Shopping in Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is perfectly placed to be shopper's paradise as it is located in the state of Jalisco near Mexico's handicraft centers of Tlaquepaque and Tonala. Vallarta is also a major center for the arts with many art galleries and many artists calling the Vallarta area home. You'll enjoy both local Mexican art and more contemporary art.

Where to Shop
The Paradise Village Shopping Mall in Nuevo Vallarta has more than 100 interesting shops selling Mexican handicrafts and souvenirs, clothing, jewelry and more! There are also many restaurants, a well-stocked grocery market, bank, hair salon, video arcade, cafes, and ATMs where you can take out USD or Pesos. The Sunset Market has a good selection of groceries at reasonable prices. Whatever you are looking for, the air-conditioned and comfortable Paradise Plaza will have it and more.

If you are making a trip to Puerto Vallarta, you may want to wait to do your souvenir shopping until then as the prices are often cheaper because there are more markets where you can bargain rather than shops where prices are fixed. There is also more competition for pricing because there are more shops in PV. You should comparison shop as much as possible as the quality, selection and price will vary. Sales people may also make lower offers as you walk out of the store.

• In the Mercado de Artesanías there are indoor and outdoor stands with souvenirs such as handmade Mexican crafts, nicely made textiles, straw hats and silver jewelry.
• Isla Rio Cuale is a fun place to shop for souvenirs and colorful Mexican crafts, with small indoor shops and outdoor market stalls surrounded by cafés and restaurants. This is an island on the Cuale River (as the name states) that divides downtown. You can reach the island by the stairs that lead down from either bridge over the river. This is a peaceful and picturesque place to shop and enjoy the afternoon. Some of the only public washrooms are located on Isla Rio Cuale.
• Try the Mercado Municipal for anything from silver to clothing and sandals to blown glass. There are more than 150 shops here. It is located in downtown PV between the two bridges.
• For more trendy and touristy shops, try the Gigante Plaza, by the Fiesta Americana

U.S. dollars and credit cards are accepted in almost all shops. Bargaining is expected in markets and by beach vendors. Beach vendors will accept American and Canadian money but you may receive Pesos as change.

Most stores are open daily from 10 am to 8 or 9 pm with many closing at the hottest part of the day for siesta from 2 to 4 pm. Shops in the restaurant zones may stay open later, until 10 or 11 pm. Many shops and markets close or have reduced hours on Sunday.

You may be approached by young children selling chiclets and other things, sometimes they can be pretty pushy. These children are being exploited by their parents or other adults and supporting them does not help their situation. Puerto Vallarta has support programs for children in need. Please help by not giving them money or buying things from them, this only encourages the problem. You will be helping them to stay off the streets and away from exploitation.

What to Buy in Vallarta
Silver - Since Mexico is the worlds largest producer of silver, you will find a good selection of silver in Puerto Vallarta. But watch out for chapa, it's a combination of alloys that will tarnish and discolor over time. Sterling silver will have a .925 stamp on it.

Pottery - The area is well known for its beautiful pottery. Talavera Pottery and Mata Ortiz Pottery are both very nice and make beautiful souvenirs.

• What is Talavera Pottery? Talavera pottery was traditionally used to decorate churches in Spain and it is now known how the distinctive style of pottery came over to Mexico. Today, Talavera is typically equated with Mexican-style majolica (tin-enameled earthenware). These colorful creations are a favorite with both tourists and locals. Talavera pottery should have a raised detailed design and the surface finish has a high gloss. Keep in mind that Talavera pottery is often reproduced and the fakes are not necessarily cheaper.
• What is Mata Ortiz Pottery? Mata Ortiz is a small rural village, about 100 miles south of the New Mexico border in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. There, about 300 of the villagers are creating the most beautiful individually designed and hand crafted works of pottery being produced anywhere today. The potters make each piece the way the inhabitants of ancient city of Paquime did over 600 years ago. However, the modern potters are innovative in their designs and have developed their own distinctive styles.

Oaxacan Carvings - Oaxaca, pronounced (Wa-HAH-ka) is one of the Mexico's largest and poorest states, yet its folk art and traditions are among the richest. Unsurpassed for their originality, colors and wizardry, Oaxacan wood carvings have become a prized folk art. The wood-carving techniques and artistic capacity of the Zapotec people from Oaxaca Valley are legendary, honed over hundreds of generations. Each of the wooden sculptures are hand-carved from the wood of the Copal tree. Each piece is hand-sanded and painted in bright and exciting motifs. There are two hundred or so families of wood-carvers in the Oaxaca valley.

Leather - Leather belts, sandals and attire are locally made so they are very popular among tourists and locals. Leather is inexpensive in the Puerto Vallarta area. El Charro at 400 Juarez has fine leather including belts, sandals and leather horseback riding equipment.

Huichol Artwork - The Huichol Indians occupy the Sierra Madre of North Central Mexico. To the Huichols their art is a direct extension of their religion, which permeates every aspect of life, and it is made not from the standpoint of decoration but to give profound expression to concepts of spiritual beliefs. Traditional Huichol art, whether it be meticulous beadwork, yarn paintings, masks, votive bowls and arrows or striking embroidered and woven personal adornments, are beautiful not only from the aesthetic standpoint but from the psychological as well. Arte Magico Huichol has the largest collection of Huichol Indian Art in Mexico. They are located at 164 Corona.

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