Grocery Shopping in Puerto Vallarta

I consider myself the guru of grocery shopping in Puerto Vallarta. If it is available here, I pretty much know where to find it and at what price. Ask my husband, he will be the first person to tell you that my affinity for shopping knows no boundaries or time restraints, especi ally when it comes to tracking down food.

The first thing to know about living in Vallarta, gone are the days when you had to pack your suitcase full of Snickers Bars, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and cans of chicken broth.  Most stores now carry these items regularly but other common items like Pop Tarts and Miracle Whip have disappeared completely. This is why I look at grocery shopping like hunting, you go out well armed but never sure what you will come home with.

If you “wing” your dinners, you will not be discouraged, but if you set out to shop with a list of specific items you need, you will find yourself going to at least five different stores and missing at least three items from your list when you return home. It is not uncommon to find a store out of heavy cream, potatoes, bananas or avocados. Welcome to Vallarta! Rule #1. If you see it, like it, BUY it!  Rule #2- What is here today is gone tomorrow. Rule #3- Learn to adjust. (Your recipe, your menu, your attitude.)

The next thing to realize is that not all stores carry the same things, at the same time, all the time. For example, Ley’s is the only grocery store that typically carries bok choy and Napa cabbage. No other store in Vallarta carries either item on any sort of regular basis. If I make Mu Shu Pork, I can use either item but only those two as regular cabbage will not do, so I have to add a stop at Ley’s. But, Ley’s does not carry Hoisen sauce, so off to Wal-Mart I go, although believe it or not, Liverpool carries it and at the best price in Vallarta. Ley’s also stocks my favorite soy sauce (Pearl River) and it is a bargain (18 Pesos), so go there for your soy sauce needs.

Now if I want wonton or egg roll wrappers, I used to go to Rizo’s but since their shelves are as bare as a monkey’s butt, I have to go to Toyo Foods for them. Three stops for a homemade Asian dinner and I still haven’t gone to Rizo’s to pick-up the mini-flour tortillas for the Mu Shu Pork. Or the butcher for the pork shoulder. Now we are up to five stops. See what I mean about adjusting your menu? (Or your cravings!)

Long story short, grocery shopping is an adventure especially when you cook often and cook atypical dinners. If a sandwich is as far as your cooking skills take you, you will be fine.  If you have a special diet or crave something out of the ordinary, be prepared to run around all over town.

For people needing gluten-free or special diet items, you will have an even more tiresome adventure and less fruitful, but the good news is; more Gluten-Free and organic items are being stocked. A new store called Iyari Organicos just opened on Constitución #279. (Between V. Carranza and Cardenas) They stock quite a few Gluten Free products and Organic items, from chicken to Ezekiel bread and much more.

Another organic shop opened a couple of blocks away on Basilio Badillo and Constitucion called Gaia, they have organic ice cream, butter and agave syrup, plus other items. Of course there is also Organic Select which has a great online ordering system and delivery service, and a booth at the Old Town Farmer’s Market. 

If you are a coupon shopper, forget about it! They don’t do coupons here but there are specific days to save. Every Tuesday Wal-Mart, Soriana and Ley’s has items they put on sale to bring in shoppers. Usually it is produce and chicken and some staples. I always hit at least one of them on Tuesday and stock up on sale items.  On Wednesday, Mega/Comercial Mexicana has their sale day. So plan accordingly to save some dinero on your grocery bill.

Soriana offers a "points card" and often has free items when you use your points or “Dinero Electronico” which is money put on your card that you can use on your next purchase. Sometimes they have 20% dinero electronic on everything you purchase which is like getting 20% off your bill.

Little produce markets are often the best places to buy produce. Both of the local mercados in 5 de dieciembre and Emiliano Zapata Market have produce vendors and butchers that are worth checking out. My favorite way to shop is when they come to me. Often a truck selling fresh strawberries drives around Vallarta selling these red beauties for 15 Pesos a kilo. Keep your ears open for the shrimp guy or the produce truck or the bolis car or peddle bike person who sells delicious frozen treats in a plastic bag, similar to an ice cream Popsicle. My favorites are the coconut and café (coffee). 

You can buy local honey from a guy on the corner of Cardenas and Auguacate. Local honey is amazing and helps with allergies and slapping some honey on parched lips is a great humectant and tastes yummy.  

If you have any questions on where to get what here in Vallarta, be sure to comment below this post and I will try to answer your questions. Until then, happy shopping!