Category: What to do in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a shopping paradise. There are several shopping districts and malls which feature everything from local art, souvenirs, vendors, jewelry, tequila stores, leather goods and beach wear. You can find it all in Puerto Vallarta. 

One of the most popular shopping destinations is along the beachfront walkway called the Malecon. Restaurants line one side of the walkway, and a vast selection of shops and stands for local artists can be found on the other side. There are also galleries featuring local Huichol art. A great way to discover this area is to join the Art Walk on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm October through May. 

If you are seeking local arts and crafts, the Isla Cuale is for you. The island is situated in the River Cuale, and you can cross over on a footbridge, or suspension bridge. Be prepared to negotiate with the merchants. 

For high end shopping, boutiques, clothing and international stores, visit Puerto Vallarta’s newest mall, La Isla Shopping Village. You will find Calvin Klein, H&M, and more! There are many restaurants and a movie theater showing Hollywood films. 

Please feel free to contact our concierge for additional tips and information about Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant shopping scene. 

Over the past couple of years there were so little venues to enjoy for those who live in Puerto Vallarta or just snow bird throughout the winter, now………with the ex pat ever so growing fast community, Puerto Vallarta is bursting at the seams with talented performers who live here part and full time and want part of a stage!

Whether you crave a romantic piano bar venue, Rock and raging roll, musical theatre, plays, open mike, drag, big bands, jazz, sing along with movies, mariachi or kid friendly venues. There is something for everyone in downtown Vallarta NOW for you to enjoy at very considerable prices. 

What stage?

Act II Entertainment

https://www.actiientertainment.com/

Act II Entertainment Stages is a unique venue of its kind.Located in the heart of the Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta, this entertainment complex boasts a 180 seat theater and a 98 seat cabaret where original productions are presented, as well as a cozy bar and lounge area where performers serenade patrons. Act II Entertainment engages, inspires, entertains and challenges audiences with theatrical productions that range from the classics to new works. They are passionate and  train and support the next generation of theater artists. They provide arts education programs that promote life-long learning to a diverse community and they celebrate the essential power of the theater to illuminate common humanity.

El Incanto  

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Incanto Vallarta takes its name from the charming and elegant setting along the Rio Cuale that divides old town from Centro in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Incanto features an eclectic offering of world-class entertainment in both their lower level 90 seat cabaret/theatre, and in their intimate piano bar space on the second floor.  Classic cocktails and delicious offerings from their cafe will make Incanto a destination where you’ll want to linger well before and after the show; especially on one of our two riverside terraces looking over the Rio Cuale where you can spot pelicans and Iguanas lounging in the majestic trees. Mornings on the terrace at Incanto features their signature coffee and delicious creative breakfast selections.  

Mariachi at Hacienda San Angel Boutique Hotel and Gourmet

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Mariachi moments can be enjoyed daily except for Saturdays throughout Puerto Vallarta´s winter season.  Enjoy dinner and entertainment under the stars surrounded by lush gardens, antiques, art, culinary delights and attentive staff all meticulously coordinated to indulge whomever walks through the door. Nestled high above the narrow cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta, the Hacienda was born of romance and passion. Stories and history freely shared for the asking. Please call 222.2692 to speak to a concierge to reserve the ever so highly sought after dining space and Mariachi venue schedule. 

The Palm

The Palm Cabaret

Their air conditioned, newly renovated, intimate cabaret space seats 100 comfortably in plush salon style chairs and padded, roomy bar stools. Enjoy excellent cocktail service prior to and during the shows! A two drink minimum is requested during each show.  They serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The Palm began 19 years ago as a Cafe that served great burgers. Entertainers would pop in who were visiting on vacation and do a number or two. Before long, artists from all over were doing everything from disco to drag and beyond. Eventually, a show schedule was organized and many entertainers returned year after year and so did the audiences!  The Palm no longer serves food, but they usually send you a bowl of great, fresh popcorn!

Garbo Bar

https://www.facebook.com/Garbo-Bar-Vallarta-184997654855856/

Live music in old town where you can  talk and mingle at the bar or in comfy lounge chairs in an air conditioned stylish petite committee environment. Garbo is absolutely the place one must visit! It’s perfect for either an evening out with friends or your special love. The music is spectacular and the atmosphere inside is magical! A classy place to have a classy drink and have some sassy talk! 

If you have any South Shore musical venues to contribute, please send your suggestions to info@haciendasangel.com addressed to Nicole Martin (Social Media+PR) or call 322.137 3972 and we will be happy to add you to this ever so important list of downtown happenings!

The show always goes on in the South Shore of the Bay of Banderas!

Very few people like to shop till you drop, but so many of us LOVE IT and Puerto Vallarta is a destination to put #1 on your bucket list if you are a shopaholic.

Puerto Vallarta has gorgeous, open air markets, mega malls and the recently famous Farmers Markets that can be found in Lazaro Cardenas Park, Marina Vallarta, La Cruz de Huanacaxlte and there are a also a couple other petit venues sprouting up throughout the bay during the high season offering some fabulous finds. Local open air markets are a must and you can find such fresh produce at such little prices. Make sure to try traditional Mexican fruits like Tamarindo, Mango, Yaka, Guanabana y Guayaba and………….a fresh coconut off of the street is a must and great for your stomach!

For those looking for more sophisticated purchases. There is a boutique for every need especially on Basilio Badillo in the romantic zone where you will find some great local fashion creations, jewlery, arts and crafts and our favorite glass wear (Mundo de Cristal) on the corner of Insurgentes and Basilio Badillo..

If you’re here for an extended period of time and you crave a bit of Canada or the US, we also have Costco, Sams, Walmart, AutoZone among other well known North American chains for you to get your shopping fix!

Here are some of our favorite hot locations to explore for those who need it all!

Basillo Badillo Basilio Badillo has evolved so much over the years.  New business venues with restaurants and theatres have made this a MUST VISIT street. Shop owners have joined forces to plant beautiful foliage with comfortable seating and you can find weekly events with stores offering live music and incentives to shop. There are many designer fashion, jewelry and linen stores that will make a dent in your wallet but you won´t regret it. Your U.S and Canadian dollars go a long way in pesos. If you’re hungry there are many food options on and surrounding Basilio Badillo in the Romantic zone like Mexican Taco Stands, Fine dining, Seafood, Tai, Japanese, Italian and it´s all good.

Market Fun Over the past 5 years Vallarta has grown into a booming place to visit for those who love Farmers Market Venues. You can find weekly markets mostly during high season in Marina La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Old Town a recently remodelled Lazaro Cardenas Parque beside Los Muertos Beach, Marina Vallarta, Bucerias, Nuevo Vallarta and Sayulita. You are sure to take home some amazing treasures and for foodies……………….there are numerous stands with jams, cheese, bread, pickles, just to mention a few. Don´t forget to support our traditional Municipal Market if you like a great deal and bartering as sport. A trip to this market only minutes away from Hacienda San Angel is a must for blankets, handicrafts, souvenirs, and leather goods. If you are hungry,  on the second floor there are many stands serving Mexican home food and it is all delicious.

Malecon Our beloved Boardwalk is located just a stone throw away below Hacienda San Angel and can be accessed in 5 minutes. You can find some of the best Diamond Shopping, leather and high end options to make any person happy.   There are dozens of Mexican handicraft shops to buy your typical souvenirs but a favorite is to take home to what your country allows you in TEQUILA. There are many tequila sampling venues on the Malecon. Say yes to them all! You can take an Uber or a Taxi back up the hill to the Hacienda.  If you get hungry, don´t be afraid to try some fantastic street food like deep fried hot dogs, Mexican corn in a cup, chips with chile, fruit smothered in lime and chile, snow cones and delicious thin crepes smothered in delicious local toppings.

Isla Rio Cuale Besides being absolutely an enchanting experience especially during the rainy season, La Isla Rio Cuale is wonderful for a relaxing shopping experience. If your friends or significant other isn´t interested there are some gorgeous riverfront bars to drop them off at. Make sure to check out the enormous iguanas, beautiful trees and plunging pelicans who have called this spot home for centuries.  

Galerias Vallarta If malls are your thing? Then this is a must. Name brand stores, Casino, Luxury department store Liverpool, movie theatres, food fair, kids’ area, and some amazing shopping opportunities.

Plaza Caracol Plaza Caracol is popular with the local crowd and busy families. You will find a grocery store, banks, and dozens of stores offering everything from electronics to shoes. There are also movie theatres, kids play area and food fair on the second floor.

The Puerto Vallarta Art WalkSuch a must if you are staying with us at Hacienda San Angel during high season located just down a few stairs. The Puerto Vallarta art walk is held every Wednesday and everything is for sale. Shipping back to the states can be taken care of and if purchasing art is not on your agenda, wandering from gallery to gallery in downtown Vallarta with a glass of wine in your hand is a must do.  Here is the current art walk map To print an art walk map, click here

La Isla Puerto Vallarta This is the newest addition to the Puerto Vallarta high end shopping season. Many locals still can´t believe a shopping venue of this sort exists in our growing town.  Most major brands have stores there and there are dozens of delicious restaurants to choose from.

Uh oh. Are your New Year’s Eve plans still up in the air? Problem solved!

Join us at Puerta del Cielo for an elegant 7-course feast with wine pairings from Italy, California, France and Mexico—and yes, we have wine and it’s divine.  Our chef has pulled together a beautiful menu to help you ring in 2017: scallop carpaccio, fig and arugula salad, crab consommé, pan-seared Chilean sea bass, and, after a palate-cleansing green apple sorbet, tender beef medallions served with roast potatoes and grilled endive. No need to rush off after your chocolate Napoleon, the final course. You’ll have a bird’s eye view of the fireworks on the Malecon, so linger over some bubbly, make some resolutions if you must, but indulge yourself in the final hours of 2016 before implementing them. Salud and Felicidades from all of us at the Hacienda. Here’s to a rollicking new year!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Granted, this isn’t as a big day in Mexico as it is in some parts of the US, but we can’t let an excuse to raise a margarita in the interests of patriotism go by. Cinco de Mayo celebrates an upset win by the Mexican army against the French, who had twice as many troops, on May 5, 1862. The history of the margarita is less succinctly recorded. It may have first been made for a Ziegfeld Folly dancer named Marjorie King (who was allergic to other spirits) in 1938, or for another showgirl named Rita de la Rosa that same year. Or maybe for one Margarita Henkel, daughter of the German ambassador, on July 4, 1942. But, really, does it matter? Regardless of the conflicting creation stories, the tequila-orange liqueur-lime elixir is a showcase for each of its elements: the earthy distilled agave, the blossom-scented liqueur, and the crisp burst of citrus that manages to slice through its companions while uniting with them at the same time. When it comes to the religion of cocktails, this counts as a holy trinity not to be trifled with. Come to our rooftop dining room and sip one of our hand-shaken (or stirred) marvels while contemplating our creative seasonal menu—and the gorgeous ocean view. Happy Cinco de Mayo, happy you!