All about Casa de las Artesanías Yucatán in Mérida

La Casa de las Artesanías del Estado de Yucatán translates as "The House of Crafts of the State of Yucatán" so it's about crafts from Yucatán. It is located next to the Church of the Nuns in Calle 63 (house number 65), one block west of Plaza Grande, so very central in the city center.

It is a government-operated store selling a wide-range of Yucatecan handicrafts. For more than 30 years, La Casa de las Artesanías del Estado de Yucatán has been involved in promoting traditional crafts.

The work of the artisans is promoted through support programs and some of the products are sold in the government-owned in stores (see also below). All prices are fixed, so no negotiation is possible (which can be pleasant).

What's for sale?

The store is quite large with a huge selection. You will find a lot of handmade handicrafts, e.g. hammocks and other henequen products, but also clothes (e.g. the traditional guayaberas and embroidered blouses), bags, shoes or jewelry. The intended customers are clearly tourists.

There are the typical brightly colored bags, sombreros (by the way, sombreros literally means “hat” in Spanish), magnets with Frieda Kahlo and other things that literally scream “I am a tourist” and that you can buy anywhere in Mexico. On the other hand, there are also handmade pottery and painted wood carvings that at least look quite authentic.

Other locations from Artesanías

There are currently another four stores from Casa de las Artesanías:

• one at the Merida airport,

• two stores near Parque Santa Ana,

• and there is another store in Uxmal.

An alternative

The store Artesanaria diagonally opposite the Parque de Santa Lucia sounds very similar, of course, but does not belong to Casa de las Artesanías. But it is also a very recommendable store, where you can buy similar handicrafts.

The prices at Artesanaria are higher, but the quality of the goods is also predominantly higher and the items are usually more elaborately made. The location of the store is also slightly better, which of course also makes a difference.

A tip from me (though it's a matter of taste) are Mexican alebrijes. Alebrijes are brightly colored wooden sculptures originating from Mexico. They often depict fantastical creatures, combining features from various animals, both real and mythical. We already have a whole collection of them at home...