Shopping...
BY JESUS DE AVILA - EDITOR OF PVMIRROR

Puerto Vallarta is a fantastic show case to buy various articles amongst which diverse art manifestations, arts and crafts, jewelry, beachwear, souvenirs, furniture, accessories, blown glassware, ironworks, decorative adornments and much, much more stand out. Since it is an international tourist destination, here you can find almost anything from any part of the world.

The options for shopping are endless and they are on the daily agenda. Within all the areas of Puerto Vallarta and its outskirts you can always find a place to go shopping and there are of course key places and spaces where the visitors prefer to perform this magnificent activity.

The Beach

There you can find amongst other things pareos, jewelry, silver jewelry from Taxco, rugs, hammocks, carved figures, hats, caps, t-shirts, toys, key chains, post cards, accessories, adornments, and other souvenirs. Besides the huge variety of articles, on the beach the novice tourist has the opportunity to practice "bargaining" or negotiating, without the possibility of someone making fun of them or protesting. Bargaining on the beach is part of the game. It is important to understand that there is a difference between bargaining and taking advantage of the situation. The latter is not very well looked upon by the society of beach vendors and by not practicing this abuse a professional tourist demonstrates his difference from others in the art of bargaining. Bargaining on the beaches of Vallarta has been the beginning of many friendships transcending distance through time.

Even though the visitor can find vendors on the majority of the beaches, the most popular beaches in Puerto Vallarta where the shopping activity is carried out, are the beaches of los muertos and those of the hotel zone. Outside of Vallarta the most popular shopping beaches are those of Mismaloya, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, Sayulita and Rincón de Guayabitos.

The Municipal Market of the Cuale River

Formerly this was the place where the locals went to in order to buy our food and daily supplies in the authentic Mexican way. Due to the characteristics of our destination and mainly due to the strategic location of the market, this place today has been conditioned as a shopping center for various arts and crafts. Also here it is suggested to practice bargaining.

For lovers of culinary adventures there are picturesque restaurants on the second floor of the market, where you can enjoy regional food rich in smells and traditional flavors. Eating here is an unforgettable cultural experience. These restaurants are inexpensive and are visited mainly by employees and workers of the area. Here the visitor finds himself forming part of a local scene where the every day appearance of typical and peculiar personages is nothing unusual.

The Handicraft Market

Located two blocks form the municipal market, this space is full of arts and crafts, clothes and souvenirs coming from almost all the states of Mexico.

Walking along its aisles is also a aromatic adventure, since the smell of skin or leather, of palms, wax and wood amongst others, is invading the whole place. Another peculiar detail is that you can also listen to the fashionable Mexican music through the radios that are turned on in some of the commercial stands. Here the hum is continuous.

The Island of the Cuale River

Some steps away from the municipal and handicraft market, the island of the Cuale river, bathed on both sides by the river, is a refreshing stroll due to its different natural surroundings, in addition to being a place for comparison shopping. The shopping area is mainly found in the western part between the two bridges that cross the island.

On the island in addition to buying hand-made dresses, masks and arts and crafts from the whole country in the outdoor stores, you can also shop in boutiques of famous designers established in closed premises with air conditioning. Here you can also take a shopping break in order to enjoy a refreshing drink or a succulent lunch or dinner in some of the restaurants offering a view of the river.

One place to visit on the island is the regional museum which has been reconstructed and at present offers relevant information on our region, our people and the archaeological findings that have been discovered.

The island is also an excellent setting to take photographs.

Downtown

Due to being the area with the largest crowd of visitors and locals, shopping in the downtown area, especially if done on a Saturday or Sunday in the afternoon or in the evening, turns into a genuine cultural experience.

In the area the shopping places are boutiques, art galleries or fashionable stores for clothes, bathing suits and accessories, jewelry, and handicrafts offering fine ceramics, glassware, leather, masks and wooden figures, as well as stores of brand names and antiquities, amongst others. The majority of the places offer a refreshing atmosphere with air conditioning. As a rule these are not places to bargain.

There are many stores located in the streets in front of the boardwalk, however there are many more stores a few blocks behind walking towards the hills. Touring this whole area on foot is very enriching. At the same time that you do your shopping, the visitor can also discover some special corners of the city all by himself and above all some popular activities done by the locals on an everyday basis. In some of these corners you may run into a fantastic bar or restaurant, as well as a typical place where locals purchase popsicles or handmade sweets or maybe you come across an open window allowing us to see the intimacy of a Vallarta home.

The majority of constant traffic of cars and busses takes place in this zone and through the streets Paseo Díaz Ordaz, Morelos and Juárez. For that reason we suggest that you watch out while crossing these streets because even though the drivers usually would like to give priority to the pedestrians due to the continuity of traffic most of the times it is almost impossible to do so.

During Saturdays and Sundays vehicle traffic is prohibited in the area of the boardwalk, therefore walking is the law on these days and the only thing you have to worry about is to achieve observing the majority of things that are happening around you.

Old Vallarta or the Romantic Zone

Even though it is considered an area of downtown Puerto Vallarta, this area is a tourist attraction all by itself. The terraces of the restaurants on the sidewalks of the main streets, the huge variety of cafes and gift, clothes and handicraft stores with open doors towards the street makes everything appear here as if it would occur in a more intense way.

During the day or during the night this area shines with a very special coloring.

Marina Vallarta

The most exclusive zone is in the north. It is a place that has an ample boardwalk along the marina inviting people to take a stroll several times while shopping in boutiques, art galleries and stores with gifts, beach wear and jewelry, located in very well conditioned spaces so that the visitor may do his purchases comfortably.

There is a shopping mall at the main entrance of Marina Vallarta where the most prestigious stores for decoration in Puerto Vallarta are located. The designs that are offered are unique.

Going shopping in this area is mainly worthwhile because many things which are offered here, are not found in any other place of town. In addition while touring the boardwalk of the marina and at the same time doing your shopping, you may observe the spectacular yachts and sailboats moored at the floating piers.

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