Mercado Spanish and Google Translate
One of the joys of living in Puerto Vallarta is spending a morning wandering through a traditional Mercado. It’s more than just shopping—it’s about connection, discovery, and embracing the local rhythm of life.
My Favorite Mercado: Cinco de Diciembre
My favorite spot is the market in Cinco de Diciembre. The produce stalls are packed with colorful fruits and vegetables, and the seafood at Pescadería Playera is top-notch. But even with regular visits, I’ve learned that shopping here comes with a learning curve—especially when it comes to the Spanish you thought you knew.
Like many of us, I started off relying on Google Translate. That works okay in a pinch, but the Spanish spoken here in Mexico—especially at the mercados—has its own flavor. Let’s just say I’ve had a few humbling moments.
One of my first was when I asked the fishmonger for cangrejo (crab) to make gumbo. She understood me, but handed it over while calling it jaiba. That was my introduction to Mexican market Spanish. I now know jaiba is the local term—and since my husband has a serious shellfish allergy, I quickly made sure to also learn the word for scallops: not vieiras like they say in Spain, but callo de hacha.
A Lesson in Chiles (and Spelling)
Later, while gathering ingredients for a many-chile salsa, I learned from the chefs at Oculto that needed guajillo, ancho, and chile de árbol. I spotted the guajillo—though it was spelled huajillo here—but couldn’t find the others. When I asked a friendly vendor, she kindly explained:
- Ancho chiles are often called chile de teñir
- Chiles de árbol go by cola de rata
Another lesson was noted: another kind moment with a local. These exchanges are part of what makes life here so rich. We didn’t move to Puerto Vallarta to stay comfortable—we came to grow, connect, and learn directly from our neighbors.
Quick Reference: Local Market Spanish
Here’s a cheat sheet of the terms that might trip you up at the mercado:
| Standard Spanish | Local Term in Puerto Vallarta | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cangrejo | Jaiba | Crab |
| Vieiras | Callo de hacha | Scallops |
| Guajillo | Huajillo | Dried guajillo chile |
| Ancho | Chile de teñir | Dried poblano chile |
| Chile de árbol | Cola de rata | Small, hot red chile |
