive travel packages on sale so you can vacation in style and stay on budget, too. Our luxurious beachfront residences for sale are elegant, spacious, and very comfortable. Plus, homeowners enjoy direct access to the resort’s world class resort amenities and services, too.

If you want a dream home at the beach that is low maintenance, call us at Villa La Estancia today to learn more!

You probably already know that the Day of the Dead is an important Mexican holiday celebrated on November 2nd. Thanks to the popularity of box office smash “Coco”, Dia de Los Muertos has become well known all across the world. In Mexico, this important cultural event is a huge part of the country’s rich history and heritage.

This year in Puerto Vallarta, the largest Catrina in Puerto Vallarta’s history was constructed. The elegant and striking Catrina was designed by local artist Alondra Muca and measured an impressive 23 meters tall. At 75 feet high, the Calavera Catrina earned the Guinness Book World Record for having the tallest Catrina in the world.

Each year, the Malecon boardwalk is decorated in honor of Dia de Los Muertos with beautiful altars and decorations to honor those who have passed on before us. Read more about this year’s record breaking Catrina in Puerto Vallarta.

 

Where Did La Catrina Come From?

To start with, if you didn’t know the origins of the Catrina image, you can learn about that right here. Back in 1910, a Mexican printmaker and cartoon illustrator named José Guadalupe created a zinc sketch which was the first image of a Calavera Catrina. Originally, the skeleton image was intended to mock upper class women who supported the dictatorship of President Porfirio Díaz during the Mexican Revolution.

Later, the skeleton image was given the name Catrina by renowned Mexican artist Diego Rivera when he painted her dressed up in elegant dresses in one of his murals. Over time, it became an iconic figure in Mexican culture representing death and the way Mexicans deal with the loss of a loved one. Eventually, the character of La Catrina became a symbol that is synonymous with the Day of the Dead.

 

Local Artist Alondra Muca

The artist behind PV’s incredible catrina is local Vallarta artist, Alondra Muca. She is a young artist who led a team that worked for over a year in preparation of constructing the enormous structure.

The impressive Catrina is so tall that it has been recorded in the Guiness Book of World Records as the tallest Catrina in the world at 23 meters high, beating the former record made in 2015 in Zapotlanejo, Jalisco of 18.77 meters. She is composed of metal and fiberglass, and is wearing a vibrant blue dress with sparkly sequined teal and gold accents on her top. Her skeleton face is painted white with blue designs and pink and red flowers. As a final touch, her hat contains real palm tree leaves.

 

If you weren’t able to celebrate the Day of the Dead this year, why not make sure to plan a trip next year? If you need a great place to stay, contact us at Villa La Estancia in Nuevo Nayarit. Located just 15 minutes north of the PVR airport, our luxury resort has spacious accommodations and top amenities. Plus, we are located on a quiet and tranquil beach that is ideal for swimming and strolling along the shore. It’s just a short drive to reach downtown Puerto Vallarta too if you want to get into the heat of the action.

Right now, we have special all-inclusive travel packages on sale. In addition, we are a hotel-condo concept property and also have a limited number of beachfront residences for sale for people who want to own a vacation home in paradise. Contact us at Villa La Estancia today to learn more!