hoperuk

First timer to pv. am going around thanksgiving. Is this a good time to go. Was woNDERING IF ANYONE HAS STAYED AT THE Westin. Is there any hotel that does not hound you in timesharing? Looked at trip advisor and this seemed to be a common complaint.Any suggestions on good restaurants? What is a good horseback riding trip to take? What are some other not to miss activities in pv. Thanks for your advice

butsey

My best restaurants are LaPalapa which is right on the beach it's beautiful!then there is El Panorama which is high in the mountains beautiful view must get there before sunset First class restaurant Fine dining. Then if you feel like taking a 30 minute cab ride you must try LeKliff it is the most beautiful view I have ever seen in my life also get there before sunset. If you like Italian try Portabello at the Marina very good Italian not fien dining but very very nice we go at least twice during our stay. If you want a good steak house try the one at the Marina I can't remember it's nane but they show you the cuts of meat and you can pick them out and they grill them for you just right. If you want super casual one night there is El Torito for spare ribs and barbecue chicken can't beat it and they have tv's with sports from all over. Have a great time!!!!

jreed

Ive stayed at the Westin and was never bothered by the timeshare sharks.Altho its a nice resort I think you would like it better if you stayed in a hotel/resort farther south(closer to town).It was just too Americanized and touristy at The Westin.The hotel Zone is at at least alittle closer to town,shops,restaurants.Sheraton is nice,Fiesta Americana is nice too.Then of course there are smaller boutique like resorts too.I like LaPalapa Restaurant too,one of the few restaurants that take credit cards.Las Carmalitas is a really neat restaurant w/beautiful view.Getting there is half the experience.High on a mountain on a dirt road but taxis take you there.

hoperuk

thaNK you so much foR your suggestions. I will check out those restaurants and let you know what i think. What is the most resonable way to get from the airport to the Westin. I ngot a great rate so I think I will book there.

hoperuk

I just reread this message. Sorry for all the typos.

brink

I was in PV in June-- we stumbled on a great restaurant called the Blue Shrimp. The manager/hostess/owner(?)was fantastic, offering us coconut shrimp as we waited for our table and later 2 for 1 cocktails at her bar, the Blue Martini upstairs.

Also try Fajita Republic and Memo's House of Pancakes for breakfast-- it was great (I went with a party of 6 and despite the fact they didn't have A/C, we loved it!)

As for other recommendations, I think the Traditional Fiesta at one of the big hotels is always fun... and reasonable considering it includes dinner, entertainment and drinks.

Also, we took a diving boat out and went snorkeling at Las Arcos.. no big deal. The highlight, however, was when the boat dumped us at Mismaloya beach for the afternoon-- no beach to speak of, but the grandest margaritas around! If you're facing the beach, hit the second to last place on the right... soooo inexpensive and so delicious!

Have fun!

suze

From the airport simply take a taxi, they are price regulated and you buy a ticket (in peso or USD) from a window just before you exit the doors directly in front of you as you come thru customs. (The truly most reasonably priced way would be to exit the airport and go by local bus, but I don't think that's what you probably mean.)

For fancier restaurans: Cafe des Artistes, Daiquiri Dicks, La Palapa, The River Cafe, and Trio are all often recommended.

The Red Cabbage for something out of the way, and I second the recommendation for Memo's Casa de Hotcakes on Basilo Badillo and El Torrito sports bar on Vallarta just south of the bridge.

Not to miss activities, shopping in El Centro, strolling along The Malecon in the evening, visit the cathedral, and go 'south of the river' into Zona Romantica for lots of restaurants, shops and galleries.

hoperuk

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK.

lvitaly

As far as activities goes, Vallarta Adventures offers an array of choices. I have done the Las Caletas tour several times. I will put in a plug for Sheraton Bugavilias as far as a resort goes. Good location and nice resort. As Butsey has reccommended, La Palapa is a must!! She reccommended this to me and is was all of that plus some. Would not miss out on that one.The owners of La Palapa have a new restaurant ( Butsy you need to try)called Vista Grill.It has a spectacular view set high up above the town. I would go during sunset. Food was excellent and great ambiance.We were steered in the direction for Portabella as well and could not have been happier.Good luck.

garyrbeck

Thank you everyone for your words on restaurants as I am busy updating my free email guide before I jaunt back down for another three weeks of bliss in Oct/Nov in OldTown. Poor me...I vote for La Palapa, River Cafe, Red Cabbage, El Torito, Cafe de Olla, Las Carmelitas, Cafe Bohemio, Asadero, Brasil, Roberto's and more.

Some folks may enjoy the canopy tour above the jungles or a horseback tour from Plaza Lazaro Cardenas, a trip north to Bucerias and Punta de Mita or south to Mismaloya and Boca de T. Boat cruise to Las Animas and/or Yelapa.

Gary
San Francisco, CA.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Puerto...Town_SouthSide