Punta Mita Shopping

Puerto Vallarta offers some good places to shop and buy authentic Mexican goods. Don't expect any commercialized shopping malls - although there are a couple of plazas with big name shops. Instead, look for the smaller, traditional and independent traders that offer unique Mexican arts and crafts.

Ambulant traders often roam the streets and public beaches selling a variety of goods from clothes and textiles to silver and masks. Beware of the some of the Silver traders - as what they may be selling is Alpaca - a cheap imitation silver - check for the official silver marks on the metal if you they tell you its silver. If you speak some Spanish, you'll have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a better deal.

Puerto Vallarta offers a wider variety of stores and shopping. From the typical Mexican handicraft to silver and jewelry, or the Mexican traditional drink: Tequila.

Puerto Vallarta has several Malls where you will find everything from silver (Mexico is the world largest silver producer) and gold, to the economical T-Shirt and souvenirs. You will also find some designers store (Gucci, Luis Vuitton, etc…) and the typical handicraft. Don’t miss the great bead work of the Huichol Indians, typical from the area.  There are other places to shop, such as Isla Cuale Market (Right in downtown), where you will find yourself in the typical small Mexican market, with lots of little stores offering souvenirs from Puerto Vallarta.

Pay a visit to the City Market (Mercado Municipal, between Av. Libertad and Mirarmar) to get the best piñatas! Great memories for your children and so typical from Mexico. Information: Prices are normally negotiable at the market but not in the stores, where you will see the price tag on almost every item. Most of the stores in the malls accept credit cards and US Dollars, but be aware that the exchange rate may not always be the best one. At the market, only cash is accepted.

Huichol Indian Art
The Huichol Indians, descendants from the Aztecs and one of the last truly indigenous people's of Mexico have begun to market their artwork and crafts in Puerto Vallarta. Their People live high up in the Mountains behind the town.

Huichol art has two main 'branches' - yarn paintings and beaded works.
The yarn paintings are said to depict visions that the Indians have, and always tell a story, which will usually be written on a piece of paper in Huichol and Spanish and attached to the back of the work. Pictures of wolves, snakes, scorpions and deer depict traditional Huichol elements of Huichol lore; other animals have been added due to 'market demand'.

The beaded works are usually wooden shapes which have beads attached to them with wax, and represent the shape of an animal - see note above for the animals that represent true Huichol lore.

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~ Some Highlights ~

Galería Tanana

The beauty of its glistening glass-bead (Czech) jewelry in iridescent and earth colors may leave you weak in the knees. Sometimes a Huichol artisan at the front of the store works on traditional yarn paintings, pressing the fine filaments into a base of beeswax and pine resin to create colorful and symbolic pictures. Money from sales supports the owner's nonprofit organization to promote cultural sustainability for the Huichol people.

• Address: Av. del Palmar 8, Sayulita, Puerto Vallarta, 63732
• Phone: 329/291-3889
• www.huicholcenter.org
• Open: Closed Sun.
• Location: Sayulita

Huichol Collection

Native artisans working on crafts and wearing their stunning and colorful clothing draw customers in. The shop has an excellent inventory, with some museum-quality pieces. Though the merchandise is genuine, the shop is also venue for timeshare sales—albeit with a soft sales pitch.

• Address: Paseo Diaz Ordaz 732, Centro, Puerto Vallarta, 48300
• Phone: 322/223-0661
• Other location: Morelos 490, Centro, Puerto Vallarta, 48300, 322/223-2141

Cassandra Shaw Jewelry

It's hard to ignore the huge, chunky rings, bracelets, and necklaces here. In the back of the shop are more delicate items of pure silver set with various stones in artful ways. All are unusual. There's a small selection of hats, handbags, tunics, and other items, and, up the spiral staircase, the owner's oil paintings, mainly nonrepresentational portraits.
Outdoor market:

• Address: Basilio Badillo 276, Col. E. Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, 48380
• Phone: 322/223-9734

Mercado Isla Río Cuale (Outdoor Market)

Small shops and outdoor stalls sell an interesting mix of wares at this informal and fun market. Harley-Davidson kerchiefs, Che paintings on velvet, and Madonna icons compete with the usual synthetic lace tablecloths, shell and quartz necklaces, and silver jewelry amid postcards and key chains. The market is partially shaded by enormous fig and rubber trees and serenaded by the rushing river; a half-dozen cafés and restaurants provide sustenance.

• Address: Dividing El Centro from Colonia E. Zapata, access at Calle Morelos, Calle I. Vallarta, Calle Matamoros, Calle Constitución, Calle Libertad, Av. Insurgentes, and the malecón, Puerto Vallarta, 48300
  

Ruly's Boutique

The owner designs the men's clothing sold here and supervises its construction. Look for nice trousers, shirts, and shorts in a wide selection of handsome yet vibrant colors, as well as accessories, underwear, hats, and so on.

• Address: Paradise Plaza, Local 10, Paseo de los Cocoteros 85 Sur, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, 63732
• Phone: 322/297-1724

La Aldaba

The interesting gift and decorative items and housewares here include Bustamante-inspired cat and moon candles, subtly painted sheet-metal candleholders and wall art, and glass vases.

• Address: Paradise Plaza, 2nd fl., Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, 63732
• Phone: 322/297-0903

Galería Corazón

The emphasis here is on high-end Mexican arts and crafts. Note that the shop doesn't open until noon.

• Address: Av. América Latina 1, at Av. Tercer Mundo, San Pancho, 63729
• Phone: 311/258-4170
• Open: Closed Sun., Mon., and mid-May-Oct.
• Location: San Francisco (north of Sayulita)