I've been looking at vrbo.com for PV condos/villas. I want to stay somewhere very scenic with a pool and possibly access to the beach. I've found several in the "South Zone". Not really sure what this means. Is it close enough to the old downtown area to walk to restaurants and shops and such? Is there another "zone" you would recommend? Vrbo lists them as PV Downtown, PV Marina, PV South Zone, PV Hotel Zone, etc.

We love staying in non-touristy places with great views, and we love going out to dinner but also cooking on our own. I know PV isn't exactly non-touristy so I'm wondering which "zone" might be best for us. Great views are very important to us. Any help would be appreciated! Merry Christmas!

The south is the best part of PV, in my opinion.

Good info/map here Zona Romantica for me...

http://www.vallartaonline.com/maps/m...-romantic-zone ·

We stayed at http://www.playalosarcos.com/playalosarcos which is in the Zona Romantica, so I can comment on the area but cant recommend a condo.

As far as amenities.. there were many shops of all kinds.
Across the street was a coffeeshop with wonderful pastries.
There was a small grocery store, a drug store and several restaurants.
There were several nice souvenir shops.

It was a lively area but not chaotic at all.
Very walkable and easy to navigate.
It had a neighborhood feeling.

The beach was right there. We felt safe at all times.
That goes for everywhere we went in PV.
All the people so nice and friendly.

Dont miss going to where they filmed Night of the Iguana.

People make up their own names for some areas.
Starting at the airport, is mostly the Marina: http://vallartainfo.com/marina.html
going down through the Hotel Zone, Downtown to, what I call the South Side: http://vallartainfo.com/south.html
this area is also called the Romantic Zone (God knows why LOL) or Old Town which is historically incorrect.
Further south, I've heard called the South Zone, which would include Conchas Chinas, Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlan.

"People make up their own names for some areas." Yeah, this is what has me a little confused! But, thank you all for your help. I found a real estate website that has really good descriptions of the different areas and that has really narrowed down my search on vrbo.

Here it is in case anyone else needs the info:

http://tropicasa.com/area-vallarta.php

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions!

Not bad descriptions, except Emiliano Zapata encompasses Los Muertos and Olas Altas

The problem with the South Zone is the beaches. Although most are very pretty and the hotels along the coast have increditble views, the beaches are small and usually only in front of your particular hotel. They are separated by rocky outcroppings and cliffs. I like to take long strolls along the beach. You cannot do that on the south side.

I've read that Conchas Chinas has their own beach. How is it? It certainly looks beautiful in pictures.

It's my favorite. Small but lovely & very few peddlers which makes it far more peaceful than say Muertos.
PS You actually can walk from there to Muertos but it does require some climbing over rocks. Also it has the best over shore snorkeling I have found in PV.

Thank you Stewbear for the great information!! Now I just need to pick from all the gorgeous condos/villas. It's a tough job but I think I'll manage!

I would stay somewhere on the southside. When you look at a map the Rio Cuale (river) runs thru downtown. To the north of it is El Centro/downtown, to the south of it is south-side/Zona Romantica. Further south is Conchas Chinas. I think any of these are great for what you want.

It's a matter of personal taste but I far prefer this area, and not Hotel Zone, Marina, or Nuevo.

Thank you suze, I definitely value your input.

I am also planning a trip to PVR in mid-January. I'm curious to hear suggestions for restaurants and bakeries. Also, many years ago, I remember finding a wonderful shop in central PVR with a beautiful selection of local high-end crafts. I love the touristy shopping too but this shop had really creative, unique items. Does it sound familiar to any recent explorers?

There's quite a few different shops with local high-end crafts in El Centro and the south-side. Hard to say which one from your description. There's a few on the main street (Juarez) up past the church. And a number down on B. Badillo around the intersection of I. Vallarta on the south-side.

Also for bakeries, so many, they are scattered all around, and I've yet to find a bad one! The one across from Posada Roger hotel on B. Badillo is decent. The pie shop across from the exit of Rizo's grocery store is good... to name a couple.

Restaurants? Too many to name them all!! I partiularly like Marisco's Polo or Joe Jack's Fish Shack for seafood. The Red Cabbage, Cafe de Olla, and Fajita Republic for Mexican-styled, and The River Cafe for more upscale with nice atmosphere.

SouthSide is The Area! I hear all the time, oh, the marina or Nuevo were OK but the action is down here and this is where I will stay next time. I bought a 1BR 1BA condo at the border of E. Zapata and Alta Vista and love it. I have 2 periods each of 11 days open but that is all. I keep rents low and only have people stay for good periods of time. The shops, restaurants, bars, beach are right at hand. Who could ask for more?

Here's another vote for the southside, although we did spend a week in the hotel zone area and could walk to the Malecon. We have rented condos through vrbo in Conchas Chinas and Las Gemelas (near El Presidente Hotel). Both were right ON the beach. The beaches were small, but beautiful. The local bus picks you up right outside most hotels/condos and is about a 10 min ride into town. The only heads up you might be aware of is in Jan and March the sun didn't reach those beaches till 11:00 am. We adjusted by doing "town" activities in the am and beach activities in the pm. Vrbo has lots of great choices. Good luck.