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