We are planning our first trip to Puerto Vallarta in March We are staying in a timeshare at the Westin Regina. I have ready mostly good reviews about the resort. However, I have not read very many good things about the beach near the Westin? Has anyone been there recently that can comment on the beach? Also, activities and restaurants in Puerto Vallarta that would be good for children ages 15 & 8 would be greatly appreciated. In addition, I would love info about fun beaches in the area. Thank you!!

Generally speaking the beaches behind the hotels in the Marina and Hotel Zone are fairly narrow, and maintained by the various resorts. PV is not known for stunning beaches (but it is still a fantastic place!).

The main local beach on the south side of town, Playa Los Muertos is popular with tourists and locals (more on weekends) alike. It is a crowded, busy, fun place lined with palapa bars and restaurants, activities like parasailing, innertubes, banana boats, boogie boards for hire, lots of vendors selling blankets and crafts, food vendors, temporary tattoos and hair braiding, etc.

For more quiet beach experience head north to either Destiladeras or El Anclote (between Bucerias and Punta Mita) for less people and more physically beautiful beaches. You could go by local bus, taxi, or rental car.

Suze, I'm going to be in PV at the end of next month. Is it possible to rent a chair/umbrella on the main beach. (You would understand my question if you saw how pasty white I am!) Thanks.

Yes... Mostly you can just choose a chair or lounge that is available, under an umbrella or palapa setup with a small table, and stay as long as you want, if you order some food &/or beverages (waiters will come to you on the sand). Tip good at the end of the day, and it's easy to get in with a favorite waiter/place, if you come again the next day.

One restaurant (I think it was El Dorado) makes you pay for the chair right off the batt & gives a 1st drink free (but I'd avoid this because that drink is usually weak/small and the service not as warm and friendly as the other spots).

Suze: Thanks for the info. Any recommendations on restaurants?

Suze: Just wanted to add that I am looking for some inexpensive, casual restaurants with decent food. Thanks!

Here's my list of economical but good restaurants in town.
http://vallarta-info.com/puertovallartainsider.html#bar

My restaurant favorites are mostly on the south side of town, so a bit of a haul just to have nice breakfast or an inexpensive lunch (Fredy's El Tucan, Memo's Casa de Hotcakes, Cafe de Olla, Chiles).

If you're in the neighborhood, the street of Basilo Badillo has loads of nice choices (near Playa Los Muertos, local beach southside).

The rooftop bar at Chez Elena/Los Cuatro Vientos hotel is a great place to watch the sunset if you're in downtown.

La Bamba for dinner on Basilo Badillo. Las Palomas for breakfast along the malecon is good--great view.

La Bamba has a great upstairs patio, no view but hidden and cozy. The owner & waiters are wonderful... sweet! Good food.

I have been travelling to Vallarta with kids for nearly 10 years. The absolute most fun we had was a canopy tour this New Years. It's south of Vallarta and may be called Vallarta Adventures. We thought we must be crazy to go, but we had a blast. Highly recommended and seemed very safe - take bug protection

The canopy tour South of Vallarta is http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/much.htm,
not Vallarta Adventures.