Is the Mercado Huanacaxtle Sunday Market the Best in the Bahia? Landon Hollander - InsideLaCruz
go to original April 1, 2013

Consider this: In two and a half short years, the La Cruz Market has become THE destination market for exhibitors (currently over 170) and visitors alike. Boasting the best representation of goods and producers and the hands-down best venue (the palm-lined Mercado del Mar with the gorgeous Marina Riviera Nayarit and the entire Bahia de Banderas as a backdrop) this Sunday Market is must for every visitor to the region.

Since late November of 2010, the Mercado Huanacaxtle Sunday Market (originally called the Cooperativa Huanacaxtle) has grown and flourished in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

Originally in the main Plaza, the Market rapidly outgrew that location and moved to its current home at the Mercado del Mar of the Marina Riviera Nayarit half way through its first year. At this point, the highly successful market draws vendors and visitors from throughout Nayarit and Jalisco, some making special trips from Tepic, San Sebastian, Ajijic and Guadalajara!

The move to the Mercado del Mar at the Marina not only allowed the Market to expand but also to have better control over the presence of non-member "resellers" (merchants who buy from wholesalers and sell to the public rather than produce the goods themselves). Cooperativa vendors are held to strict guidelines; original production of goods being the guiding principal. With a serious nod to environmentally sound, organic and sustainable goods, and promoting local culture, the Market directors have had their hands full with a waiting list of providers eager to gain entry to the now-limited Mercado space. Many vendors are only able to "fit in" once a month because of this high demand.

The proliferation of artisan food; sauces/salsas, dips, organic fruits and vegetables, farm eggs, peanut butter, freshly made dressings, gourmet and country breads, jams, local and national coffee (ground or beans from Chiapas, Veracruz, Jalisco & Nayarit) and food stalls featuring paella, sausages and hams, empenadas, tamales, smoked marlin, wood fired pizza, Spanish Tortillas, quiches, croissants, waffles, freshly squeezed juices and licuados is the highlight for many happy and hungry visitors, but this is just the start.

New and returning visitors have an abundant selection of Artisan paintings, postcards, flowers, leather goods and fashions, rugs, pottery, watercolors, sculptures, Huichol handicrafts, several new fashion dress designers, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, feather pendants and all manner of jewelry, wooden bowls & handicrafts, original designer leather bags, embroidered and silk-screened T shirts, huaraches, Talavera pottery, local organic honey, organic Greek style yogurt, pet food and pet supplies, cigars, coconut oils and products, soaps and shampoos to keep the variety and excitement peaked.

If the proliferation of delicious food, remarkable merchandise and venue doesn't enchant you, then maybe the music will. Every Sunday features a handful of varied musicians, bands and performers entertaining throughout the grounds. What a nice way to "take a load off."

If you haven't had a chance to visit this amazing Market, you've missed one of the highlights of our fair pueblo and the entire Riviera Nayarit/Puerto Vallarta region. Is the Mercado Huanacaxtle Sunday Market the best in the Bahia? We think so in a big way.

Unfortunately, the Mercado Huanacaxtle Sunday Market closes during the low season (at an as yet undetermined date after Semanas Santa and Pascua) but will return late Fall.