Glad to see this shop is still in business. It had been years since I had been, and happened upon it during an art walk. It's a little shop but has a lot of cool masks, day of the dead pieces, sugar skull art and more. My friend found a cool pair of snake earrings there, and I picked up a shoulder bag and mask for myself. Lots of items from small to more elaborate. A little bit of everything to choose from. Use your yelp check in and get 15 percent off your order (which I realized after I had left *sigh*) I was given 5.00 off my next order as well. I would recommend, if only just to look. read more

See all

EVERY day is Day of the Dead at Back from Tomboctou. Really though, it's a charming shop of Mexican folk arts and antiquities. Heavy emphasis on the skulls. Heavy emphasis on really beautiful stuff. Makes me wish I was Catholic. Not in the Vatican/catechisms kind of way. More in the ancestor-worshipping kind of way. They bring gorgeous artisanal materials from various regions in the south, and they really get a lot of great stuff. My living space is getting progressively more Mexican despite my best efforts to avoid buying more. They also do workshops in the fall to make sugar skulls, pinatas, and those papel picado (paper cut banners) as well as paper mache skulls. Super cool. Wish I had an 8 year-old to drag with me. Kind of like Vintage Religion on 30th, except this place is more specialized, more quaint, and though I like Vintage Religion, I just like Back from Tomboctou better. read more

Back From Tomboctou Gallery & Import - Gift Shops Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Price, customer service and location. There is no parking. I drove around few times trying to find parking to get to this place. Customer Service is lacking. The staff person that was at the store was following me because I came in with kids. My kids do no steal and were just looking at the items for sale. I was looking at the items as well but I felt like I was being followed for fear of shoplifting. I dont like this feeling. The items are pricey. Items that at other locations may be cheaper are a bit expensive. The items they have are all genuine Mexican items and I understand that transport of items from another country is costly but I dont think I would be able to purchase much here. I dont think that I will be back. read more

First and foremost, everything about the store was beautiful, and had an amazing selection of objects, gifts, and beads. I wish I could give a full 5 stars, but the interaction with the older man working there was far from pleasant. While I was browsing, there was a middle aged couple speaking with him. He was very friendly and helpful towards them. However when they left and I came up to check out, his demeanor instantly changed towards mild disgust and disinterest. I tried sparking up conversation and saying how beautiful the store was and was scoffed at and was given a microagressive responses. It soon was clear to me that I was being judged for my age and how I looked. I am 24 and have tattoos and piercings, however I am incredibly polite and respectful. It's such a shame because the store is so beautiful. And as a local artist, I want to come back here and buy more beads, but honestly now I dread even stepping foot back into the store. And this is not confirmed to be true, but I'm very positive I was also overcharged for two sets of charms I bought. I recommend this place, but if you're like me and look different from the average joe, be aware and be careful. read more

Found a new favorite store! I've been wanting to go this store for quite a while and finally made the time to go yesterday - I was like kid in a Tim Burton Candy Store. There is beautiful handcrafted art, nick-knacks and yes even lucha libre items to be found. The cheery on my cake was all of the skull / Day of the Dead items! Being a skull lover since I was but a wee child my senses were on overload when I walked in the back room ! While some item are a bit pricey (but hand crafted) there are others that are super reasonable. I bought a hand crafted / painted wooden box made in La Palma Venezuela - by lovely nuns I am sure - on sale for $9 !!! Looking forward to taking one of their sugar skull making classes too! read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! I might stretch to say I have a tiny obsession with it. Whenever I'm in the neighborhood, I have to stop in. The owner is super friendly and knows not only the origin of his artwork, but a detailed history, including personal stories about the producer/artist/his own realization that he loved that certain piece, etc. Brilliant. read more

Decided to swing by since me and my GF like to purchase unique things from different parts of Mexico. They had an assortment of things, but nothing that really caught my eye or was a must have. Cool little shop though. read more

Love this place! Honestly everyone here has really said it all, no reason to repeat. How about ditto to all these five star reviews. Love this place. Just got a Catrina Statue for my fiancee here for Christmas and they wrapped it up for me in day of the dead paper. She has wanted one forever, it is just so cool and "Authentic". Respect! read more

I almost missed this place tucked away on Adams Avenue. Loaded with weird, funny, fascinating Mexican art, some of it cheaper than you'd think, and the owner is wonderful, warm and knowledgeable. Their back room is like the Day of the Dead threw up. In a good way. read more

This place is definitely work a walk through, or at least a once-over. I love the merchandise, it's one of those places that I pretty much want everything in it, yet stop and think, "Do.Not.Need.Do.Not.Need." and have to reason with myself, that no, I don't need a dozen or two Dia de Los Muertos statues. I actually come here for the charms/beads that are to the left hand wall shelves. There are little chili peppers and bananas with smiley faces the size of your pinky, clown masks, gold and silver feathers... many things that would go great on a charm bracelet or just work well in beading. Because I totally.need.those. (I have this theory that anything that fits inside a walnut shell can qualify as a necessity.) Everyone inside, patrons and shopkeepers, tend to be friendly, which is very important to me. Definitely one of the more worthwhile shops on Adams Ave. And the prices aren't outrageous, either. read more

Really great little curios here. I especially enjoyed the numerous Dia De Los Muertos mini-skeletons. I'm not much into the religious items, but there's enough interesting and strange items that it's worth a look :) read more

Love, love this hidden gem!. Their Day of the Dead and Mexican and Latin American Folk Art inventory is extensive. You are sure to find what you are looking for. They also offer fabulous workshops on Sugar Skull decorating, Altar making, Kite making and many more. A must visit store in San Diego! read more

One of my favorite places to CHILL. I go here to buy unique gifts, attend sugar skull and altar making workshops, and chat with the remarkable owners. It is quaint, reliable and affordable. read more

Two years later. Same wife. Moving into another house. Same desire to decorate with dope folk art out of Tijuana, sugar skulls, and the like. Still haven't had the pleasure of meeting Maribel but trust when I say that she and Claudio run an awesome shop and do a phenomenal job shipping your items with care. Will absolutely be back next time I'm in town. read more

This place sells works of art from Mexico, South America and beyond. They have a great selection of day of the dead statues and Mexican Devil and animal masks. The owner travels extensively looking for cool stuff to sell in his store. He's like that guy from an 80's fantasy movie who owns a shop and sells you an ancient artifact that transports you to a magical island. Go in and check it out read more

Stumbled on this very unique shop. It's bigger than it looks and the owner is very friendly and knowledgable. Will definitely return.

This place gets 5 stars from me. I stopped in here today for the first time and was very impressed. They sell things from all over the world at a fair price. They carry a huge variety of Day of the Dead stuff and of course I couldn't resist. The owners seemed really nice and they were happy to answer questions. Everything in here looks unique so you don't feel your shopping at Oriental Trading. It will be hard to stay away. read more

When we first walked in, we thought the store was really tiny, then we found the door into the back part of the store (yay!). There's lots of cool items here, and the pricing isn't ridiculous. Wish they had a larger selection though. read more

I visited this store last week for the first time ever. This place is great. Lots of cute Dia de Los Muertos stuff. The couple that runs the store is so helpful and friendly. I will be back to visit again! I recommend this place to anyone who loves Mexican folk art! read more

This holiday season, after going crazy getting everyone gifts, I decided to stop by and treat myself to something nice. Maribel, the owner, was there to greet me. I told her what I was looking for and she showed me these super cute Frida and Diego earrings and I HAD TO GET THEM !!!! Now Every time I wear them I get so many compliments :) thanks maribel. read more

Always have a great time with the seasonal workshops. I am a big fan of the sugar skull decorating class, and do it at least once a year. Great store full of items for my apt. read more

Back From Tomboctou Gallery & Import - Papel picado skeleton piece - Gift Shops Near Me - San Diego, California

Long before San Diego "discovered" Dia De los Muertos Back from Tomboctu was there with authentic day of the dead folk art. For twenty plus years I have been delighted to know the owners Maribel and Claudio. While many shops now sell knock offs made in China and India. Maribel and Claudio remain true to the Mexican culture that nourishes the idea of celebrating the dead. If you go to this special place you will find something oddly wonderful . read more

I Love this store! They carry great authentic Mexican, Catholic, and neat merchandise. The owners are not only friendly, but kind too. In addition, they are we well educated and knowledgable, plus they've been a part of the community for over 20 years. This store is worth checking out. read more

I don't get the reviews. I have been in better Mexican folk art stores in Seattle and Canon Beach, OR. Inventory very, very small with uninspiring pieces. No service to speak of. read more

Ever since I found this store I have always gone back. There is so much to see it is almost like walking into a museum. It is family owned by local San Diegans, and a lot of the time they will be hanging out at the store. You can find real treasures here... unique gifts, amazing jewelery, cards, and decorative art pieces...once in a while they also hold art workshops and events which makes me want to support them even more. read more

I love this place! I have an old Spanish Revival home in University Heights and could easily fill it with all the unique treasures from this place. I try and stop by every few weeks because it seems that there is always something new. I have purchased several unique birthday and Christmas items here. Thanks to the owner I always feel welcomed. I am sure I will be back soon! read more

This shop will not appeal to everyone. That is one of its charms. Its artful tones (or amounts of kitsch) vary over time -- but some of what you can count on is an interesting and amazing owner whose serious knowledge of ex-votos is fascinating and fun and a collection of objects that may include lovely fabric or paper goods from Asia and folk art from Central and South America. What a bonus that he offers sugar skull-making instruction! This place makes a significant contribution to the SD community. read more