Hi, it’s Jill here.  Tisha and I had a great time in Puerto Vallarta a while ago, the most gay-friendly of all the ports we visited. The thing we remember the most is shopping, and lot’s of it!  I also remember the Pelicans and watching them gliding across the sky in formation as the sun was setting. Absolutely stunning!

We suggest bringing a lot of $1 and $5 bills to use for the beach vendors in bargaining. In Mexico, bargaining is expected, especially on the streets and on the beach. Expect to pay ½ or less of their asking price. Most of the shops are set pricing, but sometimes you can ask for any “special price” especially if buying large quantities of things. Silver is the most plentiful in Mexico, but you need to know how to tell the real from the fake.

Insider tips How do you tell real sterling from fake? In Mexico, all sterling, by law, must be stamped 0.925, which is the legal percent of silver required. It also must carry the word "Mexico," along with the tax identification number of the company and the initials of the city of origin (for example, Tc for Taxco). Even the tiniest charm must carry all four of these verifying marks, and they do in the shops of reputable dealers and designers.

Approximately 95% of the "silver" on the street, in mercado stalls, beach and sidewalk shops are fake, even though the sellers swear it's real, bite it, hold lighters under it and even show you a 0.925 stamp on larger pieces. Only real silver will carry all four identifying marks, but vendors figure that even savvy tourists aren't that savvy. . . .and sometimes we are not!

So, unless you are in an upscale shop that deals exclusively in silver and better jewelry, assume everything else is fake, which is fine. Pay accordingly (which means a few dollars), and plan to throw the fake piece away when the thin coating of silver wears off! Great trinkets, bracelets for nieces . . .

Our next Voice takes you to Mazatlan.