Where to Buy Fabric in Playa del Carmen: A Guide for Crafters and Sewers

Playa del Carmen has limited local fabric shopping with small vendors near Mercado 28 selling basic cotton (30-80 pesos/meter), jersey knits, and traditional Mexican textiles, but serious crafters typically travel 1 hour to Cancún for stores like Parisina and Telas Junco offering significantly better selection. Local mercería shops stock thread, zippers, buttons, and notions scattered throughout town on side streets off main avenues, though inventory is limited compared to dedicated fabric superstores.

If you sew, quilt, or craft, finding fabric in a new country can be challenging. Playa del Carmen isn't exactly known for its textile shops, but with a little knowledge of where to look, you can find what you need, whether it's basic cotton for a project or traditional Mexican fabrics for something special.

The Reality of Fabric Shopping in Playa

Let's be honest: Playa del Carmen is not a fabric shopping destination. The town caters primarily to tourists and beachgoers, not crafters. You won't find the kind of fabric superstores you might be used to back home. But that doesn't mean your sewing projects have to stop. For more information about daily life in Playa del Carmen, explore our expat guides.

Where to Find Fabric Locally

Mercado 28 Area

The area around the local market has a few small fabric vendors. Selection is limited but you can find:

• Basic cotton fabrics - Solid colors and simple prints
• Jersey knits - For casual clothing projects
• Linen blends - Good for the tropical climate
• Traditional Mexican fabrics - Embroidered textiles and colorful patterns

Small Notions Shops

There are a handful of small "mercería" shops scattered around town that sell sewing supplies. These typically stock:

• Thread and needles
• Zippers and buttons
• Elastic and bias tape
• Basic tools
• Small fabric cuts

Look for shops on the side streets off the main avenues. They're easy to miss but worth finding.

Better Options in Cancún

For serious fabric shopping, you'll need to make the trip to Cancún. The city has several fabric stores with much better selection:

• Parisina - A chain store with good variety of fabrics, patterns, and notions
• Telas Junco - Known for reasonable prices and decent selection
• Downtown Cancún markets - Various vendors selling fabric by the meter

The ADO bus from Playa to Cancún takes about an hour and costs around 50-80 pesos. Plan to make it a day trip if you need a significant fabric haul.

Buying Traditional Mexican Textiles

If you're interested in traditional fabrics, hand-embroidered pieces, huipiles, or woven textiles, you have more options in the Riviera Maya:

• Artisan markets - Look for vendors selling genuine handmade textiles
• Cooperative shops - Some indigenous cooperatives sell directly
• Valladolid day trip - This colonial town has excellent traditional textile shopping

Be aware that much of what's sold to tourists is mass-produced. For authentic pieces, look for irregularities in the weave and ask about the origin.

Online Options

Many expat crafters in Mexico rely on online ordering:

• Amazon Mexico - Ships to Playa, though selection is limited
• MercadoLibre - Mexico's version of eBay, good for finding specific items
• Specialty online fabric stores - Some will ship within Mexico

Shipping times can be unpredictable, so plan ahead for projects.

Tips for Fabric Shopping in Mexico

• Bring samples - If matching colors, bring a swatch with you
• Learn fabric terms in Spanish - Tela (fabric), algodón (cotton), lino (linen)
• Ask for discounts - Especially when buying multiple meters
• Check quality carefully - Hold fabric up to light to check weave
• Consider climate - Light, breathable fabrics work best here

Building Your Stash

Many expat sewers recommend building up your fabric stash whenever you travel. If you're visiting the US or Canada, stock up on specialty fabrics you can't find here. If you have visitors coming, ask them to bring supplies.

The crafting community in Playa is small but exists. Consider joining local expat groups online to connect with other sewers who can share tips on their latest fabric finds. Connect with crafters and makers on Expatslist to share sourcing tips and project ideas. Explore other Mexico destinations for craft shopping opportunities.