Just back from Puerto Vallarta
May 26th, 2011, 05:48 PM
#3
suze I am assuming this is your first trip there.? 
May 27th, 2011, 05:35 AM
#6
I know you're kdding me Percy, but it was actually my 20th trip to Vallarta, so a bit of an anniversary celebration for me with that town. Bobmrg, especially with the Seattle weather this year I can see why you would be envious. I'm not getting much sympathy at the office showing off my tan or complaining how cold it is here! JeanH, keep searching those airfare, because 2-3 weeks in PV would be heavenly. Lots of people I talked with this trip were "down for a month", which is my now new goal (lol).
MichelleY, funny I hadn't thought about it but I guess a do owe a little trip report! Lots of new stuff going on around town (the Malecon being torn up is a biggie), and as always manylots of new restaurants opened, old ones closed, businesses moved location, etc.
I did some 'research' which turned out to be an entertaining vacation project... I took along the 2010 Fodor's PV guidebook and did some fact-checking on their various listings. Things change fast in PV, so found over a dozen things incorrect, either wrong in the first place or now out of date (mostly shops and restaurants closed or moved) that I'm going to submit to the editors. Past trips I always stop in and visit a few hotels to keep up to date so this was an extension of that idea.
MichelleY, funny I hadn't thought about it but I guess a do owe a little trip report! Lots of new stuff going on around town (the Malecon being torn up is a biggie), and as always manylots of new restaurants opened, old ones closed, businesses moved location, etc.
I did some 'research' which turned out to be an entertaining vacation project... I took along the 2010 Fodor's PV guidebook and did some fact-checking on their various listings. Things change fast in PV, so found over a dozen things incorrect, either wrong in the first place or now out of date (mostly shops and restaurants closed or moved) that I'm going to submit to the editors. Past trips I always stop in and visit a few hotels to keep up to date so this was an extension of that idea.
May 27th, 2011, 11:01 AM
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When I couldn't find decent flights to Puerto Vallarta, I booked us for two weeks between Curacao and Bonaire. Should be fun, but, will be more expensive, I'm sure. Maybe next year for Vallarta.....
May 27th, 2011, 11:27 AM
#8
wow sorry but that's hard for me to understand. As a long-time lover of Vallarta there's no way I'd let airfare keep me from a trip I wanted to take. hard to believe there were no decent flights. Especially now since going to the Caribbean instead which will most definitely be way more expensive all things taken into account. Once on the ground PV can be very very cheap, if you need it to be.
May 27th, 2011, 06:21 PM
#9
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I was looking for fly on FF miles. The flights left for our dates were way too many miles. Curacao and Bonaire have been on our radar for years. We could get decent flights for a reasonable number of miles. I've only booked the first few nights, wasn't much more expensive than a condo in PV. Downside is we'll need a car. Maybe next year for PV.....
May 29th, 2011, 11:32 AM
#10
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Hi suze, I rather thought you were on a trip. PV, a very favorite place that my late husband and I tried to get to every other year. His birthday was in February so that always worked out perfect especially due to the weather there compared to our winter weather here in N CA. Why is the Malecon being torn up? I am curious.
May 30th, 2011, 06:25 AM
#11
<Why is the Malecon being torn up?>
THAT is the question of the day. I think it is there are plans for widening it and possibly eliminating vehicle traffic from that street closest to the water. The two articles I saw were in Spanish so I am fuzzy on the details but I saw the renderings of what it is supposed to turn out like, wider more parklike. It did seem to be controversial.
If Cabron stops in to this thread, maybe he can clarify since he lives there and is in the know about this stuff.
THAT is the question of the day. I think it is there are plans for widening it and possibly eliminating vehicle traffic from that street closest to the water. The two articles I saw were in Spanish so I am fuzzy on the details but I saw the renderings of what it is supposed to turn out like, wider more parklike. It did seem to be controversial.
If Cabron stops in to this thread, maybe he can clarify since he lives there and is in the know about this stuff.
May 30th, 2011, 05:16 PM
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Very envious. I love PV. My first trip was in 1978. Last in November, 2009. In 1978 I stayed at the Oceano Hotel - long gone now. In 2009 we stayed at Casa Isabel and loved the view and being able to walk to town. Mind sharing where you stay when you go?
May 31st, 2011, 06:17 AM
#13
Sure, happy to!
My usual hotel of choice is www.hotelposadaderoger.com I've stayed there a dozen plus times. It's a basic local style place with clean rooms a sunny pool, rooftop deck, Fredy's restaurant, friendly staff. Current price (off-season) for a double $49/usd.
I've also stayed three times at this B&B: www.casa-andrea.com. A couple blocks from the beach, it always say it's like staying with your rich relatives in mexico (if only i had some).
Once I stayed at Mission San Francisco homes wwww.vallartamexico.com which were very nice but inland a bit too far from the beach for me personally and no pool.
One time at Suites Emperador, because I got a really cheap, direct beachfront room with a huge patio terrace overlooking the pier, but it is the one place I've stayed that I would not recommend.
We had a 2-bedroom apartment one trip on Olas Altas over Elsa's Lavanderia but it was awful noisey from the street. This was rented thru Posada Roger so we still have use of their pool.
This trip I had a beautiful 1-bedroom apartment (up the top of the hill overlooking the beach at the dead end of Pino Suarez up near the highway) thru www.vallarta-getaways.com. Highly recommended and similarly priced to a budget hotel since it is off season.
My usual hotel of choice is www.hotelposadaderoger.com I've stayed there a dozen plus times. It's a basic local style place with clean rooms a sunny pool, rooftop deck, Fredy's restaurant, friendly staff. Current price (off-season) for a double $49/usd.
I've also stayed three times at this B&B: www.casa-andrea.com. A couple blocks from the beach, it always say it's like staying with your rich relatives in mexico (if only i had some).
Once I stayed at Mission San Francisco homes wwww.vallartamexico.com which were very nice but inland a bit too far from the beach for me personally and no pool.
One time at Suites Emperador, because I got a really cheap, direct beachfront room with a huge patio terrace overlooking the pier, but it is the one place I've stayed that I would not recommend.
We had a 2-bedroom apartment one trip on Olas Altas over Elsa's Lavanderia but it was awful noisey from the street. This was rented thru Posada Roger so we still have use of their pool.
This trip I had a beautiful 1-bedroom apartment (up the top of the hill overlooking the beach at the dead end of Pino Suarez up near the highway) thru www.vallarta-getaways.com. Highly recommended and similarly priced to a budget hotel since it is off season.
May 31st, 2011, 03:35 PM
#14
OK now for a few favorite restaurants:
along Basilo Badillo, 200 block:
Fredy's El Tucan for breakfast, sit on the patio, everything's good
El Mole de Jovita, serving all 3 meals, with mexican homecooked specialties of pozole, mole, and other wonderful things. the flan was fabulous.
Joe Jack's Fish Shack, go for their Friday fish & chips all you can eat special or 2x1 mojitos (the pineapple or ginger are excellent) i think that's noon to 5
Cafe de Olla, open all day, closed Tuesdays, chicken sopes with a big margarita is my favorite. it's too popular/crowded at dinner go for a late lunch is best.
300 block: Johnny's Diner, great breakfasts
Seafood: Polo's (mariscos) on Madero at 376. Closed Tuesday. Fantastic shrimp. great local style family restaurant
Bakeries:
Pie in the Sky Aquiles Serdan 242. Heavenly pies and cakes.
La Ciabatta I. Vallarta 130 (in the new Molino de Aqua complex) both savory and sweet.
Yarita Bakery, B. Badillo 244, traditional Mexican bakery. excellent.
along Basilo Badillo, 200 block:
Fredy's El Tucan for breakfast, sit on the patio, everything's good
El Mole de Jovita, serving all 3 meals, with mexican homecooked specialties of pozole, mole, and other wonderful things. the flan was fabulous.
Joe Jack's Fish Shack, go for their Friday fish & chips all you can eat special or 2x1 mojitos (the pineapple or ginger are excellent) i think that's noon to 5
Cafe de Olla, open all day, closed Tuesdays, chicken sopes with a big margarita is my favorite. it's too popular/crowded at dinner go for a late lunch is best.
300 block: Johnny's Diner, great breakfasts
Seafood: Polo's (mariscos) on Madero at 376. Closed Tuesday. Fantastic shrimp. great local style family restaurant
Bakeries:
Pie in the Sky Aquiles Serdan 242. Heavenly pies and cakes.
La Ciabatta I. Vallarta 130 (in the new Molino de Aqua complex) both savory and sweet.
Yarita Bakery, B. Badillo 244, traditional Mexican bakery. excellent.
Jun 1st, 2011, 06:36 AM
#15
Forgot these two which are both great places, for food and atmosphere both: Cafe Bohemio (on F. Rodriguez) and Coco's Kitchen (on Pulpito) between Olas Altas and the beach.
http://cafebohemio.org/
http://www.cocoskitchen.net/about#!__about
http://cafebohemio.org/
http://www.cocoskitchen.net/about#!__about
Jun 3rd, 2011, 03:34 PM
#16
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suze ... glad you had a great stay!!
We thought of trying Coco's Kitchen, but just did not get around to it, maybe next time. Did not do Cafe Bohemio this stay, like it best when Sol & Chris are there (small correction to your post: it's on Rodolfo Gomez, near the San Marino Hotel, not on Francisca Rodriguez as you stated).
Do you think I should post the notes (here) on our dining? Heh, you're the one here, and if you think others would/might be interested, or not, I would go with your decision.
I'll bet you returned home feeling great after all that sun, warmth, and exercise!!!
Good wishes!!
We thought of trying Coco's Kitchen, but just did not get around to it, maybe next time. Did not do Cafe Bohemio this stay, like it best when Sol & Chris are there (small correction to your post: it's on Rodolfo Gomez, near the San Marino Hotel, not on Francisca Rodriguez as you stated).
Do you think I should post the notes (here) on our dining? Heh, you're the one here, and if you think others would/might be interested, or not, I would go with your decision.
I'll bet you returned home feeling great after all that sun, warmth, and exercise!!!
Good wishes!!
Jun 4th, 2011, 06:55 AM
#17
Thanks for the correction on Bohemio location, I just mixed up the street names, sorry. RODOLFO GOMEZ 127/CORNER OF OLAS ALTAS.
Sure, you're welcomed to add on your dining notes here, that would be great. I have no idea if anyone's interested or not (in your notes or my notes either one -lol!).
I still want to add my exercise info here too. Besides doing the natural staircases, since my apartment was way on the top of the hill on Pino Suarez, I took 7 Zumba fitness classes at 2 different places.
Sure, you're welcomed to add on your dining notes here, that would be great. I have no idea if anyone's interested or not (in your notes or my notes either one -lol!).
I still want to add my exercise info here too. Besides doing the natural staircases, since my apartment was way on the top of the hill on Pino Suarez, I took 7 Zumba fitness classes at 2 different places.
Jun 4th, 2011, 11:11 AM
#18
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Thanks suze ... will consider doing so, but under a separate thread of course (will tag such as a trip report, I guess).
I think others would like to read about your 'exercise info' - you covered a lot of places, helpful for others considering some of the same stuff.
Cheers!
I think others would like to read about your 'exercise info' - you covered a lot of places, helpful for others considering some of the same stuff.
Cheers!
Jun 5th, 2011, 06:46 AM
#19
I do (and love) Zumba Fitness at home so like to find places to take class when I'm on vacation.
In PV I found the best at Yoga Vallarta www.yogavallarta.com My favorite teachers are Efren and Salvador. They offer Zumba classes in the mornings on tues, thur, sat, sun and starting soon in the evenings on mon, wed. They also have a new room with Reformer and Pilates equipment. As well as a full schedule of group classes for yoga, gentle yoga, pilates mat. 8 class card punchcard 800p/$80usd, drop in individuals 100 peso/$10usd.
I also went to the Fit Club, which is a large, spankin new gym in the Molino de Agua condo complex. It is air conditioned, fancy lockerrooms/showers, loads of machines, equipment, free weights. And a schedule of group exercise in a room at the back of the club overlooking the river, like Ritmos Latinos, Salsa Fitness, Muai-Thai, Circuit, etc. Drop-ins 120peso. One week membership 600peso. www.thefitclub.mx
There are also a couple more clubs/studios out in the north hotel zone-ish area - Gold's Gym and Shanti. These also have full weekly class schedules. I didn't make it to those since it's all the way across town from where I was staying, but if your hotel was in that area, would be convenient.
In PV I found the best at Yoga Vallarta www.yogavallarta.com My favorite teachers are Efren and Salvador. They offer Zumba classes in the mornings on tues, thur, sat, sun and starting soon in the evenings on mon, wed. They also have a new room with Reformer and Pilates equipment. As well as a full schedule of group classes for yoga, gentle yoga, pilates mat. 8 class card punchcard 800p/$80usd, drop in individuals 100 peso/$10usd.
I also went to the Fit Club, which is a large, spankin new gym in the Molino de Agua condo complex. It is air conditioned, fancy lockerrooms/showers, loads of machines, equipment, free weights. And a schedule of group exercise in a room at the back of the club overlooking the river, like Ritmos Latinos, Salsa Fitness, Muai-Thai, Circuit, etc. Drop-ins 120peso. One week membership 600peso. www.thefitclub.mx
There are also a couple more clubs/studios out in the north hotel zone-ish area - Gold's Gym and Shanti. These also have full weekly class schedules. I didn't make it to those since it's all the way across town from where I was staying, but if your hotel was in that area, would be convenient.
Aug 5th, 2011, 02:05 PM
#20
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suze - lucky you, all those trips to PV - we're planning our first!!! - thanx for the specific hotels/restaurant listings - now can search easier - is north along the coast quieter & less tourismo-tacky than i've heard PV can be?
