Here's what I said in reply.

Yes you can walk on the beaches, and yes are beautiful but nothing like those on the Caribbean side or in the Caribbean. It's the Pacific ocean, so more rough and rugged, you don't get the white sand turquoise water on the west coast. Yes there are beaches lined with cute beach bars where you can relax in a chair under a palapa right on the sand with drinks and food service available. You can lieterally have dinner with waves washing over your feet under the table.

I have never stayed at an All-Inclusive so can't really comment except to say, they really aren't much the thing in PV. You are more to find small resorts and traditional Mexican hotels around Centro/Southside area. I stay right in town which is walking distance to everywhere. The smaller places in PV are right in the thick of things not isolated at all.

I live on the west coast, so part of the appeal for me is travel time~I have to waste an entire day there and back if I want to go to Cancun!! I like the culture of PV~it is an old city, unlike parts of Cabo or Cancun.

Thanks Suze. I did a search and you really are all over the PV board! Plenty for me to read, thanks!

de nada. the pleasure is mine.

Vallarta is a noisy, busy, hussling, bussling kind of place. honking horns, traffic jambs, swaying palm trees, beautiful sunsets, wonderful welcoming people.

Most people who go for the first time love too. It seems the ones who don't are most often either off a cruise ship for only the day, or they were expecting a hut on a deserted beach, or a Mexican town back in time (they are dissappointed to see McDonald's or Walmart). It's a modern city, along with a beautiful beach getaway.

Just returned last week from our first trip to PV. Stayed in a B&B and a small hotel downtown.

We liked that we could walk everywhere. Lots of beach bars, lots of restaurants. Food and drink were quite inexpensive.

Enjoyed climbing all those stairs to wander the residential neighborhoods up in the hills.

It is a city, but, has the feel of a small town. A few tall condo buildings, but no true high rises downtown.

Love the Botanical Gardens - amazing place to spend a day ... we stay in a condo at Punta Negra, and we love the quiet of the beach. Easy bus ride into the hustle and bustle of town, and then a taxi ride home after dinner and drinks.

I love wandering the Hills above the city, the Island especially the upper end so peaceful compared to the hustle bustle along the Malacon although love that too. I also like getting out into the pure Mexican neighborhoods with seldom a tourist in sight. I love all the great restaurants especially The Red Cabbage, Bolero, Chez Elena's & all the taco stands.
Love the postage stamp beach at Conchas Chinos with good snorkeling & virtually no peddlers.
I detest the time share hustle, the hordes of Beach Peddlers on Playa Muertos & the Traffic.

Thanks everyone for participating on this thread!

Did anyone mention the sunsets? THE most beautiful I've ever seen, anywhere.

Sorry Suze but with much clearer air Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa beats PV badly in the sunset department

Stewbear~~ I believe you but I've never been to Zihuat. That's why I said the most beautiful **I've** ever seen.

You are correct Suze. Our traffic is probably 1/50th of what PV has so that helps a lot. Gets heavier every year though.

I'd like to get to many of the other Mexican beach resorts. I know that I would love Zihuatanejo, know that! I'm also interested in Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen, maybe even Cozumel over the 'other side'. And Mazatlan and Acapulco, just to see what they're all about.

Our traffic has little to do with air clarity here, the bay is huge. Sometimes it's hazy, but it has nothing to do with traffic.
The best sunsets require clouds and our mountain range on the south side of the bay, the Sierras Tuito, provide them in the late afternoon.

Carbon- Lo Siento but as one who's visited PV for 25 years I have watch the air quality get worst over that time. Not that this has happen other places including Acapulco & others.

I absolutely love Puerto Vallarta and am considering my third trip back in March 2011. I love that it's so close to Seattle. I love wandering along the Malecon and I love that the dining is sooooo good and pretty inexpensive. The weather and the people are pretty fantastic, too!

Suze, I'm really curious whether or not you've stayed in Sayulita.

hi beanweb~ No, the furthest north i've been is on a day trip to Punta Mita (the beach called El Anclote). I really love being IN downtown PV. It's the hussle and bussle and all the people I adore. I have the feeling Sayulita would be too isolated for me, especially since I'm most often solo.

I *love* Cozumel but if you really like the hustle and bustle, then you probably might feel a little isolated in Cozumel. There is a small but great "downtown" area but it's not like PV. And most of the beachside resorts aren't really near anything. Best to start with Playa del Carmen and take a daytrip to Cozumel to see if you would like it!

I really want to try Tulum but the short flight to PV makes it difficult to broaden my horizons.

shhh... i'll tell you a secret, i've been doing Hawaii recently. the 6 hour nonstop flight on Hawaiian Air is lovely. it's been a nice change/addition to Mexico these past few years.

Me too... in 2010 alone I've done Kauai 2 times and am heading to Maui for Thanksgiving (3rd trip to Maui in 3 years). I get ridiculed at work for going to Hawaii so often, but it's fabulous and a great deal from Seattle. I was also recently scuba certified, and the diving in Hawaii is *way* better than Mexico!

I'll probably go again in March and suffer more ridicule for my predictable vacation choices.

a small price to pay (ha-ha)!

Sorry to be arriving a little 'late' on this!!

I think my trip reports sum up much of why I (we) like to go to Puerto Vallarta -- we enjoy the dining out (so many choices, with offerings in all price ranges, types and styles), the fantastic walkabout possibilities - "exploring" the various sights & sounds (on the beach and via the various streets throughout the city, both in the tourist areas, and a bit beyond them, in the neighbourhoods), the great shopping and browsing (for arts & crafts, food & drink, and dining 'in'), and so much more.

So much to see, do, and experience, and so much just "comes with the territory", so to speak - it's there, and there's no additional charge to see and enjoy it!!

Miss not being there this November!! Can spring be far away?!!

Stew, I first visited years before you and lived here full time for over 17 years, I stand by my statement. Depends a lot on the time of year, but on the whole it hasn't changed much, the air that is.

Suze:

I have a friend who wants to go to PV between Christmas and New Years and is having trouble finding a place to stay. Would you mind giving me some favorites of yours. She wants a good location downtown or in the Romantic Zone. Doesn't have to be fancy.

Thanks for your help.

Christmas is tricky. I most often stay at Posada de Roger, but they get 2x the usual rate for pretty basic rooms. B7B Casa Andrea is another place I've stayed and like a lot. I'd suggest also checking: Casa Corazon, Hotel Eloisa, the Tropicana, Vallarta Sun Suites, Playa Los Arcos (and their other 2 properties Arcos Suites, Dona Susana). Up the other end of the Malecon Hotel Rosita and El Pescador are good picks. If you don't mind being a bit far from the beach Los Cuatro Vientos is a sweet hotel up behind the church.

Suze:

Thanks very much. Greatly appreciated.

Sure, my pleasure, post back if your friend has any other questions. It's a really nice time to be in PV, but also a very popular one (hence the limited availability of hotel rooms at this somewhat late date).

I don't like PV at all. The beaches are some of the trashiest in all of Mexico. The water is nasty what with all of the runoff from the rivers. It's overcrowded. The time share pimps are like vermin. I just don't get the fascination with PV. There's too many other options that are so much better than PV.

What other options, baldone? Why don't you tell us the places you like to go in Mexico that are so much better than PV? Rather than just trash the place.

Suze:

Thanks so much again for the recommendations. Looks like my friend will be at the Casa Andrea. By the way, I first went to PV with my family for Christmas 1966. We stayed on the beach where donkeys would roam up and down. Loved it and still go every year in Feb or March but now usually stay out in the marina area.

Casa Andrea's is wonderful. Really nice place. I'm surprised they had vacancy over the holidays, but that's great! Wow, Weekender, since the 60's... that's some history with PV. I thought I was a long-timer having gone only the past two decades -lol.

baltone-why are you on this site if you don't like PV. save it for us who do. I am going in Jan with a friend for 2 weeks-we try to go every 2 years. I have timeshares & love them. I lucked out & got Krystal same unit for 2 weeks so we don';t have to move. Last time we were at Boganvillas & Mayan-which I own at. Also have been at Melia & Weston. My husband & I have been at Los Tules and another place.
I have several single girlfriends who go alone & love it. It is safe-wonderful food & a fun place. Can't wait Chris

thank for the great thread. i have been sick with inner ear infection and didnt see the post.

I love PV because of how easy going and casual it is. Put on your Tshirt/shorts/flipflops and you are good to go. No one puts on airs, just people being people.

The people are so gracious and truly friendly. You feel like family at hello.

The malecon with its statues are a real favorite of mine. We love to make drinks in a pop bottle and sit and watch people.
It is a must for any visitor.

The Cuale River has our hearts. We love the swing bridge. You have to try it.

There is just something calming and relaxing there. Just wander till you are hungry or thirsty. Go to the little stalls that are crowded and have a fast turn over of customers to insure hot freshly made food. Get cups of watermelon to cool you off. Dont forget all the ice cream. The coconut is heavenly.

If you want a place were there is no pressure to do anything but stroll the cobblestone streets or sit with your toes in the sand. This is your place.

If you want to parasail, zipline,bungiejump, or ATV, this is your place too.

Dec 10th cant get here soon enough.

suze~on one of your PV posts, I belive you shared a website for transportation from the airport, but I can't find the thread......would you be so kind as to share it again? Thank you!

In Puerto Vallata I always just grab a taxi from the airport. To the southside its $23.

You might be thinking of other posts, recently in both Negril and Cabo I use a prearranged online shuttle, but in PV there's really no need or benefit or anything even available easier or better than a regular cab. You just walk to the booths clearly marked TAXI in the lobby of the airport, prices are set by zone, pay in either peso or USD and off you go.

It's quite possible I got the PV and Cabo posts mixed up.....I'll most likely just book the shuttle thru the resort for all 9 (maybe 10) of us airport to resort. Thanks!

In Puerto Vallarta, you feel like you're in Mexico. Cancun is more like Vegas with the beach instead of casinos.
And at least where I stayed (Barcelo Mismaloya) last year, the water is every bit as nice as in Cancun. It's more a deep blue instead of turquoise, but either way, it was crystal clear.

just back from PV and what I said above is so profoundly true.
I can see us going back time and again. All 6 of us LOVED it so much. We plan to return for 10 days in Dec. 2011.

Suze, The Roger lobby was all decked out for Christmas. I took a few pics and thought of you. You have inspired many of us to truely explore PV without fear

My sister is so smitten with PV that she plans to return within a few months with her daughter.
She says she is somehow different now, that a metamorphisis has occured, and that she is indeed a Mexican at heart.

BIL was a bit prejudise before this trip, he hadnt been to Mexico before. He came away with a much clearer picture and found the people to be friendly and kind. He actually made a friend with a vendor. They talked for hours and life and family. The vendor was fascinated by BIL Cherokee heritage.

We are all planning to spend 6 months a year in PV area when we retire within the next 10 years.

Beautiful post jetsetj. You really capture how warm & welcoming I also find Puerto Vallarta to consistently be to me.
Thanks for the mention of Hotel Posada de Roger. I spent a Christmas there one year, it was truly fantastic.

I went to Puerto Vallarta only once on a cruise about 20 years ago and I remember it being beautiful and lots of jungle. I would like to take another cruise down there soon as well as seeing some of the Sea of Cortez destinations like La Paz. I heard the water in La Paz is almost as nice and calm as some areas of the Caribbean.

PV is still beautiful surrounded by mountains and jungle. I think most of the cruises stop: Cabo, Mazatlan, PV.
La Paz and Sea of Cortez is very beautiful (in a more desert way), but I don't think it's a typical cruiseship port?

No La Paz and Sea Of Cortez aren't typical. Holland America does a Mexican Riviera/Sea of Cortez cruise at certain times of the year - it goes way up into the Sea Of Cortez. Carnival has just included the Port of La Paz in a few select Mexican Riviera cruises in the winter and fall I think.

I see many of you mostly know the beach part of Puerto Vallarta, but here we have some beautiful mountains, that once the rain starts, turn to wonderful green, besides having a great diversity of flora and fauna.

Love reading all the positive reports about PV. We love PV as well. In fact, we are leaving in 2 weeks for 10 days. Any suggestions about fun tours or things to do? We've been going to PV for around 10 years and are always looking for new things to do. Thanks!

Thank you all!! I have enjoyed this forum so much. I'm a couples of years from retirement and want to find my beach heaven. Listening to all of your comments, it seams PV is my choice.
At first, I selected it because it's the closest and cheapest flight from Calgary, AB. Since I most likely will have grandchildren there (Calgary) I want to be close enough and not an overly expensive trip.
I'll keep on reading this forum, and will have questions from time to time.
Ammonite

Ammonite~ Have you ever been to Puerto Vallarta? Or elsewhere in Mexico? Do you speak Spanish?

I'm asking only because love PV as I do, there's quite a long list of considerations for trying to live there full-time. Just saying, if you haven't even been yet, I'd highly recommend going down and staying at least 4-6 weeks to get a real feel for it.

Keep in mind that PV costs will run about 30 % higher for housing, food & other expenses than say Zihuatanejo.

Hello Suze and Stewbear,
Thank you for keeping me informed!!!
I speak Spanish fluently. I was in PV about 20 years ago, on my honeymoon(when I was actually married...lol)
I remember I did not like the beach, kind of pebbly and dirty.
but then, that as 20 years ago.
I remember staying at the Buenaventura hotel. Nuevo Vallarta did not existed then.
I have been searching google earth. I think I like the south zone, playa los muertos, o conchas chinas. I like to be close to shops, restaurants, people watching etc. It's my impression NV does not have that.
I'm planning a couple of weeks vacation in a month or so. Thinking Tropicana hotel... any advice on this??
I like to tell you, I love the latin vibe, hot weather etc.
Bye for now

Does any of you lives permanently in PV??
perhaps I could get an insight of what is like living there beyond vacations....like year round.

Cabron mentioned above he lives permanently in PV.

The Tropicana Hotel is a fine choice imo. And the part of town you describe is where I always stay on "the south-side" (being south of downtown, south of the Rio Cuale).

For people living in PV, go to the Trip Advisor Puerto Vallarta forum. Lots of helpfull "destination experts" on that message board. Also www.allvallarta.com and www.vallarta-info.com are two good websites run by people living in PV.

Yes I've lived here full time for about 18 years. If the costs are 30% more than Ztown, it must be ridiculously cheap there, how much do you pay for a cylinder of gas, stewbear?
Pick-up just drove by selling strawberries at 25 pesos a kilo.
I have a nice 2 bedroom apartment, with a huge terrace, 2 floors up, rent is 3,600 pesos (incl. electricity & water).
Another good place to get information are other bulletin boards, such as Brenda's at http://todopuertovallarta.yuku.com/ and Fox's at http://www.ourvallarta.com/board/index.php

Not into debate but having spent lots of time in both places that is my experience carbon.
I own my home in Zihua so do not rent. I do know of 2 bedroom apartments in a secure building for as little as $225 US. Single bedroom apartments in "Gringo Towers" go for well under $200 US per month. One of my good friends rents a 4 bedroom home with 2 1/2 baths & pool for $650 a month. Try doing that in PV.
For 25 peso I can get a bunch of bananas, a bag of oranges & 4 Bollias at the Mercado.
Restaurants of comparable quality are at least 30% cheaper in Zihua. Now you can pay $100 a plate in some places but as I say in comparable places much cheaper in Zihua.
PS The proper abbreviation of Zihuatanejo is Zihua not Ztown.

PS As the OP loves hot weather Zihua being in the excess of over 400 miles farther South has surer weather in the Winter months.

Sorta like calling San Francisco "Fricso?"

I've only been to Zihuatanejo once one a cruise, and I'd like to go back and spend more time there.

I do enjoy PV. I just took a friend down there (her first trip), and she fell in love with it. One of her favorite things? The bus rides..

Here's a link to some great pictures of Vallarta and it's shoreline taken from aboard the Marigalante while out on the Bay.

I'm just being the messenger with these, they are not my pictures - they were linked to a TripAdvisor thread - thought others here would/could/might appreciate seeing them as well --

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=188607&page=118

Baldone...please share your comments rather then just be trashy. I do take issue with you on the water quality. That all depends on what time of the year you come as in rainy season, etc and where you are on the bay. If you come between June and October yes there will be some river run off, other then that we have eight months of beautiful weather. I like PV because it still has its character, culture and old world charm which has been lost in places such as Cancun and Cabo.

My first trip to PV was in April, and the water was an alarming brown color. We were very relieved to find out it was a certain type of algae blooming and NOT raw sewage!! I believe the color of the sand affects the color of the water as well......

I agree with you, Mr. Wilson, that PV has an old world charm! While the turquoise water in Cancun was prettier, I thought Cancun was very modern and Americanized.

I don't think Cancun "lost" it's old world charm, I don't think it ever had any (lol)! Because it's pretty much a man-made, built-environment specifically to draw tourists. While Puerto Vallarta is a long-time coastal town, then the tourists came.

I have found something to like about every single place I've visited......the white sand, warm turquoise water in Cancun; the sapphire blue Sea of Cortez in Cabo; and the cobblestone streets of PV. You're right, suze, Cancun is too new to have ever had any "old world charm!" It's like Las Vegas on the beach, just not quite as sleazy......

hmmm I can think of a million of reasons to love Puerto Vallarta ... number one is it's SAFE (seriously) ... and the beaches ... and the totally chill environment ... adventures like zip linning through the jungle canopy, taking a skiff to remote beach villages, trekking into the mountains above Puerto Vallarta to cool off in the summer ... want more?

http://puertovallartavideo.com/

Hello all!!
Please tell me which area of PV gets the most river run off,
and where the best sand is 9less pebbly)
Is it Nuevo Vallarta or Conchas Chinas??
I'll appreciate your comments.
Thanks
Ammonite

topping for maryannerb

The biggest river feeding the bay is the Ameca, which divides Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, from Nuevo Vallarta in Nayarit. I would prefer Conchas Chinas to NV, because of the proximity of the jungle covered mountain, whereas NV is just flat. An even better beach is Las Gemelas.

topping this oldie for snorklesue

not really wild about PV proper,,,beach is unattractive and the last time i was there-disappearing...the public craft market was nice, and walking the cobblestone streets was fun (not during hot afternoon hours though..)

i do like the area north of PV, especially Sayulita is fun-sufers and shakers, but L Penitas is my a nice-sized town on a bay w/good swimming...Guayabitos is also ok: regular Mexican family beach.

you're much better off in Zihuatanejo or hualtulco imho...if you like the west coast of mexico