plumboy

Hi all. It feels like a long time since I've posted in the Mexico & CA forum, but my bf and I are going to Puerto Vallarta for six nights in January for my birthday. I have a basic, newbie location question.

We're looking at a couple different places to rent. One is located about 50 m from Los Muertos beach -- it's the V177 condos on Amapas. The other is listed as "up a hill in old town Vallarta" -- I think it's on Calle Jacarandas.

I like them both for different reasons, but the one "up the hill" is available for all of the nights of our stay and it's very open air, which is appealing.

Just wondering if any of the experts have any suggestions for a first time visit -- closer to the beach, or up the hill? Are there any downsides to staying "up the hill"? We live in NYC and walk like crazy, so I'm not too concerned about the actual hill aspect, just wondering about the immediate neighborhood. Will we feel too far removed from things up there?

Also, will a pool really be used in January? Is it generally too chilly (at night) in January to really use a pool? That would open up the possibilities also.

Thanks!

Stewbear

WE almost always stay at Los Cuatro Vientos high in the hills on Matamoros above downtown. Never found the pool too cold to use although it is closed when the restaurant opens.
Both the beach & the high view are nice but we much prefer the higher up especially for sunset & night time views.

cabron

Not much going

cabron

Try again
Not much going on up Jacarandas., just a few Mom&Pop corner stores, and it gets pretty steep, depending on how far up you are, do you know an intersection ? map here http://vallartainfo.com/old-town-map/ as you can see, you're at least 7 blocks from the beach. The hill starts south of Basilio Badillo.
For 6 day's go for V177, lots of places, restaurants, bars and shops very close by.

suze

Jacarandas is not "up the hill". It's directly inland.

Why are those two your only choices.

YES a pool would be used in January, or at least it would by me!

Personally I don't care for the "V" buildings because they are high-rise modern newly built condos and I like to stay in more traditional places.

My favorite condo buildings include -

On the beach or Malecon: La Palapa, El Dorado, Plaza Mar, Vista del Sol.

Or up the hill (the one overlooking Olas Altas not the hills inland: Selva Romantica, el Escondido.

If you want the new modern vibe you might look at both of the Pinnacle Properties. They are quite swanky and a more convenient location than the two you mention imo.

suze, who loves PV

plumboy

Those aren't necessarily our only two choices, but given our dates, availability, requirements, price, I had pretty much narrowed it down to those two. I'm just still trying to get a grasp of the layout of the town, how big it is, etc. This feedback and the suggestions are helpful -- thank you!

suze

Look at the maps that Cabron linked for you. Those are the best you will find.

The city of Puerto Vallarta has a population around 250,000 so it is not a small place. And is stretched out all around the Bay of Banderas.

The places you are considering are in the Old Town "Zona Romantica" which is an excellent choice (well it's where I always stay anyway).

I'm not sure what resources you are using to find what you're finding. Have you checked on?
www.vallarta-getaways.com
www.puerto-vallarta-rentals.com
www.PVRPV.com

plumboy

Thanks, suze! I'll check out those links. I've been using Airbnb and HomeAway but I'll check out the other sites too. Appreciate it!

suze

I prefer to rent thru local PV agencies rather than individual owners 1-to-1.

Nothing wrong with the VRBO type place I just think it's a bit more of a gamble and doesn't have as much inventory. It's often hard on those website to even figure out exactly where the rental is located or know who you are renting from.

PVRPV is especially helpful as a website because they have tons of places and a very good search/sort feature to be able to choose your dates and see what is actually available for when you want it.

Vallarta Getaways and PV Kid are good because they are trusted long-time agencies and have some of my own personal favorite buildings (Plaza Mar, Vista del Sol, Selva Romantica, Escondido).

cabron

Suze, south of Basilio Badillo Jacarandas goes way uphill, very steep in fact. You need to get out more.

suze

cabron, I HAVE stayed in that area.

I rented two different places thru Mission San Francisco Homes at Jacarandas & Manuel Dieguez one year. But thanks as always for caring

cabron

And Mission San Francisco is up a hill, no ?

suze

Only the driveway up to the front door really. Certainly not as steep as the one above Olas Altas or in Centro around the church. Not even close to that.

Besides we don't know by the description in the OP exactly WHAT hill this rental is located up.