Puerto Vallarta Favorites
Apr 5th, 2014, 11:25 AM
#42
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Hola! We returned to snow and my husband had to scrape our icy windshield before leaving the airport. It was hard to believe we had been in sunny PV hours earlier. Thanks again to everyone as all the advice really helped us have a great trip.
The first couple of days were busy but then it became easier and easier to want to do nothing. Hopefully my "report" helps someone else.
Saturday morning we caught the bus to the Southside for the markets.
Within minutes of arriving at Lazaro Cardenas Parque my husband purchased a pork tamale covered with a yummy tomatillo sauce. Our son stopped at the Xocodiva stand and purchased a frozen banana, stuffed with salted caramel , dipped in chocolate and rolled in pecans. Delicious! I was after the Bahia de Banderas smoothie from Salud Superfoods so we headed in that direction and we were not disappointed. From there we just wandered. After turning onto Basilio Badillo, we noticed a little bakery window with cream puffs and pastries. Again my son made a purchase - a little lime tart/pie which he quickly devoured. We walked toward Centro and came upon Con Orgullo Azteca Candies. Of course my son wanted to go in, so after several samples we ended up purchasing sesame coated peanuts, candied pecans and candy coconut all of which I’ve been nibbling on today.
We kept walking, took our time and strolled along the Malecon. As we reached the north end of the boardwalk, it was lunchtime and I knew that El Barracuda was not far away. I found Paraguay Street and just kept walking. My son was getting irritated (probably from sugar overload) and kept asking “where are we going” lol. He was soon very happy. Good fish tacos, salsas, margaritas and a fabulous view. The staff was great. At the end our meal, the waiter brought over three small glasses of Kahlua and cream “compliments of the house.” As he handed a glass to my son he said “how old are you…oh you’re in Mexico hahaha.”
From there it was a bus back to the hotel and a few hours of relaxing before our 7:30 pm dinner reservation at El Arrayan. I thought it was a very cute open air restaurant, but only 3 or 4 tables were occupied so it was weirdly quiet. My son (carnitas) and husband (fish pastor) really enjoyed their entrees. My Mole enchiladas were good but nothing special.
Sunday morning my husband and I walked through the hotel neighborhood and along the beach. Directly in front of our hotel we were lucky to watch a pod of dolphins jumping out of the water. Our plan was to go into town, get breakfast and then take the bus to the botanic gardens. We had a nice breakfast at La Palapa – beach views, location & people watching - but by the time we finished it was hot and going to the jungle did not seem like a great idea anymore. My husband suggested hoping on the bus to Boca de Tomatlan to check it out.
When we first arrived at Boca it was kind of a what the hell are we doing here moment. Another couple on the bus who had missed the stop at Mismaloya asked if we wanted to join them for a drink. Soon we were sitting next to the “river” overlooking the small bay, drinking cervezas under an umbrella with our bare feet in the sand. The “river” was more of a lazy river and local children were having a blast playing in the water. It made me wish I had taken my boys here when they were small. The woman we were with mentioned the delicious mango margarita at Cafe Olla, so that was our stop at the end of a perfect day.
The first couple of days were busy but then it became easier and easier to want to do nothing. Hopefully my "report" helps someone else.
Saturday morning we caught the bus to the Southside for the markets.
Within minutes of arriving at Lazaro Cardenas Parque my husband purchased a pork tamale covered with a yummy tomatillo sauce. Our son stopped at the Xocodiva stand and purchased a frozen banana, stuffed with salted caramel , dipped in chocolate and rolled in pecans. Delicious! I was after the Bahia de Banderas smoothie from Salud Superfoods so we headed in that direction and we were not disappointed. From there we just wandered. After turning onto Basilio Badillo, we noticed a little bakery window with cream puffs and pastries. Again my son made a purchase - a little lime tart/pie which he quickly devoured. We walked toward Centro and came upon Con Orgullo Azteca Candies. Of course my son wanted to go in, so after several samples we ended up purchasing sesame coated peanuts, candied pecans and candy coconut all of which I’ve been nibbling on today.
We kept walking, took our time and strolled along the Malecon. As we reached the north end of the boardwalk, it was lunchtime and I knew that El Barracuda was not far away. I found Paraguay Street and just kept walking. My son was getting irritated (probably from sugar overload) and kept asking “where are we going” lol. He was soon very happy. Good fish tacos, salsas, margaritas and a fabulous view. The staff was great. At the end our meal, the waiter brought over three small glasses of Kahlua and cream “compliments of the house.” As he handed a glass to my son he said “how old are you…oh you’re in Mexico hahaha.”
From there it was a bus back to the hotel and a few hours of relaxing before our 7:30 pm dinner reservation at El Arrayan. I thought it was a very cute open air restaurant, but only 3 or 4 tables were occupied so it was weirdly quiet. My son (carnitas) and husband (fish pastor) really enjoyed their entrees. My Mole enchiladas were good but nothing special.
Sunday morning my husband and I walked through the hotel neighborhood and along the beach. Directly in front of our hotel we were lucky to watch a pod of dolphins jumping out of the water. Our plan was to go into town, get breakfast and then take the bus to the botanic gardens. We had a nice breakfast at La Palapa – beach views, location & people watching - but by the time we finished it was hot and going to the jungle did not seem like a great idea anymore. My husband suggested hoping on the bus to Boca de Tomatlan to check it out.
When we first arrived at Boca it was kind of a what the hell are we doing here moment. Another couple on the bus who had missed the stop at Mismaloya asked if we wanted to join them for a drink. Soon we were sitting next to the “river” overlooking the small bay, drinking cervezas under an umbrella with our bare feet in the sand. The “river” was more of a lazy river and local children were having a blast playing in the water. It made me wish I had taken my boys here when they were small. The woman we were with mentioned the delicious mango margarita at Cafe Olla, so that was our stop at the end of a perfect day.
Apr 5th, 2014, 04:02 PM
#44
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We spent our last few days out by the pool, watching dolphins again and a return trip to El Barracuda and Salud Super Foods for smoothies and catching the gorgeous evening sunset. I'll try to change my profile pic to one of the best sunsets.
Toward the end of our trip we took the bus to the Botanical Gardens. Many cultivated orchids and other tropical plants, but not the typical well-manicured landscape. We walked several of the trails and by the time we finished touring we were hot and needed a cool lemonade so off we went to the restaurant. We were seated on the deck overlooking the jungle, served the most refreshing sparkling limonade ever as well as a small glass of hibiscus iced tea. My husband & I also shared chips and guacamole, while our son ordered another - grrrrrr - meal. There was a wonderful, cooling breeze and I could have stayed there all day.
Several times I noticed the sign for the PV zoo and wondered about it. Sunbum, I just re-read your trip report and cannot believe you got to play with baby lions, tigers and jaguars!
We only ate at the Marina once at a small, modern wood-fired pizza place called L'Olive. It is a nice little restaurant but I felt like a was in a time warp due to a wall mounted tv playing nothing but music videos from the 80s.
On our last evening we had a 7 pm reservation at Vista Grill. The view of the city is just breathtakingly beautiful. I'd seen photos but nothing matched the actual experience. It was a perfect way to wrap up our trip.
When I go back I'd like to take a trip to the Marietas during whale watching season and well as the excursion to San Sebastian. I still have many restaurants recommended here to try.
I thought I'd like PV but really surprised by how much. We occasionally used cabs, but the bus was our main source of transportation. The streets are crazy and I would never consider driving. The buses to the gardens were the most interesting. The first one had a large spare tire laying on the floor and I could smell brakes on the return bus. I just shrugged it off with the waiters words "...…oh you’re in Mexico hahaha.”
Toward the end of our trip we took the bus to the Botanical Gardens. Many cultivated orchids and other tropical plants, but not the typical well-manicured landscape. We walked several of the trails and by the time we finished touring we were hot and needed a cool lemonade so off we went to the restaurant. We were seated on the deck overlooking the jungle, served the most refreshing sparkling limonade ever as well as a small glass of hibiscus iced tea. My husband & I also shared chips and guacamole, while our son ordered another - grrrrrr - meal. There was a wonderful, cooling breeze and I could have stayed there all day.
Several times I noticed the sign for the PV zoo and wondered about it. Sunbum, I just re-read your trip report and cannot believe you got to play with baby lions, tigers and jaguars!
We only ate at the Marina once at a small, modern wood-fired pizza place called L'Olive. It is a nice little restaurant but I felt like a was in a time warp due to a wall mounted tv playing nothing but music videos from the 80s.
On our last evening we had a 7 pm reservation at Vista Grill. The view of the city is just breathtakingly beautiful. I'd seen photos but nothing matched the actual experience. It was a perfect way to wrap up our trip.
When I go back I'd like to take a trip to the Marietas during whale watching season and well as the excursion to San Sebastian. I still have many restaurants recommended here to try.
I thought I'd like PV but really surprised by how much. We occasionally used cabs, but the bus was our main source of transportation. The streets are crazy and I would never consider driving. The buses to the gardens were the most interesting. The first one had a large spare tire laying on the floor and I could smell brakes on the return bus. I just shrugged it off with the waiters words "...…oh you’re in Mexico hahaha.”
Apr 5th, 2014, 06:51 PM
#45
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We did love our experience of playing with the baby tigers, lions and jaguars- however, it does cost extra of course. Got some great pics.
I was in PV for 6 weeks in Dec/Jan- had friends and daughter come to stay and they all liked PV better than they thought they would. One of my friends was sure we would be mugged or at the very least, get sick from the food- but to her surprise, nothing but fun happenings
Hope I can go back in November
I was in PV for 6 weeks in Dec/Jan- had friends and daughter come to stay and they all liked PV better than they thought they would. One of my friends was sure we would be mugged or at the very least, get sick from the food- but to her surprise, nothing but fun happenings
Hope I can go back in November
Apr 8th, 2014, 08:05 AM
#49
<I need the recipe for that smoothie.> I've thought about that too, but somehow I don't think it would be the same 
Salud is fairly new (it's in the old Mama Delores space on Olas Altas) and they've got a great thing going on. Their menu is light & fresh so perfect a warm morning or after being at the beach.
Salud is fairly new (it's in the old Mama Delores space on Olas Altas) and they've got a great thing going on. Their menu is light & fresh so perfect a warm morning or after being at the beach.
Apr 8th, 2014, 09:07 AM
#50
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Have fun Tom! Please let me know what I missed on my trip. I wanted to go to Barcelona Tapas for the Tortilla Española and ran out of time.
<<...but somehow I don't think it would be the same>>
I know.
<<...but somehow I don't think it would be the same>>
I know.
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