suze

nosocks~ lo siento for mistaken identity or intent.

suze

Here's some other local-style 3-star hotels downtown:

Hotel Eloisa
www.hoteleloisa.com
is not quite beachfront but very close on the south-side

Hotel Encino
www.hotelencino.com
just north of the river downtown

Hotel Rio
www.hotelrio.com.mx
also just north of the river downtown

nosocksnoshoes

Oh ALASKA! You are probably right, there are probably not cheap packages from Alaska (sorry, I live in Canada and we have realy cheap packages from the major cities in Canada) Yes, you probably do have to book air / hotel separate (very costly!)

Anyways, hope this can help a little:

Botantical gardens in PV:

http://vallartabotanicalgardensac.org/

The zoo:

http://www.vallartaonline.com/inform...toVallartaZoo/

I have heard good things about the gardens but mixed things about the zoo.

needsun

Wow, Nosocks- exellent links. Looks like PV has everything we are looking for- sun, beaches, zoo, botanical garden, water park etc. It makes me wanting to go even more. Can't wait to get out of Alaskan cold and short daylight!
(though I should be used to it after living for almost 30 years in Siberia, and 6 in Alaska ;-)

Suze, thanks for the hotel links. I just booked Encino. The rates are a little better than at Posadaroger.

It's located on the northern side of the river. How are we going to get across? Hope not by hanging bridges?

suze

It is right at the south edge of El Centro. Don't worry ;-) there are two main bridges (one-ways)... big wide ones for both cars and pedestrians - the one closest the ocean going southbound, the other parallel to & a couple blocks inland goes northbound.

Hotel Encino has a great rooftop, with a stunning view and small swimming pool. I'm surprised it was cheaper rates than Roger's (it's always been more when I looked at it previous trips). One thing to know, the hotel is *right* on a busy street on one side, so you might request a room either facing the river or at least not above the main street, &/or higher up in the hotel (to avoid possible traffic noise). I have not stayed there but visited and poked around many times and liked the looks of the place very much. It's popular with Mexican families especially, is my impression.

nosocksnoshoes

Congratulations on booking your trip.

If you are on a budget, remember the water is safe to drink!

Also, you can eat meals at the street stands (pick a busy one because then you know it is a good one).

One more link for you:

http://www.vallarta-info.com/streetfood.html

It is the same link as Suzie provided (it is the best website for info. & maps on Vallarta), the link above is the section on "Street Food".

Hope you and you daughter have a great trip!

P.S. I suggest you go to Trip Advisor Forum (search "timeshare tank airport&quot to learn about the time share shark tank at the airport, I don't want you to fall into their trap.

suze

I stick to bottled water myself
;-)

needsun

I am glad there is a bridge, Suze:-; won't have to swim to the other side since we want to explore the south area of town too. Zona Romantica sounds very hm...romantic

As for water I am with you, Suze. Do not want to take any chances and spend my vacation in the bathroom.

Tap water in Alaska is excellent, at least in Juneau and Anchorage. In the rest of Alaska I do not know.

Thanks for the warning about time share tank, Noshoes. Will try to avoid it. I encounted it in hawaii but it was not bad at all. I mean they were not imposing and left you alone as long as you show no interest. Actually, some people attended their presentations in exchange for good deals on whale watching tours and some good shows.

suze

Timeshare sales is really bad in PV. It is truly the one and only thing I don't like about the city these days.

It is the one time locals are fakely friendly and can be extremely persistant. But knowing what's up ahead of time, just be firm in your "no gracias", if even that. And know that people giving out maps along the street, offering free jeeps, even some tours, are also time sales. The airport is the easiest place to avoid them because they are very obvious. Just walk on by to go catch your taxi.

Some people don't like the beach vendors (as the second most common complaint) but I do myself, plus you can go to other more quiet beaches instead.

Over on Trip Advisor forum there's a feature so you can email posters privately. Feel free to catch me over there (as suze2you) if you have questions we haven't covered for you here.

needsun

Thank you, Suze and Nosocks for your time and great information. It made it so much much easier to plan a trip with your help.

Suze, thanks for the opportunity to write you personally. I will sure use it if I have more questions.

I am eager to explore the Trip advisor forum. (Not sure though if it can be any better than Fodors :-0).
I love Fodors!