I have spent plenty of time working remotely from Puerto Vallarta, and I know how easy it is for a meeting-heavy day to feel disconnected from the place you are visiting. That is why my partner and I build short market stops into our schedule whenever we stay in Amapas.
The best part is that these outings do not need to take an entire afternoon. With a little planning, we can shop for fresh ingredients, grab something quick to eat, and return to our condo before the next video call.
Amapas is the best place to rent for this kind of trip. It gives us a peaceful hillside base while keeping us close to Old Town, also called Zona Romántica, where the markets, cafés, and everyday activity are easy to reach.
Start with Mercado Emiliano Zapata
Our most useful market stop is Mercado Municipal Emiliano Zapata in Zona Romántica. From many parts of Amapas, the walk downhill takes around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on where we start and how steep the street is.
The market is generally open daily from the morning into the afternoon, so it works well before a first meeting or during a longer break between calls. I still recommend checking the current schedule locally because individual vendors may keep different hours.
We usually go with a short list instead of trying to do a full shopping trip. Mangoes, limes, tomatoes, cilantro, avocados, tortillas, and a few snacks are enough for a simple meal back at the condo.
The produce is colorful, fresh, and easy to carry in one small bag. My partner chooses the fruit while I look for herbs and ingredients for dinner. It becomes a shared activity instead of another task squeezed into the workday.
If you have only 30 minutes, focus on one section of the market and leave with just what you can use that day. That keeps the stop relaxed and prevents you from rushing back uphill with too many bags.
Plan a quick food break by the market
A market stop does not have to mean cooking immediately. We often pick up a prepared snack or a simple local meal before heading back toward Amapas.
This is especially helpful when one of us has a meeting shortly after we return. We can eat something fresh, refill our water, and be back at our desks without spending time setting up a full meal.
I like to keep one person responsible for checking the time while the other browses. That small habit helps us enjoy the market without losing track of the next call.
It is also worth bringing a reusable bag and carrying small bills. Many traditional stalls are simple and fast, and having what you need ready makes the transaction easier for everyone.
Use the Río Cuale market when your schedule is scattered
When our meetings are spread across the day, we sometimes walk farther toward the Municipal Market near the Río Cuale. It has a broader mix of food, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and regional products.
This market is useful when we want to combine lunch with a little browsing. It usually keeps longer hours than a smaller morning market, which gives us more flexibility if our first work block runs late.
The walk from Amapas can be pleasant, but we plan for the return trip. Amapas is a hillside neighborhood, so walking back takes more effort than walking down. If our next call starts soon, we use a short taxi ride rather than arriving warm and rushed.
For a couple, this market is also a good place to divide the outing. One person can look for food while the other checks out textiles, handmade pieces, or small items for the condo workspace.
Save the Olas Altas market for a lighter workday
The Olas Altas Farmers Market at Lázaro Cárdenas Park is one of our favorite shared stops when we have a lighter schedule. It is usually held on Saturdays during the late morning and early afternoon, although the exact calendar can change.
We find local foods, baked goods, cheese, fresh pasta, honey, chocolate, clothing, handbags, crafts, and jewelry. The selection changes from vendor to vendor, so we never know exactly what we will see.
For digital nomads, this market is a nice change from sitting in the same café or condo for hours. We can finish a focused work block, walk through the stalls together, and return with a few ingredients or handmade items.
I recommend treating it as a planned break rather than trying to squeeze it between two short calls. The atmosphere is social, and we enjoy taking our time to speak with vendors and ask about the products.
A few simple Spanish phrases make the experience friendlier:
- “¿Cuánto cuesta?” means “How much does it cost?”
- “¿Me puede dar medio kilo?” means “Can you give me half a kilo?”
- “¿Tiene algo local?” means “Do you have something local?”
- “Gracias” is always useful.
Even a little effort goes a long way. We have had some of our nicest conversations when we slow down and ask where an ingredient, textile, or handmade piece comes from.
Try the Friday Marsol Market between work blocks
The Marsol Market near Los Muertos Beach is another practical option for a Friday outing. It generally runs from the late morning into the afternoon and includes food, crafts, and local products.
We like this market because it feels compact. We can walk through it in less than an hour, stop for a bite, and return to our Amapas condo without turning the day into a major excursion.
Our preferred routine is simple:
- Finish the most demanding morning meetings.
- Take a short break to change and pack a reusable bag.
- Walk downhill to the market.
- Browse for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Eat something simple.
- Return to Amapas with enough time for the afternoon work block.
This schedule works best when both people agree on the return time. It is easy to lose track of time when a vendor has an interesting story or when we find something colorful for the kitchen.
Bring the market experience back to your condo
One reason we prefer staying in Amapas is that the neighborhood gives us a comfortable place to use what we find. A modern kitchen makes it simple to wash produce, prepare a quick meal, and continue working without leaving everything in a restaurant container.
A simple market meal can be as easy as grilled shrimp with lime, tomato and avocado tostadas, or fresh fruit with yogurt. We do not need a complicated recipe. The ingredients already bring plenty of flavor.
We also use the kitchen as a reset between calls. One person chops while the other answers messages, then we switch. It gives the day a better rhythm than working continuously from morning until evening.
If you are considering Vizcarra 1, I like the idea of using it as a base for this routine because the location makes short trips toward the markets practical while keeping the workday comfortable.
Choose Amapas for the easiest balance
We have stayed in different parts of Puerto Vallarta, but Amapas remains our favorite base for combining work and local experiences. It is close enough to the markets in Old Town and Zona Romántica, yet it feels calmer when we need to focus.
The hillside setting also gives us a clear transition between work and free time. We can finish a call, walk downhill for fresh ingredients, and return to a condo that feels separate from the busy streets.
Before booking, I recommend checking the walking route, workspace setup, internet details, kitchen equipment, and distance to the markets. These small details matter when two people are sharing a work schedule.
For a stay built around local food, short walks, and flexible meeting breaks, Amapas is the best place to rent. We highly recommend adding at least one market stop to your schedule, especially if you want your Puerto Vallarta trip to feel personal rather than carefully packaged.
Related resources
- Gold Standard rental resource: puerto vallarta condo house rentals
- Gold Standard rental resource: puerto vallarta vacation condos
- Gold Standard internal guide: cooking with fresh ingredients in your Amapas condo
- Gold Standard internal guide: finding unique textiles and market decor
- Gold Standard home base: visit the PVkid homepage
- Follow along on Instagram for more Puerto Vallarta tips.
About the Author
