clifbob

We are visiting the dreams resort in a few days in puerto Vallarta. I would love feedback and help? Anyone been there? Thanks.

doug_stallings

I stayed at the resort several years ago before it was a Dreams resort. I loved the location, which was separate from but close to town. I also liked the beach, but the surf was pretty rough, and the water was not very clear. But the beach is pretty private and free from pesky vendors. I can't speak to the hotel itself anymore, but it's a nice location.

qwovadis

Cabo is a better Dreams Property for me but it is nice

PV water beach not as nice as others for me still nice vibe

mexico.bookit.com for recent reviews

travel.state.gov Mexico for current safety issues there

insuremytrip.com wise

Good luck!

qwovadis

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S ... One of Mexico's most powerful TCOs is based in the state of Sinaloa. ... Puerto Vallarta: ...

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5440.html

PV is not in the warning tourist enclaves are fine currently.

cabron

Nothing in that Travel Warning about Puerto Vallarta, what's your point ??
There are two Dreams Resorts, one south of town on a nice, almost private beach - water conditions vary day to day, very seldom is it rough. The other is in the resort area of Nuevo Vallarta, about a 45min drive north of Puerto Vallarta.

suze

That's my question to clifbob too... which Dreams resort? The one south of town (the old Camino Real) or the new property out in Nuevo Vallarta.

Vallarta is safe for tourists, I have no idea why someone is bringing up on this thread a travel advisory that has nothing to do with the PV.

120aks

My wife and I stayed there two years ago and , as far as AIs go it is very good. By that I mean that the food is not buffet and the drink menu is much more extensive than your typical AI. There are three restaurants on the property that serve different types of food and it is not difficult to get reservations for any of them. The property, itself is in a beautiful location but the beach is not really good for swimming so stick to the pools.I am making the assumption that you are going to the one in PV and not Nuevo Vallarta. The property is an easy cab ride into town. One word of warning however. Although tipping is supposed to be not required the waiters are accustomed to getting tipped a dollar for each drink and if you don't follow this practice you will soon see service slow down considerably. I found this to be annoying as I prefer to tip at the end of the trip and not each and every time I get a drink. Very inconvenient. Overall I guess it depends on your age and level of travel sophistication. If you are younger and like to party a lot you will like it better than if you are older and more experienced. In retrospect both my wife and I would have been happier staying in a non AI and having more flexibility as far as food, etc.

clifbob

Thanks everyone. Sorry I didn't mention that it's the DREAMs in puerto Vallarta, not Nuevo. Should we tip with US dollars or exchange some money before we go?

doug_stallings

You don't need to exchange anything before you go. You may wish to exchange some money while there, but most people in PV are willing (and happy) to take dollars. You could suffer a bit on the exchange rate, but it's not going to be a major hassle.

cabron

This is not true, dollars are not easy to exchange anymore, requires a passport for tourists and ID for the nationals. Plus there are limits on how much can be exchanged or deposited in the month. Please use the pesos, PV is not like Cancún (which, IMO, is like an American resort area), but even they will have to follow the new Federal Regulations.
Just bring your ATM card and tell, the issuer that you'll be using it in Mexico.

suze

You'll want to use peso in PV.

Wait until you arrive Mexico. You can get them by exchanging your USD at the hotel front desk or a "casa de cambio" (exchange booth or window) downtown. Or best rate and simplest is to use an ATM debit card and withdraw peso directly from the bank.