If shopping is your bag, Puerto Vallarta is a paradise where you’ll always find something to surprise, amaze and delight you. There’s no one specific shopping district in the Banderas Bay area . . . you might find what you’re looking for in a tiny shop, boutique or art gallery on a back street – or in a large department store at one of the area’s modern shopping centers.

On Calles Libertad, Juarez and Morelos, small shops selling traditional Mexican apparel, folk art, and beachwear juxtapose with art galleries and boutiques offering original art, pottery and designer clothing at prices that are sure to make you “shop ’til you drop.” And as far as shopping malls are concerned, Plaza Marina, Plaza Neptuno, Plaza Caracol and Paradise Village are packed with specialty stores selling clothing, jewelry, original art and home decor.

But for many savvy shoppers the real fun begins when haggling with beach vendors, at street-side stands and in flea markets. Haggling is a common practice in Mexico, and in most cases, if you offer to pay about 40% less than the asking price, you’ll end up paying somewhere between the initial amount and your counter offer. The only rule of the game is to maintain mutual respect while wavering between impulse and indifference.

The stalls and kiosks along Cuale Island, in the Municipal Market and at the Pueblo Viejo Artisans’ Market are also popular with visitors on the lookout for vacation souvenirs at bargain prices. The owners of these shops are always ready to bargain, so take an unhurried look around, fall into the temptation and buy, buy, buy!

Shopping in Puerto Vallarta has a somewhat different focus for residents and long-term visitors than it does for tourists – centering more on every day necessities and all the “must do” chores of daily life. Unlike most other resort destinations, you can find stores and supermarkets all around Banderas Bay that cater to locals rather than tourists.

On almost every street you’ll find stores selling hardware, furniture, kitchenware, appliances, groceries, and just about anything else you can possibly imagine. Most stores stock international brands in addition to regional products at reasonable prices. And, if you just can’t find what you’re looking for – there’s always Home Depot, Costco, Sam’s Club or Walmart…

To learn more about some of the many great places to shop in Puerto Vallarta, follow the links below…

• PV Technology Solutions
  Computer service, repairs, formatting, system installation, and custom built desktop computers.
• Galería June Rosen Lopez
  Specializing in custom designed jewelry at affordable prices
• Banderas Bay Trading Company
  Art, collectibles and home decor from all around Mexico