Take It Home With You
By Josef Kandoll W.

There’s nothing more satisfying than a good bargain. Unless it’s a grrrreat bargain! In Puerto Vallarta, you can find both. It depends on how much time you have. And for those whose life revolves around shopping, the only time that exists is shopping time, except for that brief moment prior to or after a good buy. There’s the stalking, there’s the bargaining, there are the comparisons, there’s the actual paying for it. Then even better, there’s that bragging time with your friends. Let them try to outdo you! That’s never going to happen!

My favorite local shopper, Brenda Retzlaff (allvallarta.com), tells me, “Beach shopping is the best of the best because where else can you lay in the sun, eat and have an icy cold drink while the shopping comes to you?” What does Brenda suggest for beach-buying? Colorful pareos, handy as a cover-up, tropical skirt or a shawl when going out at night (secret: it’s better than a towel, because the sand doesn’t cling to the fabric); at home, use a pareo to cover that patio table for a backyard barbecue, or in front of the liner for your shower curtain. Or frame it for your wall.

So what should you NOT buy on the beach? Well… you should realize that shiny lovely gleaming silver bangles, baubles and bracelets are probably not the same quality you would expect in a registered tax-paying store. Not to say you shouldn’t have fun and see what you can find. But be aware of what you are buying and don’t overpay for it. This is where you learn to bargain. Or not.

Look for the precious indigenous (Wixaritari, or Huichol) art: vibrant, hand-worked beaded creations with representations of traditional spirit guides (deer, eagle, peyote, jaguar, etc.) for wearing as a talisman on your wrist, around your neck, your waist and even hidden on your person. Gorgeous paintings and anthropomorphic sculptures can also be taken home if carefully wrapped so beads don’t fall off. (The traditional method of attaching them individually is with beeswax.)

If you came to Vallarta not prepared for the climate, never fear. Hunt for clothes (shirts, skirts, pants, boleros, jackets) made from the softest Mexican cotton called manta. White and off-white are traditional because they wash well and fade into bone white, but you can also find tans, olive greens, blues, reds and oranges. Some stores sell them with Huichol embroidery designs.

You don’t want to forget to buy your favorite local brand of tequila. If you haven’t discovered it yet, go for a tasting. In fact, go for several. You’ll learn to discern between really good tequila and just-OK tequila. (A good tequila goes down smoothly without the touristy lemon and salt trick. And it doesn’t bite you in the morning.) See sidebar on raicilla in the nightlife section. And a final secret from Retzlaff: pack bubble-wrap from home. Not only will you have space for your purchases, but you’ll protect them well.

What to buy? Get a list of popular shops.