MexicArte - Mexican Folk Art & Jewelry

Mexicarte (the bright pink shop by the entrance arch) offers unique and authentic pieces from various artisans and craftsmen from all over the Mexican Republic.

The fine works and vibrant handicrafts displayed at MexicArte come from as far north as the Raramuris from Chihuahua, passing by the central part of Mexico, with emphasis in Michoacan and Jalisco, and our neighbor small communities.

Celebrate and preserve the rich heritage of local artists and local culture!

Akumal Direct Reservations

WHAT DID I SEE? by author David Nuñez

Have you ever wondered what that fish was you saw while snorkeling? Or how to tell Akumal’s famous sea turtles apart? If you’ve always wanted to know more about the wildlife you enjoy on vacation but are overwhelmed by science books, WHAT DID I SEE? is the book for you.

Written and self-published by former Akumal resident and frequent visitor David Nuñez. This friendly bilingual guidebook features over a hundred photographs of the region’s most colorful and easy to identify animals, including sections on fish, birds, reptiles, mammals and corals. Many of the photos were taken by right here in Akumal!

David is dedicating 20% of the profits from his book to environmental conservation works through Mexiconservacion, a non-profit environmental group based in Tulum which he co-founded in 2006. So pick up a copy next time you’re in Akumal. You can find it at the Hideaway Boutique (next to the bakery) and at the El Pueblito convenience store.

p.s. David is also looking for a US-based publisher to target tourists before they even catch that flight to Cancun, so if you have any contacts, let him know!

"Planet 2010" Akumal Art Show, featuring Richard Mazzola

"Planet 2010" Akumal Art Show, featuring Richard Mazzola
The wonders of the Mayan calendar ending in the year 2012 holds fascinating and ancient mysteries alluding to rebirth, enlightenment and harmonic convergence. These concepts are explored in a surrealistic series of paintings by local artist, Richard Mazzola, of Ak-Nah Galeria in Akumal.
There will be a showing of this series of captivating and colorful oil paintings on Friday, February 5th, 7-10 PM at Villa Taj Kumal, located at the entrance to Las Casitas and next to TSA Travel Agency in Akumal.
Wine and cheese served

Join our Akumal Direct E-Newsletter here!

Featured artisan: Professor Alfredo Gonzalez Castillo, Master Sculptor

Featured artisan: Professor Alfredo Gonzalez Castillo, Master Sculptor of Olmec, Toltec and Mayan statues and pottery.

Location: Coba Highway, KM 22, Puebla Francisco Uh May located on the right hand side of the highway driving from Tulum to Coba mid way through the Puebla.

Driving the Coba highway from Tulum heading to the ruins is an interesting day trip easily reached from the Akumal area. Along the road you will pass through several small pueblos where you will encounter the Maya and other local people selling their arts and crafts. Some of these small markets and local vendors do sell the mass produced tourists items you find in shop after shop. If you look a little harder and visit local homes and shops you might be surprised to find some very talented potters, wood carvers, leather workers and hammock weavers. Purchasing from locals directly helps stimulate the economy and does directly benefit the Maya, a very warm and welcoming people. You may find yourself in Grandma's kitchen enjoying warm, home made tortillas cooked over an open fire.

One of the most special artists on the Coba highway is Professor Alfredo Gonzalez Castillo, Master Sculptor who specializes in creating museum quality reproduction Mayan, Toltec and Olmec pottery. He was formally employed by the Department of Anthropology in Mexico City specializing in restoration and cleaning of ancient Mayan artifacts. His passions are exploration, geology and the mining jade and jadeite rocks that he polishes into brilliant stones that will be inland into one of his incredible pieces of art. He is revered by his neighbors who believe he is a very wise shaman/medicine man.

Alfredo is a kind and very interesting man. A true educator and treasure. He will be happy to give you the tour of his kiln and explain the history of his reproductions that you will see in the books in his library. He will also explain to you the migration of the peoples of the world on the ocean currents. You will notice some figures look Oriental while the early Olmec appear to be from Africa.

Professor Alfredo has also trained his son Glenn faithfully to carry on his work. He named his son Glenn after the astronaut John Glenn when he landed on the moon. Alfredo considered a man walking on the moon a powerful sign from the heavens.

Professor Alfredo’s pieces are worthy to be added to any Pre-Colombian collection. Alfredo can also be commissioned for larger art carvings.

Featured Mayan Artisan: Jose Perez, Master Carver

Master Carver of Limestone, Wood and Mayan Graphic Leather Art.

Location: Drive to Tulum, go right on the Coba highway to the very northern house on the right hand side of the road in the second Pueblo, Francisco Un May. KM 22 – There is a small black sign with white letters, Mayan Graphic Leather Made Here.

I first met Jose Perez 10 years ago in Akumal at the Lol Ha Restaurant. Jose was one of the sponsored Mayan artisans allowed booth space. He would quietly carve glyphs, gods and Mayan and Aztec calendars from limestone using simple and age old tools.

He was mesmerizing to watch work and one could not help but notice the high quality of his art versus the mass produced items that I occasionally would see in the commercial road side markets.

Over the years Jose has become my special amigo and has forged a successful career using his unique talent and craft. Jose now owns his own home and gallery on the Coba road. Jose is a must visit for truly high quality Mayan art.

I have purchased many of his carvings and leather works and commissioned art from Jose. My current commission is the ruler’s scepter, held by the last known King of Coba on Steale #10 located in the great plaza of the Nohoch Mul Group at Coba. The steale is dated November 30, 780 AD. This is the last known date that steales were erected at Coba. The staff represents the balance of the world; the sun and the moon are carved on each end of the staff. These figures represent the light and the dark of the Mayan cosmology. Jose is holding the original that will be mine when I return to Akumal later this year. He will reproduce this carving for future buyers upon commission. It takes 9 weeks of labor to carve the wooden scepter to perfection.

Jose has received many commissions. One example is located in the garden of Casa Redonda in Akumal. The limestone carving represents the Mayan Sun God. The statue has faithfully protected Casa Redonda through three hurricanes according to the owner, Dr. Jim Stoddard. Commissions are made on a verbal basis requiring a small deposit.

Jose and his wife Julie who is also very talented have many beautiful and unique items for sale. Their art ranges in price from inexpensive and affordable to expensive for commissioned pieces. The more intricate the art results in a higher price. Purchasing directly from the people certainly does help the local economy. Please stop by for a visit if you are traveling the Coba road. Jose and Juile are lovely people, they truly appreciate the business.