I haven't been to Playa del Carmen Fiona, but have been to lots of other areas of Mexico. I bought some lovely silver jewellery, a lot of it inlaid with semi precious stones such as turquoise or malachite, though I only bought from recommended places. I do remember lots of shops selling small pretty ceramics and papier machier figures. It's a few years now since my last visit so things may have changed but the lovely silver stuff sticks out in my mind.

thanks Judith
funnily enough i was looking at silver and malachite from a website my oh had recommended. Silver is getting mixed reviews though now.

There is of course Tequila and I've just realised that the small brightly coloured wooden figure that is at this minute sitting on a shelf opposite me is what I bought in Acapulco from a craft shop specialising in wood carvings. I have a couple of unsual gold pendants that I bought on one of my trips, I'm not sure whether the gold is good value though. I think it was more the unusual designs that appealed rather than getting a bargain. The gold usually is at least 14c. Another souvenir that I brought back, though this was bought near Mexico City was a small statue made of a very unusual shiny black stone called obsidian. I saw lots of small workshops in the area working with this medium. I would imagine it's on sale throughout the country. Blankets and Ponchos are for sale everywhere, but a bit bulky for carrying back to the UK.

This topic is bringing back some good memories, I first went into Mexico in 1975,just a 1 day cross border excursion from the USA but it whetted my appetite and since then I have had a few holidays touring various areas in the country. It's one of my favourite destinations, or at least it was. It's a number of years since I was last there and no doubt it's changed a lot. Maybe I'll get back there sometime.

I hope you have a lovely holiday Fiona.

Thanks judith
I do like wood carvings and brought back a few from Vietnam and Bali. I've been thinking that perhaps I need to go for unusual design and not splash out too much. I'll look out for the black stone designs but think i will avoid the ponchos!

Not exactly a must buys

But I brought back a "Tree of Life" and a clay nativity set from Mexico

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=tree+of+life+mexico&hl=en&rlz=1R2SVEA_enDE368&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gdnxT4TLHqWl4gSHlsj0DQ&sqi=2&ved=0CFoQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=541

xx lassi

Those are very nice Lassi

sorry Lassigirl
I managed to miss your post somehow.Love the one at the end of the second row

Yes I have 2 lovely silver rings , both with precious stones I bought in Mexico last year Fi. I cannot remember what they are , some form of topaz I believe .. But's it's fairly common and cheap there .. A kind of pale lilac type colour but it changes colour in the light .

Or maybe a sombrero & poncho

they only way I will buy a poncho is if I 've done the AI bit too much drink wise

I found Mexico a shoppers paradise Fiona, could be why we had four trips, it's a long time ago now. I also loved the hand painted ceramics, and mexican pewter ware, found some very stylish pieces.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mexican+pewter+photos&hl=en&rlz=1R2SVEA_enDE368&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=QD_0T8jUPIfktQb10OjsBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEUQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=541

I still treasure a hand made lace top, found on a market, and like most places I visit found some shoes

My tip would be leave plenty of space in your luggage

xx lassi

Some lovely things on that link
And shoes? I can hear him groaning at the thought of me buying even more