City: Puerto Vallarta
Top Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
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What to do and see in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: The Best Gift & Specialty Shops
Strolling, shopping, and sipping tequila along the Malecon boardwalk of Puerto Vallarta is the best way to kick off your vacation. Then hit the cobblestone streets of Old Vallarta to browse the flea market for handmade crafts. The calm, warm waters of the Bay of Banderas make for excellent diving, or you can just watch artists sculpt spectacular creations in the sand. The cluster of fine art galleries in El Centro are perfect spots to hit on a self-guided art tour.
Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta
1. Lucy's CuCu Cabana
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 261 reviews
Lucy's CuCu Cabana is a unique shop specializing in hand-picked, high-quality, authentic Mexican folk-art. Lucy and Gil travel all over Mexico for several months every year searching for original pieces. All of their merchandise is purchased directly from the artisans at fair prices. They have been in business for twenty years. Lucy's will be closed from May 1 to October 20 while the owners go on their annual shopping trip.
Reviewed By abradleyshelton
Just getting in line with praise for this place! A real touch of "authentico " old PV. Great hilarious books by the owner's husband. Been coming here for at least 15 yrs ,hopefully, 15 more. Best place in town for local artwork!
2. Peyote People
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 127 reviews
Peyote People specializes in the yarn paintings and bead art done by the Wixarika known as the Huichol Indians. For almost 20 years now we have been working with a couple very traditional families that live in the Sierra Madre mountains of Jalisco. You will also find a great selection of dance masks and Mexican folk art including Oaxacan black clay pottery, and wood carvings known as alebrijes. Ceramic pottery by Javier Servin from Gto. and the original Catrina sculptures from Capula Mich.
Reviewed By Rebeckirsch - Evergreen, United States
I have a greater appreciation of the work that goes into each piece. Created by hand. Each piece also holds a beautiful meaning. Will start a collection now.
3. Miralo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Miralo is a boutique studio gallery of art and gifts. Specializing in contemporary Mexican crafts and art; featuring the mosaic decorative art of Rodolfo Rosas Hernandez of Puerto Vallarta. At Miralo, Rodolfo does present demonstrations and workshops on glass mosaics (check Web site for dates). Miralo is located a block from the main plaza and the main church in Centro (downtown) Puerto Vallarta.
4. No Name Boutique
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
5. Cassandra Shaw Jewelry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 167 reviews
The best silver & natural stones, most unique selection and very fair priced jewelry store for men & women in Puerto Vallarta.
Reviewed By Dolores_EOC
If you are looking for a gift for a friend or wanting to buy a nice souvenir for yourself Cassandra Shaw's shop has the perfect gift for you. I have been buying my gifts and personal jewelry from her for years. In fact that is the only jewelry store I shop at. The service is impeccable, they all are very professional, giving you their honest opinion on what looks best on you, is it the right color, is it the right size, etc. It is located in the heart of Old Town, the most happening place in Puerto Vallarta. They will even offer you a glass of wine while you are shopping. The shop is located on Basillio Badillo 276, South side of town. By the way, she is a gifted painter and has much of her art work for sale, I also have several of her painting in my home. Don't go to Vallarta without stopping at her shop, you won't regret it.
6. Evolucion Silver Jewelry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 139 reviews
Welcome to our store , we have only genuine silver .925 and .950 , our designs are unique and handmade , our mission its to offer you the best quality and the best prices ,with local artist workmanship and also taxco artesans expertis we are delighted to invite you to come and get to know mexican silver .that many of you travel long distances serves to remind us all just how important our work is , as we have been in bussines for almost 20 years and most of our costumer have become like family to us , we hope that you can be part of our family as well . Sincerely julie.
Reviewed By aideeo2021 - Perris, United States
This jewelry is awesome!!!, for sure you will be able to find what you're looking for and if you can't, Julisa will get it for you. Excellent customer service and the variety of merchandise will keep you entertained for hours so be sure to visit with plenty of time.
7. Senor Talavera
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By Happy-seniors2 - Moncton, Canada
We have known the owner for a number of years and he will always give you the best price for everything you want to buy. He has a lot of souvenirs, mirrors, masks, paintings and dishes. When you buy something, he will bubble wrap it so that it will not break on your trip back home. He is the most honest and friendliness man that you’ll ever meet.If you go to his shop, you will want to go back there every time you are in Puerto Vallarta.
8. Sucesos Art-Wear Boutique
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Every item at SUCESOS Art-Wear Boutique is a one-of-a-kind and distinctively flattering to woman of all ages and every shape. The clothing is made from high-quality, all-natural Mexican fabric. SUCESOS clothing is fun to wear, machine-washable, and it won't fade, shrink or stretch in the wash, plus it is wrinkle-resistant. Each item of SUCESOS clothing is unique. They can also design and construct custom garments, in your choice of color and cut, to make a piece of wearable art that will gorgeously reflect your very own energy, beauty and style.
Reviewed By DancingQueen012 - Rehoboth Beach, United States
This is a not to be missed placed! I always buy beautiful clothing here and this time a friend who could not come to PV had me try on shirts for her. We ended up with three for her, two for me and one for my other friend. I know we will go back again because I love wearing clothing that no one else has. I also live in a beach area so everything I buy here works great at home. Terrific owner, Hector, and his helpful staff always make buying here such a treat.
9. Alberto's Jewelry Designs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Alberto´s Jewelry Designs is a jewelry family tradition for almost fifty years, creating unique and original jewelry designs in silver and gold, with precious and semiprecious stones through a process of lost wax. In Puerto Vallarta, Alberto’s Jewelry Designs has an excellent reputation thanks to the work that its founder, Roberto Ballesteros, has done for many years. His son Jaime and his grandsons Emersson and Edson continue today. Fall in love with Alberto’s designs at the store located on Lazaro Cardenas 231-A in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It’s Unique, it’s original, it’s Alberto’s
Reviewed By 732gusb - Depoe Bay, United States
My wife had this beautiful opal pendant made. She also has a beautiful ring and another pendant from them all beautiful.
10. El Gato gordo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By magician49 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
In 2002, Rogelio (Roger) García opened his first El Gato Gordo Cigars (located in the “Zona Romántica” of Puerto Vallarta’s “Old Town”) at Ignacio L. Vallarta, 226 Colonia, Emiliano Zapata. This store offers an assortment of authentic Cuban cigars as evidenced by the store proudly displaying a “Habanos Specialist - Store #10 - Decal” awarded by Habanos s.a. to certify cigar stores that are inspected on a regular basis to verify the authenticity of their Cuban offerings. Although small, this store boasts a well-stocked humidor and a small lounge area to sit and enjoy your prize while passing the time with Javier, Roger’s friendly cousin and the store’s manager. The first store was so successful that (in 2016) Roger opened a 2nd & larger El Gato Gordo Cigars (The Fat Cat Cigars) at Olas Altas #414. This store (located within a short 6 minute walk from the original store and a stone’s throw from the ocean) has become the main store and is where you will generally find Roger with his warm and friendly smiles & greetings to both his regulars and new customers alike. This store also displays a “Habanos Specialist - Store #14 - Decal”, a larger humidor, a nice bar area and sidewalk seating; as well as seating in the bar area, the humidor and a separate comfortable private smoking lounge with large screen TVs. This cigar store is definitely one of the best in Puerto Vallarta and is not to be missed if you are either an aficionado or a beginner; wanting to smoke a genuine Cuban cigar. Roger is 50 years young as evidenced by hid genuinely pleasing demeanor which is the cornerstone of his philosophy, “that profit is not my first focus. Rather, I offer great cigars & friendly Customer service . . . so that success naturally follows. This is my life’s work. I love it. Why would anyone want to work in an environment where profit was everything? I certainly don’t and so I have created a place that I enjoy coming to everyday. I try to relay that feeling to every Customer that I am lucky enough to serve.” NOTE: 60% of El Gato Gordo Cigars are Cuban, 25% are Nicaraguan and the remaining 15% are Roger’s own House Blend, a quality custom cigar using select Mexican tobacco. Roger’s agent in Veracruz (Mexico’s premier tobacco growing region) selects great tobacco, ferments it at least once and then ages it 2-3 years. The tobacco is then shipped to Puerto Vallarta where it is aged an additional 8-12 months till Roger’s local torcedor (roller) creates the sizes and shapes Roger requires to satisfy his patrons. Lastly, for an even better smoking experience, the finished cigars are aged, yet again for a minimum of 6 months more. So if you desire to try one of the better Mexican cigars, then you can find Roger’s excellent custom cigars (“House Blends”) at both of his stores. Who knows, they may very well become a favorite of yours. You won’t know unless you try one. If you are in the Puerto Vallarta area, stop by, sit, have a drink, smoke and chat with Roger, a friendly cigar knowledgeable lover of tobacco and people. Long Ashes BOTL (Brothers Of The Leaf) Roger’s Bio: He was born (1971) and raised in Mexico City where Roger excelled in academics, hard work and sports. Then four years of college (majoring in Tourism) where he focused on tourist-related marketing, hotels & businesses. He also acquired fluency in the tourist friendly languages of English, French, German and Italian. While at University he became an exceptional soccer player and considered going pro but continued his studies instead. After University he worked for the next 10 years in a variety of tourist-related businesses & then for 2 years where he worked for the Mexican government’s Secretary of Tourism. It was during this 12 year period that he began dreaming of his own tourist-focused business and also dated & married a young French lady named Natasha (in 1999). In 2000 they moved to Puerto Vallarta and Roger continued working the tourist trade until 2002 when he opened a shop for his wife to sell high-end embroidery and small unique art; acquired directly from gifted Mexican artists. To this shop he added a small cigar humidor; beginning with only 5 boxes of Cuban cigars. In time Roger’s humidor grew while his wife’s wares diminished. In 2005 his wife gave birth to their first child; after which Natasha decided to focus on their new family rather than the store. By 2006 the store transitioned exclusively to Cuban cigars. Roger was awarded his first “Habanos Specialist” rating in 2010, attended his first Cuban Habanos Festival in 2012 and in 2016 Roger opened his 2nd store which also received a “Habanos Specialist” rating. “Patrons and Friends, It has been an exciting adventure. Thank you and Long Ashes, Roger”
