Suze, I know you've spent a lot of time in PV. I know there are huge beautiful expensive hotels...
but I had a website bookmarked a few years ago that told how to stay in PV on the cheap.
I remember it said that right near downtown, there were small places that one could rent. ..and many people would go for a month or more.

Are you aware of any of these more budget conscious places?

I'd love to go there...assuming I could find a good inexpensive flight.

How about this?:
http://vallartainfo.com/hotels.html#budget

hi kodi~

Sure there are all kinds of budget hotels and apartment rentals in downtown and the "south-side" of Puerto Vallarta. You've already received a comprehensive list for budget options above... that website above is an excellent place to start! Also allvallarta.com - both are by people living in PV.

Here's my personal favorite where i've stayed a dozen+ times, as recently as last month to give you an idea what you can expect. I had a single room with fan, AC, TV, small refrigerator for $44USD/night:
www.hotelposadaderoger.com

Beside the two websites already mentioned, there is an active board over on Trip Advisor, the Puerto Vallarta forum. You can find me there as well under suze2you. TA has a method so posters can private email each other besides the public forum.

So to answer yes I know of a load of budget conscious hotels (Hotel Posada Roger, Hotel Rio, Posada Don Miguel, Hortencia, Hotel Azteca, Villa del Mar, Ana Liz, Posada Lily, Yasmine, Belmar, Encino, etc.) Current rates approx. $35-55USD/night some with discounts for weekly or monthly rentals.

Depends if you want a small swimming pool or not, how far from the beach you're willing to be, need a kitchen or not, if you mind a bit of traffic noise, want AC or not, things like that.

You can also reach me (anyone can) at [email protected]

The weather varies trememdously by month so you'll want to research and know what you're in for. I love the summer-time (and prices are lower) but I know from reading travel forums some people book in July or August and then are surprised that it's the rainy season.

Most of the huge expensive resort hotels are in an entirely different part of the city, out in the Hotel Zone, The Marina, and Nuevo Vallarta (the Cancun-ish like development 30-45 mins. north of the city).

Ahuge thank you to both of you. That's just the information I'm looking for.
I'll lhave to start studying it, and I'm sure I'll hae questions.

I'm thinking more of a month away to escape the winter. perhaps a small kitchen would be good to save money.

I've never been to PV, but it appeals to me. I don't need to be on the water, but a few blocks walk would certainly be ok.

I want to be able to meander about the town, enjoy the weeather, and enjoy the culture.

BUT a lot depends on how much air fare will be.

Suze thanks for the email address. I'll be in touch..

Puerto Vallarta is perfect for what you describe imo. Here in Seattle I have been getting the best airfares the past few years on U.S. Air. Before that I used Alaska Air.

My fingers obviously were not working very well when I typed my last post.

I've got so much studying to do, but it all sounds wonderful.
I'm sure I'll have many more questions by the time I'm done.

Suze the prices sound really good.
Let me do some studying over the next little while..
The web sites you and cabron have provided have really set me on the right course.

Hi Suze, no pressure here... but just wanted to know if you received my email.

Mostly wanting to know if south of the river in the town is the best place to stay for budget accommodations.
I noticed Hotel Posada Roger is in this area.

Is the beach long enough in the area to go for long walks? Or would I have to go to another area?

Yes, southside is where almost all the nice budget accomodations are located.

Yes, the beach of Playa Los Muertos is long enough to walk on.

I'll go check my mail

Thanks. It was a couple of days ago that I emailed you... so I might not have had the address correct.
Is it [email protected] ?

I've checked most of the budget places you suggested, and most of them are already booked for Feb. I could be a bit too late.

Hey Kodi, You've got mail

lo siento, that account is my "traveling" account not my every-day email so I forgot to check in, but will keep an eye on it for more messages from you.

I can't believe all those hotels are booked solid 7 months in advance. Perhaps it's even be a bit too early for reservations at some of them?

Also don't necessarily trust a website reservations system.

I email, fax, or call the hotels directly. That seems to get better results than attempting to book thru their websites.

Ok Suze, I'll start again..

The Budget Hotels on the link I posted, mostly do not take reservations at all and few have any web presence.
The exception to this is the Belmar which is very well run.
The slightly more expensive, like Rogers, will usually not publish a price for the next season, since they will be adjusting it (it won't go down, believe me) and things move slowly down here. I'd keep trying.

Agree 100% with the excellent advice and on-the-post observations from Cabron.