Hello, We're thinking about a trip to Mexico this summer (me, my husband and 2-year old daughter). We've been to the Playa del Carmen area so we were looking at somewhere different and I've read good things about Puerto Vallarta on this board. However, after looking at some of the package prices and hotel reviews, the resorts/hotels do not seem to be thought of as favorably as those in the Playa area. Am I looking at the wrong ones? Do you think that Puerto Vallarta would be a good family destination? We would like to have some sightseeing away from the resort and activities to do with the baby. Is this an area we should consider or would Riviera Maya be a better family destination? Thanks for your help!

Puerto Vallarta is just different. I think it's a wonderful city. There aren't as many fanchy resorts or all-inclusives as there are on the Caribbean side. Also the ocean is not a clear turquoise and the sand not as white, the beaches are more rough than smooth.

PV is more about the town itself, strolling the Malecon (seawall promonade), dance & music, the incredibly friendly local people, shopping and galleries, beach cafes, and the usual tourist activities (cruises, zipline, etc.). It's a gorgeous physical setting lush and green on a large bay surrounded by jungly mountains. It's more of a city in its own right, along with being a tourist destination. Things are more integrated. It's not only about tourists is what I'm trying to say.

If you are interested in newer, larger, nicer "resorts", plan to mostly stay on the property, and don't mind not being in downtown, then you can look at any of many beautiful properties that are out in Nuevo Vallarta (where the newer developments have been built, out to the north of the airport about 20-30 mins.).

If your trip to Mexico is to appreciate the country, then Puerto Vallarta is a far better destination than going to a "Resort" on the other coast. We don't have those sorts of places here, with the excepting of Nuevo Vallarta, which was built as a resort area, like Cancún, but that is 45 min north of town. I would suggest you look at some of the All Inclusive hotels close to town, like The Dreams Resort just south of downtown or the Buenaventura on the other side.

PV is a excellent choice. Another good one would be Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa.

Thank you! We are definitely interested in the city and the differences PV offers. We do not want to sit at the resort all day. I will take a look at the places mentioned. I appreciate the replies!

The two all-inclusives closest to downtown are Hotel Playa Los Arcos or Buenaventura. Dreams to the south is another excellent AI suggestion. But there's lots of other nice local style hotels (Hotel Rosita, El Pescador) or places like the Sheraton, Westin, Casa Magna Marriott, all pretty resorts.

PV is an excellent choice. So much prettier than the Carmen area. Lots of mountain vistas and jungle palms. I have visited for 31 years and am fulltime in my condo in the SouthSide. There are so many good restaurants to dine at, great for kids. I add small cafes and mom and pop spots to my dining guide almost every 2 weeks, plenty of kids' menus. Bargains galore and there are so many activities for kids. Tons of them in fact. Water rides, zoo, pirate ships, slides, pools, beachcombing, playing sand games, atv tours, bus tours and just plain walking as this is a people-accessible place! Come and check it out. You may hear the sighs of other first timers.

Here's another accommodation option. We have used www.vrbo.com three times in PV to rent condos and have enjoyed all 3. Having a small child, a kitchen is a plus. We have rented places from a studio directly on the ocean, a 1 bedroom in town, and a 2 bedroom in the hotel zone. The offerings are endless. You really don't need an AI. The restaurants are part of the experience.
Good luck finding a place. You will love PV!

we just got back from PV. I think you will love it. Suze is right on with her description. Your little one will love going up and down the Malecon. Mexicans are very family oriented and you will see alot of families out and about.

The playa los arcos is in a perfect area. Stay there.