Rohelio

This will be our first time in PV for 2 and a half months. On previous trips we were in AI (Zona Romantica) and were not concerned about daily staples. We are aware of the Wal-Mart and others but seem awfully far to go for groceries. Are there any foodliners, wine stores, clothing stores and the like, closer than past the Marina area. Would appreciate your input on this matter or should we think of staying near the Marina area instead ?
Thanks all.
Roger

suze

Roger, I'm not clear from your post, what part of town are you staying in this time? Are you in Zona Romantica again?

Rohelio

We are not anywhere for the time being but from our experience would really prefer the Zona romantic.

suze

OK. Yes there are loads of stores closer to the Southside (zona romantica) than The Marina. No need to worry about that.

Since Rizo's supermercado closed on the Southside the closest full service grocery store is Ley's in el Centro on Ave Mexico near-ish the Buenaventura Hotel.

But in Zona Romantica there are all kinds of places to shop. There's a new wine store on B. Badillo. There's La Playa liquor store on Olas Altas. There are OXXO convenience stores in every other block. There's Los Mercados which is an excellent new addition near the old Rizo's location with a fantastic deli (Mikey's), a wine store, a bakery, and a product store in the same courtyard.

There's many places for fresh fruit, off the back of trucks or stands along the sidewalks. Guadalajara Pharmacia as a decent grocery section with baked goods and some fresh produce, and deli. There are small shops selling fruits and vegetables.

So that's my long winded way of saying you don't have to go back to the Marina or shop at Walmart when in PV.

Rohelio

Wow, I am happy to learn that Suze, I thought for a moment there that we had to live in the Marina area, which is really not what we wanted. I am also suprised to learn that the Southside is the Zona Romantica area. I always thought that the Soutside was, lower that the Old city.
Thanks a bunch, I have noted these services and will find our way once we get settled in... that in itself will be a bit of a challenge as we are booked at Posada de Roger for a few days until we find the right condo for our tastes.
Once again Suze, thanks.
Rohelio

Stewbear

Not sure why this is a concern as my residence in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo is a 30 minute trip from the main Supermarket but I go once a week taking a couple of hours. Lots of Tiendas near by for pick up items. PV is much the same.

cabron

The South Side has been renamed several times, Zona Romantico, Yuck ! and Old Town, which it isn't, downtown is much older.
One of the best places to shop, which Suze didn't mention, is the Central Municipal Market on Lázaro Cárdenas at Camachin. This is where the locals shop, most everything you'll need.
The liquor store on Basilio Badillo is Vinos America at # 284 - very good prices.
Los Mercados is at Aquiles Serdan #265 http://www.losmercadospv.com/index.php
This map can help
http://vallartainfo.com/vallarta-southside-map.html

suze

I've stayed at hotel Posada de Roger at least a dozen times over the years. It's a sweet little place to arrive, and get your bearings. Friendly staff, clean and basic. Nice sunny rooftop pool. If you end up staying there more than a few days you might want to ask for a small frig for your room (it was 50 peso/day last time I did it, maybe a bit more now).

The neighborhood names are confusing and a bit up for grabs.

El Centro = downtown (north of the Rio Cuale)
Zona Romantica = southside (south of the Rio Cuale)

People use the term "Old Town" to mean different things, some mean downtown, some mean downtwon + southside together... and basically it's not even all that old, hence further confusion.

The true neighborhood names would be to actually use the official names of the 'colonias'. The southside area is called "Emiliano Zapata". See this map for the colonias of PV:
http://www.pvscene.com/3519/the-colo...erto-vallarta/

Rohelio

We used to frequent Playa del Carmen (every winter until last year), months at a time. Everything we needed was done by foot. We were at the tiendas and supermercados (Walmart, Mega) almost every other day. We are in our 60s and do an awfull lot of walking. I loved Playa for that reason and am hoping to apply tis same formula in PV. We also took the bus or colectivo for out of town trips but never for groceries, it takes the fun out of it if you need to take a cab or bus to restock on provisions.
I am most gratful for the answers herein and will certainly use your advice.
Muchos gracias a todos...

suze

You can find everything you need on foot right in the neighborhood. No problem with that plan.

But if you want specifically to go to a Walmart or Sams Club type of store, then you'd need a bus, taxi, or car, because they are way on the other side of town (back nearer the airport).

The closest full-sized full-service grocery store is Ley's, as already mentioned. You can walk there (let's say from Posada Roger, in about 20 mins. or so). But it would be one LONG walk back hauling your groceries. I'm not sure why taking a local bus (6.5 peso) would take the fun out of it(?)

Puerto Vallarta is a much larger city than Playa del Carmen.

cabron

That Colonias map isn't any good at all. There's no Colonia called Gringo Gulch or Remance, many are missing, not a very reliable site.
Downtown is Colonia Centro up the hill behind it is Colonia Cerro, El Caloso (my colonia) is misplaced as is Las Peñas.
Sorry, but I hate mis-information
No need to go all the way to Ley's Supermarket, You can get all your groceries on the south side

JeanH

We're currently in PV for a month, staying on the south side. We do go to Ley's about once a week. Even though I'm in Mexico, I want bread, not just tortillas, and I haven't found what I'm looking for anywhere else (good quality whole grain).

We're finding it hard to do much cooking, with such wonderful and affordable street food everywhere you look.

cabron

The greengrocer on the corner by the municipal market and Mikeys in Los Mercados has artisian bread of all types. All on the south side.

suze

Cabron, OK now that's funny about the map.

When I mentioned the colonias (and googled and linked the first map I found) I thought I was *agreeing* with what you always post about the names like "zona romantica" being bogus, and the colonias actual Mexican names being the official and correct designation!

<<You can get all your groceries on the south side>>

How about telling us WHERE exactly that might be???

Rohelio

I know what you mean JeanH, when we were in Playa we were able to find everything we were used to. Yes, I love Mexican food and even speak it very well, this said, on long stays I like to be able to eat whole grain bread, good bacon, maple syrop and good cold milk found in the cooler. WE DID find all of these in Playa (even the maple syrop)... I just love Mexico for their way of life, their culture and friendliness but I still enjoy good home cookin... especially when my wife makes it...

suze

<<I like to be able to eat whole grain bread, good bacon, maple syrop and good cold milk found in the cooler.>>

You can find all that (except maple syrup) easily in Puerto Vallarta. Just not a problem.

Rohelio

You never know Suze, we found (really not looking for it)our maple syrop at Wal-Mart in Playa. This was the authentic syrop from Quebec, Canada. There were 2 small format bottles on the shelf and so we took both. Unfortunatly, we never saw it on the shelf again. But I am relieved to read that we can get most of this stuff in PV. You know it's mostly for breakfast and lunches as we eat out most of the time for super.
Thanks again my friend...

suze

PV (pop. 250,000+ is larger than Playa (pop. 149,000). You can find pretty much anything you need there.

Do you have a plan for how you are going to find a condo after you arrive? Are you still planning just to walk the streets?

Rohelio

You got it Suze, We book 1 or 2 nights at Posada de Roger then it's the old walk around... Mind you, I have quite a few addresses in my pocket such as Plazamar condos, Selva romantic, Vista del sol, Rodriguez st. and several more. If that doesn't work then I start looking for Se Renta signs. I have done this for many years in Playa and it worked every time. People dont believe me when I tell them that I arrive in Playa without any place to stay. Of course this is Playa, not PV, I am hoping that PV will yield the same results as Playa. The payoff of course is the cost and more obviously you get to visit the condo and negotiate before you pay anything. Should you know of anything that might be free in early Feb, please let me know. We dont mind stairs and enjoy walking, don't smoke and have no pets.
I appreciate your help in these matters Suze, you are very kind...

JeanH

I did buy some artisan bread at Mikey's, but, it was really expensive. The decent whole wheat loaf I bought at Ley's was half the price.

We're big walkers, walking to Ley's once a week or so is not a big deal. I'm enjoying trying the various types of ham and such.