Codice (Calle 59 near Calle 60, tel. 999/924-1779, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. daily) is one of the best Mexican folk art boutiques in downtown Mérida [1]. The works are high end and unique plus the prices are relatively affordable. If you’re looking for a special gift or just want a beautiful piece of artesanía for yourself, definitely stop here.
Casa de las Artesanías del Estado de Yucatán (Calle 63 between Calles 64 and 66, tel. 999/928-6676, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun.) is a state-owned arts and crafts shop run out of a converted convent. Some of the items are worthwhile, especially the clothing and woodwork, but a great deal of kitsch has crept into this once superb shop. Definitely have a look around, but head to the register once you hit the coconut monkeys.
The quirky Miniaturas (Calle 59 between Calles 60 and 62, tel. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) is devoted to selling a wide variety of tiny arts and crafts from every state in Mexico. Be sure to check out the whimsical papier-mâché skeletons.
Yucatán is renowned for producing some of the best hammocks in Mexico. And they’re just about everywhere you look in Mérida in varying colors, lengths, and materials. If you want a sure thing, head to the mom-and-pop shop La Poblana (Calle 65 between Calles 58 and 60, tel. 999/928-6093, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat.), or Hamacas Rada (Calle 60 between Calles 65 and 67, tel. 999/924-1208, www.cmerida.com/rada [2], 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Sat.), a wholesaler of cotton hammocks. Look for the latter just inside the entrance to a parking garage, in a 3rd-floor warehouse.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/cancun-the-yucatan/the-state-yucatan/merida
[2] http://www.cmerida.com/rada