Módulo Casa Mejicú Casa de Artesanías

What this is. An official tourist information module at the Casa Mejicú craft house — free, staffed and selling nothing. Printed maps of the city and the Metro, public transport routes and verified opening hours.

What a casa de artesanías is for. It is the regulated end of the craft trade: pieces bought directly from the makers, with the region and the technique stated, and fixed prices rather than negotiated ones. For a visitor who wants to buy well rather than cheaply, it is the safest place to start — and a useful reference point before haggling anywhere else.

What to ask about. Which state a piece comes from and how it is made; the differences between Oaxacan alebrijes and the papier-mâché ones of Mexico City; how to tell real Puebla talavera from a copy; and how to pack and ship anything fragile, which the staff deal with constantly.

Practical notes. The module keeps daylight hours, normally around 09:00 to 18:00. For a wider selection at market prices, the Ciudadela craft market and the Museo de Arte Popular shop are the two other reliable addresses in the centre.