| Though some people assume that Cancun is full of | | | | the public every day. On any given day, you will be |
| nothing but overpriced souvenirs, there are plenty of | | | | able to find artists selling everything from handmade |
| great values to be found. Some of the best bargains | | | | jewelry and crafts to pottery and oil paintings. |
| in Cancun - for both entertainment and distinctive | | | | Plaza Kukulcan is also the place to find the work of |
| souvenirs - are provided by the vibrant local art | | | | renowned local artist Sergio Bustamante. |
| community. Art is everywhere you look in Cancun. | | | | Represented in Cancun by the Xaman-Ek Galleries, |
| Wherever you travel in the Hotel Zone or downtown | | | | Bustamante's uniquely surrealistic work is collected |
| Cancun, you will spot artists selling their work on | | | | worldwide. Though he trained as an architect in |
| busy street corners or in outdoor markets. | | | | Mexico, Bustamante has spent years combining his |
| Meanwhile, the galleries of Cancun represent both the | | | | Chinese and Indian influences with the Mexican art |
| best work of the region and internationally-recognized | | | | tradition. The result is a body of sculpture and |
| artists. Regardless of your budget, you will be able to | | | | ceramics exhibiting a distinctive sense of humor, |
| find the right piece to add to your collection in | | | | spiritually guided realism and superior workmanship. |
| Cancun. | | | | With additional locations at Plaza Caracol and La Isla, |
| One of the most popular places to view the fruits of | | | | the Xaman-Ek Galleries also sell all types of |
| creative labor is Cancun's folk art museum, known | | | | locally-made products including jewelry, painting and |
| locally as Museo de Arte Popular Mexicano. Located | | | | folk art sculpture. |
| on the second floor of El Embarcadero Marina in | | | | As you tour the galleries and museums of Cancun, |
| Cancun's Hotel Zone, the folk art museum showcases | | | | you can also expect to see work inspired by the |
| everything from traditional Mexican masks and | | | | ancient Mayan culture. As the city is located amongst |
| costumes to religious artifacts and handmade toys. | | | | scores of ancient ruins in the heart of the Mayan |
| With nearly 15,000 square feet of exhibition space, | | | | Riviera, the imagery of the ancient civilization has |
| the museum is able to tell many stories about both | | | | always found its way into local museums and galleries. |
| the local culture and the history of the Mexican | | | | For souvenir hunters and art collectors, some of the |
| people. Besides all of the artistic objects on display, | | | | most sought after items in Cancun are the expert |
| the onsite gift shop is also a great place to shop for | | | | reproductions of Mayan artwork. One such artist |
| locally made oddities. Furthermore, the folk art | | | | working in this style is painter and Mayan scholar |
| museum provides a fun and affordable nighttime | | | | Miguel Castro. Known for his masterful reproductions |
| activity, remaining open to the public until at least 9 | | | | of Mayan paintings, Castro also uses traditional tools |
| pm each day. | | | | and methods to create his pieces. |
| Some of the best places to shop for art in Cancun | | | | Before venturing out in search of galleries and local |
| are the large shopping centers located throughout | | | | artwork, check the local guides available at your hotel |
| the Hotel Zone. The best selection of both | | | | or resort. Besides offering descriptions of individual |
| commercial art galleries and individual vendors is at | | | | galleries and providing directions, many publications |
| the sprawling Plaza Kukulcan. Known primarily for its | | | | detail the most current exhibitions. If you are hoping |
| number of upscale clothing and jewelry stores, Plaza | | | | to find a specific type of artwork at one of the |
| Kukulcan is also a bustling art marketplace. In the | | | | outdoor markets, ask your concierge for suggestions; |
| common areas of the shopping center, local artists | | | | they often know where the best artists sell their |
| are allowed to display their work and sell directly to | | | | products. |