Suze will eventually respond as she is the PV expert, but in the meantime, look up her posts. They will probably answer many of your questions.

suze where are you.

Wake Up from your

I would suggest Bucerias, which isn't too far from Puerto Vallarta, Map:
http://vallartainfo.com/puerto_vallarta_maps.html
but there are far more fine restaurants in PV proper, especially the south side of town and we don't have any 'resorts' there. OK, I'm prejudiced since that's where I live. My Colonia is, very much, a typical Mexican neighbourhood. Anywhere close to the beach is going to be touristy.

Playa Escondida in Sayulita. Secluded, excellent food, spa on premise. Would go back in a heartbeat!

Here I am!

While I love Puerto Vallarta and have vacationed there many times, I'm only an "expert" at staying downtown. I've never spent much time up north or in smaller villages, a day trip up to El Anclote (beach) at Punta Mita (town) is the only place I've been.

That said I never stay in "resorts" and PV itself has about the most "mexican feel" you are going to find anywhere. It's a vibrant, busy, working Mexican city. It's plenty authentic.

But that doesn't sound like exactly what these folks have in mind.

For their question I'd look at Bucerias as cabron already suggested if you want to be close to PV and on a beach. Or further out the towns of Rincon de Guayabitos, San Pancho, or Sayulita which are an hour north of the city.

I think Sayulita is the most "touristy" of the towns up north because it's known for the surfing.

If you have any more details about what you're looking for, feel free to post again and maybe we can better assist.

IMO these folks need to check out Barra de Natividad & Meleque just north of Manzanillo. Sounds like these smaller fairly peaceful places are ideal.

I was thinking the same thing Stewbear, but didn't know specifically what to recommend. That they might want to look *south* of PV rather than north.

Or La Manzanilla in Tenacatita bay ? A very nice small village not quite as far as Barra.

Not a resort but has evolved through the years: Bucerias!!! Wonderful high, low and medium priced restaurants, Internet cafes, very nice long stretch of beach, activities, safe, local art, folklorico, bakeries. Go online and scroll through the descriptions. I have more eateries in Bucerias than any other than Puerto Vallarta in my dining guide.