getting around Puerto vallarta
 

I will be at the Marriot. I cannot walk far but want to shop. what is closest to the Marriot Magna. any suggestions for getting around? taxi cost??

Casa Magna Marriott is a very nice hotel! You'll be pleased!! It is located in "The Marina" district about 5 mins. from the airport and 15 minutes or so from downtown ("Centro")

When you say "shop"... what are you asking about? Just to get groceries? Or you want souveniers, crafts, clothes, etc.?? There is a mall not far away, various grocery stores. But for sightseeing and other shopping you may want to go downtown instead.

Taxi cost in PV is regulated by zone. So a flat rate within each zone. The Marina is about 15 minutes away from downtown PV.

There is also a local bus system available.

From the airport to The Marina the taxi fare is 180 peso (leaving the airport is more expensive than cabs around town because only certain ones are federally-regulated and allowed to pick up there).

From The Marina into downtown should be 60-80 peso. Just check with the taxi driver before getting in to agree on the fare. And have exact change is possible (don't expect him to break a large bill).

Fare within one zone is 40 peso.

When we went, from the Romantic Zone to the Marina it was $8 for cab fare each way. The taxi drivers that did have to use on occasion drove like crazy maniacs. We were glad we were within walking distance to the Macelon and the downtown shopping/restaurant area.

It'll be a teeny bit cheaper if you pay with peso. Because at a cambio you can get 12/1 exchange rate, at an ATM 13/1 exchange rate, but if you spend in USD, typically you only get a 10/1.

Shopping for Mexican clothing. I will bring pesos. I live in Ensenada and know to use pesos for better exchange. and I speak Spanish. Just don't know much about PV. do vendors walk the beach like they do here.

Best shopping would be on Basilio Badillo (our Rodeo Drive) :) . Map: http://vallartainfo.com/vallarta-southside-map.html
and around that area. Unless you just want to go to one of the Galerias (Malls)

Yes vendors walk the beach. But more with cheap tourist souvenier type items. The only 'clothing' they have is things maybe pareos, sundresses, scarves.

As above I love the shopping along B. Badillo. There's also a couple nice shops on Olas Altas (a cross-street to B. Badillo parallel to and 'behind' Los Muertos beach). And La Bohemian on Constitution has nice things.

There's lots of stores up on Morelos and Juarez, two parallel main streets in Centro/downtown, but they're more modern clothes either inexpensive teenage kind of stuff or nicer women's boutiques.

Not sure about "Mexican clothing".