Shop till you drop! There are beach vendors selling trinkets and fun fashion jewelry. There are Mexican handicrafts and high end galleries catering to those with discriminating taste. In Puerto Vallarta you can find a sampling of just about anything made in Mexico, from silver and sandals ,to blown glass, pottery and serapes.

Some of the most interesting shops are Querubines, Puerco Azul, Nebaj, La Tienda, Safari, Azul Siempre Azul, Banderas Bay Trading Company, Viva Jewelry and Cerroblanca.

Las Iguanas Festival Center, in Marina Vallarta, is Vallarta´s newest shopping center. The brightly-colored two-story center features waterfalls, cascading pools and an open courtyard. One of the largest shopping centers in Puerto Vallarta is Villa Vallarta, located near town, in front of the Plaza Las Glorias and Continental Plaza hotels. There are lots of shops, connected by walkways and portals, to permit convenient shopping.

At Plaza Malecon, at Diaz Ordaz and Allende, shops have been pleasantly arranged around a courtyard. A more typical market area is the Central Market, located downtown, between the two bridges. Here, storekeepers enjoy haggling over prices and every conceivable souvenir item is available. Durable sandals and huaraches in various styles and colors also rank among the best buys.

Stores in Puerto Vallarta are closed during the hottest time of day, from 2 to 4 p.m. Most open in the morning around 10 and stay open until 8, so you’ll find plenty of time to find that perfect item or gift to bring home with you.