10 Best Markets in Puerto Vallarta
Where to Go Shopping like a Local in Puerto Vallarta?
The best markets in Puerto Vallarta never fail to surprise with their glossy fruits and vegetables, colourful Mexican folk art and eclectic artisan goods from tie-dye dresses to hand-dipped candles. Visitors come for the quality products, bargain prices and vivacious good-time atmosphere. It’s been known for mariachi bands to serenade visitors even while they’re shopping.
Puerto Vallarta markets are also a hotbed of Mexican street-food sellers who dish up tacos, fajitas and quesadillas to throngs of hungry punters. You’ll also find local distillers trading top-shelf tequilas and speciality merchants offering locally crafted products.
1. Olas Altas Farmers Market
A colourful community initiative
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Photo
Held every second Saturday on the Lazaro Cardenas Park esplanade, Olas Atlas Farmers’ Market showcases over 100 local traders that hawk their wares under white tented canopies. Visit for the Mexican folk art, hand-dipped candles, woven bracelets and bohemian fashion or shop for a range of organic produce like veggies, fruit and eggs.
Arrive around midday to enjoy flavourful paella in the warm Jalisco sunshine before perusing artisan chocolates, musical instruments and bright bouquets of flowers. Don’t forget to wander Lazaro Cardenas Park afterwards to see its beautiful mosaics, part of an art installation project helmed by artist Natasha Moraga.
Location: Lázaro Cárdenas, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Open: Every second Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm
Phone: +52 322 278 8170
Olas Altas Farmers Market
2. Mercado Municipal de Rio Cuale
Groovy grotto filled with all kinds of gifts
Good for: Shoppers, Food
Situated in Puerto Vallarta’s downtown, Mercado Municipal de Rio Cuale is a hotbed of kaleidoscopic folk art, woven Mexican blankets and Day of the Dead keepsakes that make perfect souvenirs. Shop for brightly beaded jaguar skulls and vibrantly painted horses, as well as figurines of desert cacti and venerated Catholic saints.
The 2nd floor of the market is home to a little collection of no-frills eateries that serve some of the tastiest street food in Puerto Vallarta. We love Comida Don Toño for its chorizo quesadillas and scenic river views and Lonchería Don Jorge for its delicious torta Cubana.
Location: Agustín Rodríguez s/n, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Open: Daily from 8 am to 7 pm
Phone: +52 322 152 6584
Mercado Municipal de Rio Cuale
3. Cuale Island Flea Market
Shopping beneath the shade of mammoth rubber trees
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Unusual
Set between the Romantic Zone and Old Town Puerto Vallarta, Cuale Island Flea Market entices with its hand-thrown pottery, woven raffia bags and hippy-flavoured must-haves like psychedelic wind chimes. Wander the leafy paths and encounter resident iguanas, as well as hundreds of wild parrots, who vie for visitor attention any chance they can.
When you’re ready to refuel, stop by Oscar’s Restaurant for top-notch tequila that’s distilled onsite and dishes like whole-grilled lobster and vegan huarache. You can reach this idyllic sandbar by crossing over the pedestrian bridge from the popular Gringo Gulch, a residential neighbourhood that was home to Elizabeth Taylor.
Location: Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Open: Daily from 9 am to 9 pm
Cuale Island Flea Market
4. Art & Market Marina Vallarta
A sublime seaside event
Good for: Shoppers, Unusual
Showcasing over 200 vendors, Art & Market Marina Vallarta is an atmospheric night bazaar that sells trendy home decor, brightly patterned beachwear and an impressive selection of local tequilas. Foodies flock here for the epic selection of organic fruit and vegetables, as well as stalls serving homemade ice cream and tasty Mexican baked goods.
Pick up leather huaraches and hand-rolled cigars before dancing to costumed mariachi bands and taking in performances by local folkloric dance troupes. Afterwards, grab dinner at one of Marina Vallarta’s chic waterfront restaurants like Porto Bello Italian and El Coleguita Mariscos.
Location: I Dock, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Open: Thursdays from 6 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +52 322 221 0503
Art & Market Marina Vallarta
5. Art Tianguis of Nuevo Vallarta
Artistic gems by the beach
Good for: Shoppers, Couples, Unusual
If you’re an art enthusiast, the Art Tianguis of Nuevo Vallarta (or Nuevo Nayarit) is a haven for discovering captivating artwork by talented Mexican artists. Situated near the beautiful beaches of Nuevo Vallarta, this exciting market showcases a variety of artistic styles, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and jewellery.
The artists love to engage with visitors and show you how the magic happens. Learn about their creative process and find a unique piece that resonates with you to bring home as a cherished memory.
Location: C. 16 de Septiembre, 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico
Open: Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm (closed Sunday–Friday)
Phone: +52 322 104 8417
Art Tianguis of Nuevo Vallarta
6. Mercado Emiliano Zapata
Fabulous food market that’s treasured by the city’s chefs
Good for: Shoppers, Food
For fresh fruit and vegetables, succulent meat and seafood and exotic Mexican treats, nothing beats a visit to Mercado Emiliano Zapata. It’s situated in the backstreets of the Zona Romantica neighbourhood. Here, local merchants hawk all types of treats from their trestle tables and plastic crates like juicy Jalisco mangoes and just-baked sourdough bread.
When you’re not rubbing shoulders with Puerto Vallarta’s culinary elite, you can sip freshly blended juices or stop for a meal at La Fonda De Marina, one of Mercado Emiliano’s unpretentious eateries. We love the chile rellenos, roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese and fried until golden, and the caldo de pollo, homemade chicken soup.
Location: Mercado Emiliano Zapata local 31, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Open: Daily from 7 am to 3 pm
Mercado Emiliano Zapata
7. Nuevo Vallarta Rivera Farmer’s Market
Tempting products at every turn
Good for: Families, Shoppers, Food
A short drive north from central PV, you’ll find Nuevo Vallarta Rivera Farmers’ Market: a popular fresh-food retail event that’s set inside a sprawling marquee. Hosted every Tuesday, throngs of visitors come here for the Mexican pastries, home-baked breads and organic fruit and veg that are grown across the region.
Those looking for a quirky gift or speciality item will adore the market’s chunky gemstone rings, carved Indigenous idols and woven cowboy hats. When you’re feeling peckish, stop by a friendly street food vendor for a generous plate of local fare. Try the Comida Azteca tacos and the smoky barbecue ribs.
Location: 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico
Open: Tuesdays from 9 am to 2 pm
Phone: +52 322 226 6761
Nuevo Vallarta Rivera Farmer's Market
8. Mercado del Mar 5 de Diciembre
Mingling with the locals
Good for: Shoppers, Families, Budget
If you’re looking for the freshest seafood in Puerto Vallarta, swing by Mercado del Mar in the 5 de Diciembre neighbourhood. It’s located in front of the municipal cemetery which is decorated with colourful street art. Here, you’ll find whole fish on ice, king prawns and squid, as well as a glossy range of fruits and vegetables that are sourced from Jalisco’s farmers.
Visit the market’s laidback eateries for fried mojarras and red snapper fritters or stop at the popular corn tortilla shop to buy bags of crispy flat bread. Prices are set here, so forget about haggling. However, plenty of bargains are still to be had.
Location: San Salvador s/n, 5 de Diciembre, 48350 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Open: Daily from 6 am to 4.30 pm
Mercado del Mar 5 de Diciembre
9. Mercado Palmar De Aramara
Premium produce that won’t break the bank
Good for: Shoppers, Budget, Food
It may look unassuming but don’t be fooled. Mercado Palmar De Aramara is stocked with some of Puerto Vallarta’s best regional produce. Foodies take note: this culinary hub also teems with Mexican cafes that serve authentic unadorned dishes, both out on the street and inside the market.
After you’ve shopped for seafood, pineapples and free-range eggs, hit Tacos de Mariscos Nancy for tortillas filled with succulent marlin and Argentinian empanadas. Turn up early because it’s sometimes hard to find a table. And be aware that they only take cash.
Location: Mar Caribe 2000b, Palmar de Aramara, 48314 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Open: Monday–Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 7am to 3 pm
Phone: +52 781 108 4728
Mercado Palmar De Aramara
10. Bucerias Flea Market
Mexican crafts and beach wear
Good for: Budget, Shoppers
At the Bucerias flea market, or Mercado de Bucerias, you’ll find traditional Mexican items and souvenirs to take home and remember your vacation by. It’s situated on the corner of Dr. Abraham González Street and México Avenue in the downtown area (Centro). The traders are happy to engage in friendly banter with their customers and they’re not too pushy. Their stalls are primming with beautiful glass pieces, Talavera, Huichol art and other colorful Mexican crafts that are worth checking out.
If you’re looking for funny beach t-shirts or sandals (huaraches), you can shop for the here. Or have a custom license plate plaque made, just the way you like it.
Location: Doctor Abraham González Av. Del Pacifico Av. Mexico, Valle de Banderas 30, Flamingos, 63732 Bucerías, Nay., Mexico
Open: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Bucerias Flea Market
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