I know you probably didn´t have time to go to the Spanish school out there because you were on a short break, but I am going soon for 1 week and I have been recommended the following Spanish language school in Puerto Vallarta - http://www.viaspanish.com/Learn-Span...-Vallarta.html

Have you or anyone here on this thread been there or does anyone know any other good schools? I have been to other ViaSpanish schools in South America and they were very good.

I have another question about Puerto Vallerta: is there a good walking tour available for the Old Town? Also, any other suggestions for economical things to do would be appreciated!

I've seen guided bus tour around but never taken one myself. I'm not sure where they are organized from.

I just get a good street map of downtown and start exploring.

Other economical or free things to do include: using the local busses to get around, visit the main church, stroll along the Malecon (a seawall promonade with artistic sand sculpture, metal sculpture, food and entertainment), take a water taxi to Yelapa for the day.

Visit Playa Los Muertos, the main local public beach on the south-side for the day. For the price of a little food/beverage you can get a chair, umbrella/palapa, table for the day.

Get the local english-language tourist newspapers and read their calendar for special events.

Here's a good source for maps on-line
http://vallartainfo.com/downtown.html

Suze, you are a mine of information here.I'm thinking of a solo trip to Puerto Vallarta early January...I have a week.
I prefer staying in an apartment and I want somewhere reasonable in price. Not a big fan of beach resort type places or big hotels. Can you recommend somewhere or a website?

gertie~~
Happy to help when I can. I love PV.

I prefer to stay at a hotel when I'm traveling solo.

The one time I rented an apartment alone I found it awfully isolated (but would have been great for a group). This place:
www.vallartamexico.com

Plus apartments can be expensive if you're not sharing the expense with a friend.

My favorite budget hotel is (12+ stays) is:
www.hotelposadaderoger.com
In the past they've managed some offsite apartments like above Elsa's Lavendaria on Olas Altas but I'm not sure if they still own those or not. Those were nice because you got the hotel ammenities (pool & rooftop sundeck).

Another reason I prefer hotels to apartments... I've got to have a pool myself.

A hidden gem B&B with casita -tyled units (I guess you could call them apartments actually) that I've stayed a three times is:
www.casa-andrea.com

This one I'm interested in but haven't tried yet:
www.dulcavida.com

Other downtown & south-side hotels that offer rooms with kitchenettes include:
Hotel Eloisa, Hotel Rio, and Encino Hotel

Oops.

casita-"styled" not tyled

and

www.dulcevida.com

Fantastic. Many thanks. I'll follow all those up and see what happens!

gertie~ Here's one more. I haven't tried this one because it sits up high so has a bit of walking and stairs involved but looks great and gets steady good reviews. Places with kitchens I believe as low as $60/night depending on the season. Brisas del Mar
www.brisasvallarta.com

And... La Terraza Inn
www.terrazainn.com

Wow, thanks. I'll let you know what I decide. PV seems the perfect place for a relaxing beach holiday that's not too far away. Some sun in January will be nice. I'm now wondering whether to see if any of my friends are free that week....but I enjoy solo travel so it's no big deal.

Both are nice. I've been to Vallarta (I think it's) 19 times since I first went in the early 90's. I always stay on the "south side" nowadays sometimes called "zona romantica"...

I've traveled most often solo, but also with my cousin, with my sister, with male friends, with small groups. Never had a bad trip yet!

You can also try this link Jim & Charlie have a great list of rentals
http://www.CasasDelMarPV.com/108.html

More questions for Suze:
are the beaches clean and nice for swimming? No jellyfish?
Are there plenty of restaurants that serve 'international' cuisine rather than Mexican food only?
Any trips you recommend? I'm looking at the bird-watching tour in particular.
How far is Guadalajara? Is it possible as an overnight bus trip?
These questions are all prompted by my possible travel companion!
Thanks

PV beaches are Fair. Not fantastic. Jellyfish can be anywhere. They are at the mercy of wind & tide so no way of knowing when or where. some claim it is seasonal but I have not found it so having seen them in all seasons.

PS You can get any type of food imaginable in PV. Hundreds of cafés serving every thing you would find in any large US city.
Guadalajara is a poor day trip as it is too far & way too much to do. Unless you have at least a couple of days I would pass. It is about 5 hours via bus however you can fly Via Alma airlines in about 45 minutes. Round trip about $180 US. i love GDL spending many nights there including out Luna de Miel (Honeymoon) in '98. We return every few years & it gets better & better. But again give it a few days to really appreciate.

Thanks for all that Stewbear. Sounds like GDL is a separate trip. Anything else I should know? Looking for an apartment on the south side, sea view, somewhere that's moderate in price. I have lots of possibilities already.

Agreeing with Stewbear Guadalajara is about 5 hours each way by bus. So it's a long ride, but yes it is possible as a 1-overnight trip.

The beaches are clean because the hotels and restaurants along them rake the sand each morning.

I've never encountered jellyfish in PV but then I swim only in my hotel pool -ha! I grew up in California and am simply not a big fan of swimming in the sea. I lounge at the beach, swim in the pool myself.

There are loads of ALL kinds of restaurants. Actually finding a "Mexican" one is almost a bit of a challenge. There's all price ranges and all kinds of cooking... homestyle American, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Argentina, TexMex, Italian, French, Spanish, etc.

Lots of inexpensive options too... hamburgers, pizza, rotisserie chicken to-go, etc.

Gertie~ Have you looked into any apartments yet?

If you have any specific questions about a place or location I'm happy to answer if I can.

As I've mentioned I've stayed at Casa Andrea, Suites Emperador, the apartments over Elsa's Lavanderia, two different units at Mission San Francisco homes, and Hotel Posada Roger.

Over the years, I've visited and looked around the pool and common areas at pretty much every hotel on the south-side and many in El Centro.