This is the cutest little bikini/beach wear shop on Zicatela beach. There are tons of cute shops…read morebut this one is one of our favorites. They also have local jewelry, sunglasses all kinds of local arts & crafts & cool handmade/hand painted stuff. We dig it. My GF Robyn bought some very cool sunglasses & bikini here also. For the ladies, they have some of the most unique bikinis. You can buy the tops & bottoms separate, which is what I prefer. This past trip I was on the hunt for the new halter top style bikini top. I found one as soon as I walked in the door. Love it when that happens. Anyhoo, my hubby likes to shop as much as I do. He is a total clothing whore. So, he went straight to the men's side & came back with a couple shirts & a big smile on his face that read "total score" satisfied customer :) then he disappeared back to the back & I found him eyeing this hand wood carved traditional ceremonial mask hanging on the wall. It was red, had real goat horns, evil eyes & a giant tongue hanging out of it. So, naturally he fell in love with it. The owner came over & we started chatting about the ceremonial masks & he told us all about them, that they were actually mask that were used in the traditional ceremony that they perform in Oaxaca during Easter. The owner is the coolest dude. Then hubby got a called & stepped outside. I ended up wearing my halter top the entire trip. I loved it so much that at the end of my trip I decided to go back for another one. I bought 2 more & decided to get the mask for hubby as a gift. As hubby was returning back to the states, I gave the mask to him & he wouldn't get on the plane with it! He thought it was too evil & was going to make his plane crash! Lol We weren't flying together so I had to carry it back stateside in my backpack for him. So far no tragic events have occurred, neither one of our planes went down & we are both in good health so I don't think the mask is going to kill us. Now he wants me to get him another one. Lol We will return! :))

This is a really cute silver shop where I have purchased many many silver items over the years…read more One of my favorite "one of a kind pieces" my snake bracelet just broke in half. Yuck. I killed the Anaconda. Arrrr! I do have the two pieces. I will be returning soon for repair/replacement? I just wanted to give you all a heads up that I will be needin repair/replacement of my silver snake bracelet. It was moi special Anniversary gift from Sir Hubbers. I got compliments on it every time I wore it. It is one of my favorite silver pieces. I think I wore it to death. OuiOui. Will return soon to update.

This is the only international indoor air conditioned grocery store in Puerto Escondido…read more They have just about anything you could possibly need to cook any full meal. They have a wide variety of everything. It's kinda like a small Walmart. They have a small area with home goods & kitchen supplies. A small section of clothing, towels, beach stuff, all kinds of picnic supplies & a large beer & wine section. The only thing lacking is the produce section. It was difficult to find good fresh greens. The best part is the bakery. They have some of the best baked goods I have had. Hubby & I loved their fresh made pumpernickel baguettes :)' Also, my hubby got a ear infection in both ears while we were on holiday & the pharmacy in the front of the store was the only pharmacy in Puerto Escondido that had all 5 prescriptions he needed. There is also a little cafe inside where you can get some food & the restrooms are also very clean. Will return.

Our group of 10 was staying at the beach side home, Casa Serena (an amazing place, but I will…read morereview that separately). We were given a menu of adventures to choose from: horseback riding to a natural spring, deep sea fishing tours, city walking tours, and a pretty famous cooking class. I signed up for several things, and the cooking class was one of the highlights of my trip. First let me say, Rosa Maria is amazing. Being in her large kitchen was like going back in time. It was like cooking with your very wise and loving grandmother. Her staff of 3 ladies were also great. This cooking class was a VERY "hands on" affair. There was lots of chopping, measuring, basting, etc... This was not like watching a TV show. This was like BEING IN the TV show. The dish we prepared was a traditional was to prepare fish in a folded banana leaf. The kitchen was warm which is to be expected in Mexico, but what came out of that kitchen was totally worth it! For a TRUE authentic Oaxacan experience, consider adding a morning with RosaMaria to your trip. When you fly home, you will have made some memories that will last a lifetime. (And you will have several recipes that you can recreate for your friends.)

Rosa Ma Said runs the best cooking classes in Puerto! I've been myself twice, and I send all of my…read morefriends who are interested in learning about traditional Oaxacan cuisine to her. She speaks a gentile English, more than enough to keep mono-English speakers happy and fully-involved in the class. The class is held in her classroom kitchen from 11 - 1, (centrally located behind the Cruz Azul concrete building on the carretera, next to the Batallion) after which you are excused to take a siesta, and to return that evening for a full dinner, with white sangria, served on her balcony looking out into her garden. (Bring your own additional alcoholic beverages, if you wish). The food is delicious, carefully prepared with regards to sanitation (important for soft American/Canadian stomachs) and arranged beautifully on the plate. Menus can be set to your taste and include green, red and brown mole, costeno arroz, the evocative-named avocado crown, nicuatole, chiles en nogada. Imagine cooking with acitrón! Imagine finding out that acitrón is crystallized biznaga cactus and comes in bars and is sold in Mexican candy stores! The price is extremely reasonable, especially since every paying apprentice cook invites a non-paying friend to join the class at dinner. I love her classes, and every single one of my friends who has been has raved about the experience. Gina, the Information Goddess, can help with reservations at ginainpuerto@yahoo.com or (954) 582-0276. Enjoy!

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Ohmygosh this place has the most amazing…read moresuper gorgeous artful one of a kind Jewelry. I only buy from them when I am in Mexico. They have the most amazing stuff. Hubby splurged on me for our Anniversary & bought me several pieces. I want to pick up a couple new pieces so I need to stop by. Also, the shark tooth bracelet I purchased here I have worn it so much that the clasp is loose & I need to bring it in for an adjustment or replacement. So heads up, I will see y'all again this November! yay! Can't wait. Highest Recommendations.

Amazing jeweler, amazing .999 pure silver jewelry! All handmade in the shop. Alan has been…read moresilversmithing for 25 years and his work shows it. He also rents boards and gives surf lessons. Can custom make jewelry and offers classes. 10/10 business

I love markets like this. There was a variety of clothing, a few food stalls, and plenty of…read moresouvenirs. My hubby bought some sandals, and we also got chocolate and and mole to bring back home. There was a particular food stall that we stopped by at for lunch. We each ordered our own fried fish, a gringa, and some thing else I don't remember the name of. The fish was very tasty and crunchy! It came with a small side salad and some white rice. The only problem was that we had to keep shooing the files away.

This is THE outdoor shopping Mecca in Puerto Escondido…read more If you want to spend the day walking about the market haggling for everything & anything this is the place! The best way is to spend the whole day. When you get done shopping, stop in the open food court to have some of the best local foods like chicken & rice or tacos. YOLO, hang with the locals on a communal table and/or just people watch. You will be surprised how much you will laugh & what you can learn ;) Then, mozy on over to the bakery isle & have the best tres leches cake, aka, pan tres leches you have ever had in your life. Highly highly recommend.