A serape,or sarape, is a brightly colored, heavyweight shawl produced in Latin America. The serape is probably most closely associated with Mexico, although this garment can be found throughout Central America, and many visitors to the region purchase serapes as souvenirs. These brightly colored shawls are one of the many distinctive cultural arts of the region, and in addition to being actively worn on the streets, serapes can also be found in museums which specialize in indigenous textiles.

Traditional serapes are made with a dark background color, such as black or brown, interwoven with brightly colored stripes in colors like green, red, and pink. The serape is usually roughly rectangular in shape, and the ends are typically fringed. Some Guatemalan serapes have a hole in the middle, allowing people to stick their heads through, and in some cases a hood may be sewn into the serape to provide additional protection from the elements.

Serapes are typically quite large, big enough to double as blankets in a pinch, and they are traditionally made from wool, a thick fiber which provides insulation and some water resistance. Serapes are often a bit coarse and rough, because they are not designed to be worn directly against the skin, although some companies do make softer versions from materials like cotton or finely combed wool.

Depending on the region of Central America under discussion, serapes may be worn by men and women, or just men. In Mexico, serapes tend to be worn by men in particular, while in Guatemala, women wear these colorful scarves as well. Typically the shawl drapes to the knees when worn loosely over the shoulders, and some people wrap the serape over one shoulder only, providing extra insulation for one side of the body and leaving an arm free for field work, handling an animal, or other tasks.

When purchasing serapes, many people like to patronize indigenous craftspeople, who often have stands by the side of the road, or sell to collectives which focus on traditional crafts. Always inspect the weave of a serape when buying it, and test it for flexibility and holes in the weave. You may also want to ask for specific care directions for your new serape, to ensure that it is not damaged in the wash. As a general rule, it is safe to assume that serapes should be washed by hand with cold water and a very mild soap, and laid flat to dry so that their shapes do not deform.