Grand Mayan Palace - Nuevo Vallarta
 

Hi there
I am going on my honeymoon in 21 days :-)
We are booked to stay at the MAYAN PALACE NUEVO VALLARTA but they are doing construction so we will stay at the GRAND MAYAN, LOCATED NEXT DOOR.
I have heard the beaches look like california beaches, we are cool with that.
We want to know if anyone is familiar with this resort? Is is AI?

How far will we be from Puerto Vallarta? How far we will be from downtown?
Do you think it wise to go to my bank and get peso's before we travel?
How far is the PV airport from Nuevo Vallarta (all the vallartas become a little confusing)

I am very detail oriented and like to have as much information as possible, especially traveling to a new place
Any other tips, comments that you think would be helpful
THANKS SO MUCH
-soon to be bride

You are about 30 mins from the airport & 45 mins. from downtown Puerto Vallarta (to the north) traveling by car/taxi along the main highway. It would be a bit longer if you go by bus.

It is more economical if you wait until you are in Mexico to get peso. You can use your bank ATM debit card at a machine at the airport to withdraw peso. This will give you the best rate of exchange. If you happen to be a Bank of America customer you can use Scotia or Santander without any fees. Or you can take USD and just exchange it at your resort front desk.

I would ask the resort if you have an All-Inclusive plan or not.

I am a bank of america customer so that is great. anything else you think we need to know?

what about renting a car? is this less expensive than riding the bus or using taxis?

I'm sorry I have no experiences with the resorts out in Nuevo Vallarta. I've spent a lot of time in PV but I stay right downtown.

A couple things I can think of, when you come thru the airport, you'll get off the plane, then line up for immigration (this is where you show your passport and turn in one form you filled out on the plane), then you proceed on to the baggage claim area and pick up your suitcase. Then you go thru customs (and give them the 2nd form you've filled out on the plane). You press a button and get either a red light or a green light. Don't be alarmed, this is simply a customs check. Mostly likely you'll get green and go on thru. If a red light comes up then they'll look at your bags. This is one 'push' per party (not per person).

THEN as you walk you go thru what we loving call "The Shark Tank", this is where the timeshare sales people will try to distract you and sell you stuff. Don't talk to anyone, just keep walking. Once you're out into the main large open lobby of the airport, look over to your right. You'll see convenient restrooms, taxi booth if you are arranging your own transportation, AND next to the taxi booth a line of ATM machines. Scotia is one of them. When you use an ATM in Mexico remember it is in PESO. So if you want to withdraw approx $300usd-worth, you need to ask for 3000.

I have never rented a car myself, and would NOT recommend it for a first timer. It's much better to get around with taxis, shuttles, busses imo. There's a lot of tricks about cars and driving in Mexico, and if you aren't familiar with the area and don't speak Spanish, I personally do not recommend it.

If you're comfortable driving in a foreign country, speak Spanish and/or plan to do lots of driving around visiting different towns outside your resort... then maybe.

I whole-heartled agree with others on here who said to wait for you to respond....You have truly helped us out and we really appreciate it. God bless you Suze!!!!!!!!

De nada (you're welcome/'it's nothing'). The pleasure is mine.

To help you get a handle on the lay of the land, check out the website www.vallarta-info.com. It has excellent maps so you can get a better feel for how things lay out around the Bay of Banderas (the pacific ocean bay that PV sits within).

I only wish I knew something/anything about your resort or Nuevo, but I don't. I've only even been out that far once when I visited El Anclote, the beach at Punta Mita.

I have stayed at the Grand Mayan in NV. It is one of their newer resorts in NV and I think much nicer than their Mayan Palace or Sea Garden. A better choice IMO. It has the lazy river, etc. and the beaches are nicer than those in PV proper. Not sure if they are AI, but it could be a good option since you are so far away from PV. When we stayed there, we only went into PV 3 or 4 times since it was so far.

After checking in, they will direct you over to someone else who will offer you freebies and discounts on all your food and drinks if you come to a welcome breakfast and sit in a 90 minute presentation. DO NOT GO FOR THIS! This is a timeshare presentation and will last hours. The more you say no, the nastier they will get with you. The Mayan Group is notorious for treating presentation guests like dirt. Don't waste your precious honeymoon time unless you are into abuse. Anyone, even on the streets that says "hey, amigo ....." is a timeshare hustler.

Suse's advice on car rental is good. We have never rented in PV and it has worked out great. You will have access to taxi's and buses. Plus you could rent a car for a day if you want to go out for an excursion.

Here are several of my old trip reports:

http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...rip-report.cfm

Here is the report from the Grand Mayan:

http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...o-vallarta.cfm

If you check here or on Trip advisor for trip reports, they will be very helpful in your planning.

Congrats!

@MichelleY, Thank you very much. I was wondering about the time share "stuff" and it doesnt seem worth the hassle. My finace' and I have no problem at all saying NO, so thanks for the heads up. We are really excited and all of the feedback and comments are so helpful.

Hey guys what does "topping" mean??? And I will be copying and pasting ur plans MichelleY....great details!!!

"topping" is forum-speak for when you post/add something new on a thread, so it pops back into the #1 slot on the board.

topping for michelleY

ok so I hope I did that right :-)
MichelleY did you have an ocean view room and do the rooms have balconies? We really want a balcony and with a great view would be nice but I guess we would make it if its a balcony overlooking a road....

If we want to jet ski do they ask for our american drivers licenses??? Mine expires on my birthday and I dont know if I will get it renewed before I go to PV.....

If you read my report, we probably had the worst room you could have, overlooking the valets. We asked to be moved but were told ocean view rooms were only for timeshare owners. You should have something telling you if you have ocean view when you booked. Not sure about jet ski rentals, but you will probably be ok.

Yes, there are big patios.

If you don't have a drivers license your question about renting a car, is kinda superfluous :)
The busses work very well here, although to get to downtown Puerto Vallarta will take two, but very easy and cheap.

@cabron....I do have a dl, it expired on my birthday but my fiance' has one as well and it is current and valid. I just dont see the point in renewing my licenses and im getting married in 18 days and will have to go PAY again to change my name....I need my money more than the secretary of state :-)
@michelleY I am a timeshare owner(first time at this resort tho) so hopefully although I will not upgrade or buy anything else, they won't treat us really bad with a bad room with a bad view...we shall see

Are you a Mayan owner?, then you should be able to get an ocean view room. Worth it. Have a nice time and have fun!