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| Shopping in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
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Puerto Vallarta
offers rich opportunities for shoppers. Almost everything
made in México is available: silver, blown glass,
pottery, sarapes, clothing, sandals, masks and other
arts and crafts. Also, the city’s reputation as
an art center sets it apart from most other Mexican
beach resort cities. Visitors have the unique opportunity
to purchase pieces by some of Mexico’s most well
known contemporary painters and sculptors, as well as
internationally renowned artists. And, for budget-conscious
vacationers with a good eye, Puerto Vallarta offers
the opportunity to get in on the ground floor with Mexico’s
up-and-coming new artists can be see at thePueblito
del Sol Cultural Center.
More good buys include colorful
handmade resort wear, the popular locally made leather
sandals and huaraches. There is also a good selection
of quality colonial-style furniture and most stores
ship purchases to the U.S.
Excellent shops are scattered
throughout. Some are near the beach, some in major hotels
and many are located on the main downtown shopping area
along Juárez and Morelos Streets. Most stores
close from 2 – 4 p.m. Most open around 10 a.m.
and stay open until 8 p.m.
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Vallarta's main
flea market (located next to the Rio Cuale) houses dozens
of stalls with a wide selection of items to choose from.
Along the downtown Malecon strip, designer shops specializing
in casual wear are everywhere. Combining the old with
the new, American shops dot the Malecón (the
main shopping area in "Centro" Vallarta) and
are shoulder to shoulder with more traditional Mexican
shops and galleries.
Puerto Vallarta's antique store
and art gallery district is along Morelos, one block
behind the "Malecón" and also on Corona,
a side street. Here you might find an old iron hitching
ring for a horse, or maybe a pre-columbian artifact.
Original, signed Mexican paintings
are featured by a number of the galleries. Many are
by well-known local artists. Original signed art can
be taken home duty-free. The Muncipal "flea"
Market is right beside the Rio Cuale on Insurgentes,
the highway to Mismaloya, with dozens of small stalls,
where you can buy a variety of items from leather bullwhips
to printed T-shirts.
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Puerto Vallarta
offers one of the best shopping of any resort town in
Mexico. Various States and regions in Mexico are famous
for different products and art forms. Puerto Vallarta
is renowned for its pottery and ceramics, beautifully
hand-blown glass.
Talavera pottery is still made in the area using the
same techniques employed by 16th Century Spanish potters.
The Huichol Indians, native to the State of Nayarit
which borders closely with Vallarta, produce stunningly
colorful pictures made from naturally colored Indian
yarns and dramatic beaded painted masks that are loaded
with native ritual symbolism. You can also find pottery
and tapestries from Oaxaca State (known world-wide for
its "black" pottery). Spectacularly colorful
hammocks and intricate tin works from the State of Guerrero
abound. Huaraches, traditional Mexican sandals made
of leather strips and rubber tire soles can be found
in most shops.
There are three major "plazas" in Vallarta
The Marina Plaza, located at the road entrance to the
Marina complex, has numerous shops, cafes and restaurants,
along with some up-scale furniture and design shops.
Also in the Marina Plaza is one of the two McDonald's
to be found in Vallarta (the other is on the Malecón
in Centro).
The Plaza Caracol located in mid-town (Versalles) has
numerous small shops and boutiques, along with some
ice cream and fast food outlets.
The Plaza Genovesa, located in mid-town, a short distance
south of the Plaza Caracol has many small shops, banks
and a number of restaurants.
All three plazas are worth a visit.
There are four major department stores in Vallarta,
where you can get groceries, clothing and just about
everything. "Gigante" (Plaza Caracol), "Comercial
Mexicana" (two locations: Plaza Genovesa and Plaza
Marina), "Rizo's" (located downtown in Centro)
and "Leys" (also downtown in Centro). "Lans"
(downtown in Centro) is an up-scale department store
that does not sell groceries.
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.
A number of stores will ship your
goods home for you. You are better to deal with "expert"
shippers who are experienced with packing and processing
customs information that will ensure that your purchases
get where they're going.
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