Hola!

We would like to visit PV for 7 days in the last week of August. Traveling with 2 other couples and 3 children less than 2. Would a villa rental work out better for us? Should we stay in town or close to town? Any particular beach we should stay close to? Will it be very hot? (100+)
Some members of our party speak fluent Spanish.

Gracias,
Ute

Hola Ute:
Villa vs. ? Hotel?
Depends-do you like to do your own cooking vs. the amenities of the hotel. Totally different feel, IMO. If you get a villa-will you rent a car otherwise it might be challenging to get taxis.

I'd stay as close to town as possible. Town is where most of the activity is; particularly if this is your first time.

You can easily get to Mismoloya Beach. It's fun; get a table in the sand-drink Margaritas or whatever and the surf can roll over your feet.

Weather.com says it averages 90 and 76. What's the difference-you're on vacation.

Bueno suerte!

I'd suggest a condo or hotel on Playa Los Muertos (beach) in town. It will be hot and humid with some rain and thunderstorms possible at night (but probably not breaking 100, more like low 90's). Look at Vallarta Shores or Lindo Mar.

JBass: Since we have small children in our group, we think a condo/villa may work out better for us. We would like to make some of our meals, but hopefully not all! Some of us are vegetarian, so having our own kitchen would be most useful.
Not sure about the rental car - is it easy to drive in PV?
90 and 76 sounds perfect! Thanks so much for your suggestions

Suze: Thanks for you reply. We absolutely loved your last suggestion (Bosque del Cabo). Will check out both these!

Ute~ Bosque de Cabo was not my suggestion as I only know about Puerto Vallarta

There's no need for taxis, we have an excellent public transport system.

Pick another destination! PV is dirty, nasty, cheap, hot, humid, and overrun with "hawkers" trying to sell you their cheap goods every 5 steps you take down the beach or on the street. The whole town is in disrepair, the streets are terrible, and there are groups of policemen standing around, for now apparent reason. We left town after one night and went north to the safe, quiet, quality resorts. We will never return.

Interesting for someone to register on Fodor's just to talk trash about PV. It must have been a REALLY bad vacation to be putting this kind of effort into it. Seems like you'd want to put it behind you, it being such a terrible experience and all.

i stayed in the observatory lodge and it was great! it had an amazing view and i took video of the volcano from my porch. check out the video here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eBayBANwW0Y

I've been there a couple of times in Aug and Sept ... it's very humid, typically with afternoon or evening thunderstorms but clear (muggy) mornings. I would expect low 90's for the daytime highs, it likely won't be 100.

With three couples I'd just rent a nice villa, maybe a bit south of town, maybe with maid service and even a cook for dinner.

Bill

baxduke21
I'm not even sure he was in Puerto Vallarta, because his description doesn't jibe with reality here. What a fool.
Anyone else, who has really been here, care to comment ?

Sure Cabron, Yes I have actually been to PV and *would* care to comment on that negative post:

True (in the summer months):
hot, humid,

All the rest is an outright lie or huge exaggeration: dirty, nasty, cheap, overrun with hawkers, town is in disrepair, the streets are terrible, groups of policemen standing around for now apparent reason.

I have been to Vallarta 18 (going on 19 next week) times on vacations ranging from 1-2 weeks.

sincerely, Suze

I wonder is Baxduke came in for a day on a cruiseship. Those are usually the people who have the very worst impression of PV.

Ute,

This may be a bit late for your planning, but my husband and I stayed at Lindo Mar last summer and loved it. It's just south of downtown - I believe the area is called Conchas Chinas, but my memory might be off just a bit. It's a quick and inexpensive cab ride into the old part of the city, but it's not in the super touristy "Are you sure we're not still in America?" area. The condos are quite spacious and very clean - we loved watching the sunset from our balcony. They have a small beach with palapas that is sheltered enough for swimming and snorkeling - there were several families in the water with children while we were there. There's also an open air restaurant and pool.

Here is the link for their website... You can also find plenty of reviews on it and many other properties on Tripadvisor.

http://www.lindomarresort.com/

I agree with mat269, the Conchas Chinas area is close enough to town that it's easy to visit, but just far enough away to feel quieter and more relaxed ... there are many villas in the area, which is what I'd get with three couples (if you are all close) ... http://www.puertovallartavillarental...as_4_bdrm.html has some sample rentals, most with maid and cook included ...

Bill