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We are planning to go to Guadalajara, Mexico City, Patzcuaro,
Guanajuato, & San Miguel de Allende in Dec. Can you please suggest
what is the best thing to buy in each place and if I should bargain. |
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- In Mexico once you get even just 100 miles from the source the cost of
transportation and middle men usually pushes the prices up to about what
you'd pay for the same item in the States. South of Guadalajara hand woven
rugs and wall hangings can be a bargain for the careful shopper. Near
Patzcuaro, Santa Elena del Cobre is an amazing place to buy copper work of
all sorts. Also near there, Tzintzantzun is an interesting place to shop for
decorative wood work and Christmas decorations. However many of the lovely
wreathes probably can't be imported into the US because they are made of
dried grass. In San Miguel de Allende there are a lot of clothing botiques,
art shops and interesting hand made rugs; but, the influx of gringo tourists
makes it unlikely to find many real bargains there. Between San Miguel and
Guanajuato, Delores Hidalgo is an interesting place to shop for pottery hand
made in molds and hand decorated. Watch carefully to be sure you're getting
quality items, some of it is just greenware poured into molds. Except for
very small purchases you should expect to bargain for the best prices.
You'll get the best deals if you're buying in guantity. -I wouldn't buy anything in San Miguel de Allende because the prices
there are inflated due to a huge infusion of rich, retired gringos from
Texas and California. Mexico City, there is too much to talk about, but
if you want a bargain in music and movies (CDs,DVDs,tapes) go to the
market in Tepito but not after dark. I hear that Guadalajara has nice
leather items but I've never been there. Guanajuato is a good place for
shoes, but better if you go to Leon which is around 1/2 hour away by bus.
Should you bargain? Of course, especially since they see that you are a
tourist and may double the asking price just by looking at your face.
Of course, don't try to bargain in a department store or with the subway
token machine. But you knew that already right?
Have fun and eat lots of food being sold from street carts. Its
delicious and inexpensive! |
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