puerto vallarta
 

I will be in PV in the end of July with my sons, 21 and 13. We will stay for 5 days. It is our first time in the area. Any recommendations of hotels? I don´t want to stay in AI hotels.
thanks

I'm happy to help. I go to Puerto Vallarta twice a year.

General price range and style you are looking for (Mexican, traditional, modern, large, small, 2-star, 5-star)?

Does it have to be beach front or is a few blocks inland OK?

Do you want a pool?

Do you prefer a walkable/central area of downtown? Or would you rather stay outside of town and use the local bus or taxis to get around?

Possibly interested in a condo? There are some very nice buildings at reasonable prices since it's summer time (low season) that would give you a lot more space for 3 people than a single hotel room.

If you can give me a bit more to go on and I'll post a short-list of ideas.

I have never stayed at an All Inclusive so that part's easy.

So many properties and areas to choose from. If you give your wants and a budget that would make it easier. I've been going for over 20 years now and have stayed at or toured most properties.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

I have been to PV 3 times only and have taken suggestions and comments from maried11, which have proved to be very accurate and informative...

Where did you stay, Rohelio? Which hotel(s) did you enjoy?

thanks for the replies. It doesn´t need to be beach front. We prefer a walkable area to downtown, more quiet, and we probably will visit some towns, beaches around.
My budget is US150 per night for three persons

You can get a nice 2-bedroom/2-bath condo for that price at summer time rates.

Here's a unit I stayed in last year at Vista del Sol, $120/night, very spacious, large patio, ocean view, central walkable area in Zona Romantica (Colonia Emiliano Zapata) at the south end of The Malecon. Jeff Musto/PV Kid is the agent I arranged thru.
http://puerto-vallarta-rentals.com/vistadelsol715/

Central PV really doesn't offer a "more quiet" place, so that's the only one of your wish that may be harder to find!

Here's another place I've stayed & if you don't mind being up at the top of a hill, I've stayed here (4 times) & it actually IS fairly quiet... el Escondido. You can see that here, managed by Saskia at Vallarta Getaways. Also easily in your price range for a 2 bedroom at summer rates.
http://www.vallarta-getaways.com/ren...-condominiums/

Thanks Suze! I liked both.
I will talk with my children to decide

Since I'm on the right track :-) here's one more places I've stayed at quite a few times - Selva Romantica. It has a killer gorgeous infinity pool and palapa common area and gardens. It's also up the same hill but not quiet as far as Escondido. I rent a studio but they also have larger units
http://puerto-vallarta-rentals.com/selva/
http://serentavallarta.com/selva-rom...studio-suites/

Just a thought that I think. I would not stay anywhere near Los Muertos in the summer (which is where Vista del Sol, Selva are). It is very busy in the summer with nationals which is great, but they bring lots of people, are loud and park right in front of you. and think wall to wall people on the beach. I won't go in the summer again for that reason to that area.
I did absolutely love Vista del Sol and would love to stay at Selva, but won't with my kids just yet (too young). Would go in the winter though when the beaches aren't as crazy.
I would really look more towards Bucerias where it's not as loud, not so crazy and the beaches are soooo much better. There are many nice condos for great prices there. Have a look at www.vrbo.com and see if there's anything you like. It's a smaller town and not so touristy and much more quiet.
Good luck and ask away as there are also many great areas around withough being in the craziness of Los Muertos (even though I like it for a few days, I also don't find it child friendly unless you're very liberal).

Here is a webcam at CyC, one of the beach bars on Playa Los Muertos that maried11 refers to above. You can see for yourself how "crazy" it is... or isn't :-)

http://www.cuatesycuetes.com/

Just from my experience, don't consider Los muertos If you want quiet. I love it there but not I the summer or Easter. Very crazy and also things that children shouldn't see. The view from cyc is fine but doesn't show what it's like. I would highly suggest going north at that time when th children.

I have to agree here... there are certain areas along that beach, at and around the Blue chairs hotel that should not be shared with young people. I myself was really stunned at one time to witness certain things that I would consider offensive... Yes, the northern area IMO would be more age appropriate for your 13 and 21 year old sons plus the beach is a little cleaner and a little less activity.

for Iserpa, What the two posts above are beating around the bush about, is that there is a section at the far end of Los Muertos that has gay bars. No one is suggesting you take your family to hang out there.

The other "problem" being alluded to is Mexican "nationals". Yes it is true, Mexican families also vacation in PV in the summer time. If you find "too many Mexicans on the beach" to be a negative, you might want to stick with the resorts out in Nuevo Vallarta for a more non-Mexican experience.

So yes I actually agree with those posts, IF you want a more gringo experience there are other parts of town (Hotel Zone, the Marina) or outside of town (Bucerias, Nuevo Vallarta) that might be more suitable.

If you want to experience some of the local culture and stay in a convenient, central neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta, the condo buildings I linked for you would be wonderful.

You can see local culture anywhere in PV (yes, even in Nuevo by going to Bucerias which is much less touristy than PV)> They are all wonderful areas with their own character, so depending on what you want and are looking for will really determine which area.

I am learning a lot about PV in this fórum.
Thanks for the replies.
We are from Rio, Brazil and used with crowd.
I don`t like gay bars but don`t want to stay in a resort

Well you certainly don't have to go to a gay bar just because you happen to stay in the Zona Romantica ;-)

ALL kinds of people vacation in PV and stay in Old Town (Centro, Zona Romantica) including Mexican nationals, families, retired people, college students, back packers, honeymooners, solo travelers... it's a very diverse and welcoming area.

Most of the gay bars are clustered around Olas Altas, Los Muertos Beach, but plenty of straighter bars, even in this area. Easy to spot the gay bars, they are full of men. All bars are gay/hetro friendly, I go to the non-gay bars, as I prefer looking at women. :)