Puerto Vallarta is one of my favorite ports in the entire world. Its tropical flora and fauna punctuate its colonial architecture and blue ocean waters of Banderas Bay. Its welcoming, jovial people and freshly prepared foods are best enjoyed while listening to its talented musicians who stroll the town’s cobblestone streets, Malecon and warm beaches. I have visited Puerto Vallarta many times, both by sea and by land, for over 30 years and I always discover something new to love each time I’m there. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

**The Boy On The Seahorse** **Sculpture**, **Puerto** **Vallarta**

Located in the Mexican state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta welcomes cruise ships from all over the world, especially during its warm winter months. Carnival, NCL, Disney, Princess, Holland America and Royal Caribbean all dock at this port. Puerto Vallarta is a colorful, vibrant and culturally inspired destination due in part to its exciting street art and public art installations which include murals, sculptures and colorful mosaics.

This visit occurred while I was spending several weeks in a nearby beachside town named Sayulita. Located approximately 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta’s Central District, Sayulita is best known for fishing and surfing. My husband and I have been spending the last several years there in rental homes during January and February, due to the chilly temps and wet weather in San Diego at that time.

This colorful little town has become a favorite for tourists from all over the world, either as a day trip from Puerto Vallarta, or as a holiday destination or seasonal home for American expats and Canadian snowbirds.

While we are staying in Sayulita, we welcome many of our friends and family for a visit. This year when our daughter visited, she and I decided to take a girl’s trip into Puerto Vallarta in search of Mexico’s local art, crafts, foods, décor, and more “magnifico” Things.

Our destination was the Zona Romantica (Romantic Zone), which is Puerto Vallarta’s historic Old Town area, located a short taxi ride from the cruise terminal and Marina Vallarta. It is where cobblestone streets meet the Malecon and Pacific Ocean on one side, while landmarks, galleries, shops, restaurants, bars and quaint boutique hotels fill the rest of this historic area. Due to the number of local artisans and galleries found here, the Romantic Zone hosts a community Art Walk on Wednesdays from October through June each year.

Lazaro Cardenas Park

A vibrant part of Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone is a beautiful park that literally sparkles with a breathtaking display of mosaic art. Located just off the Malecon, Lazaro Cadenas Park is named for a Mexican army officer and politician who served as president of Mexico from 1934 – 1940. Many locals and visitors often refer to this area as Mosaic Tile Park, because of its magnificent public art installation.

Puerto Vallarta artist Natasha Moraga is the project’s creative director who organized the hand tiling of almost every surface within the park, including benches, walls, columns, planters, stairs and even an entire gazebo. Businesses, residents and visitors from around the world have donated to the project by sponsoring benches, and often participate in creating a tile and crafting mosaics themselves during one of Natasha’s workshops. Looking closely at the benches, you’ll see tiles with motivational phrases, memoriums to loved ones, celebrations, business recognition tiles and even pet tribute tiles.

On Saturdays between November and April, the Park hosts a Farmer’s Market from 9am-2pm, where you can purchase handcrafted art, clothing, crafts, jewelry and more. Natasha traditionally has a stand there too, so you can purchase her beautiful mosaic art and accessories.

Tierra Huichol

This truly amazing shop features intricate handcrafted artwork whose technique has been passed on from generation to generation by one of Mexico’s fascinating indigenous groups. Huichol art’s origin begins with the initiation of ritual art crafted by the indigenous tribe of Wixarika (Huichol) natives. The Huichol live in mountainous terrains in Mexico including the majestic Sierra Madre Occidental, north of Jalisco. The origin of their art lies in an ancestral tradition, where the physical transcription of images and symbols visualized by the Huichol Shamans (Medicine Men) is passed on from one generation to the next.

One type of artistic expression of Huichol art is colorful yarn paintings, which are made on wooden boards with wax. Another expression of art is the colorful work that is created with beads worked into sculpted figures such as bulls, violins, turtles, etc. Both yarn and beaded art incorporate symbolic motifs, stories of the Huichol culture and historical legends. Symbols include the Eye of God, for protection of children, and a Hummingbird, the symbol of freedom, or my favorite, Peyote, which is the symbol for life and success.

Tierra Huichol collects works of art from more than 100 Wixarika artists. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to watch one of the young artists at work when I visited. No patterns or instructions exist. The artist beads as he feels is meaningful and true.

Each piece of art is unique, a window to a world full of mysticism, color, ceremonies, legends and worldly meaning. It reveals an artist’s innermost thoughts and experiences, and brings a piece of Huichol history, culture and beliefs into each purchaser’s home.

Explore Tierra Huichol’s website, or visit one of their shops in Puerto Vallarta, to learn more about this fascinating culture. The staff is more than happy to share information on the history and legend of Wixarika natives and their intricate, unique artwork.

Colectika

This beautiful gallery showcases a collection of Ancestral Contemporary Art. Husband and wife owners Beatriz and Kevin Simpson also own a gallery in Centro Puerto Vallarta called Peyote People. Although I didn’t have a chance to visit Peyote People, it is clear that the couple present each gallery in tandem with the other, as both focus on authentic Folk Art crafted by skilled families of artists. Peyote People showcases a collection of traditional indigenous art such as ceramics, masks, yarn paintings, beadings, textiles and carvings that Kevin acquires from artists living in towns and remote villages throughout Mexico.

Colectika showcases artwork from the Grand Masters of Mexican Folk Art. It also introduces contemporary interpretations of these arts. As technology grows in Mexico, younger generations are finding new ways of expressing how their ancient traditions and beliefs fit into today’s modern world. This is often reflected in today’s Folk Art created by younger craftsmen and women.

Galleria Dante

Galleria Dante is Puerto Vallarta’s largest and most eclectic art gallery for almost 30 years. Owner, Claire Guarniere, actually lived in this former hacienda-style villa with her husband Joe in 1988. In 1995, they converted their beautiful home to Galleria Dante, a glorious gallery that exhibits the artistic works of more than 60 artists, 85% of which are Mexican born.

The countless art pieces are arranged in the European “salon” style throughout the massive gallery’s rooms and garden, including a beautiful open-air courtyard curated with an array of beautiful bronze and ceramic sculptures. They also offer a curated collection of estate paintings and sculptures for purchase.

In addition, in 2013, Claire’s daughter Gena added a fabulous restaurant and bar to Galleria Dante called Di Vino Dante, which offers fine Mexican and Latin American wine, craft cocktails, tapas and main dishes overlooking the garden’s beautiful courtyard and sculptures. Rotating art from the gallery surrounds the tables, providing diners with a truly unique culinary and artistic experience.

One of my favorite collections was the oversized paintings by Hector Armendariz Martinez. His depiction of women with bountiful floral headdresses set in beautiful, dream-like garden, water and color saturated backgrounds are truly moving. Most of the paintings also incorporate beautiful birds and nature’s animals. The fact that many of Hector’s paintings are large, maybe six foot tall, and so life like, allows the viewer to become immersed in the painting to experience the moment of etherial beauty as he has presented it in each breathtaking work of art.

The courtyard garden sculptures are so exquisitely curated, it’s hard to believe you aren’t in an art museum. There is so much more exceptional art in this delightful gallery, I can just share a few of my favorites. Check out the video feature from You Tube below to experience this exciting gallery and dining venue for yourself. Be sure to visit when in Puerto Vallarta!

Monzon Brewing Company

Walking further east in the Romantic Zone, we happened upon a local brewery named Monzon. Opened in 2017 by a couple from Seattle, this tap room and brewery is a neighborhood gem. Produced onsite, you can see where freshly brewed beer is transported via large red tubes, from the brewery area in back of house, to the taps at the front of house bar. They also serve some delicious bites to go with their brews, tastings and flights. All beer sales support local nonprofits, recycling, community partners and local area farmers.

Qulture

Qulture is an amazing artistic building on the east side of the Romantic Zone where a traditional Mexican boutique hotel has transformed its rooms into 17 working art studios and galleries. The center of the building features a lush interior courtyard with a dining area and Circle Bar, surrounded by original artwork created by Qulture’s resident artists. The studios and galleries are located on both the ground and upper floors, with each room showcasing a variety of distinctive artwork, including paintings, sculptures, photography and more.

I was fortunate that day to meet two of the gifted artists in residency. Barbara Stenz welcomed us as we walked into the courtyard. She is a Canadian environmental designer and graphic who lives in Puerto Vallarta. Barbara is influenced by her environment, pop art, graphic design, street art, graffiti, surrealism and indigenous art and symbolism.

Artist Wendell Hicks was busy painting in his studio/gallery. He creates abstracts and colorful paintings influenced by nature and the environment. I especially love his technique with florals. Be sure to stop by Gallery #5 and spend some time getting to know Wendell and learning about his art. @jerrywhics

Joyeria Diamante Azul

I just happened to walk by Joyeria Diamante Azul jewelry boutique towards the end of our day. I met the owner and jewelry designer Mario Moreno Morales, who opened the store in 1990. If you’ve traveled to Mexico, you know there are a lot of jewelry vendors, especially offering sterling silver. Plus there are a lot of jewelry stores that the cruise ships recommends as part of their “preferred” shopping destinations.

Diamante Azul’s collection of bright silver and gold pieces, skillfully combined with colorful stones and sparkling gems, stood out from other Mexican jewelry I’ve seen. Mario and his artistic team design and hand craft the jewelry onsite. They also work with customers for custom designs or redesigns. I watched the artist craft a unique piece of wearable art, while admiring the collection of work already completed. Truly beautiful craftmanship.

Tilt

We concluded our fabulous girl’s day in Puerto Vallarta with a visit to fun little place called Tilt, a Tracy Lee Stum Museum. Tracy is an artist and author of “The Art of Chalk” who specializes in 3D art that creates unbelievable experiences through art and photography. Museum tickets include a specialty craft drink from their bar before entering their gallery of immersive paintings in 3D. When photographed, the images appear as though the visitor is actually a part of the artwork. It’s a great place to capture some fun selfies with friends and family!

My next shopping journey - Join me as I visit one of America’s most festive ports, New Orleans. We’ll take a walk down Magazine Street to find some truly amazing artists, designers and experiences!

Till then, keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!

CHEERS!

Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone Flaunts Traditional Art, Crafts, Jewelry, Mosaics & More

Art, Fashion, Food & Festivity Found on New Orlean’s Magic Magazine Street

Eastern Caribbean Cruising on NCL’s Getaway - Part Two, Days 6-10