suze

a small price to pay (ha-ha)!

JPinBC

Sorry to be arriving a little 'late' on this!!

I think my trip reports sum up much of why I (we) like to go to Puerto Vallarta -- we enjoy the dining out (so many choices, with offerings in all price ranges, types and styles), the fantastic walkabout possibilities - "exploring" the various sights & sounds (on the beach and via the various streets throughout the city, both in the tourist areas, and a bit beyond them, in the neighbourhoods), the great shopping and browsing (for arts & crafts, food & drink, and dining 'in'), and so much more.

So much to see, do, and experience, and so much just "comes with the territory", so to speak - it's there, and there's no additional charge to see and enjoy it!!

Miss not being there this November!! Can spring be far away?!!

cabron

Stew, I first visited years before you and lived here full time for over 17 years, I stand by my statement. Depends a lot on the time of year, but on the whole it hasn't changed much, the air that is.

Weekender

Suze:

I have a friend who wants to go to PV between Christmas and New Years and is having trouble finding a place to stay. Would you mind giving me some favorites of yours. She wants a good location downtown or in the Romantic Zone. Doesn't have to be fancy.

Thanks for your help.

suze

Christmas is tricky. I most often stay at Posada de Roger, but they get 2x the usual rate for pretty basic rooms. B7B Casa Andrea is another place I've stayed and like a lot. I'd suggest also checking: Casa Corazon, Hotel Eloisa, the Tropicana, Vallarta Sun Suites, Playa Los Arcos (and their other 2 properties Arcos Suites, Dona Susana). Up the other end of the Malecon Hotel Rosita and El Pescador are good picks. If you don't mind being a bit far from the beach Los Cuatro Vientos is a sweet hotel up behind the church.

Weekender

Suze:

Thanks very much. Greatly appreciated.

suze

Sure, my pleasure, post back if your friend has any other questions. It's a really nice time to be in PV, but also a very popular one (hence the limited availability of hotel rooms at this somewhat late date).

baldone

I don't like PV at all. The beaches are some of the trashiest in all of Mexico. The water is nasty what with all of the runoff from the rivers. It's overcrowded. The time share pimps are like vermin. I just don't get the fascination with PV. There's too many other options that are so much better than PV.

suze

What other options, baldone? Why don't you tell us the places you like to go in Mexico that are so much better than PV? Rather than just trash the place.

Weekender

Suze:

Thanks so much again for the recommendations. Looks like my friend will be at the Casa Andrea. By the way, I first went to PV with my family for Christmas 1966. We stayed on the beach where donkeys would roam up and down. Loved it and still go every year in Feb or March but now usually stay out in the marina area.

suze

Casa Andrea's is wonderful. Really nice place. I'm surprised they had vacancy over the holidays, but that's great! Wow, Weekender, since the 60's... that's some history with PV. I thought I was a long-timer having gone only the past two decades -lol.

BeniciaChris

baltone-why are you on this site if you don't like PV. save it for us who do. I am going in Jan with a friend for 2 weeks-we try to go every 2 years. I have timeshares & love them. I lucked out & got Krystal same unit for 2 weeks so we don';t have to move. Last time we were at Boganvillas & Mayan-which I own at. Also have been at Melia & Weston. My husband & I have been at Los Tules and another place.
I have several single girlfriends who go alone & love it. It is safe-wonderful food & a fun place. Can't wait Chris

jetsetj

thank for the great thread. i have been sick with inner ear infection and didnt see the post.

I love PV because of how easy going and casual it is. Put on your Tshirt/shorts/flipflops and you are good to go. No one puts on airs, just people being people.

The people are so gracious and truly friendly. You feel like family at hello.

The malecon with its statues are a real favorite of mine. We love to make drinks in a pop bottle and sit and watch people.
It is a must for any visitor.

The Cuale River has our hearts. We love the swing bridge. You have to try it.

There is just something calming and relaxing there. Just wander till you are hungry or thirsty. Go to the little stalls that are crowded and have a fast turn over of customers to insure hot freshly made food. Get cups of watermelon to cool you off. Dont forget all the ice cream. The coconut is heavenly.

If you want a place were there is no pressure to do anything but stroll the cobblestone streets or sit with your toes in the sand. This is your place.

If you want to parasail, zipline,bungiejump, or ATV, this is your place too.

Dec 10th cant get here soon enough.

tenthumbs

suze~on one of your PV posts, I belive you shared a website for transportation from the airport, but I can't find the thread......would you be so kind as to share it again? Thank you!

suze

In Puerto Vallata I always just grab a taxi from the airport. To the southside its $23.

You might be thinking of other posts, recently in both Negril and Cabo I use a prearranged online shuttle, but in PV there's really no need or benefit or anything even available easier or better than a regular cab. You just walk to the booths clearly marked TAXI in the lobby of the airport, prices are set by zone, pay in either peso or USD and off you go.

tenthumbs

It's quite possible I got the PV and Cabo posts mixed up.....I'll most likely just book the shuttle thru the resort for all 9 (maybe 10) of us airport to resort. Thanks!

andrews98682

In Puerto Vallarta, you feel like you're in Mexico. Cancun is more like Vegas with the beach instead of casinos.
And at least where I stayed (Barcelo Mismaloya) last year, the water is every bit as nice as in Cancun. It's more a deep blue instead of turquoise, but either way, it was crystal clear.

jetsetj

just back from PV and what I said above is so profoundly true.
I can see us going back time and again. All 6 of us LOVED it so much. We plan to return for 10 days in Dec. 2011.

Suze, The Roger lobby was all decked out for Christmas. I took a few pics and thought of you. You have inspired many of us to truely explore PV without fear

My sister is so smitten with PV that she plans to return within a few months with her daughter.
She says she is somehow different now, that a metamorphisis has occured, and that she is indeed a Mexican at heart.

BIL was a bit prejudise before this trip, he hadnt been to Mexico before. He came away with a much clearer picture and found the people to be friendly and kind. He actually made a friend with a vendor. They talked for hours and life and family. The vendor was fascinated by BIL Cherokee heritage.

We are all planning to spend 6 months a year in PV area when we retire within the next 10 years.

suze

Beautiful post jetsetj. You really capture how warm & welcoming I also find Puerto Vallarta to consistently be to me.
Thanks for the mention of Hotel Posada de Roger. I spent a Christmas there one year, it was truly fantastic.

Kristy88

I went to Puerto Vallarta only once on a cruise about 20 years ago and I remember it being beautiful and lots of jungle. I would like to take another cruise down there soon as well as seeing some of the Sea of Cortez destinations like La Paz. I heard the water in La Paz is almost as nice and calm as some areas of the Caribbean.