Grocery Shopping in Mexico while at Vidanta – Nuevo Vallarta or Riviera Maya
So, you’ve made it to Vidanta in Nuevo Vallarta or in Riviera Maya and settled into your suite, and now you’re thinking—where do I get some groceries? Whether you need a few basics or want to stock up for your stay, you have a few options, each with its own pros and cons. The basic options are the same in both resort locations. Let’s break it down.
The Easy (but Pricey) Option: La Plaza at Vidanta
Vidanta knows that sometimes you just need a quick carton of milk, a bottle of wine, or some snacks for the room. That’s where La Plaza comes in. Located right on the resort, it’s a beautifully designed gourmet market with a bakery, deli, and a selection of groceries. The downside? Prices are significantly higher than what you’d pay outside the resort. Think airport pricing but with better ambiance. If convenience is your priority, it’s a solid choice for your grocery shopping in Mexico.
But if you’re planning to do a full grocery run, you might want to venture off-property. In either location it’s going to take 10 to 15 minute taxi ride.
The Local Favorite: Mega
Want to shop where the locals do? Mega Soriana (often just called Mega) is a great option. It’s a big supermarket with just about everything you need—fresh produce, meats, dairy, and even a bakery with delicious bolillos (Mexican bread rolls) that cost next tonothing. Prices are reasonable, and the selection is solid. If you want an authentic Mexican grocery experience without overpaying, Mega is your spot.
The Familiar Option: Walmart
If you like your groceries with a side of familiarity, Walmart is a good bet. It carries many of the brands you’d recognize from the U.S. and Canada, plus a solid selection of local products. You’ll find decent prices, a good variety of fresh and packaged goods, and—yes—even peanut butter and maple syrup for those who just can’t vacation without them. It’s a great middle-ground choice for those looking for comfort and affordability.
The High-Quality Choice: La Comer
For the best quality, head to La Comer. It’s a bit more upscale, with better produce, a fantastic meat and seafood section, and an overall more refined shopping experience. Prices are a little higher than at Mega, but if you’re planning a special meal or just want the freshest ingredients, it’s worth the splurge. Their bakery and imported goods section are also top-notch.
Special Grocery Issues for North Americans in Latin America
Fruits and Vegetables
For mainstream grocery stores like Mega, Walmart, and La Comer in tourist areas like Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen, it's generally not necessary to treat vegetables with antibacterial solutions, especially for pre-washed or packaged produce. However, for fresh, unpackaged fruits and vegetables, some people still choose to disinfect them as a precaution. Here’s why:
Factors to Consider
✔ Water Quality: While these stores typically wash produce, they may use tap water, which isn't always potable in Mexico. Some tourists prefer extra cleaning to remove potential contaminants.
✔ Handling & Transport: Fresh produce may have been handled multiple times, increasing the risk of bacteria or pesticides.
✔ Local Recommendations: Many locals still disinfect vegetables, especially leafy greens, strawberries, and tomatoes, due to potential parasites or pesticide residues.
Best Practices for Disinfecting Produce
If you want to be extra cautious, you can:
✅ Use a few drops of microdyn, BacDyn, or colloidal silver solutions (sold in grocery stores) in water for a 10-minute soak. Pronounce it Mee-crow-deen or they won’t know what you are saying.
✅ Wash thoroughly with bottled or purified water, but there are no worries about tap water on the Vidanta resorts.
✅ Peel fruits like mangoes or cucumbers to reduce exposure.
Bottom Line for Fruits and Vegetables.
For thicker-skinned fruits and vegetables (like avocados, bananas, or bell peppers), a rinse with clean water is usually fine. But for leafy greens, berries, and anything eaten raw, using a disinfectant is still a common practice, even among locals. The risk is fairly low, but It depends on your comfort level!
Liquor
If you want to save some money by making your own cocktails or magaritas, You can get most any liquor at the La Plaza on resort. However, if you are going off resort for groceries, liquor will be significantly cheaper at a grocery store. There are La Playa liquor stores in Puerto Vallarta that will have even better prices. There are no cheap liquor stores in Playa del Carmen that we know of. Please leave a comment if you find one.
Funny Story: If you find empty boxes with no liquor bottle, those are high end liquors that you have to take to the register , pay for it, and then get it from the liquor supply room at the front. We got a box for a nice bottle of Mezcal for around $50. When we got to the register, they were out of that bottle and offered instead a bottle of the same Montelobos brand.
We recognized the pechuga on the label as a common ingredient in good mezcal and said “Fine”. Only after we left the store did we discover that we had paid $120 for the alternative choice! Oops!!! Makes for a funny story and a REALLY GOOD bottle of mezcal. See our blog post about tequila and mezcal for more detailed information
Coffee
I am a bit of a coffee snob and prefer dark roast. Our go to brand in Mexico is Garat. Whatever you do make sure it says 100%
Arabica. Check your coffee maker before you shop to see if the built in filter is designed to be used without a paper filter. If not, buy some coffee filters.
Half and Half
It can be a bit of a scavenger hunt if you like half and half. It is not always available. It may not be in the same place as milk and other coffee creamers. Most employees have not heard of it , even if they have it. If you don’t find it, you can get it at the La Plaza store on resort.
Limes
If you want to make quality margaritas you need to use the juice from fresh limes. We will create an entire post on the art of lime squeezing and the proper equipment soon. Sign up for our newsletter down it the footer of this page if you don't want to miss it. There are essentially no lemons in Mexico. So Limon means lime. Lima is what the small cooking limes are called for Yucatan dishes. These are more common in Riviera Maya, so don't get the wrong item.
U.S. Commercial Products
It is a bit of a crap shoot whether you will find your favorite brand product. Walmart might be your best hope for grocery shopping in Mexico for American products. Or you could expand your horizons and try local brands for a better price. The quality is often very good. In any case, Happy hunting.
Final Thoughts
If you just need a couple of things, or if cost is not a concern then La Plaza is great. But if you’re looking to do a full grocery run without spending too much, head to Mega for value, Walmart for familiarity, or La Comer for the best quality. With plenty of transportation options, stocking up on groceries while staying at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta is easy—just choose what works best for your grocery shopping in Mexico and enjoy your stay!
