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