What To Buy In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

1. Hand-blown glass

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Mexicans are known to be quite artistic in the creation of glass. The locals at Puerto Vallarta seem to have a talent, a knack for creating exquisite glass pieces, ones that you can buy at a reasonable price, in the city. You don’t have to search too hard or walk too long to spot a store or vendor selling glass, either exclusively or alongside other souvenirs that you can also indulge in. However, when you’re in the market for some truly unique finds, go to Mundo de Cristal, a store for home glass products. Here, you’ll get a delightful gift to bring back to a loved one back home, or maybe a souvenir to use as a conversation piece in your own house. You’ll probably spend about 500 MXN (25 USD) for the stunning glassware.

Mundo de Cristal

Address: Insurgentes 333, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

Price: 500 MXN (25 USD)

Opening hours: 9:00am – 7:00pm Mon to Thu and Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm

2. Talavera pottery and tiles

The production of Talavera pottery can be traced back to the 16th century, an art that the locals have mastered over the years. This type of pottery is different from the clay creations we are familiar with. Sure, the Talavera pottery is made of earth but its uniqueness is from the tin glaze that’s used to coat it. This technique is also used to make walls and floor tiles that will surely transform the very look of your home. Shop for this exquisite earthenware at Tile World or Talavera Folk Art where you’ll spend about 40 MXN (2 USD) for the smallest tile.

Talavera Folk Art

Address: Ignacio L. Vallarta 266, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

Price: 40 MXN (2 USD)

Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10:00am – 5:00pm, Sat 10:00am - 3:00pm

3. Silver jewelry

In any travel destination, gift shopping is one of the best things to do. Jewelry always makes for a wonderful gift item and buying one in Puerto Vallarta carries an even greater significance. You see, this region is renowned for its many craftsmen/women and their jewelry is often made by hand. The silver jewelry in this city is chic and very well made, characterized by intricate designs. Stores like Cassandra Shaw Jewelry sell elegant pieces that are quite unique and are made by Cassandra Shaw herself. You can find anything from bracelets to rings here, and at a reasonable price from 90 MXN (5 USD).

Cassandra Shaw Jewelry

Address: 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

Price: 90 MXN (5 USD)

Opening hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm

4. Colorful sarongs

This radiant garment is often worn by women, usually around the waist, and it is adorned with multiple patterns. They are obviously quite eye-catching and very beautiful to wear or can be used to decorate your home. When in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll notice the sarongs displayed in stalls and boutiques around the town, sold at very affordable prices. You can get beach sarongs in plenty varieties costing about 150 MXN (8 USD).

Local boutiques

Address: Puerto Vallarta town center

Price: 150 MXN (8 USD)

5. Tequila

If you have a soft spot for the occasional alcoholic drink, then you must have thought of indulging in some tequila when in Puerto Vallarta. This drink, native to Mexico, is best bought when in the country, so take the opportunity to buy yourself a few bottles to take back home to your friends and family. Virtually every wine store has this drink in stock, so you won’t search for too long. You can nip into Tequilas, a store in Puerto Vallarta and get yourself a bottle for about 500 MXN (25 USD).

Tequilas

Address: Aeropuerto de Puerto Vallarta Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Carretera Tepic Km. 7.5, Int. 65, Villa Las Flores, Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

Price: 500 MXN (25 USD)

Opening hours: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

6. Huichol art

This is a type of art that involves the use of colorful beads to create intricate designs. This is a part of the culture of the Huichol tribe that is found in Mexico, among other South American countries. This skill is applied in the creation of anything from jewelry to tableware. If you’re looking for Huichol inspired art then Puerto Vallarta is a good place to find these. Art galleries, peppered around the town, often have collections of Huichol art pieces. However, note that you won’t get these cheap. For something unique and very distinctive, this is a purchase worth the cost. Visit Tierra Huichol and prepare to spend from 20,000 MKN (1000 USD) for some high-quality art.

Tierra Huichol

Address: Paseo Díaz Ordaz 592, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

Price: 20,000 MKN (1000 USD)

Opening hours : 9:00am - 11:00pm

7. Coffee

Finally, it would be a shame if you left Puerto Vallarta without a pack of the world-renowned Mexican coffee. Being among the top ten coffee producers in the world, Mexico has proven that they are experts in processing this popular beverage. Get a taste of the rich flavor of their coffee when you duck into some of the coffee shops. And when you’re leaving the town, make sure you buy a few packs of gourmet coffee at stores like Vallarta Coffee Roasters that is a part of the Vallarta Factory. This costs about 600 MXN (30 USD) for a 5 lb (2 kg) packet.

Vallarta Coffee Roasters

Address: Libertad #100, Col. Centro, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Price: 600 MXN (30 USD) for a 5 lb (2 kg) packet

Website: Vallarta Coffee Roasters

Unique souvenirs to buy

With a deeply rooted culture and a history that goes back centuries, Puerto Vallarta offers lots of unique souvenirs that are related to its heritage. From typical Mexican drinks like tequila to locally made artwork that is one of a kind, there is no shortage of things to buy in this town. Our list above features just a few of the most popular purchases but it is by no means exhaustive. However, if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the immense number of choices, follow our suggestions and you’ll have enough to carry back home.

Make the most of your stay by joining some food tours available in Puerto Vallarta.