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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