San Jacinto Plaza

San Jacinto Plaza
This plaza is in the San Angel part of the city and Diego Rivera's house is also nearby. The pretty and colourful park is not very large but is a good bet for anyone that would like to see something "traditional" in the city.The plaza is a good place to relax and listen to one of the many musicians that play in the area.
On weekends artwork is sold in the plaza and there are a number of good restaurants dotted around too.

We recommend that you check it out !

Address : Between Miramon Cda. Santisima, Dr. Galvez, Mexico City 01910

Update Coyoacan Market

The weekend markets at Coyoacan were suspended following a dispute over taxes paid by local residents in the area.

THE MARKETS ARE NOW BACK ON AT COYOACAN ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS

Shopping - Artisan Market in Mexico City

Many tourists hoping to buy some real mexican artisania will find themselves coming to the Ciudadela which is located close to Balderas metro stations not far from the centre of town. Here you will find everything you wish to buy including metalwork, jewelry,pottery,leather products and many many tradtional mexican arts and crafts that you may have not seen before. The market is easily accessible and you will find many tourists and mexicans alike in the area buying presents and items for the home. However the Ciudadela has a history and a story to be told which might make your visit a little more interesting.
The market is where cultural groups from around Mexico distribute their crafts to visitors,other parts of the country and the world. These artists and have developed and maintained this space for more than 40 years. The land the Ciudadela occupies has been threatened with demolition, to convert the area into a government office building.

The Ciudadela's craftspeople are organizing so the eviction might be prevented. They are working to educate people about valuable cultural and artistic work that is done every day in the market.

The Ciudadela offers artwork made of wood, cloth, glass, paint, metal, pottery, and embroidery. You can purchase paintings, scultures, typical and traditional costumes, along with thousands more items. The market sells crafts from the entire country, and members of at least 10 indigenous groups live there, including the Triquis, Tzeltales, Tzotziles, Huicholes, Mixtecos, Purépechas, Tlapanecos, Otomíes, Zapotecos, Nahuas and Mazahuas. These cracts people count on the Ciudadela space for art production as well as sales, employing more than 1200 craftspeople.

For more than 40 years the Ciudadela has been a hub for the world-wide distribution of Mexican crafts, and the market has also been a necessary stop for any tourist in Mexico City. During this time the knowledge of the artisan's craft has been passed from generation to generation, and they continue with this work to this day.

Video: Alive in Mexico Podcasts

www.aliveinmexico.org

The Alive in Mexico Podcasts are a series of Video podcasts about the real life happenings of Mexicans throughout the country but many of the videos feature on events in Mexico City. The podcasts are funded through viewer donations and are really very interesting and worth watching.

You can find the podcasts in the Itunes podcasts directory named "Alive in Mexico" and also some of the series has been posted on Youtube for viewers.
Here I have posted a few of the episodes which are in Spanish with English Subtitles.
Enjoy!

*Viewer caution is advised due to language and nudity in the final video.

Shopping : Coyoacán Market

"Coyoacán es cultura" (Coyoacán is culture).. the slogan of the pretty area of Coyoacán.

Located a short walk from Coyoacán metro station in the central square you can find on weekends a local market which is safe for tourists to walk around at ease.

Like most markets in the city, you will find everything that you are looking for here from key chains to bracelets, earrings, ceramics and also painting and textiles.

The nice thing about Coyoacan market is that there are many stands that sell souvenirs for tourists but at a very good price, nothing like the prices you get at expensive tourist traps in the central parts of town.
On weekends when the market is open, you will usually find groups performing traditional Mexican dance or music and many people sitting on the outside of the square in the many cafes and bars.

The area is popular with young mexicans and families that come to the area on weekends to walk through the markets or sample Coyoacáns famous ice cream at one of the many shops located across from the main square.
Dont forget to take your camera with you as there will be many photo opportunites at the market although you may see stalls asking you politely not to photograph the products (mainly stands selling sloganed tshirts and such).

Points of interest regarding Coyoacán :

Frida Kahlo, and Diego Rivera were residents here and thier "casa azul" (blue house) still remains and now is known as the Fridha Kahlo musuem.Leon Trotsky was also a resident and his grave is found in Coyoacán.

Interestingly one of Coyoacáns most famous current residents is "Changoleón" (MonkeyLion) - A homeless man who is said to live in Jardin Hidalgo. Ever since this strange man became a TV celebrity, teenagers go to Coyoacan hoping to find him and get their photo taken with him. ( I have seen him on two occasions) !