JoanneH are you maybe confusing San Sebastian with Sayulita ? The San Sebastian bus definitely does not stop at Walmart.

I don't doubt your word it was arranged by the hotel and I went where I was told to be picked up, and I was picked up at Wal-Mart along with 3 others who were waiting there. Which is why I made the comment for anyone to double check because I do not know if this was some special bus pickup or not.

Sounds like it was a private tour, not regular Public Transport, The RED ATM line is the only regular service to La Estancia, the closest stop to San Sebastian, which is 12K away - Taxi or Hitch Hike.

Thanks to you all for your tips! I will report our post-trip successes (or lack thereof)! Thanks to all of you we made reservations at Ocean Grill (intend to travel by bus) and Café des Artistes, among others. We also plan to stop at Victor's. ... and we made sure to bring Pesos!

Thanks for checking in. Wishing you a fabulous time in Vallarta!

God I hope you weren't there during the humidity that arrived for our cruise stop this past Saturday!

It apparently was a bit early but not at all pleasant.

The Saturday market was good, bought some cute souvenirs from two girls from one of the mountain communities.

And lots of good coffee shops. Try Cafe Catedral on Basilio Badillo #137. Seems to be part of the "gay district".

They are only just now leaving for their trip.

Maybe it isn't too late to pack a personal fan.

I think I left the boat at 9 am (which is an hour after sunrise) and was ready to get back on the ship two hours later, although I suffered through for a few more hours.

More than a few comments from the snowbirds who were ready to get back. Sounds like a lot of shops shut down for the summer.

mlbg - Your comments are based on a very brief glance from a one day cruise ship stop (most people don't have a good impression of the city when this is how they visit).

"A lot" of shops do not shut down for the summer. Simply not true. PV is a year-round city and vacation destination not only for gringo "snowbirds" but for Mexican nationals from other parts of the country too.

As far as the weather, it's only April so no where near as hot as you'd find in the summer months. If you "suffered" in April definitely do not go visit in May thru November!

I have no plans to visit then, thanks.

Lucy's closes, for example. Fifty percent of the town's employment is tourism. Did you know that?.

I had a good impression of Cartagena as well as Antigua Guatemala. I guess some places are more impressive on first sight than others.

Others seem "just another Mexican coastal resort".

I would have guessed more than 50% actually. Are you sure the figure is that low?

Lucy's Cucucabana (gift shop) closes because she and Gil go on a buying/roadtrip for the shop at that time.

We were told 50% consistently. But perhaps that is only direct employment. I wonder if it includes real estate and construction, which are usually counted separately. I can see it being well over 50% if that wasn't already included.

Sure, OK. I have no idea what point you are trying to make. But yes the economy of Puerto Vallarta is in large part based on tourism and infrastructure to support that.