Hi all, <BR><BR>Been reading through all the great posts on this board and thought I would give it a try myself. A friend and I are heading to PV in two weeks for a 7night stay...we'll be staying at Club Viva Vallarta. Booked it in a whirlwind and would love some insider info on the place. Also, any ideas for which tours/excursions are best? we'll be on a tight budget so I am trying to get the best "Bang for my buck". Thanks in advance for your help.<BR><BR>Dana

The best tour I took in PV was whale watching through Wildlife Adventures. It was a very small boat -- 10 people -- and we saw so many whales up close. There was a marine biologist on board who provided some great information. It was roughly $60 and they provided a sandwiches, granola bars and drinks for lunch. The great thing about the small boat was the ability to catch up to the whales when you saw them at a distance. We noticed many larger boats constantly trying to follow us and keep up, and they simply couldn't go fast enough or turn quickly enough to see the whales up close. I couldn't recommend them enough.

go to this website, you will find tons of info, especially on the message board and the "insider". I love PV, it is my favorite place!<BR><BR>http://todopuertovallarta.homestead.com/index.html

HI. WE JUST CAME BACK FROM PV ON FRIDAY. WE STAYED RIGHT IN PV. BUT WE DID TAKE A BUS OUT TO PUNTA MITA, WHICH IS JUST NORTH OF CLUB VIVA. WE WENT TO PUNTA MITA, WHICH IS AT THE MOST NORTHERLY POINT OF THE BAY, TO TAKE A WHALE TOUR. WE WENT THROUGH OSCARS TOURS. IT WAS EXTREMELY REASONABLY. THEY HAD BOATS THAT COULD FIT UP TO 8 PEOPLE. SO THE TWO OF US WERE HOOKED UP WITH 4 OTHER PEOPLE THAT ALSO WANT TO GO ON THE WHALE TOUR. IT COST US 300 PESOS PER COUPLE (APPROX. 30.00 US). THIS WAS VERY REASONABLE. THEY TOOK US OUT FOR 2 HRS. AND WE SAW MANY WHALES AND DOLPHINS. WE ALSO WENT TO THE MARIETAS ISLANDS, WHICH IS A BIRD SANCTUARY, AND MANY PEOPLE GO SCUBA DIVING OR SNORKELLING HERE, TOO. THIS WOULD BE VERY CLOSE TO YOUR RESORT (APPROX.10 MIN. AWAY). SO THIS DEFINITELY WOULD BE A BUDGET TOUR. HOPE THIS HELPS.

Since it sounds like your resort/hotel is a ways outside of the town of PV... my suggestion (and it's cheap) is to spend a little time in and around town (El Centro &/or south of the river in Old Town). You can catch a local bus or take a taxi. Stroll the Malecon (seawall promonade any evening~ on a Sunday night you may find free entertainment of different sorts). Check out all the shops (both tourist aimed and normal local businesses like fabrics, stationery, etc.). Sit for awhile in the cool and quiet cathedral.