2 Best Shopping in San Miguel de Allende and the Heartland, Mexico

Spilling out for several blocks behind the Mercado Ignacio Ramírez is the Mercado de Artesanías. You'll find vendors of local work at this artisans' market—glass, tin, and papier-mâché—as well as silver jewelry at bargain prices, Huichol beaded jewelry, and woven wool rugs from Oaxaca.

Although everyone calls it the "Organic Market," only some of the stands sell organic produce. Nonetheless, there's plenty of healthful, regionally grown raw food and honey plus organic coffee, wonderful breads and baked goods, cheeses, and desserts. About half the stands sell handicrafts or other nice gifts, including plant-based cosmetics, incense, wool rugs, cotton blouses, and hooked-rug pieces made by a women's co-op. Hot food stands do a brisk business selling quesadillas, gorditas, and regional snacks, and it's easy to strike up a conversation at the long outdoor picnic tables.