Mercado de artesanias Coral Negro

Mercado de Artesanias Coral Negro is a handicraft market on Boulevard Kukulcan at Km 9.5 in the Zona Hotelera of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is one of several artisan markets in the Hotel Zone and is popular with resort guests who want souvenirs without travelling downtown. The stalls specialise in Mexican handicrafts and silver jewellery, along with embroidered blouses and dresses, hammocks, ceramics, leather sandals, painted wooden animals, Day of the Dead figures, maracas, onyx pieces and Mayan-inspired carvings. The goods range from machine-made trinkets to genuinely handmade pieces from Yucatan, Chiapas and Oaxaca, and the mix leans toward items made for visitors, so shoppers looking for authentic craftsmanship should ask vendors about where and how an item was made. The market is organised as rows of small covered stalls under one roof, with vendors who actively invite visitors in. Bargaining is the norm. Initial quotes are often well above the final price, and a polite counter-offer at around half, followed by a gradual meeting point, is typical; buying several items from one stall usually improves the discount. Pesos are preferred, though many vendors accept US dollars and some accept cards, usually with a markup. Silver pieces should be inspected for a .925 mark, and comparison between stalls is worthwhile because the same item can vary widely in price. There is no tourist tax refund on market purchases. Because the market sits beside Forum by the Sea and other Km 9 venues, it is easy to combine with lunch or an evening out, and several restaurants and snack outlets are within walking distance along the boulevard. The atmosphere is friendly but persistent, particularly when cruise or tour groups visit. Prices here tend to be somewhat higher than at downtown Mercado 28, which is the trade-off for convenience and a more comfortable setting. The Hotel Zone R-1 bus runs along Boulevard Kukulcan and stops near the market, and taxis are readily available.