I will be in Puerto Vallarta in mid May. Hoping someone could give me information on things to do, places to see, favorite places to see the sunset while sipping on a margherita, and favorite restaurants (we want to find small authentic Mexican food that doesn't cater to tourists-definitely interested in seafood). Also, does anyone know of good pottery stores? We will actually be staying about 15 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. Is having a rental car there a big hassle? and could anyone recommend a car rental agency with cheap rates? Please, please, please help!!!

You will love Puerto Vallarta. Taxi's are cheap I would not get a rent a car. No need and the traffic is nuts. The Marigalante is a great thing to do and I would suggest going on the day trip as the night trip takes you no where but up and down the shore. Is a real pirate ship, durning the day you get breakfast, open bar, lunch, open bar, and open bar on the way back from a day of snorkeling and being taken to a private beach for sunning or banana boating. We had a great time. Also may I suggest looking into the Dolphin Adventure. It's a littel expensive but the swim with the Dolphins is an experience you will never forget. Also go out one night to Las Callitas. You are taken on a party boat out to where John Houston (director of Night of the Iguana) lived and are treated to a super dinner. There is no electricity on this spot and you also see a Mexican play in a natural ampitheather. As for Mexican resturants there are bot alot off the beaten path but ask around and you will hear about the good ones. Any place along the Malacon is great to watch the sunset. Pottery is everywhere and the prices were good when we were there. Seafood abounds, you'll have no problem. If you can take a taxi out to where the Westin is, there is a seafood resturand I believe by the name of Captain Johns (something of that order) and the seafood is great. Order a lobster you get the whole darn thing, it hangs from your plate. Then walk over to the lighthouse for a drink. Yup, a bar constructed just like a lighthouse. Neat place for a drink. Any more questions I'll be glad to dig into my memory banks for you. It is a great place. Have a great time, and I KNOW YOU WILL!!!!

Hi Monica, We just arrived home from PV last night and had a great time. The weather was great but not quite as warm as two years ago. You definitely needed a sweater at night. If you are going in May should be nice and warm. We always enjoy going to Chez Eleana's bar on the rooftop for a great margherita and fantastic view of the sunset. You can just go for a drink but the restaurant is very good. We didn't eat there this time but at the new Italian restaurant next door Le Nuble which also had a spectacular view and wonderful food. Also enjoy going out to Punta Mita where they have lounge chairs right on the beach with good margheritas and all kinds of seafood. Nice to just laze and watch the oceanwhile sipping and eating. Think it was Eldorado we were at. We stayed at the Westin but don't recall a Captain John's at the Marina. The Westin does have Garibaldi's which is supposed to have good seafood. We ate at Port Bellos and enjoyed it. Also ate at Captain Morgans which was quite nice and not overly expensive. They had an extensive menu but seafood didn't seem to be their main entree. If you have any questions just ask.

Try puerto-vallarta.com. vallartatoday.com, puertovallarta.com, vallart-info.com or puertovallarta.net <BR> <BR> <BR>adios! <BR> <BR>[email protected] <BR>www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm

We have just returned from PV and were shopping for pottery. Our favorite place was "World of Tiles" #374 V. Carranza. They had everything!! If they didn't have it, they could make it to order. We ordered several things and they were ready before we left town. It is a huge store with everything you can imagine. There are so many seafood restaurants: Balam, Roberto's, Le Kliff(more expensive), La Palapa, La Concha Feliz(in El Pitillal) and many many more. A favorite of ours for lunch was Chilies(NOT THE US franchise)on Pulpito a block or 2 from the beach. Wonderful grilled chicken and hamburgers in a garden setting. Great prices too!