Went to Costa Rica with the family over the Christmas holidays and just loved it!
Now, DH and I both have "Spring Break" off- March 11-19... since he flys for Delta, our airfare is free. The flights to Puerto Vallarta are pretty open. It is freezing cold outside, I can't run to B&N to grab a book- I need some help planning
We would like to stay maybe 4 nights, 5 if we could afford it. Price is a pretty big factor- we would like to stay somewhere clean and in a good location, hopefully on a swimmable beach. We'd like to keep in under $150/night.
We are both avid divers- from what I can tell, there is some decent diving in PV, correct? Any recs? (I am advanced PADI).
I guess my first step should be finding lodging. Do you find you get the best deals through websites such as Expedia, or do you prefer to contact the hotels directly?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Marietas Islands not far from PV has some diving , I have never read that it's actually a " dive destination " , you would not want to be disappointed ....

We'd be okay with "decent" diving. I haven't dove in 3 yrs and I have the ich- lol!!

Puerto Vallarta i.e., the Bay of Banderas is unfortunately not known for great diving.

For hotels I usually always contact them directly myself. If you want to be right on the beach you have the choice of The Marina area (Casa Magna Marriot etc.) or the Hotel Zone (Sheraton, Buenaventura etc.) or Playa Los Arcos which is the beach on the southside sometimes called Zona Romantica or Old Town. I much prefer the last area for its charm (cobblestone streets, red tile roofs, black wrought iron, bouganvilla).

For hotels in the Old Town area in that price range you can check: Molina de Agua, Hotel Eloisa, Playa Los Arcos, Tropicana, Suites Emperadora. All have websites. Staying here means you can walk everywhere to activities, restaurants, galleries, shops, bars, the Malecon, the cathedral.

I would get busy to secure a hotel reservation asap because I know PV is extra busy this year (what with the recent hurricane damage on the other side) and this is the very height of the high season anyways.

Please post again with any specific questions, I've spent loads of time in PV and am happy to help if I can.

Grupo Vallarta is a website with a number of the low to mid priced local flavor hotels... find them at:
www.vallartaspecials.com

Since you mention money is a factor, there are also a number of decent 3-star hotels that are a few blocks in off the beach and go for as little as ~$50USD/night. Like Posada de Roger (see faithie's recent yelapa report for details).

Again as above, it may be difficult to find a hotel at this late date. Let us know if we can help more.

Vallarta Adventures has some good information on dive sites
http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/s...dive-site.html

Thanks to all!! I am in the process of securing flights and making sure we can fly stand-by!!!! It's on to hotels by the end of this week I'm sure I'll be back with more questions...

buena suerte

<suze wrote: "buena suerte">

I've been lurking here for a few weeks as I plan for our 20th wedding anniversary trip to PV in late October. I need to bone up on a little Spanish ... what's "buena suerte" mean?

Great posts everybody. I've heard how nice PV is, but have also read plenty of steaming mad posts about shoddy accomodations and/or staff at different places, including even the Sheraton. I'm tempted by the smaller (non-chain) places close to the Old Town. I see some places already booked full for October. Should I keep researching or do I need to nail down a reservation now (for late October)?

Lairin, It means good luck! Usually people just say "suerte".

October is not high-season I don't think you need to book way in advance. I'm extremely surprised to hear you are finding places full already.

Honestly most of the bad reviews I have read on the internet or overheard at the airport seem to come from the large mega hotels and chains or budget all-inclusives resorts.

If you understand what you are getting into, the less expensive locally-owned places in Old Town are overall cleaner and friendlier in my experience. I believe that is because most often ownership is very hands-on, not just poorly-paid staff working a "day job" so to speak. My room maid Rosa at Posada Roger has been there for years and years.