That “Must-Have” Cancun Souvenir Might Be Illegal: How You Can Help Protect Sea Turtles and Coral Reefs

You’re on the last day of a perfect Cancun vacation, strolling through a bustling local market. The vibrant colors, the handmade crafts, the friendly chatter—it’s all part of the experience. You spot it on a vendor’s table: a stunningly beautiful bracelet with a unique, polished, amber-and-brown pattern. It feels ancient and exotic. The vendor smiles and tells you it’s a special “tortoise shell.” You’ve found the perfect, one-of-a-kind souvenir to remember your trip.

But here’s the thing: that “one-of-a-kind” souvenir is almost certainly illegal. And buying it could unknowingly contribute to the destruction of the very natural wonders that make Cancun so magical.

It’s a difficult truth, but a crucial one for travelers to understand. Some of the most beautiful items for sale in tourist markets are made from protected and critically endangered wildlife. Here’s what you need to know to become a savvy, ethical shopper who helps protect paradise.

The Beautiful, but Illegal, Treasures

The most heartbreaking and common illegal souvenir is anything made from the shell of the Hawksbill sea turtle. These magnificent creatures are critically endangered, and international law strictly forbids the trade of any of their products. That beautiful bracelet, comb, or jewelry box? It’s not “tortoise shell”—it’s an illegal product from a protected sea turtle.

Alongside turtle shell, you will often see intricate jewelry and carvings made from black coral. This protected coral is vital to the health of the reef, and harvesting it causes irreversible damage. And that massive, beautiful, pink-lipped Queen Conch shell you see for sale? It’s from a protected species, and taking one home can lead to it being confiscated at the airport, along with hefty fines.

How to Spot the Illegal Souvenirs

This is the most important part. Vendors will often mislead you, so you need to be your own expert. Here are a few simple tricks to identify these illegal items on sight.

• How to Spot Sea Turtle Shell: Real Hawksbill sea turtle shell has a very distinct look. It features a unique, overlapping pattern of mottled (spotty) amber, yellow, and brown streaks. If you hold it up to the light, it will often have a translucent, almost glowing quality. If you see this beautiful, tortoiseshell-like pattern on jewelry, combs, or boxes, it’s best to assume it’s illegal and walk away.

• How to Spot Black Coral: Don’t be fooled by its simple appearance. It’s often polished into shiny, black rings and bracelets that look like plastic or wood. The key difference is that real black coral will feel much harder and more stone-like than plastic, and it won’t have the grain lines you would see in wood. If a vendor is selling a lot of identical “black coral” jewelry for cheap, it’s likely fake, but it’s best to avoid it altogether to be safe.

Smarter Shopping, Better Souvenirs

Here at The Cancun Sun, we believe that being a responsible tourist is the best way to show your love for this incredible region. You don’t have to stop shopping; you just have to shop smarter.

Instead of taking a risk, you can support local communities by purchasing amazing, sustainable souvenirs. Look for vibrant, hand-painted ceramics, beautifully woven textiles and hammocks, or intricate silver jewelry. Not only are these items legal and beautiful, but your money goes directly to supporting talented local artisans and their families.

By making a conscious choice, you transform from a simple tourist into a guardian of paradise, ensuring that Cancun’s sea turtles and coral reefs will be here for generations of travelers to enjoy.

Choosing to protect local wildlife is the most important step you can take, but being a truly conscious traveler doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve avoided the illegal items, the next step is ensuring the crafts you do buy are genuinely local. Unfortunately, many market stalls are now filled with mass-produced trinkets that aren’t made in Mexico at all. Supporting the local economy means learning how to avoid “Made in China” souvenirs and choose authentic, handmade crafts instead.