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Gay men love to shop, especially while on vacation in a new and exotic place like Puerto Vallarta. This area of Mexico is known, among other things, for its ceramics and beautiful hand blown colored glass. Talavera pottery is still locally made using the centuries old techniques of the Spanish. Excellent leather goods from the city of Leon are available at a third of the cost in the States. The Huichol Indians of Nayarit are among the great artisans of Mexico, producing intricate yarn paintings and beaded masks, animals and prayer bowls. The yarn paintings by such masters as Jose Benitez Sanchez and Jose Bautista are extraordinary and collected by museums around the world. Quite a few of the galleries and stores in town carry work by the Huichols and other native tribes like the Cora. Beautiful black pottery from Oaxaca or simple Mexican leather sandals (huaraches) can be had for a song. Many interesting stores and boutiques in Vallarta are filled with quality pottery, stained and etched glass, women's clothing and accessories, beach wear, Cuban cigars, native artifacts, home furnishings, colorful blankets (sarapes), gold jewelry and hand-made items of just about every imaginable design. Mexico is among the world's leading producers of silver, and dozens of stores in town sell high quality sterling silver items. Prices in Vallarta's retail stores are marked in pesos and are fixed. There are three general areas you might want to take a walk around in to look and shop: Downtown, Cuale River Island and the South Side.

Downtown
The street along the sea wall or malecon, Paseo Diaz Ordaz, has many designer stores that generally sell goods at high prices. It's perhaps better to shop instead along Juarez and Morelos streets, which run parallel to the malecon, and the cross streets in between. Prices are more reasonable and many small stores and fashionable boutiques and quite a number of fine art galleries are in the area. Farther south on Insurgentes street along the Cuale River is the large municipal market or flea market (9am-8pm), with its many of stalls on two levels where you can bargain before buying just about anything under the sun, including thirty dozen or more different types of T-shirts. Many good shops are nearby.

Cuale River Island
Puerto Vallarta is divided by the Cuale River, which runs from high in the Sierra Madre mountains into Banderas Bay. In the middle of the river is an long and narrow island that has several very good restaurants on it including the well known Le Bistro, Oscar's, and The River Cafe. One can feel the tropical energy of Mexico on this island as in no other part of town, with its botanical gardens, Anthropology Museum, Cultural Center and small stores and boutiques that sell fine clothing, tapestries, obsidian carvings and handicrafts. Many of these buildings are dwarfed by enormous, ancient trees, adding to the beauty and charm of the entire island. Take time to stroll through this lovely part of Vallarta.

South Side
It's enjoyable to do walking and looking around the cobblestone streets of the South Side (sometimes called the Zona Romantica) especially on the main streets Ignacio Vallarta. Olas Altas and Insurgentes. There are many stores filled with beautiful home furnishings and accessories, jewelry, handicrafts, women's clothing, colored glass and the ubiquitous beachwear and souvenirs. Lazaro Cardenas street has some interesting native art stores/galleries on it, as well as the gay bars La Noche and Frida. Quite a number of good restaurants are in this general area. "Restaurant Row" on Basilio Badillo street has more than eighteen eateries in six blocks, and a good number of interesting stores as well. Most of the gay-owned bars, restaurants and shops are within several blocks or a short walk of one another on the South Side.

Gay Owned Stores and Other Interesting Shops
Excellent quality goods from all over Mexico can be bought in Puerto Vallarta. Here are the gay-owned stores (**) that I know about, as well as some others that I consider to be unique or of special interest. There are hundreds of stores and boutiques in Vallarta, so what we have here is a very modest list.

AgroGourmet - North Side - Ave. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2820-A (across from the Marina Terminal).  Tel: 221-2656
Natural and organic fruits, grains, vegetables, herbs, fine cheeses, spices and products. Top quality gourmet products, imported as well as locally grown. Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm; Sat, 8am-4:30pm

Best - South Side - 111 Rodolfo Gomez at the San Marino hotel.  Tel: 222-5128  **
Underwear and beachwear for men.  Daily, 10am-8pm

Blu by Len - South Side - 513 Olas Altas.  Tel: 223-9660  **
Salon with all types of hair services from cuts to colors for men and women. "Blu's emphasis is on fashion and glamour."  Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm

the BookStore - South Side - 334 V. Carranza, Tel: 223-9437 and North Side - Plaza Caracol, Tel: 224-1872
English language books, magazines and papers; special orders. Spanish titles as well as special orders.  Mon-Sat, 9am-7pm and Sun, 11am-6pm

Bye Curious - South Side - 106 Rodolfo Gomez.  Tel: 222-8597  **
Clothing and accessories from North America and Europe, many hand painted or handcrafted.  Daily, 9:30am-10pm

Casamia - South Side - 437 Insurgentes.  Tel: 222-9699, 222-9083  **
Interior and exterior design and decorations. Friendly service with owner Hector Sanchez.  Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm and 4pm-8m; Sat, 10am-2pm

Christopher Wynn - South Side - 146 Pulpito.  Tel: 222-9390  **
Fine home furnishings.

Colors - South Side - 116 Pulpito and also Calle Malecon, Local #7.  Tel: 222-7764  **
Beachwear, clothing, accessories and other boutique items; the Calle Malecon location is just next door to the Blue Chairs hotel, 10am-6pm.  Daily, 10am-9pm on Pulpito St.

Eclectic Art - South Side - 250 Basilio Badillo.  Tel: 222-5712  **
Handmade home art, carpets, fine art, jewelry, clothing and metal sculptures in Patti Gallardo's store on Restaurant Row.  Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 10am-2pm

Flowers To Go - South Side - 126 Rodolfo Gomez.  Tel : 223-5686  **
Flowers flowers flowers, nicely arranged and they can deliver. Official florist for the Gourmet Festival. Owners Bob Bruneau and Gerardo Lugo.  Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm.

La Rosa de Cristal - South Side - 272 Insurgentes.  Tel: 222-5698  **
Features a selection of pottery, hand crafted goods, Majolica and prehispanic reproduction pieces, as well as top quality blown glass from Tlaquepaque at good prices.  Daily, 10am-8pm.

Liquid Men - South Side - 245 Ignacio Vallarta and also Plaza Caracol, local 4-A.  Tel: 223-3165 and 293-4568  **
Fashionable clothes and accessories for the modern gay boy on the South Side and in the Plaza Caracol shopping center.  Daily, 10am-10pm

Lucy's Cucu Cabana - South Side - 295 Basilio Badillo.
Unique Mexican folk-art including items from Oaxaca and also talavera ceramics, which they often purchase on their journeys around Mexico during the summer. Co-owner Gil Gevins, Lucy's husband, is also the author of a hilarious book of Vallarta misadventures entitled, "Puerto Vallarta on Forty-Nine Brain Cells a Day", which you can purchase at the shop.  Mon-Sat, 10am-10pm

Mundo de Azulejos (World of Tiles) - South Side - 374 Venustiano Carranza.  Tel: 222-2675
The only talavera tile factory in town. Talavera and artistic tiles, pottery and home accessories, with thousands of hand painted items in stock. Their works are produced locally.  Mon-Sat, 9am-7pm
 

Rainbow T-Shirts - South Side - 137 Pulpito.  Tel: 223-2868  **
Exclusively designed colorful and inexpensive t-shirts; across the street from the bar Garbo.  Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm

Safari Accents - South Side - 224 Olas Altas.  Tel: 223-2660  **
A wide selection of handsome home furnishings, colored glass and mexican religious art, to name a few items. Popular. Friendly service with Gerardo.  Daily, 10am-11pm.

Sea Me - South Side - 114-B Amapas.  Tel: 223-8043  **
Designer sunglasses such as Prada, Dolce & Garbana, Versace, Revo, Ray Ban.  Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm

Sergio Bustamante - Central - 275 Juarez, Tel: 222-1129 and 542 Paseo Diaz Ordaz, Tel: 222-5480
Modern sculpture and original jewelry. Life-size animals done in bronze, ceramic and paper mache.  Daily, 10am-9pm

Serendipity - South Side - 228 Ignacio Vallarta, Tel: 223-1828 and 472 Juarez, Tel: 222-6110  **
Selection of mexican handicrafts.  Mon-Sat, 10:30am-3:30pm and 5pm-10pm.

Sonido Rana - South Side - 325 and 331 Francisco Madero.  Tel: 222-4176
An extensive collection of cassettes and CDs, the largest in town as far as I know.  Everything from classical and new world music to salsa, jazz, traditional Mexican, disco, rock and international pop.  Daily, 9am-9pm

White Icker - South Side - 415-A Olas Altas.  **
Underwear and swimwear for men.
 

Art Galleries
A number of fine art galleries in Puerto Vallarta showcase many different kinds of indigenous art as well as works by contemporary national and local painters and sculptors. From November through April the galleries have occasional cocktail party inaugurations for individual and collective exhibitions. There are now some 30 galleries in town. Please call the individual place for further details. Here are some of the well-known art galleries with a number of others listed below as well. And see below for info on the weekly Art Walks

Artesanias Watakame - Central - 327 Libertad.  Tel: 223-0773
A large selection of Huichol art: yarn paintings, prayer bowls, masks and beaded sculptures of such animal figures as deer, iguanas, turtles and tigers. Extensive experience and knowledge with Huichol art and culture. In my opinion one of the best stores for native art, and carrying such masters as Jose Benitez Sanchez.  Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm; Sun, 10am-3pm.

Galeria Arte Latinoamericano - Central - 155 Josef Ortiz de Dominguez.  Tel: 222-4406
Two floor gallery with original works by artists such as Marta Gilbert, Raymundo Andrade, Cesar Lopez, Armando Melendes and Marlene Hosey. Contemporary painting, sculpture and a wide range of posters, lithographs and monotypes.  Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm.

Galeria Corsica - Central - 230 Leona Vicario, Tel: 223-1821 and 735 Guadalupe Sanchez, Tel: 222-9260  **
Contemporary Mexican fine art exclusively, with paintings, sculpture and art objects. Representing such artists as Ada Colorina, Jorge Marin, Paloma Torres, Rocio Caballero, Xavier Esqueda and Ulices Licea. Founded by Jean Pierre Renucci and Jose A. Villavicencio in 2001 and "dedicated to the promotion of contemporary Mexican artists." With galleries in San Jose del Cabo as well.  Mon-Sat, 11am-2pm and 5pm-11pm.

Galeria Dante - South Side - 269 Basilio Badillo.  Tel: 222-2477
Newly remodeled gallery specializing in original works by contemporary sculptors, as well as recasts of well known bronze statues. Artists from all over Mexico, including Luis Espiridión, Jonás Gutiérrez, Francisco Quintero and Víctor Manuel Villarreal. An eclectic and interesting collection. Includes painting and sculpture garden and fountains. In my opinion one of the most interesting art galleries in town. Closed in the summer. Opening night shows during the winter months, 6pm-10pm.  Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm.

Galeria Indigena - Central - 628 Juarez.  Tel: 222-3007
An extensive collection from various Indian cultures of Mexico: dance and ceremonial masks, black pottery from Oaxaca, unique "Day of the Dead", Huichol Indian bead and yarn work, hand blown art glass, Nahua Indian lacquer art from Guerrero, religious art, majolica and talavera ceramic pieces, as well as extraordinary bark paper etchings by internationally known artist Nicolas de Jesus. One of my personal favorites.  Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 10am-4pm.

Galeria de Ollas - Central - 176 Corona.  Tel:  223-1045
Beautiful Mexican pottery from the village of Mata Ortiz in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico (see two photos at page bottom) made in the same manner as the inhabitants of the ancient city of Paquime did over 500 years ago. These beautiful polychrome ceramics with painted designs reflect much of the pre-Columbian culture’s mythology, with modern designs and style.  Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm and 4pm-9pm.
 

Galeria Pacifico - Central - 174 Aldama.  Tel: 222-1982
One of Vallarta's leading galleries since 1987. Mexican art with an emphasis on local painters such as Rogelio Diaz, Marco Alvarez, Meridy Volz (see nude below) and sculptor Ramiz Barquet, whose splendid work "Nostalgia" is one of the main pieces on the malecon. Barquet's statue "El Pescador" (the fisherman) can be found in the little square on Insurgentes Street near the town flea market. Recommended by Frommer's and Fodor's guides to Mexico. Sculpture, paintings, graphics and posters.  Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm.

Galeria Piramide - South Side - 272 Basilio Badillo.  Tel: 222-3161
Specializing in fine Huichol art, ceremonial masks and pre-Columbian reproductions. As in many of the galleries now, an artist often works in the store and you can watch him make the sacred beaded art.  Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm and 6pm-10pm.

Galeria Sol y Luna, Art for the Uninhibited - South Side - 230 Lazaro Cardenas, Tel: 222-1302  **
Featuring nudes in paintings, sculptures and photography with artists such as Ulises Gonzalez, Alfonso Guzman, Roger Minami, Rafael Miranda and Victor Vera among others. Cocktails every Fri, 6pm-10pm, October-April.  Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm and Fri, 10am-10pm

Galeria Sol y Luna, Fine Contemporary Art - Central - 155a Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, Tel: 113-0475 **
Paintings and sculptures by international artists such as Lena Bartula, Don Quade, Randy Cooper, Lorenzo Bruderer and Roberto Lopez Ramirez. Cocktails every Fri, 6pm-10pm, October-April.  Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm and Fri, 10am-10pm

Galeria Uno - Central - 561 Morelos.  Tel: 222-0908
Now in its 30th year, Galeria Uno is the oldest art gallery in Puerto Vallarta. Showcasing works by over 30 Mexican and international artists such as Ada Colorina, Guadalupe Valencia, Francisco Curiel, Raymundo Gonzalez and Luz Elena Moreno. Paintings, graphics and sculptures.  Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm.

Olinala Gallery - South Side - 274 Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 222-4995
Opened in 1978, Olinala is the most established folk art gallery in Vallarta. A fine collection of ceremonial dance masks, carvings and other indigenous creations, mostly from the southern states of Michoacan and Guerrero.  Olinala has high ratings in respected guide books.  Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm and 5pm-8pm.

Sergio Bustamante - Central - 275 Juarez, Tel: 222-1129 and 542 Paseo Diaz Ordaz, Tel: 222-5480
Modern sculpture and original jewelry. Life-size animals done in bronze, ceramic and paper mache.  Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm; Sun, 11am-6pm.
 

Briefly, here are many of the other art galleries in Vallarta:

Arte de Las Americas - Marina -  Marina las Palmas II #16 (at Dock B).  Tel.  221-1985
Latin American contemporary figurative art from such states as Veracruz, Nayarit, Oaxaca and Mexico City.  Sculptures in bronze and resins as well. Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm and 5pm-9pm.

Arte Magico Huichol - Central - 179 Corona.  Tel: 222-3077
Huichol native art, including beaded bowls, yarn paintings by shaman master Jose Benitez Sanchez.  Daily, 10am-8pm.
 

Artesanias Flores - South Side - 282 Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 222-5169
Huichol art at reasonable prices, along with some silver from Taxco. A family owned business for over 19 years in Vallarta. Workshops available for small groups to learn more about Huichol art.  Mon-Sat.

Galeria Alpacora - South Side - 236 Ignacio Vallarta.  Tel: 223-8354
Baskets, jewelry, gourds, wall hangings, textiles.

Galeria Artmex  - Central - 528 Juarez.  Tel: 222-7620
Mexican Indian art such as Huichol beaded and yarn art, religious figures, talavera ceramic, and quality replicas of pre-columbian sculptures by "Mama Mono".  Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm; Sun, 10am-2pm.

Galeria 8 y mas - Central - 237 Miramar,  Tel: 222-7971 and 186 Corona, Tel: 223-9700
Modern Mexican painting with works by Ana Rosa Villaseñor, Lourdes Murguía Pozzi, Toni Guerra, Jose Alberto Borrego, Irma Serna, Luis Garcia Jasso and others.  Mon-Fri, 10:30am-7pm; Sat, 10:30am-2pm.

Galeria Corona - Central - 164 Corona.  Tel: 222-4210
Offering wide ranging works from a variety of contemporary artists from Mexico City, Michoacan and Jalisco. Artists include painters Rubén Chuela, Leticia Tarragó and Paloma Prendes and sculptors Arturo Macias and Maria Gomez.  Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm and 6pm-9pm; Sat 11am-3pm

Galeria Mata Ortiz - South Side - 268-A Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 222-7407
Mexican pottery from the village of Mata Ortiz.  Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Galeria Nativa - South Side - 268-B Francisco Madero.
Authentic native Indian art: hand painted gourds, ceremonial and contemporary masks, figures, Huichol art.

Galeria Vallarta - Central - 263 Juarez.  Tel: 222-0290
Impressionist paintings by Moises Gomez and Nacho Becerra, prints, stained glass, sculpture, jewelry and Huichol art.  Mon-Sat 10am-8pm.

Galerie des Artistes - Central - 248 Leona Vicario.  Tel: 223-0006
Decorative items, art and antiques. Diego Rivera, Rafael Coronel, Feliciano Bejar, Evelyn Boren, among other modern artists. Located across the street from the Cafe des Artistes restaurant.  Mon-Sat, 11am-11pm.

Meg Munro Studio - Central - 1225 Ecuador.  Tel: 223-1142
You can call for your private viewing at her studio.
 

Special Notes

Art Walk Old Town/Downtown 2007-2008
The ever-popular Old Town Art Walk this year has 15 participating galleries which host complimentary cocktail receptions and expositions on Wednesday nights from 6pm-10pm during the high season winter months starting October 25, 2007 until May 28, 2008. People wander from gallery to gallery in search of art, conversation and the perfect glass of wine. A good way to meet some artists and make new friends. Galleries participating this year are Beatriz Narvaez Galeria, Corsica Galeria, Galeria Arte Latinoamericano, Galeria Corona, Galeria des Artistes, Galeria de Ollas, Galeria Omar Alonso, Galeria Pacifico, Galeria Uno, Galeria Vallarta, Galeria 8 y mas, Galeria Uno, Jorge Marin, Sergio Bustamante, The Loft and Thierry Blout Fine Art Collection. Look for a map at your hotel or in participating galleries. Further info here and also here

Walking Art Tour of the Malecon
Galeria Pacifico sponsors an Art Walk that starts at 9:30am on Tuesday at the Millenium sculpture near the Hotel Rosita at the north end of the Malecon. You can meet some of the sculptors of the statues and hear them speak about their work along the mile long malecon. Galeria Pacifico owner Gary Thompson acts as your guide and informs you about the present local art scene. And here's a good article about public art work Off the Malecon. the Art Walk every Tuesday, 9:30-11:30am, mid-Nov to mid-April. Free, no reservation. For further info, tel: 222-1982

Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas  Dec 5-9, 2007
As an International festival, the event intends to bring together filmmakers of divergent styles and subjects, but who face remarkably similar obstacles to the production and distribution of their films. At its core, the Festival hopes to create a forum where these films and filmmakers can come together and share their art, ideas and cultures. An annual event. Further info at vallartafilmfestival.com  Tel: 297-1605 and 297-1947

Open Gallery: Painter Angeline Kyba has her studio-gallery open to visitors Mon-Fri, 12pm-5pm, located at 635 Cuauhtemoc street in Gringo Gulch. Tel: 222-4238
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

by Jesus Martinez  Galeria de Ollas

by Damien Quezada Galeria de Ollas

 
 

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