Thursday Marina Market
We love to take a Thursday trip out to the Marina in high season. The Marina Market was once a small shopping experience that we enjoyed before dinner at one of the fine marina restaurants. We would buy some vegetables and sometimes pick up bread or sweets from one of the bakers. This market has grown significantly and we now find we must arrive much earlier than we once did, if we want to partake in all the fabulous booths and peruse the many vendors. The Marina Malecón has been a favorite stroll of ours for the past two decades and a drink up in El Faro is often a highlight. There is much to see from up in the lighthouse and it is a great place for watching the changes in the north part of Puerto Vallarta. The Thursday Market opens at 6 pm and merchants stay open until 10 pm or until they have sold all their products, which frequently happen with the food booths.
What’s truly delightful about this market is that every item is made locally. Not only is nothing imported, every item is handmade, and you will most likely have a chance to meet the person or people who crafted your purchases. We have adorned our home and body with such items as remarkable jewelry, lovely handbags and fine clothing; gorgeous baskets and paintings; wonderful holiday decorations and amusing Day of the Dead pieces. The marvelous Huichol art is here, too, of course and they do such a great job of wrapping purchases for travel.
Fruits and vegetables are organic and a variety of bread can be found, including several grains and gluten free. We often buy dinner at the market these days, and take it home to cook or reheat. These are excellent chefs who sell everything from fine meats and cheeses, to fancy liqueurs, pizza, cookies and cakes. With nearly 200 stalls, there isn’t time to take it all in.
We have been fascinated to find local hand rolled cigars that rival the most expensive found in town and at a very fair price. Ice cream, yummy cups of corn, and the typical Mexican nieves de garrafa (snow cones) are also available.
The atmosphere at the Thursday Marina Market is very festive with live music, strolling Mariachi and visiting musicians. We love the family ambiance with a mixture of locals, ex-pats and tourists.
Que es cómo es.
Thanks to our guest blogger Adam Garcia for this article! (opinions expressed are his own)