Vallarta Dreams
My dreams of Puerto Vallarta, what I like to remember and look forward to seeing again.
Useful Links
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 the Pueblito 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Clothing & Accessories
Conjuntos
Playa Los Arcos Hotel downtown. Resort wear, original hand-painted clothing by Juntos, well-known Vallarta designers.
Carlos’n Charlie’s Clothesline
Plaza Marina’s mall & Plaza Genovesa in Villa Vallarta. Colorful and youthful T-shirts, shorts, shirts and swim suits.
El Charro
Downtown. Extensive line of traditional charro outfits for men and boys, plus handbags, harnesses and sandals.
No Name Boutique
Downtown. Casual beachwear and swim suits for men, women and kids.
Tabu
Isla Río Cuale. Clothing in bright silks and cottons, many hand-painted with abstract patterns. Many of the designs are originals by owner Patti Gallardo. Original jewerly, too. A fun place to visit.
Best
Rodolfo Gomez 111-L2
Fun, sexy and crazy undergear.
Liquid Men
Ignacio L. Vallarta 274 A
Awesome Men's clothing and accessories store. Fabulous stuff for going out and the beach and a wonderful selection of shoes too.
SeaMe Sunglasses
Amapas 114-B, Puerto Vallarta, Tel. 223-8043
SeaMe Sunglasses has all the latest styles from all over the world.
Papito’s Swimware
Next to Blue Chairs
Get a new look for the beach then just walk right over and try it out!
Playa Los Arcos Hotel downtown. Resort wear, original hand-painted clothing by Juntos, well-known Vallarta designers.
Carlos’n Charlie’s Clothesline
Plaza Marina’s mall & Plaza Genovesa in Villa Vallarta. Colorful and youthful T-shirts, shorts, shirts and swim suits.
El Charro
Downtown. Extensive line of traditional charro outfits for men and boys, plus handbags, harnesses and sandals.
No Name Boutique
Downtown. Casual beachwear and swim suits for men, women and kids.
Tabu
Isla Río Cuale. Clothing in bright silks and cottons, many hand-painted with abstract patterns. Many of the designs are originals by owner Patti Gallardo. Original jewerly, too. A fun place to visit.
Best
Rodolfo Gomez 111-L2
Fun, sexy and crazy undergear.
Liquid Men
Ignacio L. Vallarta 274 A
Awesome Men's clothing and accessories store. Fabulous stuff for going out and the beach and a wonderful selection of shoes too.
SeaMe Sunglasses
Amapas 114-B, Puerto Vallarta, Tel. 223-8043
SeaMe Sunglasses has all the latest styles from all over the world.
Papito’s Swimware
Next to Blue Chairs
Get a new look for the beach then just walk right over and try it out!
Alfarería Tlaquepaque
Downtown. Since 1953, this shop has offered wonderful painted pottery and earthenware and other hand-crafted items.
Arte Huichol
Downtown. A beautiful collection of masks, clothing and yarn "paintings" created by the Huichol Indians of the state of Nayarit. These items are sold throughout Puerto Vallarta and help support the Huichol Indians.
Arte Popular Mexicano
Great Masters Gallery, features internationally recognized Mexican artists, unique handcrafted pieces such as sculptures, paper maché, clay and wood.
Talavera, Etc.
Downtown, three blocks south of the river. Wide selection of famous Talavera ceramics from the state of Puebla, hand-made jewelry by Mexico’s top designers, and home decorating items. The owner is Jackie Kilpatrick, a native of California. They pack and ship. Tel. 222-4100.
Art V Galería
Libertad 278 Tel. 22 2 04 00, Mon. - Sat.: 10:30am - 8:00pm
Arte de Las Américas
Marina Vallarta. This delighfully sophisticated gallery offers works by México’s most celebrated masters as well as that of young emerging artists.
Downtown. Since 1953, this shop has offered wonderful painted pottery and earthenware and other hand-crafted items.
Arte Huichol
Downtown. A beautiful collection of masks, clothing and yarn "paintings" created by the Huichol Indians of the state of Nayarit. These items are sold throughout Puerto Vallarta and help support the Huichol Indians.
Arte Popular Mexicano
Great Masters Gallery, features internationally recognized Mexican artists, unique handcrafted pieces such as sculptures, paper maché, clay and wood.
Talavera, Etc.
Downtown, three blocks south of the river. Wide selection of famous Talavera ceramics from the state of Puebla, hand-made jewelry by Mexico’s top designers, and home decorating items. The owner is Jackie Kilpatrick, a native of California. They pack and ship. Tel. 222-4100.
Art V Galería
Libertad 278 Tel. 22 2 04 00, Mon. - Sat.: 10:30am - 8:00pm
Arte de Las Américas
Marina Vallarta. This delighfully sophisticated gallery offers works by México’s most celebrated masters as well as that of young emerging artists.
Handicrafts & Folk Art
NOTE: All sterling silver is marked with a small stamp .925. Items sold on the beach at lower prices are probably imitation, in the worse cases you receive silver covered copper. It’s best to buy from established jewelry shops which sometimes sell jewelry by the weight at better prices, especially if you are purchasing several items.
Astrid
Camino Real and Sierra Nuevo Vallarta hotels. In business for 20 years, with branches in many Mexican coastal resorts, this firm makes its own line of 14k and 18k gold and gem jewelry and carries fine silver pieces from Taxco.
Pladi
downtown. Unique designs in sterling silver, many combined with semi-precious stones. Tel. 222-5606.
Cassandra Shaw Jewelry
Basilio Badillo #276, Tel.(322)2239734
Contemporary Jewelry for Woman and Men, and Art.
Marino Jewelry
118 Rodolfo Gómez St. Tel. 222-6551
Between the beach and Olas altas street you'll find this traditional Mexican Jewelry. Ask for their gay collection!
Astrid
Camino Real and Sierra Nuevo Vallarta hotels. In business for 20 years, with branches in many Mexican coastal resorts, this firm makes its own line of 14k and 18k gold and gem jewelry and carries fine silver pieces from Taxco.
Pladi
downtown. Unique designs in sterling silver, many combined with semi-precious stones. Tel. 222-5606.
Cassandra Shaw Jewelry
Basilio Badillo #276, Tel.(322)2239734
Contemporary Jewelry for Woman and Men, and Art.
Marino Jewelry
118 Rodolfo Gómez St. Tel. 222-6551
Between the beach and Olas altas street you'll find this traditional Mexican Jewelry. Ask for their gay collection!
Jewelry
End of Page