car rental puerto vallarta and overnight trips
 

Can anyone one give me some tips on car rentals in Puerto Vallarta and 'overnight' trip suggestions?

I went through National from USA last August. I don't favor one over the other, just happened to pick National. They have a booth at the airport, they pick you up and drive across the street to where the cars are. All the cars from the rental agencies, I think, are across the street. Overnight trips - that's pretty broad. Do you want shopping and historic district as in Guadalajara (4.5 hrs from PV), pacific coast scenic north see the post on Puerto Vallarta from Madobr. South to Barro de Navadad is also scenic. San Miguel de Allende I hear is wonderful. You can go by boat to Yelapa and spend the night. If you choose Guadalajara look up Tlacquepaque and Tonala for wonderful amazing shopping experience. I haven't been to Chacala, but I think it sounds delightful, look it up to see what you think. If you like to watch young surfers in a really quaint town, Sayulita is only 40 minutes away and you can go by bus. Here I love the Aurinko Bungalows, I think you can find by searching the web. Also what time of year are you going? It is not fun to be in PV area during August and September with no air conditioning.

I referred to wrong post it is jtwiss53 about day trips for Puerto Vallarta. There are a lot of good suggestions on answering that post.

Hi Blondlady,
Thanks very much for the info. We are going 12/26 - 1/5/07. 2 Single Mothers w/15 year old daughters. I was thinking of 6-7 days in PV and then going to another City/area for 3-4 days or maybe 3 one day trips. Historic, scenic and shopping all sound good. We are travelling from Santa Monica, Ca. The girls would like Sayulita, I am sure.

For a larger city, in 3-4 days you could easily go to Guadalajara. but it is a BIG city so not sure that's what you're after.

Or, up the coast as mentioned above stopping at Bucerias, Punta Mita, San Pancho, Ricon de Guayambitor and/or Sayulita. Even further (3 hrs max) is the town of San Blas.

As long as you don't mind the bumpy ride, taking a water taxi down to Yelapa I'm guessing would be fun for everyone. You could even stay over there for the 3-4 days if you like something a bit more rustic and peaceful. Use the 'search' here for Yelapa, there are several posters with great trip reports from staying there.

Car Rental. I think it does make a difference. I was there Christmas 2006; had made car reservations with DOLLAR in May '06 and confirmed several times including day b4 trip. Arrived, no car available. It's a VERY busy time of year-we weren't the only ones without. Two days later, finally got one with National. Not sure the moral here but I know I will never give DOLLAR any business again (or try to give them business). b(

wew've rented through Alamo in PV; they were very well priced and we had no problems.

Kitkat26 you are going at a delightful time of year. I would suggest Yelapa for an overnighter. The accommodations will be "quaint" compared to PV. I hope you are staying in Old town PV because the girls can do so much on their own. Walking and shopping in safety (usual caution and commonsense, no after midnight on the malecon by themselves, etc.). Then take one-night in Sayulita on your way to Guadalajara. The girls will love the beauty of the water, the young crowd of surfers and the College atmosphere of this town. It's a fun place. Stop at Guayabitos 20 minutes up the road from Sayulita for lunch ON the Beach, then head up to Guadalajara go for the Toll road and be SURE to have PESOS for the toll, $29.00 worth - one-way. They didn't take USDollars. From Guayabitos it's about 4 hours drive. Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque, and Tonala run together and Tonala is where a lot of goods are made, its a shopping experience. On the way back to PV (if you are flying out of PV) You might want to stop at some of the other little towns by the beach-- after seeing Guayabitos you may want to stay a night there. You can play it by ear, you all will have a great time. Have swim wear handy because when you see the beaches up from PV you can't help but want to get in the water. Regards.

You might want to try the smaller towns up in the Sierras. You can get to San Sebastian in 2 hours and then on to Mascota and Talpa de Allende. These towns are much, much older than PV, they were founded in the 1600s around various silver mines. Don't miss the Centro Cultural de Mascota - Historical Museum of Mascota
Lots of lovely colonial style hotels to stay in, all very economical.

Thank you ALL for your wonderful suggestions and taking the time to reply. I always think that I have so much time on vacation, then the time flys by...so those place that are about 2 hours or so away will probably be best. Anyone have hotel suggestions for 'old town' ? A pool would be good for the girls. Do people go to the beach at that time of year ? Gracias.

You are going in "high season." The Best time of the year. Weather will be very nice and Yes good for swimming, ocean or pool. You may have trouble finding a reasonable rate at this late date. Playa Los Arcos is probably your best bet, right on Los Muertos beach, close to EVERYTHING. Suites Emperador, on the beach, or Vallarta Shores. You may want to check with an agent. I like Wendy at [email protected] or Patricia at [email protected] or her website is www.tropicasa.com. If you could get a condo in Plaza Dorada you would be in heaven. Close but not on beach is Posada de Roger, quaint, cheap, not fancy, Hotel Eloisa not right on beach but very close www.hoteleloisa.com. Definitely keep trying until you get something in Old Town. Another poster is staying at Casa Franca, close to the beach, and looks reasonalbe.

Casa Franca is booked, almost solid, through to March. Here are some other rentals:
http://vallartainfo.com/rent.html

I would (unfortunately) not be recommending Hotel Eloisa at the moment, because of the destruction of the park and construction of the parking garage right across the street from them.

My best hotels with pools suggestions in Old Town or El Centro would be:

Vallarta Sun Suites and Hotel
The Tropicana
Playa Los Arcos
Suites Emperador
Posada de Roger
Hotel Encino
Hotel Rio
Hotel Posada Rio Cuale
Cuatro Vientos

As above, you'll be in high-season. Weather will be gorgeous and the beach will be packed!

Suze Not sure what "girls" the poster is talking about but Children under 16 are not accepted at Los Cuatro Vientos. Not really a Kids kind of place & the pool is so very deep (9 plus feet) & super cold.

Does anyone know which hotels would have the most teens at the pool and other teen activites ?
Thanks a bunch.

Probably Playa Los Arcos first, then Tropicana, or Suites Emperador because they are on the beach. Any of the recommendations from Suze above are going to be OK. But--Try to get one on the beach. There will be lots of young people milling around and laying around on the beach. If your teens are outgoing, they will have NO Problems getting acquainted. Also Hotel Eloisa is in front of the torn up park, but since you will only be there for sleeping, I think it will be OK because if you cannot get on the beach it is very close to everything. Just ask for rooms away from the street called Cardenas. The workers building the parking lot don't work at night.

Sorry to say, but people who recently stayed at Hotel Eloisa posted back complaining about how bad the construction noise was. Maybe they don't work at night but I'm guessing could well begin early in the morning! Seriously you know how noisy that part of town can be ;-) Plus I honestly don't think that's a hotel that would much appeal to teenagers.

Hotel Playa Los Arcos or The Tropiana probably come closest to what I'm guessing Kitkat is after, within the Old Town for a resort-y feel and on the beach.

Suites Emperador's pool is not on the beach, rather across the street and down a half block, in a walled garden. It's very pretty but not a teen gathering place.

Even if you don't get a place on the beach (if you do Los Arcos or Tropicana would have their own beach set up)... the girls can still go down to the beach and meet people. You can take your own towel and plop down somewhere. Or for the price of drinks &/or food you can sit in any of many beach cafes that have chairs, tables, and umbrella/palapas for use.

Another thought... If you want formal organized events and activities provided by your hotel, you might need to look up in the Hotel Zone or The Marina, instead of Old Town.

Hi Size and Blondlady,
I booked at Hotel Encino but the other Mother wants to stay at more of a resort for 1/2 the time. I prefer all Zona Romantica suggestions but most are booked. She came up with a place called "Starbay" in Bucerias. It does not look that good to me. If I have to go way up in price for part of the time, I want a nicer place. Do you have an idea about other resorts which would be good ? I appreciate your help.