We all know by now how much I adore markets! I will always try and visit one where ever I travel and usually more than once. 🙂 Puerto Vallarta has several markets, one is the Thursday Night Market in the Marina.
Shopping
The marina market has many of the same vendors as the Lazaro Cardenas Saturday market in the Romantic Zone of PV. However, it is probably at least twice the size, so has many more vendors as well.
Here you will find all of the regular Mexican souvenirs, beautiful handy-crafts, T-shirts, trinkets, shot glasses etc.
In addition, I always see things that are unique. On this particular evening, I found three leather vendors, quite a few jewellery vendors and multiple clothing sellers. There seemed to be some smaller tables set up as well with interesting things for sure. One lady was selling smoke wands, and another was selling popular home made kitchen soaps in bar form.
There are so many booths at this market. If you love to shop, and are interested in seeing beautiful local items for sale, this is a perfect place to do so.
Food
How can I not write about food! I was famished by the time I arrived. It took me almost one and a half hours to walk there no less. What caught my eye for dinner was a brisket or pulled pork bunwich that I was told by the friendly patron behind me, “Its the best pulled pork in Puerto Vallarta!”
And I can happily report, it was soooo delicious! Beautiful warm rich salty pork with crunchy slaw, onions and sweet BBQ sauce. Oh yah!!
There was a large selection food at this market! Indian butter chicken and samosas, Thai curry and spring rolls, falafel and crostini appies, the list goes on.
Then, dessert! OMG, I was in heaven. There were so many sweet treats calling to me, nay, singing my name! Cheesecakes, doughnuts, croissants, cookies, even a pistachio and rose water cake! I tell you I walked back and forth so many times, eyeing the bounty of beautiful baked goods.
I settled on a custard filled sweet soft yeasty bread, that I actually had for breakfast the next morning.
Ambience
The Marina is the perfect setting for an evening at the market. There is no vehicle traffic, noise or exhaust. The boardwalk is long with enough space for vendors and visitors. It is lined with restaurants and bars should you wish to have a sit down meal. The boats and yachts are a gorgeous backdrop in the setting sun. Live music is always happening, this night it was a single male, highly talented Latin guitarist.
Visitors wanting a really great market experience will love this one! You might even see a resident crocodile or two!
