Parasailing in Puerto Vallarta
 

My husband and I are planning on going to Puerto Vallarta the last week in August. I have never gone parasailing and I'm thinking baout ding it in PV. Has anyone done it? If so, how do you go about doing and how was it?<BR><BR>Also, is the end of August an OK time to go to Puerto Vallarta? Will there be a lot of rain?

Mary, I have never done it but seen people do it literally hundreds of time (when I was hanging out at the beach).<BR><BR>The main local beach in the south part of town called Playa Los Muertos, offers it. Simply look for a few good looking Mexican guys, a huge colorful parachute on the sand, and their boat out in the water. Walking down the beach someone will probably approach you. Or sit in one of the palapa restaurant/bars and have a drink or some food and watch the action as others take their turn, to get an idea how it's done. It appears perfectly safe, meaning I've never seen anything but a smooth take off and landing, & participants ending up with huge smiles on their face!!<BR><BR>Guessing the resorts out in Nuevo offer similar, but I don't know that part of town.<BR><BR>I've only been down in the months Dec. thru Apr. Have heard August is HOT and humid with some rain (but normally lasting only a few hours).

Hi Mary,<BR>You might want to go on the State Dept. website www.state.gov to the country advisory section and you'll see that under Mexico there is a warning about parasailing. I've been to Puerto Vallarta many times and seen it done but I myself wouldn't take the risk.

i'd love to parasail but wouldn't do it in mexico unless i new a lot about who i was going out with. a friend went out once, the boat's motor died and she had quite the fall down to the ocean. i heard of another person crashing into a beach restaurant.

It looks like fun, but I would never do it. I have seen too many close calls, one that was very bad, almost crashing into a restaurant on the beach. In my opinion, life has enough risk without taking that kind of risk on purpose just for a thrill!!

Just returned from PV 1st You are going to love it. 2nd Parasailing is fantastic and as safe as can be, it is offered all over at every beach. We did it on the beach at the KRYSTAL hotel. It cost 400 pesos abount $40.00 US. You don't really need to go anywhere, just si on the beach and they wil come to you. Same for Jetski, They will come to you. Can't answer your question about August, our guide did say that November was his best time of year. As for rain you got me. Enjoy, we had a great time.

Been there done that!<BR><BR>No problema-go for it!<BR><BR>adios!<BR>mexicodan<BR>www.mexicomexico.info

I parasailed when we were in PV at the end of January 2002, and it was a BLAST!

I parasailed when we were in PV at the end of January 2002, and it was a BLAST! I took a cheap water-proof camera up with me and got the best pictures! I'm sure there have been a few close calls, but keep in mind - this is what they do for a living and they depend on tourists to keep them in business. Take off and landing were both very smooth. I went when they weren't busy (early to mid morning), and got a bit longer time up. If in doubt, talk to the people when they come down from a ride. AWSOME!!!

Think carefully about whether you want to take the risk. We saw a very serious parasailing accident while lounging on the beach in PV a couple of years ago. Also, I doubt your insurance will cover you for this activity.

An accident can happen anywhere/anytime. Actually I think parasailing is one of the safer activities. DO NOT do one of those "innertube pulled behind a boat things". I broke a rib in the caribbean doing this.<BR>I don't understand Sue's insurance statement. Since when do Ins.Co's have a list of "allowable" activities??

bj, If those are the "inflatable banana" rides, I agree with you - I've heard of a lot of people who are so bruised and banged up by the time they get off, the rest of their vacation is ruined. I'll take my chances parasailing any day!

I looked up the travel warnings on the Gov. site suggested by John.<BR>Basically, all it says is to "be aware that by putting your name on a a list you may be relieving the boat operator and owner of responsibility for your safety. There have been cases in which tourist have been dragged through palm trees or slammed into hotel walls while participating in this activity"<BR>It also states you should be very cautious of renting jet skis, especially in 'Tour' situations, and it say you should not swim in pools or the ocean without a lifegard present, and it even says to be careful crossing streets as public transportation, i.e taxi's and buses often do not drive the posted speed limit.<BR>Geez, we should all stay home! It's not safe outside!

Those State Dept warnings are a bloody joke. <BR>What did the State Dept. ever know about the rest of the world?

Well, it looks like 8 out of 12 people are OK with parasailing in Puerto Vallarta. So maybe I will give it a try. Thanks to everyone for their advice/comment. I will keep the warning in mind.

Mary,<BR>We look forward to hearing all about your parasailing! Don't forget to take a disposable waterproof camera up with you so you can snap some great pics!<BR>

I was in PV the last week of August this past summer. Let me warn you in advance-it is going to be extremely hot and humid there! My mom couldn't handle it and stayed in the hotel most of the trip, and neither of my parents ever want to go back. IMO, I would go back in a second, but not in the 'off season' which is when you are going. It rains...but it wasn't too bad. The thing that got me was that you'd go out in the middle of the night and it would be just as hot as the afternoon with the sun beating on you...it just amazed me. <BR><BR>As far as parasailing, my brother went and had a blast! We all wanted to go but didn't end up doing it (didn't want to take away from his experience as it was his birthday). He brought a disposable camera and got amazing photos. I would totally do it-tons of people were every time we went to the beach. <BR><BR>Have fun!!