Coahuila de Zaragoza is Mexico's third-largest state, a vast stretch of northern desert and mountain along the Rio Grande border with Texas. It blends colonial wine country in Parras de la Fuente, the turquoise pools and unique desert ecosystem of Cuatro Ciénegas, the cool pine forests of Arteaga, and the industrial and cultural cities of Saltillo and Torreón.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Sarape de Saltillo (hand-woven wool blanket)
Price: MXN 800-8,000+ for hand-woven pieces (approx USD 47-471+); printed reproductions MXN 150-400 (approx USD 9-24)
Where: Museo del Sarape y Trajes Mexicanos gift shop, artisan shops in Saltillo's Centro Histórico, Mercado Juárez
Parras Valley Wine (Casa Madero and boutique producers)
Price: MXN 180-900 per bottle (approx USD 11-53)
Where: Casa Madero winery shop, Bombilla de Parras wine bar, specialty wine shops in Saltillo and Torreón
Dulces de Leche y Nuez (milk-and-pecan candy)
Price: MXN 60-180 per package (approx USD 4-11)
Where: Dulces Salazar and La Casa del Dulce in Saltillo's Centro, Dulces Marthel in Parras
Handmade Vaquero (Cowboy) Boots and Belts
Price: MXN 1,800-6,500 per pair of boots (approx USD 106-382)
Where: Western-wear shops in central Saltillo and Torreón
Kickapoo and Mascogo Handicrafts (beadwork, baskets)
Price: MXN 100-500 (approx USD 6-29)
Where: Museo Histórico de Múzquiz shop and select artisan vendors in Múzquiz
Pan de Pulque and Regional Breads
Price: MXN 20-60 per loaf (approx USD 1-4)
Where: Panaderías in Mercado Juárez and Centro Histórico, Saltillo
Talavera-style Pottery and Ceramics
Price: MXN 200-1,500 per piece (approx USD 12-88)
Where: Artisan shops around Plaza de Armas and Mercado Juárez, Saltillo
Sotol and Mezcal (regional agave spirits)
Price: MXN 300-800 per bottle (approx USD 18-47)
Where: Specialty liquor shops in Saltillo and Torreón
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercado Juárez
Sarapes, cowboy clothing and accessories, piñatas, regional crafts and produce
Where: Centro Histórico, Saltillo
Hours: Daily 9AM-9PM
Casa Madero Winery Shop
Parras Valley wines, brandy, estate-bottled reserves, wine-country souvenirs
Where: Hacienda San Lorenzo, Parras de la Fuente
Hours: Daily 9AM-5PM
Museo del Sarape y Trajes Mexicanos Shop
Hand-woven sarapes, traditional Mexican dress, textile-history exhibits
Where: Centro Histórico, Saltillo
Hours: Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM
Dulces Salazar (Centro)
Milk-based candies, jamoncillo, pecan rolls, cajeta cones, family-run since the early 1900s
Where: Centro, Saltillo
Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-8PM, Sun 10AM-3PM