The Mojitos are good, but much better Fish & Chips at Que?Pasa http://quepasavallarta.com/

de nada mi amiga

One of my travelling companions is a fish & chips expert~I'll suggest that to him if we go to PV next year! I had the shrimp tacos at Joe Jack's, and they were very good. He had the fish & chips and was quite pleased.

Hi Suze, just joined this amazing site from a friend's recommendation! And I hope to benefit from the wealth of experience on here. I am planning a trip to PV in June for 2 weeks, possibly 3. Bringing my mother down (from New York) for surgery, y'know, the whole medical tourism bit! We actually found a good deal at supposedly one of the best hospitals in Mexico, and the travel agency for the hospital group found us a couple of hotels there for both what they call EP (European Plan) and AI (All-inclusive) plans. EP = no meals whatsoever, and AI = all meals provided. In some cases, the AI plans are way way way more $ than we could imagine. And I'm just wondering if anyone here could give me ideas, suggestions, recommendations, opinions on the best/most reasonable way to stay and enjoy PV by the ocean for 2 -3 weeks?! Given that my mom would be quite limited in mobility, I was leaning towards taking the AI plan, but then just wondering how easy it is to buy and prepare our own meals? A friend even suggested looking into renting a house/condo instead of staying in a hotel. Any insights on these will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the great info here. You answered my post looking for a place to go for a month in Feb. and got me interested in PV-it's now my #1 choice. Questions: should we stay in the hotel zone or romantic zone? How do the cruise ships impact crowds in the different zones? Is the malecon supposed to be finished by Feb.? Do you have any comment on the Holiday Inn Sea River Tower condos? Thanks again!

IMO the south side of town (romantic zone) is far more attractive than the Hotel Zone, which is what it says, a area of Hotels. The Malecón was finished some time ago, now we are waiting for the new pier. The cruise ship passengers tend to travel around in air-conditioned busses and hardly impact the normal visitor at all.

hola snorklesue-
I also say definitely stay on the "southside", sometimes dubbed Zona Romantica in the brochures. I don't care for the hotel zone at all. The cruiseships don't impact the south side of town at all (except maybe for the occasional busload of tourists that gets dropped off at a specific gift or silver shop as cabron mentions above).

Don't know a thing about Holiday Inn Sea River Tower condos. Have you checked reviews on Trip Advisor?

we're looking at mexico for vacation this month...kind of last minute trip and it sure looks like PV gets 2 thumbs up from you all...have you been eslewhere in MX and would you recommend this over all others? for relaxing sunny vaca...
and where to stay? We want to feel like its a getaway so nothing too cheapy...but still under $100/nt.
I liked the look of casa andrea...what were rates like? and food/coffee served at all?

I've also been to Cabo once, La Paz once, Puerto Vallarta many many times.

Casa Andrea is a lovely place. I'm not sure the current rates but I believe about your price range. Yes there is coffee and a light breakfast served on the patio in the mornings. Plus all the units have full kitchens.

You can also rent an apartment for that price. I use www.vallarta-getaways.com for that.

I've seen some good deals on lovely condos in Mismaloya. Is it too far from the action, esp. for a first time visitor to PV?
Also, saw a nice place at Brisas Del Mar, but the TripAdvisor reviews are bad for the resort. Want to make a decision soon and get my life back. Thanks again.

A visit to Riviera Nayarit is well worth your time, unless you only like the glitz of Puerto Vallarta proper. The charm of some of the beach communities north are an experience you will not get in PV. Drive north and stop in and check them out. Chacala is the hidden gem and can be found approx 50 miles north. The jungle cascades down to the white sand and blue sea. Palapa restaurants line the sand with fresh, cheap seafood and cold margaritas and beer. There is a great left hand surf break just a few minutes out via panga boat with the main beach offering great swimming. in fact Chacala recently won the coveted "clean beach award". It's an adventurers delight for sure. www.nayarit4fun.com

The "glitz" of Puerto Vallarta proper... now THAT'S funny!!!!

re-reading my own stuff and all the other helpful replies. hmmm... so if May 2011 was my 20th trip, that means this coming November will be #22 for me + beloved Vallarta.

Wow! Enjoy your 22th trip to PV in November, suze! In December, we will be on our 15th trip to PR!

I think we should try PV for one of our trips.

When you find a place you love, that suits you...

I have never been to Mexico and had my heart set on Playa del Carmen but my wife has asked me to be a little open minded and consider other options ie Puerto Vallarta and area. Is she right? We do love beaches but also love nature, walking and great food. I have told her that the sea is rough on this side of Mexico but to be honest I have plucked that notion out of thin air.

We just returned from a month in Puerto Vallarta. Loved it. It's a very pretty small city, sited as it is, with the mountains as a back drop. An astonishing variety of restaurants. Most very reasonably priced.

Lots of things to see and do. Very walkable. We walked miles and miles every day, exploring the various neighborhoods.

We took buses to neighboring towns and spent the day lounging on the various beaches eating, drinking, reading and people watching.

Playa del Carmen does have 'better' sand, it's softer and whiter. The water is also that wonderfull shade of blue. Water around Vallarta is darker, as is the sand.

The area around Puerto Vallarts is much, much prettier than than Yucatan in terms of topography.

We have far more great restaurants than 'the other side' and the scenery is terrific.

stevelyon, Yes the ocean is more rough on the Pacific side than the Caribbean coast. But Puerto Vallarta offers so much more than just the beach (which is decent, but not the Caribbean). I have never been to the 'other side' to be able to compare the two on a personal experience basis.

JeanH, Lucky you having a whole month in Vallarta. Fantastic.

cabron, Arriving PV tomorrow. And not a moment too soon!!

You are right JeanH about the topography. The Yucatan region is formed on a vast plateau with underground rivers and cenotes hidden throughout the peninsula, therefore rending it without any appreciative landscape. PV on the other, hand has been blessed with the Sierra Madres as a background and the Banderas bay to complete the picture, not to mention the incredible sunsets. The ocean colour and quality of sand may be better in Playa but the natural landscape of PV and it's breathtaking scenery (day or night)is something to be well mentioned and appreciated.