Vidrio Soplado Mexicano blown glass workshop in Playa Del Carmen
A very interesting place to visit in Playa Del Carmen is Vidrio Soplado Mexicano glass blowing workshop. Here you can watch glass blowing and making and shop. They make a wide range of Mexican glass items including the popular blue rim glasses and color speckled glassware.
If you buy here, you not only will be getting good prices but also supporting directly to the craftspeople that make them. You will also be supporting recycling! All the glass used is old bottles from hotels like liquor bottles. They are all melted and made into beautiful glassware.
What is the process of making glassware and glass products?
There are many colors and glasses for sale in Vidrio Soplado Mexicano but the basic shape of many is similar. When production of one glass style starts, the team of craftsman work as a team. Each person has one step of the process they do.
In the center of the workroom is the furnace. This furnace is never turned off. It is 1150 degrees Celsius (2102 Fahrenheit). On each side of the furnace there are openings that the craftsman uses to heat the glass at different stages.
The recycled glass is melted and then a glob of it is put on a pole. It is then blown to get the shape started. Then part of the stem is formed. Molten glass can be added for the base of the glass and then it is shaped.
If you notice in the photo below, there are workbenches that are specially made for glass blowing. Since the molten glass needs to be turned on poles, the worker sits and rolls the pole on the arms of the bench.
Here is a worker taking the hot glass on a pole to his workbench. He will roll the glass while pulling and stretching out the stem.
After the stem and base is formed it is time to get the rim formed. It is heated in the furnace again and then the final shaping is done.
The finished glasses get put into a second furnace. This furnace is 500 degrees Celsius (932 Fahrenheit). The cooling process starts overnight. The next morning the glasses are taken out and then gone over for quality.
How much are blown glasses at Vidrio Soplado Mexicano?
Here are some sample prices for the handmade glassware:
- Shot glasse $3 USD
- Wine glass $5 USD
- Juice glass $3 USD
- glass bowl $6 USD
- Water glasse $3 USD
- Margarita glass $5 USD
Where is Vidrio Soplado Mexicano store?
The Vidrio Soplado Mexicano store and workshop is in the north end of Playa Del Carmen on the other side of the highway. If you take Avenida 28 de Julio to Avenida Chemuyil and turn right, then go about four blocks you will find the orange building on your right.
What hours is the glass store open?
Monday-Friday 10:00am-6:30pm, Saturday 10:00am-5:30pm, Closed Sundays
Telephone number
984-109-2212
Email address
Our recommendations for visiting Vidrio Soplado Mexicano
This is not only a great place to buy some glassware, but it is also fun to watch the glass products being made. Visiting the Vidrio Soplado Mexicano store is also a good thing to do if it is raining. Once you look around the store you might just want to redecorate your house to accommodate some of their products or have a specialty item made for you. These are true craftsman, and we love to share these types of unique places with you.
This is one of the unique places for shopping in Playa Del Carmen and you will find it one our guide here.
Have you been to Vidrio Soplado Mexicano? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.
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Loved it! As a glass worker myself I can appreciate the craft smanship involved. I have been back twice and plan to go back again to purchase gifts for all my friends!
This looks like a great place to check out! I am going there when in Playa.
I’d love to plan a visit the next time I’m in the area. What’s the best way to transport my glassware home with me?
There are some things that are less breakable. Shipping is expensive. They are good at packing at this store. Once option is to carryon your purchases.
We purchased a beautiful margarita glass and pitcher set. With our first batch of margaritas the cold from the drink cracked the pitcher with it at room temperature. Maybe need to run under cold water before so the glass doesn’t break. Not sure if there was a flaw in the glass, but I’m So disappointed. We were so careful with them in our carry on and not a single one broke on our flight, but the first time we use it.
Loved this shop!!!! The variety of items is amazing…Great little shop to tour on a rainy day.
Hello Denise
We are so glad you found it and like it.
Was a great place to visit. Very resonable prices and interesting to watch them make the products
We visited the store in February(2019) with your directions on where to go, we took a Tucsa and didn’t get lost!! Found the store with no problems and we absolutely loved it! We bought some glasses and they made it home safely in bubble wrap that we had bought especially for that. Going back next year to buy more glasses and a pitcher for juice. We love your website as it has a lot of helpful hints and suggestions on things to do while in Playa. Thank you from Montreal!!
Hello Christine
We are glad you found this store and got to go. Thank you for supporting a good local business and for reading the website.
Very interesting demo and good prices!
Can I see blown drinking glasses and purchase on-line? I live in Arizona.
They have a Facebook page but we don’t think they have a website.
I would love to purchase some items, Please tell me how I can purchase wine glasses and small blue trimmed bowls from you.
They have moved the factory to Puerto Aventuras along the highway. You can purchase items there or at the old location in their store. The store location is larger and has more items.
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We went in Feb 2019, what a great few hours, Carlos Diaz a taxi driver took us from the Riu Tequilla, cost us £20 both ways, Carlos was a top guy, knew all about the area,
The glass factory was AMAZING!! Great products at cheap prices, my go to vodka glass I bought there and still use ,we live in the U.K and would HIGHLY recommend this shop !!!! ???
The prices are not cheap. Have they gone up? Because a tall glass is $14 each now. Is it cheaper at the store in Playa del a Carmen?
We have not done a side by side comparison of prices, but it feels like the prices in the old store are better. This new location is more for tourists at the all inclusive hotels nearby.