Spanish in Mexico

El papel maché es una técnica muy famosa dentro de la artesanía mexicana. Con ésta nuestros artesanos pueden hacer un sinnúmero de cosas, como por ejemplo la Catrina, un personaje muy popular dentro de la cultura mexicana.

La puedes encontrar de diferentes tamaños y vestimentas en muchas tiendas de artesanías o souvenirs en Playa del Carmen.

Es un lindo recuerdo que te puedes llevar de México para un buen amigo o alguien de tu familia.

¿Cuál es la que más te gusta para regalar y por qué  la regalarías? Cuéntanos.

The wide range of Caribbean cultures that you find in Playa del Carmen is amazing — from Jamaican reggae to Cuban cigars.

There is a great store called Cigars Factory where you can find cigars not just from Cuba but also from other places around the world. You can also see how they prepare a giant Cuban cigar.

Don't miss the chance to get a picture of it!!

The art of molding glass with heat is one of the attractions that you can find in a typical Mexican fair.

Last month we had the opportunity to enjoy an exhibition of these arts here in Playa del Carmen. During Carnival, we watched and enjoyed the process of how these small figures were made by Don Caramel; he molded glass with heat to create different shapes that make superb ornaments, gifts or souvenirs from Playa del Carmen.

It's very common to see street art being performed in Playa del Carmen.

One of our favourites is an artist who paints wonderful pictures with spray paints. It's incredible how he transforms a small piece of cardboard and captures amazing images of Mayan monuments, famous people, marine life and others, using recycled materials to achieve his textures, finishing his paintings in no more than 15 to 20 minutes.

At the corner of Juarez and 5th Avenue, you will find tourists watching in awe before buying his paintings.

En Playa del Carmen puedes ver reflejada toda esa gran alegría de los mexicanos, en cada lugar que miras incluso en sus coloridos trabajos artesanales hechos con los más brillantes colores que te puedas imaginar.

Si caminas por la Quinta Avenida, podrás encontrar todo esto de lo que hablamos: la sonrisa de la gente, los edificios pintados con mágicos colores y los riquísimos olores de la gastronomía mexicana.

Pero no podemos dejar de mencionar ni de presumir, todos estos trabajos que hacen nuestros creativos artesanos: una muestra de ello son los suéteres y chamarras tejidos de lana. Estos fantásticos colores con extractos de plantas, flores e insectos y te invitan a tener uno en tu guardarropa, muestra del arte textil de México.

The most famous drink in Mexico is undoubtedly tequila and in Playa del Carmen we have a place that specializes in tequilas. La Tequileria is a store on 5th Avenue between 6th and 8th Streets with more than 400 brands of tequila, both aged (añejo) and white (blanco).

Francisca Uran Chable who works in La Tequileria tells us that the most popular brands, and the ones she recommends, are Jose Cuervo, Jose Cuervo 1800, Don Julio and Herradura.

The creams and liqueurs of tequila have a smoother flavor but are no less delicious.

Come and try some tequila… Don't drink too much!

Are you interested in recycling stuff? What do you imagine these bags are made of? Wrapping paper!

Yes, that's right. It's possible to find these colourful bags in Playa del Carmen. They are made out of wrapping paper by Grupdesac and there are a great variety of designs and sizes to choose from. They're also special because they are handmade by Mexican artisans, who are really concerned about protecting the environment.

Having a green attitude is "in" now, and it's really cool to do it fashionably so don't think about it any further, just go and get yourself one. You can find them on Fifth Avenue, at excellent prices. Failing that, you can also buy them online…

Do it and recycle!

La exposición de telares en la calle 14, justo frente a nuestra escuela International House Riviera Maya es una gran muestra de que se siguen fabricando telas de la forma artesanal, estos telares multicolores reflejan la alegría y el folklore mexicano. Se puede ver en esta foto como se elaboran estas hermosas piezas de la artesanía textil mexicana.

¿Puedes imaginarlos en una pared de tu casa o sobre el sillón de la sala? Serian una linda decoración y para tener un pequeño pedacito de México cerca.

No dejes de venir a México y visitar Playa del Carmen donde los colores y la alegría se expresan por cualquier rincón.

Not sure what to take home to your relatives and friends? What about an alebrije?

These are astounding figures of real and imaginary animals painted with brilliant colours made either with papier mache or from woodcarving.

The designs of papier mache are attributed to Pedro Linares who started them out inspired by a dream he had.

The ones made of wood are created by artists in Oaxaca with Manuel Jiménez as the founder and are also called alebrijes.

Here a tale about a very special alebrije…

You can find them in the stores selling souvenirs in Playa del Carmen.