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Shopping

Puerto Vallarta offers plenty of shopping options that will satisfy even the savviest shopaholic. Despite the lack of locally made products, an abundance of fine goods are imported from other spots in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is also home to a growing artist community and various shops showcase locally made sculptures, paintings, and crafts collected from all over the country. Note that most shops are closed on Sunday.

All the essential south-of-the-border staples like straw hats and bags, beaded jewelry, woven belts, and painted ceramics, are sold at the municipal market stands near the malecón. Be sure to bargain here, and keep in mind that many items will be repeated throughout the market, so if you don't reach your desired price with one vendor, you can always try another.

South of the Cuale, along Olas Atlas and again on Basilio Badillo Street, you'll find several shops that specialize in jewelry and home furnishings; try Safari Accents (Olas Atlas 224) for original, eclectic creations like beautiful candleholders, colorful gilded mirrors, painted icons, and more; Gallardo Eclectic Art (Basilio Badillo 250) for jewelry, handmade carpets, fine art, and clothing; and the attractive Viva (Basilio Badillo 274), for chic accessories, including jewelry from over 450 international designers, espadrilles, and ballet slippers.

Beginning at the river, downtown along Juárez, are several worthwhile craft stores. Head to Galería Vallarta (Juárez 263) for an abundance of Mexican handicrafts collected by the owners, including ceremonial masks and one-of-a-kind artwork and paintings. Continue a little further up to Instituto de Arte Jalisciense (Juárez 284), a small government store offering loads of reasonably priced crafts from Jalisco and Oaxaca. A few blocks farther are two great finds: Querubines (Juárez 501A) and La Reja (Juárez 501B) which have excellent traditional buys like vases, textiles, and papier-mâché adornments.

There are several art galleries scattered around Puerto Vallarta; one of the finest in the area is Galería Uno (Morelos 561; 322/222-0908). It features a wide array of contemporary paintings by Latin American artists and launches new exhibitions every week in high season.

No doubt, a great souvenir is a bottle of Mexico's own tequila. At La Casa del Tequila (Morelos 589; 322/222-2000), you can take your pick from a premium selection – and even sample fine tequila drinks out in their garden patio; an on-site taco bar also serves up yummy tacos with a variety of delicious salsas.

See Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide