Five Fool-Proof Tips to Help You Shop Smart in Puerto Vallarta
We all know how easy it is to plunk down the plastic when shopping in places like Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta and neighboring Nuevo Vallarta, both famous for great deals. But, that doesn’t mean you should spend more than you want to.
You can get the most for your shopping dollars by following these smart- shopper tips, gathered from the thousands of affluent travelers who book their trips with CheapCaribbean.com each year.
1. Get ready to negotiate. Negotiation is the name of the game in the
Vallartas, so you’ll need to brush up on your bargaining skills. But,
before you head out to grab a taxi or buy a local product, ask around to
find the going rate. Usually, your hotel’s concierge is the best person
to get unbiased information from.
2.Take a taxi. You don’t have to spend your entire vacation at your
resort, especially in the Vallartas, where there’s a vibrant local market
to explore. But, going off property can be risky if you don’t know where
you’re going or how far away it is. Your best bet is to take a taxi until
you get the lay of the land.
3.Exchange your money before you buy. Most restaurants and stores will
accept U.S. dollars and travelers’ checks, but the exchange rate will
almost always be in their favor, which means you’ll pay a lot more than
you have to. Before you purchase anything, exchange your money for local
currency at a bank or exchange place to ensure you get the best rate
possible.
4.Talk to real people. Tourists may know a lot about an area, but
they’ll never know as much as the people who live there. You should
always seek out locals to find the best places for shopping, dining or
exploring.
5.Carry change. While it may be easier to carry large bills, if you
don’t have change, you may lose out. That’s because most stores don’t
have change – and you’ll be the one on the losing end of the purchase.
The best amounts to carry are 10, 20 and 50 pesos.
