20 Fun & Quirky Mexican Gifts for Mexico-Obsessed Travelers
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Wondering what kinds of Mexican gifts to get that one friend who uses all of her free vacation days/spare money to visit Mexico? This gift guide is packed with fun Mexican gifts that she can easily work into her daily life. So even when she’s not in Mexico it will remain top of mind.
And hey, maybe you’ll find a Mexican Gift for yourself as well!
Mexican Gifts of Art
Art is a wonderful way to honor your friend’s travel memories in a stylish and subdued way. I mean, her Mexico vacation photos are cool, but they don’t necessarily work with all of her decor. A chic art map of her favorite city in Mexico or a colorful art print, however, might integrate into her home in a more understated way.
City Art Maps as Mexican Gifts
These Mexico City art maps caught my eye! The designer takes custom orders so you can get a map of any city you’d like. Perhaps your bestie has a favorite city in Mexico, or maybe you’re planning a trip somewhere together? The options are endless!
Mexico Wall Map
If there isn’t a specific city that speaks to you (or, more likely, it’s just too hard to choose), a wall map of Mexico makes a great alternative. This vintage Mexico City wall map makes a great decoration and Mexican Gift for the Mexico lover in your life.
Vintage Mexico Travel Poster
If your BFF appreciates a vintage aesthetic, these travel posters might be more her style. All you have to do is pick out a nice frame, choose a spot to hang it, and you’re done!
Otomí Art & Textile
The Otomí is an indigenous group from Mexico’s central highlands and they are known (at least in part) for their textiles featuring colorful embroidered animal and plant motifs.
If your friend whom you’re seeking mexican gifts for has an affinity to seek out the best places in Central Mexico to visit, such as Guanajuato, Queretáro, San Luis Potosí, or Puebla, an Otomí piece would surely be a great reminder of her trip!
If you’re on a budget, go for an Otomí print. Alternatively, an embroidered pillowcase makes a great mid-range gift, or, if you’re willing to splurge, this stunning tapestry is sure to inspire many compliments!
Alebrije Figurines
While they might seem just like any other tchotchke, Alebrijes are colorfully painted sculptures of mythical animals. They were originally created by the artisan Pedro Linares who first envisioned them in a fever dream. These days Alebrijes are created throughout Mexico and come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes. They make great decorations and are sure to inspire conversation from guests!
Papel Picado Banner
Nothing says fiesta like a string of papel picado. These colorful banners made out of cut paper are the signature decoration in many Mexican celebrations, notably Dia de Muertos.
If you’re looking for a gift for someone who loves to entertain, Papel Picados are the perfect option. You can find many different types of banners in Oaxaca smaller stores!
Mexican Home Goods & Decor
Mexican home decor and kitchen items make wonderful gifts for your Mexico obsessed friend. She may not be able to travel in perpetuity, but surround her with Mexico-inspired gifts and you’ll be bringing a little bit of vacation flavor to her everyday life.
Home decor is also a solid gift option because if your friend is anything like me, she usually saves her extra dollars for trips rather than home goods. Luckily she has you to help her out!
Talavera
When in doubt about what types of gifts from Mexico to buy for your friends, you can not go wrong with anything that Mexican gifts with Talavera design. These make great mexican gifts because the patterns are unique to Central Mexico and they match many different styles and home decor.
Mexican Woven Blanket
Not only are these woven blankets pretty, but they’re also super handy. They make the perfect picnic blankets for the beach, the park or the backyard. They’re also nice to have around the house to use as throws or furniture covers. I even used to keep one in my car for spontaneous adventures or emergencies. You really can’t go wrong with these guys!
Decorative Talavera Boxes
Talavera pottery products are one of the most beloved souvenirs found in Mexico. These handmade Talavera Jewelry Box are perfect for storing things like jewelry, bobby pins, or any other tiny items that need to be kept track of. They make an aesthetically pleasing addition to the bathroom counter, bookshelves, or anywhere else!
Talavera House Signs
Many homes in Mexico are adorned with decorative Talavera signs stating the property’s name (Casa Linda, for example), or sometimes they just feature sayings like Mi casa es tu casa. Why not get your bestie Mexican Gifts perfect for a home exterior? I’ve given 3 friends Talavera home signs for their homes and they LOVED them. A welcome sign that say “Bienvenidos” is also neat. It will add a certain Mexican flair to her space.
Colorful Talavera Tiles
Continuing with our Talavera obsession… Talavera tiles are an unquestionable favorite Mexican gift, plus they are a decorative and useful gift. You can use them as coasters, hot pads, or spoon rests, or they can be arranged in a pattern and framed as an art piece! Or, use them to create a frame for a mirror! You can even buy broken Talavera Tiles for a DIY project. Pick up an assortment and add some Mexican flare to your BFF’s kitchen and home!
Talavera Pendant Lights
I know, I know, enough Talavera already. This is the last one, I promise. These Talavera pendant lights are such creative Mexican Gifts to integrate Talavera into a space. I couldn’t resist including them. Whether you buy as gifts from Mexico for friends or use Talavera as inspiration for your own craft project, is up to you! You can’t go wrong with Talavera Mexican Gifts!
Mexican Kitchen & Dining Gifts
Kitchen and dining gifts are a practical way to add a little Mexican flavor (perhaps literally) into your bestie’s everyday life. Check out these fun options!
Mexican Glass Tumblers
Life’s too short to drink out of boring cups. These blown glass tumblers are a cute yet functional way to integrate a reminder of Mexico into your bestie’s home. There are also blown glass margarita glasses if that’s more her style!
Pair them with a matching pitcher so she can whip up batches of agua fresca (or fresh margs) to serve at mealtimes, just like in Mexico!
Woven Tablecloth
Large Mexican tablecloths are the perfect gift for someone who loves bright colors as they will add a literal color explosion to any space. They’re the perfect way to brighten up the dining room, or, if your giftee is a rule-breaker, they make nice light blankets (that’s what I use mine for!).
Talavera Coffee Mug
Ok, one more Talavera item! If you go to Mexico and don’t bring home a Talavera coffee mug, did you even go to Mexico? How will anybody ever know? This is sure to be a favorite gift for your Mexico obsessed bestie.
Warning: This mug is so perfect she and her partner/roommate will begin racing one another to the kitchen each morning to claim it first. But friendly competition is good for relationships, right??
Mexican Cookbook
Does your giftee love to cook? Perhaps a Mexican cookbook will help her create tasty Mexican-inspired dishes to enjoy, even when she can’t be in Mexico. The best Oaxaca Mexican cookbook features authentic recipes from Oaxaca, Mexico’s most foodie state, as many in our Facebook Group agree on.
Mexican Clothing & Accessories
Do you know someone who loves to incorporate their love of Mexico into their everyday look? Why not gift them some Mexican clothing or accessories?!
Cactus Earrings
Okay, okay, Mexican style earrings are more Mexico-adjacent than actually Mexican (there’s a LOT more to the country than cactuses, after all), but they were too cute to leave out. Who doesn’t need an offbeat pair of earrings to include in their repertoire? Definitely add these to your list of Mexican themed presents for your bestie!
Mexican Friendship Bracelets
These wider friendship bracelets are super handy for decorating luggage. I used to struggle to tell my black suitcase apart from everyone else’s… then I tied one of these brightly colored bracelets around the handle and now I never have to awkwardly triple check the ID tag to be sure it’s mine. The brightly colored embroidered bracelet is unmistakable!
Mexican Blouse
These traditional embroidered Mexican blouses are practically irresistible. They are both beautiful and comfortable, especially in hot weather. Gift one of these guys to your friend and she’s bound to receive endless compliments.
Reusable Frida Tote Bag
One can never have too many tote bags these days! This Frida Totebag is a fun and functional reminder of Mexico that your BFF can carry with her daily. It also makes the perfect gift bag for delivering any of the other items on this list!
By now your head is surely swimming with Mexican gift ideas, but hopefully, that’s a good problem to have. Which of the Mexican themed gifts on the list will you be asking Santa for this year?
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Ready to book your flights to Mexico? Use this tool to find the cheapest airfare!
11 Essential Items: Questions to Ask Yourself When Packing for Your Mexico Trip
🏨 What’s the best way to find accommodation in Mexico?
Expedia.com is awesome specifically for reserving high-end luxury hotels, resorts, and is by far the best for reserving flights. Booking.com is awesome for affordable hotels in Mexico. VRBO specializes in apartment and house rentals, making it a great place to find long-term stays.
✈️ What’s the best way to find affordable flights?
In my experience travelling to Mexico and within Mexico, I LOVE Expedia.com because they simplify rate comparisons from different airlines. I’ve always come back to Expedia.com because of how wide the selection is of airlines to choose from that go to Mexico. Great pricing is another reason too!
💸 How should I exchange money in Mexico?
Have you ever heard of the company named WISE? It’s an app and also website to facilitate interbank currency exchanges, electronic bank to bank money transfers, and they also provide you a debit card if you would like. WISE has the most solutions for individuals and for businesses that spend time travelling internationally and seek the fastest and least expensive way to transfer money into another country’s local currency. I use this app frequently.
📱 Where can I buy a local SIM card in Mexico?
Purchase an Airalo eSIM online. Easy to setup, you won’t eat through your data plan internationally and best of all it saves you big bucks. Buy an Airalo eSIM so you’re connected as soon as you land.
🚖 How do I find a safe airport transfer?
I recommend GetYourGuide.com for airport transfers anywhere in Mexico.
🚗 What’s the best way to find rental cars in Mexico?
I recommend Booking.com because it’s the best. What I’ve found is that their price comparison tool is updated multiple times daily across rental car companies, making it easy to find and prepare to snag the best deal possible because of the inclusion of fire sale type of discounts which they will include.
Other companies don’t include these short-lived discounts into their price comparison because they sync once a day (typically overnight) with each rental car company. Booking.com is the website I always use to book a car rental. I’ve yet to have complaints about them.
🚐 How do I book bus tickets online in Mexico?
Book your tickets with Busbud — the site is in English and takes foreign credit cards.
🤿 How do I find cool activities and tours in Mexico?
Booking.com is the usual website and service I use for finding fun things to do has great options and it’s much faster to book with them since they organize their personalized recommendations to you if you’re signed in.
🇲🇽 How can I experience Mexico like a local?
Travelers can hire a local guide through GetyourGuide.com. You’ll be able to tailor tours based on your interests— it’s basically like experiencing a destination with a local bestie!
🧳 What’s the best luggage for Mexico?
Unless you’re staying at a resort, a travel pack is recommended. I’ve used this one from Osprey for the last 8+ years.
👯♀️ How do I connect with fellow travelers in Mexico?
Join my Female Travelers in Mexico Facebook group, a supportive community of fellow Mexico travel enthusiasts, where you can find answers to all your travel questions!
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BigScoots.com is who I use for managing my WordPress website (which they help you make changes and teach you as part of their service. Use the Coupon Code JANINE2025 for a 15% discount on any product or service that they have.
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Learning more about Wordpress and WordPress Plugins that basically do the work for you, especially now-a-days with AI at your side. If I can do it and make it a living then you can too! Purchase the WordPress entry level plan if you want the best WordPress Support that has ever existed. I mean, it’s the same as getting a Louis Vuitton purse directly custom made for you and picking it up at the factory where they made it.
Join my Female Travelers in Mexico Facebook group, a supportive community of fellow Mexico travel enthusiasts, where you can find answers to all your travel questions!
