Buying Fresh Shrimp on Mexico's West Coast
The Number One Seafood From Rocky Point to Guaymas to Mazatlan
Aug 31, 2009
Mexico's northern west coast stretches from Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) at the north to Mazatlan, nearly 1,000 miles south. The ocean along this part of Mexico is the Sea of Cortez, south to its convergence with the Pacific ocean. These waters are known for sport fishing and commercial harvesting, and a major source of Yellow Tail, Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Marlin and other prized fish, but shrimp is the number one catch.
Why to Shop for Shrimp in Mexico
Most tourists to Mexico's west coast are well acquainted with the shrimp, but mostly through the many restaurants. Seafood restaurants with names like "The Shrimp Bucket" abound, and shrimp are featured on every coastal menu. Far fewer tourists, on the other hand, actually purchase, cook or take shrimp back home. There are no U.S. restrictions on returning with shrimp, but even tourists with cars rarely bring shrimp home. Shrimp lovers that don't bring Mexican shrimp back are missing a golden opportunity.
Finding fresh or freshly-frozen Mexican shrimp in the U.S. is problematic to begin with, and finding the selection of shrimp typically sold in Mexico is virtually impossible. Prices in Mexico are likely to be lower as well. Shrimp are sold by the kilo (kilogram) and by size in Mexico, and range from small succulent red shrimp to the oxymoron-suggesting "giant" blue shrimp that look like small lobsters. All of these selections are delicious. Shrimp purchased in the afternoon may well have been brought in by boat that morning, and even frozen shrimp in a Guaymas seafood market is not likely to be more than a day or two from the water. Shrimp is a popular staple along the coast, and they spend little time with the vendor.
Where to Shop for Shrimp on Mexico's West Coast
Any Mexican coastal community of any size is likely to have shrimp, regardless of the town's tourist popularity. Popular destinations simply have more choices. Waterfront areas are obvious places to look for shrimp vendors, but shrimp can also be found in major inland market areas. Hotel staff almost always can direct tourists to shrimp markets, as can a taxi driver or any other local resident.
Excellent shrimp, shrimp variety and competitive vendors can be found in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Kino Bay, Guaymas and Mazatlan. Tourists traveling to or near any of these destinations have a great opportunity to buy, prepare and bring home shrimp.
Buying Shrimp in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point)
Rocky Point sits at the upper end of the Sea of Cortez, and is a popular destination for Arizona tourists driving from Phoenix and Tucson, about four hours away. Since almost all Rocky Point tourists have an automobile, taking shrimp back home is easy. One needs only a cooler.
To find the shrimp vendors in Puerto Penasco, take the main highway into town and follow it past the marina to your right. The road makes a sharp left turn paralleling the waterfront, and passes through the primary tourist shopping section. There are several seafood vendors along the right (waterfront) side of the street, and parking is available on this street, as well as along neighboring streets.
Shrimp are sold out of large coolers here, typically graded by size. Although prices are competitively stable, it never hurts to check more than one vendor. When checking prices, insure that you are looking at the same color and size of shrimp. Recently, large shrimp were running about 20 pesos per kilo. At 2.2 pounds per kilo and 13 pesos per dollar, this would equate to about 70 cents per pound. Some vendors will shell the shrimp for free, and all of them will pack their shrimp in ice. Take advantage of the free ice, but wash the shrimp thoroughly in purified water later.
Shrimp Vendors in Kino Bay and Guaymas
Kino Bay (Bahia de Kino) is a quaint village between Hermosillo and San Carlos/Guaymas. A stretch of beautiful sandy beach defines the primary tourist area, and the heart of the village abuts this to the south. Pickup truck seafood vendors can be found along the waterfront in the older section of town, selling shrimp out of iced coolers. The selection of shrimp is more limited here than in larger towns, but they are just as tasty.
San Carlos is another popular destination for Arizona tourists, lying just six hours south of Tucson by car. There are few good places to buy shrimp in San Carlos, but the major commercial fishing harbor of Guaymas is only 12 miles further south. Seafood markets along the primary harbor drive are good places to buy shrimp, and frozen shrimp are recently harvested and excellent.
The Shrimp Ladies of Old Town Mazatlan
The best place to buy fresh shrimp in Mazatlan is in the old town. Follow the boardwalk through town and turn left at the waterfront monument. From there, anyone can direct you the short distance to the shrimp ladies. One end of a busy city block is devoted to the shrimp ladies, with their large umbrellas and iced tubs of shrimp of every size and color. One can drive to this area, or take a bus from the Golden Zone and other tourist areas north of the downtown. Carry a cooler or simply take your iced purchase back to your condo in a plastic bag.
The Treat of Preparing Your Own Shrimp Dishes
Mexican restaurants serve plentiful and delicious shrimp dishes, but nothing seems quite as mouth-watering as the dish you prepare yourself. Buying fresh shrimp is easy along Mexico's west coast, and these can be prepared in your own kitchen or cooked for you at many local restaurants. Shrimp are legal to take back to the U.S., as well, providing the opportunity to share these dishes with friends and family.
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