Lisa

We will be leaving for PV next week and are planning on taking one tour (just me and my husband) and then one tour with our children ages 3 and 5. What would you reccomend? We're not big tour bus type people overall and would also love any info on checking things out on our own ie. renting a car to check out the jungle etc.?? Thanks for any input! Lisa

Karen

A really great place to find info. and<BR>what to to and aviod as far as excursions is a site I found about 2 weeks ago. The people on this message board are PV "LOVERS" and are very freindly about answering questions for "first timers".<BR>They have posted a lot of wonderful advice.<BR>I am traveling with my six year old in June and they were very helpful.<BR>Good Luck<BR>pub69.ezboard.com/todopuertovallarta

JRinPV

Take the bus to ElTuito, 14 pesos evry half hour, and get away from the tourists for a day. More info hereBR>&lt;http://vallarta-info.com/tuito.html&gt;

Clarisa

I don't think Puerto Vallarta even offers the huge bus tourist-tours like you are picturing (I don't think they could get them down the cobblestone streets!)<BR><BR>Rent a car to head north (Bucerias, Punta Mita, Sayulita, San Francisco, etc.) Or you can also get to these places on a regular local bus - an adventure in itself! <BR><BR>South and closer to town going for lunch down to Chico's Paradise and/or El Eden... could be fun. You could catch a water taxi at the pier at Playa Los Muertos over to Yelapa for the day (not an island, but small beach town not accessible by road).<BR><BR>As a general note of caution -- the friendly people in the storefront or booths along the streets selling "tours and activities" are often time-share sales fronts.<BR><BR>There are snorkeling cruises to Los Arcos, the pirate ship that goes around the bay in the evening, horseback riding in the jungle, etc. available but personally I just prefer to kick around town (if you aren't staying there, be sure to get to "old town south of the river" and El Centro - downtown).<BR><BR>I've been 14 times on PV vacations now and LOVE that town. Also a big second for Brenda's site www.todopv.com

Lisa

Thanks so much for your replies! I am definitly going to rent a car and go on a day excursion following your advice and also the water taxi sounds awesome. I have heard there are alot of different boat trips, dinner cruise type deals, Anybody?

Suzi

Try the old part of PV -- very nice - cobble stone streets, outdoor markets, flower boxes in the windows...much better than the high rise area.. Have fun!

Karen

I haven't been to PV yet but we are gong in a couple of weeks and I have searched a lot of sites and have found what I hope to be accurate info. Maybe someone else can confirm or shed new light on the following:<BR>As far as excursions go I have read on several sites that the pirate cruise is fun but the boat can get really "rocky" and many people have gotten ill (sea sick). Was planning on taking my six year old but I think we'll just do something else. <BR>Also several of the cruises are booze cruises - There are boat tours to yelpa and I think several posts mentioned that they are also booze cruises. I am definitly planning on going to yelpa but will take the water taxi from the pier. I like to drink and have a great time - I just don't want to have to explain constantly to my son why adults can act like "that" after drinking something. <BR>We are also planning on renting a car (or taking the bus) and going to Desterlida beach (not sure I spelled it right) going toward Punta Mita (have read a lot of posts saying how great the beach is there). We are also planning on driving or taking a taxi to El Eden -one of the jungle resturants where you can swim in the natural pools. Also found some info. that a place called Senior Frogs (a popular night club)on Sunday nights has kids contests , kids conga line dancing and kiddy margitas (virgin) from 7 - 10 pm. After that it switches to an adult place. I am going to inquire about it at our condo when we get there. We are planning on doing the Malecon on Sunday so it looks like we will already be close to there.<BR>Have fun!

Clarisa

For Karen, Yes, you're right on track!<BR><BR>Most all the formal tourist boat stuff is a "booze cruise" in one form or the other (so I hear from many, I've never done one).<BR><BR>The beach is Destiladeras (between Bucerias and Punta Mita). El Anclote is also beautiful a bit further north.<BR><BR>I don't know about Senor Frogs for kids. Always seemed like a regular Planet Hollywood or Hard Rock Cafe kind of establishment. (Again haven't been myself, only judging from the outside peaking in.)<BR><BR>El Eden would be great fun for a kid! Hiring a private water taxi/boat would also be a blast (but they are real bumpy too & a 40 min. ride to Yelapa if seasickness is a big problem for any in your group).<BR>

Clarisa

For Lisa, Instead of a dinner cruise (I get seasick anyway), I'd choose a nice dinner on shore myself! Especially if you're taking the kids, so many of those cruises are very "boozy" oriented.<BR><BR>One suggestion might be hotel Los Cuatros Vientos - it is up the hill in a residential neighborhood behind the main church (taxi drivers know the place). It has a rooftop bar with a TERRIFIC view out over the entire old town and the bay (one exactly in photos I've seen in tourist brochures). Go for sunset. Then have dinner at Chez Elena restaurant in the patio garden below.

Karen

To Clarisa:<BR>Do you have any info or advice about the resturant Las Carmelita's.I know that the view is supposed to be fabulous and the trip up there can tax the nerves or be fun depending on one's adventrous side. Would it be worth the trip, or would La Palpa (don't know if I spelled it right) on the beach be a better bet. We will probably be taking our six year old with us for dinner to either one. This is in lou of not taking the rythms of the night excursion.<BR>Thanks, Karen

Clarisa again

For Karen, Sorry I am not familiar with Las Carmelitas. La Palapa is just a normal restaurant located on Playa Los Muertos beach that has been getting mixed reviews lately (is that the one you meant?).<BR><BR>In that same area, if you go to Basilo Badillo (street name recently dubbed "restaurant row") and/or Playa Los Muertos (main local beach name) and walk around you can find ALL kinds of wonderful places to choose from.<BR><BR>On the beach some of the hotel restaurants pull their tables down onto the sand, lit with torches, and you can eat with the ocean nearly coming up to your feet. These aren't necessarily the best food in town, but it's pretty fun. The mariachi bands come around too.<BR><BR>Some people's favorite is Le Kliff which is outside of town somewhere (in the jungle?) and with a great view (but because I am always on foot, and stay more mid-budget, I haven't tried it).

bj

For a cruise, take a look at the Geronimo. I did this last year and was very impressed. There are drinks served but not until after the snorkling and its not at all what I'd call a booze cruise. There were several families w/kids. <BR>Basically its a snorkle/swim/sail tour on a catamaran. Coming back we were escorted by dolphins and really made the trip extra special.

Lisa

Well I am loving all of this information! I am sure we will be checking out El Eden and also Destiladeras Beach/ Punta Mita. One night my Mom who will be with us for a few nights is going to watch the kids so maybe we will do a Booze Cruise one of those nights if anyone knows of a good one. Also we will be celebrating our Wedding Anniversary while down there so will get out alone that night too and was wondering about restaraunts up very high with great views. We got married in Iceland and ate at the top of this amazing structure with an incredible rest. on the top with panaramic views and the rest. rotated around ever so slowly... Anyway, each year for the past 6 for our anniversary we find a rest. that sits up high with views.Las Carmelitas's Karen was talking about sounds great but its the first time I have heard of it. Sounds like you need a couple tequila shooters maybe to get the nerve to get up there but would love someone to eleberate. Again thanks so much for the responses! We are leaving in a few days and I am really getting pysched, Lisa

Clarisa

For Karen & For Lisa,<BR><BR>Hope you both have GREAT trips to PV. Post when you get back. There's several things you've got me curious about now?!?!? hasta luego mi amigas, ENJOY.

pvdeb

Lisa,<BR>I recommend El Panorama for a wonderful and romantic dinner. It sits on the top of a condo building that sits WAY UP the hill in El Centro. They have both outdoor and indoor dining on 2 levels with gorgeous views and a 3rd level above that that you can go up to to just look out over the city. The food is very good and they have all the fun things like flaming desserts and coffees and live music. If you tell them it's your anniversary, they will probably bring you a small piece of decorated cake and have their singers come by your table to serenade you (appropriate to tip them). The evening we were there, after a gorgeous sunset, we were rewarded with the Carnival Elation cruise ship all lit up, leaving port and going across the bay, then the Marigalante pirate ship went across the bay in the other directions and shot off fireworks lighting up the sky over the bay and reflecting in the water. It was magical!

Laura

Karen & Lisa<BR><BR>You must promise to post a trip report when you return.<BR>We are booked into the new RIU Jalisco, so if you happen by it, please let me know how it looks!<BR>--thanks

Karen

For Lisa:<BR><BR>Here is the direcions to Las Carmelita.<BR>Take Libremiento Road to sign for Terra Noble - follow signs to Las Carmelitas.<BR>Phone 2-0845, 3-2104.<BR>I asked on another board and this was the directions I got.<BR>Take a look at the site pub69.ezboard.com/todopeurtovallarta.<BR>Today somebody posted a question about the best site to propose at. Majority answered a resturant called La Palpa (on Calle Pulpito 103 y Playa Los Muetos). They aslo did a poll on where the most romantic resturant was. El Panorama and La Palpa were the top two followed by Las Carmelitas.<BR>This message board has been a great source of info. I have seen as much as 20 new posts a day and everyone of them always gets answered.<BR>For Clarisa: Look on the site I mentioned above after June 18th. I will post my trip there.

??

I can't seem to find website mentioned last post????

Laura

Yes, I am getting a page not found reply, as well.

love that site

try this:<BR><BR>http://pub69.ezboard.com/btodopuertovallarta