The D.I.F. (Family Development Agency) operates a small shop just west of the Oceanic 2000 Tower - near the Naval Base - where you can find the best silver and handicrafts at the lowest prices. No credit cards, but there's an ATM across the street.

Credit Cards
When you pay by credit card, you usually get that day's best exchange rate in New York. When you draw cash from an ATM, you get the local bank's exchange rate AND you ordinarily start paying (high) interest on the 'loan' from that day until you pay the bill. Check with your bank or credit card company before leaving home.

Souvenirs
There are three or four large markets which sell an unlimited variety of shells, t-shirts, bric-a-brac and souvenirs.
From west to east they are located:
(1) across from Caletilla beach.
(2) The Parazal, on Velásquez de Leon, just south of Cuauhtémoc Avenue (on the Cine Río and Hospital bus routes from Caleta and the Zócalo). Hotel Mary (see accomodations) is across the street.
(3) Noa Noa on the Costera at the corner of the road to Pie de la Cuesta, and
(4) Dalia, across from Hotel Costa Club.

There are also dozens of stores in the streets surrounding the Zócalo which sell pretty much the same things, probably at lower prices. But in all of these places, you should offer about half the asking price.

NOTE: They grow a high grade of coffee in the mountains of Guerrero. You can choose the beans you like and have them ground to order at Cafe Wadi, just one block from Cuauhtémoc on the C. Río bus route.

Handicrafts
The Family Development Agency (D.I.F.) shop in a little park near Oceanic 2000 usually has be very best items at highly competetive but fixed prices. The best choices are probably:

1. Olinalá boxes and other painted works which are locally produced and not expensive.

2. Paintings on amate (paper made from the bark of a local tree)

3. Embroidered dresses and other needlework.

4. Talavara ceramics have been produced in Puebla for centuries, and the best pieces come from there and are so marked. If you like Talavera as a decoration, tap the piece with your finger tips -- the best pieces produce a clear tone. Be careful, for copies are produced all over México; these, when tapped, usually sound dull.

Jewelry, Silver and Gold
There are excellent and reliable jewelry stores in La Gran Plaza and Plaza Bahía. Margarita, in the basement of the Oviedo Building near the Zócalo, has an extensive selection of gold jewelry, colored stones, handicrafts and souvenirs - and you are expected to bargain. All Sanborn's locations have beautiful sterling flatware at fixed prices.

Silver
Mexico is one of the world's formost producers of silver, and artisans here produce some beautiful work at attractive prices. Be sure you see and understand the maker's mark. Be aware that three kinds of 'silver' are sold here:

1. 'German' silver or alpaca, which is a silver-white alloy of copper, zinc and nickel; often what is sold on the beach.

2. 'Sterling' silver which conforms to the British purity standard of 92.5% and is the most common variety of good silver. Marked with the logo of the company and the number .925.

3. 'Fine' silver which is 97.5% pure and not widely available outside México. Marked with the logo of the company and the number .975. Softer and probably quicker to tarnish than 'sterling', it is also purer and therefore more expensive.

Gold
Probably not a major bargain anywhere in México, but you can find beautiful work in three colors: rose, yellow and white. There are three common levels of purity, and pieces should be marked:

1. 18K, 75% pure gold, is the finest quality ordinarily available.

2. 14K, about 58% gold, is more affordable

3. 10K, about 40% pure, is the least expensive.

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.