cesta

Hi everyone-
I was in Maz for Christmas, loved it as I previously posted but am now headed to PV. You guys, (esp. suze) got me verrrry interested in PV. So after much ado, I ended up with Villa Premier near town (great deal with air on expedia) and am almost ready. I consider myself fairly well acquainted with Mexico in general so I will skip the H2O questions,etc. What I need is that special hole in the wall restaurant favorite of yours and any other special shops, sites, experiences that I am not to miss. Gracias ahead of time and let the suggestions roll. Oh, I have asked for the guide from pamela and I have done some research but you guys are way smarter!!
C

suze

My favorite neighborhood is down on the "southside". Head into downtown (El Centro) the continue across the southbound bridge (Vallarta is street name).

There are great restaurants and shops on Basilo Badillo which intersects Vallarta about 4 blocks after the bridge. Wonderful street to poke around. Lucy's for arts and crafts souveniers. Fredy's El Tucan at Posada de Roger hotel for breakfast (sit on the patio). Cafe de Olla for lunch, or fresh juice from the lady's stand just near the front door there.

Olas Altas is the street that runs behind Playa Los Muertos which is the main local public beach. Great people watching. Pull up a chair under a palapa (free most places with purchase of food or drinks) on the sand. Word of warning this is a BUSY beach, with people, vendors, sports (parasailing, banana boats, inner tubes), hair braiding, trinkets, blankets, jewelry for sale. It is popular with Mexican families and tourists alike.

You can catch a water taxi from the pier here if you want to go down to Yelapa for the day.

For other special shops go to Juarez and Morales, streets parallel to the Malecon but in two blocks. Some nice crafts galleries here along with every day normal things (tiende de plastico, Woolworths, Lans department store, hardware store, etc.).

One evening go to The Red Cabbage for dinner. It is in Remance and can be reached by local bus or taxi (or walking if you're already down on the southside). Excellent and very special place.

Hasta...

suze

Strolling along the Malecon (seawall promonade) in the evenings, especially weekends is fun and festive. Sometimes you'll find free dance or music shows on the stage under the arches at the south end. Have an ice cream cone or corn in a cup!

I always stop into the Cathedral (with the crown on the top) at the main zocolo a few times each trip. It is a peaceful place to sit and watch local life.

I have visited the cemetary, which is inland directly from the Buenaventura hotel. Again interesting look at private local life.

For beaches with less comotion on them, you can go south to Boca or north to Destiladeras or El Anclote on local busses for very inexpensive fare.

cesta

hey suze thanks so much, just the info I was after. One more question, do you happen to know how far it is from the airport to our hotel, the Villa Premier? What kind of taxi cost?
I just got done reading Pam's guide, very good info too. I am getting way excited!!!

suze

I'm sorry I don't know the location of your hotel. Do you know the general area it is in (i.e. The Marina, Hotel Zone, etc.)?

In general... Taxis leaving the airport are regulated (white in color), and prices are set by zone. You buy your ticket from a booth inside the airport, then exit to the taxi line up and will be pointed to a car, give that ticket to the driver.

I paid $17USD last trip but was going all the way to the south side. And am guessing your resort must be closer to the airport than that.

Return trip (in a regular town cab which are yellow in color) will be about half the price.

suze

A favorite restaurant for breakfast or lunch in downtown is Papaya 3. If you see the corner where's the Hard Rock Cafe along the main street, walk inland 1-1/2 blocks and it's on the left. Abasolo St 169

It is near to all the downtown shopping, so is a nice calm and cool place to stop in (this is an especially valuable tip if you need to find a bathroom up in that part of town!). They have very fresh food... fresh fruit juice and smoothies, egg scrambles, "big sandwiches".

suze

Cafe El Repollo Rojo
The Red Cabbage Cafe
Tel 22-304-11
Calle Rivera del Rio 204A

Best sunset view, go to:
Cuatro Vientos Hotel
Chez Elena Restaurant
Rooftop bar called El Nido (The Nest)
Matamoros 520
(located behind the main church)
There's a large brick rooftop patio here with a postcard-perfect view back over town and the Bay. If you are at the cathedral you can walk UP the hill. Or from further away take a taxi, drivers know it because of the restaurant downstairs (which I'm not crazy about, but the bar is GREAT).

cesta

suze-again, good suggestions, many thanks...the hotel is next to the downtown area, near the Sheraton with an address of Calle San Salvador(?) It is supposedly within walking distance of the malecon. I saw the map on orbitz and it looks like the south hotel zone to me. Hope it is a good location, it is one reason I chose it. I actually tried for Dulce Vida (I like little local spots) but it was booked up for the time we could go.

suze

I'm not real familiar with that part of town, but am guessing the walk to the Malecon is a little longer than they are making it sound. But do-able & certainly convenient.

My orientation is always from the south part of town, so have only passed thru the Hotel Zone on my way to and from the airport.

Also I noticed on the hotel's website they say local bus is a good way to get around (that part is true) for less than $5USD. Actually the bus only costs 4 (or maybe 4.5) peso, so more like less than 50 cents would be correct!

cesta

I looked up the street on a city map and the Villa Premier is 8 blocks from the malecon. We enjoy long walks but I think to go to the south side over the bridge and then more walking could require a taxi. That's okay too. One more question, does anyone have more info on the canopy tours? What are they exactly and are they worth it? Thanks again.

suze

Will be a bit of a hike (to the southside) but reasonably convenient to El Centro. Say, you want to go have dinner down on Playa Los Muertos (beach) you might catch a taxi down (guessing ~40 peso?), and then meander your way back home on foot by way of The Malecon, would make a great evening.

Hopefully someone can chime in re canopy tours. I've never done any formal activities in PV myself.