Bar la Playa is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular Bars located on the South-side of Vallarta. This week I interview Owner Alex Ivan Moctezuma who tells us The Secret For a Great Bar.
Also High Season in Full Swing in Puerto Vallarta
Gabino Sandoval the Pull-tab Purse Maker had a Fire at his Home and Needs our Help
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Hello fellow travelers, welcome this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel show. I am your host Barry Kessler and I am just so happy to be introducing you to my favorite vacation destination, and maybe even yours, Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
That music you were just listening to is performed by Alberto Perez, the owner of the La Palapa Group of Restaurants. Those are La Palapa, Puerto Vallarta’s Oldest Restaurant on the famous Los Muertos Beach, and The El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club right next door so you can enjoy that fantastic view of the Los Muertos Pier all lit up at night in beautiful colors, or during the day in its grand splendor for breakfast, lunch or dinner, seated with our toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends.
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This week I’m going to take you to Bar La Playa located right alongside Lazaro Cardenas Park, Tile Park PV, and this bar is tiny and always busy, and we will be talking with the owner Alex Ivan Moctezuma, what a name right? Well Alex is going to tell us what makes Bar La Playa so special, but first let’s see what’s happening this week in Puerto Vallarta November 8th, 2018.
Qulture Opens Today November 8th, 2018 In Puerto Vallarta
The press release reads…
Qulture is having their grand opening today and it’s is officially sold out. If you have reservations, there will be two lines at the door — one for paid, and the other for will call tickets to be paid. This is going to be quite a night. We are thrilled at all our entertainers including The Yorks, The Bohemian Jazz Trio, Sean Moore’s Texas Embassy Blues, Kim Kuzma, Cherry DeLorenzo, Callejero Cats, Jose Alfredo & Los Romanceros, Kami Desilets and Joby Hernández.
We’ve been hearing all kinds of great things about Qulture over that last few weeks from Natasha Moragan Nancy Page and 
Jamie Chamberlain and we will be taking you to Qulture really soon. Qulture is actually a place that used to be a hotel, then for some time they had the 3 hens and a Rooster Market there, now it has been transformed to an art gallery, a tapas bar restaurant, and a great place to hang out and get a buzz on, and heap a little culture on top. Check it out when you come into town. It’s on Venustiano Carranza 466 Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
I have a video in the show-notes with the Grand opening greeting so take a look at www.puertovallartayravelshow.com.
Farmers Markets Opening All Over The Bahia de Banderas
As I said last week and JR too, all the farmers markets are opening all around the bay. I have a list of them in the show-notes.
Farmers Market List For Puerto Vallarta and The Bahia de Banderas
Source: PVAngels.com
Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are once again busy with a variety of Artisan and Organic Farmers Markets, also known as Tianguis, which offer locals and tourists one more shopping option during the 2016-2017 winter season.
For the convenience of our readers, we have compiled a listing of the Tianguis Markets around Banderas Bay.
Monday
Bucerias Monday Gourmet Market
Not just another Farmer’s Market, The Bucerias Gourmet Mexican Monday Market offers ONLY Mexican Specialties from the Mexicans of Bucerias. If you are looking for frozen lasagna and beaded in America jewelry, this is not the place for you.
Here are some of the treats to expect: Coffee, Refreshing fruit water, Carnitas, Salsas, Tamales, Empanadas, Flan, Fresh fruit and vegetables, Artisan cheeses, Fresh farm eggs, and Seasonal fresh fish.
All of the vendors are local Mexicans from Bucerias who wish to share the customs and culture of Mexico with you.
The Bucerias Gourmet Mexican Monday Market is located at The Bucerias Art Walk Plaza, 62 Lazaro Cardenas and the doors open at 10:00 am ’til 2ish.
Guayabitos Market
The Guayabitos Market is held on the Main Plaza every Monday from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm in Rincon de Guayabitos, Riviera Nayarit.
Lots of vendors come to sell fabric goods, silver, traditional Mexican goods, food items, bags, some leather, glassware and other misc goods. Don’t forget to negotiate. The same vendors come every week – mostly.
There are street vendors there selling food too. You can also find out about local real estate for sale as well.
Tuesday
Riviera Farmer’s Market
Every Tuesday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm from November 8 thru April.
Whether you’re looking for the ideal souvenir to take home or just craving for some homemade celicacies to arouse your appetite, come and enjoy the uniqueness of a traditional-inspired market right at the heart of Nuevo Vallarta.
More than 120 vendors in a beautiful open set-up featuring: All fresh foods, veggies, fruits, marmalades, ice cream, squished juices, coconuts, coffee and baked goods. Artisans waiting for you, jewelers, textiles, sandals/shoes, leather, art and a lot more including tropical music.
Friendly shopping atmosphere, Clean, Free parking, bathrooms, security, bicycle rack and fun!
Join us in Nuevo Vallarta every Tuesday behind the Casino/Hospital San Javier.
Mercado San Pancho
The season of Mercado San Pancho (San Francisco) Nayarit will begin on Tuesday November 8, 10:00 am until 1:30 pm in Plaza del Sol with the music of Nina Pilates and Humberto.
We hope to see you every Tuesday thru April.
Our vendors will delight you with handcrafts, clothing, art jewelry, gourmet food, live music and more.
See you there!
Wednesday
Forever Spring Farmer’s Market Bucerias
We are very pleased to be offering you the Wednesday market again this season and the location will be 50 Lazaro Cardenas, opposite Sandrinas.
Our Forever Spring Farmers Market will re-open for the 2016-2017 season on Wednesday, November 9 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. We welcome you to join us for our grand opening and every Wednesday.
Our market includes a wide range of products including gourmet food, arts, crafts, leather, home-wares, rugs, table cloths and runners and much more from your favorite vendors which will be for sale.
Thursday
La Peneta de Jaltemba Market
The Tianguis (open-air market) is held every Thursday from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm around the La Penita Plaza.
It is “the” place to shop for silver and handmade jewelry, tablecloths and linens, glassware, Talavera plates, Huichol Indian artwork and Oaxacan rugs. You will also find fresh fruits and veggies, homemade breads, and locally-produced honey and coffee beans.
This is one of the largest and most well-known markets in the area. While the Tianguis continues year-round, many of the artisans do not participate during the summer months.
The Bucerias Art Walk
Join us at the Bucerias Art Walk Plaza where “Life is an Art Walk.”
The Bucerias Art Walk Starts the first Thursday in November and is every Thursday thru April from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.
Over 17 galleries participate at this weekly event, where we “Bring Art to the Streets.”
Stroll under the palm trees, enjoy a traditional Mexican taste treat and a cool sip of sangria while discovering the un-discovered art and artists of Nayarit and Jalisco.
Watch our on-site artisans produce their craft, discover new artists & soak up local color, get inspired and sign up for our daily workshops.
Friday
Marsol Market by the Pier
The Marsol Hotel Market by the Pier at Los Muertos Beach continues every Friday, 9:30 to 1:30 p.m.
You’ll see a great assortment of breads, desserts, unique food items, jewelry, art and crafts, and a lot more including free English newspapers.
Be sure to stop by to see the new products. We have more vendors every week and will have a full house on our Grand Opening on November 4th with live music. Come join us in the Hotel Marsol lobby next to the pier in Old Town Vallarta.
Sayulita Mercado del Pueblo
Sayulita and its Mercado del Pueblo await visitors on Fridays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Revolución street across from the Tanana Gallery.
The philosophy of the Mercado del Pueblo is to bring local, sustainable, and natural food and consumable products to the people of Sayulita and its surrounding communities in an inviting, community location. All products at the market are grown, raised, harvested, preserved or transformed in some way by the vendors.
The Mercado is organized and managed by a small group of local women who are dedicated to this vision. We are proud to be the only local market that donates all of our proceeds the needs of our communities.
Saturday
Old Town Farmers Market
Old Town Farmers Market Taking place in Lazaro Cardenas Park every Saturday until April 30, 2017 you will find over 90 stalls with local produce, handmade crafts, clothing, home decor, baked goods, services and non-profits (and a lot more) between the hours of 9:30 am and 2:00 pm.
You will be entertained by popular local musicians. Visitors are encouraged to support them by throwing some pesos in the tip jar or buying their CD’s.
The food court is always a delight with a delicious assortment of offers ranging from traditional Mexican foods, American and Thai favorites.
Three Hens & a Rooster Market
The fun, clean and friendly market at 466 V. Carranza in the Romantic Zone on the south side of town – only a block and a half from the small tunnel on Saturdays. Three Hens and a Rooster offers all sorts of great items from their different vendors, arts, crafts and accessories, jewelry, women’s clothing, entrees to go, heavenly baked goods, the best tamales in town, handmade pirogies, homemade fresh sausages, essential oils, Mexican colorful and trendy bags, etc.
Truly a family affair, with something for everyone. See you there, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Tianguis Artesanal Nuevo Vallarta
The Tianguis Artesanal Nuevo Vallarta is held on Saturdays beginning November 5 at the Marina Nuevo Vallarta from 9:00 – 2:00 pm.
In the middle of big hotels, condos and marina area you will find a small traditional plaza with a kiosk in the middle every Saturday.
You’ll find a mixture of crafts & food, a market out of the touristic mainstream with traditional flavors of mexico, live music.
Tianguis Lo De Marcos
On Saturday November 5th The Tianguis Lo De Marcos will reopen its doors for the Season in Lo De Marcos and you are invited.
The market opens every Saturday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm until April 8, 2017 at Luis Echeverria #9.
The Tianguis Lo De Marcos is set in a lovely courtyard which provides a comfortable outdoor shopping experience with many unique vendors and lots of fun!
Imagine being able to buy such items as Home Made Bake Goods, Custom Made Piñatas, Hand Blown Glass, Clothing, Unique Artisan items, Garden Fresh Produce, Freshly Baked Delicacies, Salsas and more all in Lo De Marcos, located in beautiful Riviera Nayarit.
It is recommended that you visit the Tianguis early during your stay because you will want to return again and again to explore this unique shopping venue in Riviera Nayarit.
Sunday
La Cruz Market
The La Cruz Market (officially called the Mercado Huanacaxtle) opens each year on the first Sunday in November and brings vendors from around the community to sell their authentic products and delicious foods on Sundays from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The market also provides various workshops for adults and children such as yoga and there is live music every Sunday.
The La Cruz Sunday Market now covers the entire area from La Cruz Mercado (Fish Market), out along the Marina walk way and down and around to the jetty. More vendors attend and sell their wares each year, coming from all over the state of Jalisco and Nayarit. Some as far as Guadalajara as well as Tepic!
Its fun to walk, eat, and shop at the market while listening to the live music being played by the waters edge. Many diverse local and visiting musicians and bands come to play every Sunday. It brings an energy of happiness and joy to the market place. Give them a “tip” as you pass by!
The market is organized by Huanacaxtle, A.C., a local nonprofit organization. Huanacaxtle, A.C. works within the community to develop cultural, and recreational programming in order to strengthen the La Cruz community in a sustainable way.
Corazon De Nina Tuesday Morning Tours at 9:30
Also last week I told you about the tours at Corazon de Nina, and they happen every Tuesday Morning at 9:30 at Corazon de Nina. The 250 peso cover includes breakfast with the tour. 250 pesos comes to about $13 US. So make some time and check out the orphanage. I have a map and instructions in the show-notes as well.
Art Walk Puerto Vallarta
The Art walk is on as well every Wednesday evening from 6 PM till 10 until the end of May.
http://www.puertovallartaartwalk.com/
Parque de Los Azuelejos Workshops Beginning Season Two
The workshops are starting up at Parque de Los Azulejos, the first ones are November 13th 14th and 15th. There are still spots available for that and others, I have a link to the workshops in the show notes as well.
https://www.parqueazulejospv.com/future-workshops
The 13th annual Puerto Vallarta Madonnari Festival November 9-11
This week November the 9th through the 11th the 13th annual Vallarta Madonnari festival takes place. Artists will be drawing chalk murals around the Municipal Plaza across from City Hall. Check out the creative art on the ground, well the sidewalks and the plaza. Just more and more things happening this time of year, and we haven’t even made it to Christmas and new years yet!
Puerto Vallarta Restaurants Re-opening After Summer Break
All the restaurants are reopening after their summer breaks. Barcelona Tapas just reopened, and I think they finished their
elevator. Chenando’s, my favorite, well, one of my favorite places for steak and seafood just reopened as did Jorge at Jorge’s Hideaway and Shrimp Shack who I am going to introduce you to Jorge Tovar, the owner at Jorge’s Hideaway in a couple of weeks. Oh, I just love that place and you will too. Just so much happening.
Gabino Sandoval The Pull-tab Purse Maker on The Malecon Needs Your Help
Now I got word from one of our friends of the show, Gabino Sandoval, the pull tab purse maker on the Malecon, that he had
some trouble at his house. It seems they had a fire and, well, let’s go to Puerto Vallarta and hear from Gabino what happened.
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Okay. Well I have links to how you can donate to help get this lovely family back on their feet. I don’t know if you all remember, but Gabino employs others as well as his family members in the making of the purses and handbags and all the other things he makes, so when he gets back on his feet, he lifts other boats so to speak.
Make sure you stop by his booth in front of Vitea on the Malecon on the evenings, or look for him at the Farmer’s Markets all around the bay. He has his booth there. And thank you all for helping out Gabino.
Note From Tammy From Nacho Daddy
Our good friends and Family Gabino and Yolanda had fire at there home on Friday night. 1st of all everyone is ok. But they lost everything in the room. Everything for 5 people, a 18 month baby, 2 pre teen girls, a young woman and a young man. All clothes beds bedding, school supplies… You may know Gabino he and his family make the pop top purses. They are a very hard working family.
At the moment, it’s important to rebuild Gabino’s home. They are in dire need of doors and windows. There is some money, enough to repair the roof of the house, but without doors and windows, animals and well, anything just comes in the house.
Right now, the family needs money for doors and windows. Later, they will need beds to replace the ones burnt in the fire. They will need clothes to replace the ones lost to the fire but for now. They need the cash.
We will be taking donations at Nacho Daddy. Or if you see them at a market please buy a purse from them.
Gracias
UPDATE Here is the link if you are not in Vallarta and want to donate.
paypal.me/CasaDeGabino
Gracias
Okay, let’s get to the interview, shall we?
Bar La Playa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
When you are in Puerto Vallarta, you will find there are no shortages of bars. Almost every restaurant has one, and there are all sorts of watering holes. I’ve taken you to a few breweries and a couple of bars, as well, and like I’ve said more than once, I
want to take you to places that I like because I think I know you, and I’m pretty sure you would like this place too. Bar La Playa is a tiny bar located on Lazaro Cardenas, alongside the Parque de Los Azulejos, and next door to places like Page in The Sun, 
and Jim Demetrio’s Studio.
The bar opens up right on the sidewalk with bar stools set up on the sidewalk like maybe four of them along that outside part of the L shaped bar, the bar then goes inside the small building with maybe room for another 6 stools. Then a couple of stools along the opposite wall and a couple of tables set out on the sidewalk. Bathrooms in the back.
Bar la Playa always has beautiful bartenders, yes Beautiful young ladies working miracles behind the bar. Good liking guys too. Okay, but these girls really know how to mix a drink. And customer service is obviously something these tenders have been trained in. And the drinks…well let me tell you. Can you tell I really like this bar?
I made arrangements to meet Alex in the evening after he and his wife put his little baby to bed for the night. I figured we should meet at Bar La Playa. I wanted to give you a taste of what a hopping little bar sounds like, European café style like on
the sidewalk at around 10:30 on a warm October evening in Puerto Vallarta. So I grabbed the only table available just outside the bar and set up the microphones, got a tasty drink and waited just a couple of minutes for the new daddy to come riding up on his motorcycle. Parked it out front, he checked on his crew, ordered a stiff drink, and we started talking about his story, and his recipe for success in the cocktail making business. So let’s go right now to Lázaro Cárdenas 179, Emiliano Zapata neighborhood right across the street From TileparkPV, and let’s meet one of the young entrepreneurs of Vallarta, Alexis Ivan Moctezuma, Alex, from Bar La Playa, Puerto Vallarta.
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Okay, what a cool guy. I love Alex. What a simple recipe for success. Use fresh fruit, pour a better stronger drink, make it
affordable and create an environment where people will talk with one another. What a concept. And it works so well right here, along Parque de Los Azuelejos. So nice you guys. Now I caught him while he was a little buzzed, but man, he had great stories and some wonderful suggestions for places to go and see didn’t he?
Suggestions From Alex
Breakfast
- Freddy’s Tucán, Puerto Vallarta
- The Pancake House, Puerto Vallarta
- Cocos Kitchen, Puerto Vallarta – likes condensed milk they have on Pancakes
Lunch
- Tacos from the street
- Birriea tacos near Los Muertos Brewing
- Robles Tacos consume with tacos
- Salud Súper Foods Likes the Thai bowl
Dinner
- Tre Piatti, Puerto Vallarta – Loves Natalie’s blueberry tart
- Bravos, Puerto Vallarta
- Margaritaville, Puerto Vallarta
- Merida Grill Puerto Vallarta Mayan food
Suggestions For a First time visitor
- Walk the Malecon
- Eat street food
- Drink at a local bar sit at the bar
- Cuale Island
- You can drink in public, no glass bottles
Day Trip
- Boca de Tomatlan
- Las Ánimas
- Casitas Mariaka
3 day trip
- Mascota
- Talpa Allende
- San Sebastián
I have pictures of Alex and Bar La Playa including maps and links and all that stuff Alex talked about in the shownotes at www.puertovallartatravelshow.com to this episode or go to the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show Facebook page and find links to all the podcasts there as well.
So let me just look here in the Wiki pages under Chilango. I just gotta see…it says… Chilango is a Mexican slang demonym for residents of Mexico City. The Royal Spanish Academy and the Mexican Academy of Language give the definition of the word as referring to something “belonging to Mexico City”, in particular referring to people native to the capital.
Hey, that’s not that bad Alex.
Also, don’t forget Gabino the Pull-tab Purse maker on the Malecon. I have links to get him and his beautiful family back on their feet in the shownotes and if you have any questions please email me and I will make sure to answer them for you.
Okay That should do it for this week.
Next week, stay tuned for more on the ground reports from Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with travel tips, great restaurant and excursion ideas and more. Until then, remember, this is an interactive show where I depend on your questions and suggestions
about all things Puerto Vallarta. If you think of something I should be talking about, please reach out to me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending us your message.
And remember, if you are considering booking any type of tour while you are in Puerto Vallarta, you must go to Vallartainfo.com, JR’s website and reserve your tour through him, right from his website. Remember the value for value proposition. His experience and on the ground knowledge of everything Puerto Vallarta in exchange for your making a purchase of a tour that you would do anyway, you’re just doing it through him as a way of saying thank you. It costs no more than if you were to use someone else so do it. Really. And when you do take one of these tours, email me about your experiences. Maybe you
can come on-board and share with others what you liked or didn’t like about the tour. Again, contact me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending off a message. Don’t forget his maps, his DIY tours and his revitalized Happy Hour Board. I have links to all of those in the show notes.
And once again, if you like this podcast, please take the time and subscribe and give me a good review on iTunes if you would. That way we can get the word out to more and more people about the magic of this place. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Remember I made it easy for you to do just that with each episode I create. But if you haven’t been to my website, you really need to have a look there. I have the links to the places we talk about, interesting pictures and the more all right there in my blog-posts and show-notes for each episode of the show so check them out for sure if you haven’t already all-right? All right.
And thank you to Alex from Bar La Playa! What a character. Look out for those Chilangos Amigo! Check out Bar La Playa the next time you go to Vallarta. Sit down, catch a buzz and make a few friends. And catch a glimpse of the beautiful work being done at Tile Park.
Remember Gabino too you guys.
And thanks to all of you for listening all the way through this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show. This is Barry Kessler signing off with a wish for you all to slow down, be kind and live the Vallarta lifestyle. Nos Vemos amigos!
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