Mexico has a rich Aztec and Mayan traditions. Hand-made crafts, jewelries and straw items are abundant in Mexico. Sombreros and ponchos are easy to come by all around Mexico. You can find them practically anywhere in Mexico. However, if you want authentic crafts that are not only beautiful but also useful, head for the hills and local markets.

The Talavera pottery and tiles is a good alternative to the sombrero and poncho. Talavera pottery offers colorful hand-painted geometric and animal designs.

Another option is silver plates and jewelry. Mexico is famed for its silver which is mostly mined locally. The silver capital in Mexico is Taxco de Alarcon, about a two-hour drive from Mexico City. Taxco is the finest in Mexico and always bears a seal with the silver smith's initials and silver content.

For those who are religious, "milagro" charms are also a good choice. The word "milagro" literally translates to miracle in English. Milagro charms are metal charms that are used to ask for aid and protection from the saints or to thank them for granted prayers.