Puerto Vallarta Shopping
Shopping in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is a bargain hunter, art aficionado and cultural collector’s dream come true. Puerto Vallarta shopping districts feature stores, boutiques and markets that literally burst at the seams with goods from around the country. Traditional Mexican artisan creations from the region include huarache leather sandals, colorful handwoven hammocks and intricately cut tin work from the State of Guerrero, Huichol Indian yarn art from the neighboring State of Nayarit, talavera painted pottery, and beautiful blown glass and ceramics specific to the Puerto Vallarta area.
The busy outdoor shopping areas, market stalls and boutiques in Puerto Vallarta have something to catch everyone’s eye, from beach wear, sarongs and trinkets, to brightly colored blankets (sarapes), Cuban cigars, handcarved woodwork, home furnishings, and jewelry – both gold and sterling silver, which is one of Mexico’s most in-demand exports.
Grocery and Supermarkets
Ley
Open 24 hours a day, many of the locals shopping at this Vallarta supermarket because of more economical prices. Clothes and miscellaneous items for the home are found on the second floor. It is located on México Avenue about two blocks from Hidalgo Park in Centro.
Comercial Mexicana
Here you will find a higher quality Vallarta supermarket, more like those at home. The prices – and also the quality – are a little higher than at other stores, and there is a pharmacy and bakery onsite. Located in Plaza Marina.
Mega
The new Comercial Mexicana store in the Hotel Zone is located 2 blocks from the Sheraton Hotel towards the airport. It has an excellent meat department, deli meats, and bakery. You will also find just about anything else you will need, including an in-house pharmacy.
Soriana
You will find a full line of groceries and meats as well as frozen foods, clothes, liquor and amazingly fresh produce and everything you could possibly need in a Vallarta grocery store. It is located inside the Plaza Caracol Mall just off Francisco Medina Asencio Boulevard.
Sam's Club
Same as in the United States and the equivalent of Costco in the U.S. and Canada. A wholesale warehouse where you can buy anything and everything – most often in bulk. They have the finest selection of imported meats along with many other different products. Sam's Clubs cards from the U.S. are valid here, or you can purchase a membership for 350 pesos. It is located across the street from Maritime Terminal.
Wal-Mart
The newest of the grocery/hard goods stores. Located next to Sam's Club, Wal-Mart is very similar to the ones in your home area. Excellent bakery and deli department, great prices on anything you forgot to pack. Best place to buy a boogie board or snorkel gear for cheap.
Costco
Same than in the U.S. a wholesale warehouse where you can find a lot of variety of products, food, fine wines, clothing, electronic and many other options. They accept the US membership or you can buy one for 400 pesos. The store is located at Fluvial Vallarta almost in Francisco Villa Ave.
There are numerous "farmacias" (pharmacies) around town, where you can buy everything from sun tan lotions to local herbal remedies. In addition, many prescription drugs can be bought over the counter in Mexico at prices much lower than in North America and Europe.
Malls and Local Markets
Marina Plaza
Located at the road entrance to the Puerto Vallarta Marina complex, Marina Plaza has dozens of shops, cafes and restaurants, along with some high end furniture and internior design shops.
Plaza Caracol
Found in mid-town (Versalles), this plaza has numerous small shops and boutiques, along with some ice cream and fast food outlets.
Plaza Genovesa
Located in mid-town a short distance south of the Plaza Caracol, Plaza Genovesa has many small shops, banks and a number of restaurants.
Plaza Galerías
Sits right in front of the Marina Pier and is the largest mall in Puerto Vallarta with more than 80 stores, restaurants and a movie theater.
Puerto Vallarta shopping districts
Shop up a storm and take a leisurely stroll in three of Puerto Vallarta’s busy shopping districts: Downtown, Cuale River Island and the South Side.
Downtown
Designer boutiques along the malecon or sea wall on Paseo Diaz Ordaz in downtown Puerto Vallarta offer high end products for equally high prices. Bargain hunters are better off trying the smaller side streets of Juarez and Morelos, which feature some great art galleries, trendy boutiques, smaller stores and generally prices that are easier on the pocketbook. Some of the best shopping in Puerto Vallarta Mexico is in the large flea market ( 8 am – 9 pm) along Insurgentes and next to the Cuale River is a two-level building filled with dozens of stalls selling everything imaginable, including a huge variety of souvenir T-shirts and other memorabilia.
Cuale River Island
Huge, ancient trees transform the charming narrow island sitting in the middle of the Cuale River which runs from the high Sierra Mountains into Banderas Bay, dissects Puerto Vallarta in two. This interesting zone of Puerto Vallarta features numerous cafes, a handful of well-respected eateries – including The River Café, Le Bistro and Oscar’s – and stores selling tapestries, clothing, obsidian stone carvings and other handicrafts. The island also boasts botanical gardens, the Anthropology Museum, and Cultural Center.
South Side
Also known as the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta, the cobblestone streets of South Side – particularly Insurgentes, Ignacio Vallarta and Olas Altas – are ideal for browsing a number of shops selling home furnishings, women’s clothing and accessories, colored glass work, jewelry, handicrafts and other usual beach souvenirs and trinkets. “Restaurant Row” on Basilio Badillo has nearly 20 restaurants in just six blocks, and some decent stores as well. Most of the gay-owned eateries, shops and bars in Puerto Vallarta are found here, including La Noche and Frida.
Local Shops
Agro Gourmet - North Side - Ave. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2820-A (across from the Marina Terminal). Tel: 221-2656 Imported and locally grown natural and organic fruits, grains, vegetables, herbs, fine cheeses, spices and gourmet products. Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm; Sat, 8am-4:30pm
Best - South Side - 111 Rodolfo Gomez at the San Marino hotel. Tel: 222-5128. Underwear and beachwear for men. Daily, 10am-8pm
Blu by Len - South Side - 513 Olas Altas. Tel: 223-9660. Hair salon services from cuts to color for women and men. Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm
The BookStore - South Side - 334 V. Carranza, Tel: 223-9437 and North Side - Plaza Caracol, Tel: 224-1872. English language books, magazines and papers. Spanish titles as well as special orders. Mon-Sat, 9am-7pm and Sun, 11am-6pm
Casamia - South Side - 437 Insurgentes. Tel: 222-9699, 222-9083. Specializing in home decorating and design with friendly service from owner Hector Sanchez. Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm and 4pm-8m; Sat, 10am-2pm
Christopher Wynn - South Side - 146 Pulpito. Tel: 222-9390. Elegant furnishings for the home.
Colors - South Side - 116 Pulpito and also Calle Malecon, Local #7. Tel: 222-7764. Beachwear, clothing, accessories and other boutique items. 10am-6pm. Daily, 10am-9pm on Pulpito St.
Coral Surf Shop and Coral Skate Shop - 322-B Insurgentes - South Side. Tel: 222-7785. Anything to do with boards – surf, body or skate – it’s sold here. Trendiest surf and beach wear, shirts, sandals, board shorts, skate boards and body boards. Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm
Eclectic Art - South Side - 250 Basilio Badillo. Tel: 222-5712. Handmade home art, carpets, fine art, jewelry, clothing and metal sculptures. Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 10am-2pm
Flowers To Go - South Side - 126 Rodolfo Gomez. Tel : 223-5686. Gorgeous fresh flower arrangements. Delivery also available. Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm.
Liquid Men - South Side - 245 Ignacio Vallarta and also Plaza Caracol, local 4-A. Tel: 223-3165 and 293-4568. One of the trendy stops for clothes and accessories for the modern gay man in two locations. Daily, 10am-10pm
Lucy's Cucu Cabana - South Side - 295 Basilio Badillo. Original Mexican folkloric art work, including Oaxacan art and Talavera ceramics. Mon-Sat, 10am-10pm
Mundo de Azulejos (World of Tiles) - South Side - 374 Venustiano Carranza. Tel: 222-2675. Locally produced handpainted Talavera and artistic tiles, pottery and home accessories, with thousands of designs in stock at Puerto Vallarta’s only Talavera factory. Mon-Sat, 9am-7pm
Mundo de Cristal (World of Glass) - South Side - 333 Insurgentes. Tel: 222-4157. Beautiful colored glasses, decanters, pitchers, candle holders, vases and decorative pieces from Puerto Vallarta’s first hand blown glass factory. Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm and Sat, 9am-2pm
Rainbow T-Shirts - South Side - 137 Pulpito. Tel: 223-2868. Custom and one of a kind designed colorful and inexpensive t-shirts; across the street from the bar Garbo. Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm
Sea Me - South Side - 114-B Amapas. Tel: 223-8043. Designer name Prada, Dolce & Garbana, Versace, Revo,Ray Ban sunglasses and accessories. Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm
Sergio Bustamante - Central - 275 Juarez, Tel: 222-1129 and 542 Paseo Diaz Ordaz, Tel: 222-5480. Modern sculpture, life-sized bronze animals, ceramics, papier mache, and original jewelry from one of Mexico’s most famous artists. Daily, 10am-9pm
Serendipity - South Side - 228 Ignacio Vallarta, Tel: 223-1828 and 472 Juarez, Tel: 222-6110. Mexican handicrafts from around the country. Mon-Sat, 10:30am-3:30pm and 5pm-10pm.
Sonido Rana - South Side - 325 and 331 Francisco Madero. Tel: 222-4176. An impressive collection of cassettes and CDs, from classical and new world music to salsa, jazz, traditional Mexican, disco, rock and international pop. Daily, 9am-9pm
Suave Central Surf Shop - Central - 800 Morelos. Specialty boutique selling beach and surf wear, and surf gear.
Unique Consignment & Antiques - South Side - 429B Basilio Badillo. Tel: 222 6233. Offers a great selection of furniture, lamps, sculptures, artwork, and lots of other things that you can´t expect to find in most other shops in Puerto Vallarta. The store has a variety of styles and items, ranging from rustic to classic and modern to antique. Sellers may also place items on consignment within the store. Opens: Monday to Friday 10:00am - 5:30pm, Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm.
White Icker - South Side - 415-A Olas Altas. Guys underwear and swimwear.