Mexico
 

In February we will be flying into Puerto Vallarta at 3 pm and staying for one night. The following morning we will go to Costco to get groceries and head to a beach house rental in Chacala for two weeks. I am searching for a fun, hotel or accommodation that is not a basic airport hotel. Maybe something near a fun restaurant so we can have a nice dinner that evening. No all inclusive or adult only accommodations. We are traveling with children ages 7 and 5.

Does it need to be close to the airport?

Here are great maps of the various areas of Puerto Vallarta:
www.vallartainfo.com

You could stay somewhere like Casa Magna Marriott in The Marina. It's lovely. And only 5-10 mins. from PVR.

Or there are all the Hotel Zone properties like Fiesta Americana, Secrets/Now Amber, Sunset Plaza, Sheraton, etc. That's next closest as you head to town.

I would recommend if you don't mind a taxi ride and to get the most bang for your time in PV to go ahead and come downtown.

Or you could come into Centro/downtown or Zona Romantia/southside if you really wanted to get a peek at what Puerto Vallarta's all about.

Hotel Rosita is right on the Malecon (the seawall promonade with street artists, statues, musicians, shops, restaurants) in Centro.

Or all the way (about 25 mins. in a taxi, it's not expensive) to The Tropicana or Hotel Playa Los Arcos. That puts you in the heart of Zona Romantica which is full of fun stuff to see and do right out your door.

(i write you from PV where I'm spending the month, if you have questions or want details I'll help if I can. i know Centro/ZR very well from many years vacationing here. i only know The Marina and Hotel Zone from passing thru on my way to and from the airport.)

sincerely, suze

You could stay at the Westin or Casa Magna in the Marina district (I prefer the Westin). It's close to the airport and there is a very good Italian restaurant within walking distance called PortoBello's (it's right at the Marina and you can sit outside). I am not sure what you mean by a "fun" hotel and "fun" restaurant though. Are you looking for a party type atmosphere?

Suze, I was hoping you would respond to this. You are a wealth of information about the area you love! I was hoping to stay within 10-15 minute drive of costco as that will be our mission the following day before we head to Chacala. You made great suggestions and I am looking into what might fit our needs best. While you are the area if you happen to hear of, or see, a health food store could you please let me know the address and name. That was another stop we were hoping to make for some dairy and gluten free dietary needs. We will have a rental car so transportation is not a problem.

tom42, Thanks for your response. I will check into your recommendations. I am not looking for a party atmosphere. By fun, I just meant something besides the basic airport hotel. We have never been to Puerto Vallarta. Perhaps an accomodation with a nice pool or beach. It does not have to be a big fancy resort. Just a cool place to be for one night to check out a little piece of PV.

Ah shucks, thanks!! I am crazy about Puerto Vallarta and have been for more than a couple decades ;-)

I don't think their local idea of a "health food store" is probably going to suit your needs. Those feature more like herbal supplements, protein powders, etc.

What kind of "dairy" exactly are you looking for?

If you need true "gluten free" I would consider packing it from home. You aren't going to want to waste previous hours of your very limited time running all over searching that out.

I think you'd be fine with Casa Magna Marriott if you want to be 10 minutes from Costco. That's simply not enough time to come into Centro or Zona Romantica or any place really cool (in my opinion in the heart of PV proper).

We got a lead on a great health food store from this forum in Playa del Carmen in the past. I will post a topic on leads for one closer to our travel time. Thanks for all of your ideas. I do want to apologize for the topic of my question being so broad "Mexico". Somehow my title "One night accomodation in Puerto Vallarta" got deleted and I was unable to edit once it was posted.

no biggie.

It's not a "health food store" exactly but Mikey's Deli at Los Mercados has some really wonderful food (like the only place in town I've been able to find yogurt that isn't sweetened).

If you want to post exactly what you are looking for, I might be able to help.

For example my sister is a non-dairy person and for the life of me I have not been able to find "vegan" ice cream or sorbet for her. She's very adaptable, so no big deal.

Some things... say almond milk, are available just a regular grocery stores. Some things... are kind of impossible or would take more work that you have time for and perhaps easier to bring from home?

Hi Suze,

I am not sure if you are still in PV. Sorry for my delayed response. I made a note of Mikey's deli. Thanks for the recommendation. I am looking for non dairy items such as almond milk. Good to know I can get that in the grocery store. The next big thing I would love to find is kombucha. I know its a crazy request but it's a staple for us and we love it. If we cannot find any we will survive for our two week stay without it. Just thought I would check on any possible leads. Thanks so much for your advice!!

Krystal's Organic Select would be a good option for your special needs. If you stay in the Marina, there's no need to go all the way to Costco, there's a perfectly good supermarket in Plaza Marina, Comercial Mexicana, see map: http://vallartainfo.com/marina-vallarta-map/

Thank you so much cabron! I checked out the website for Krystal's organic select and it is just the kind of store I am looking for. Huge bonus that it happens to be three minutes from costco. Thank you so much for the recommendation.