Puerto Vallarta with a Toddler
Feb 24th, 2004, 09:57 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Puerto Vallarta with a Toddler
Hello, we'll be travelling to Puerto Vallarta with our 20 month old daugher at the end of April. If anyone could suggest some day trips where a toddler would be welcome, we would really appreciate it. Also, we will be staying at Vallarta Shores, (also known as A La Playa Vallarta Shores Hotel - I think)
if anyone has seen or stayed there, we would love to hear what you think.
Thanks!
if anyone has seen or stayed there, we would love to hear what you think.
Thanks!
Feb 29th, 2004, 03:39 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My babies are 27 & 16 now. I haven't had a toddler in years and was seldom brave enough to travel with my children until they were a little older but I'll give it a shot.
In Nuevo Vallarta, they have a place where you can swim with the dolphins. It is a little pricey at $70 per person(probably less for children with an adult). Also in Nuevo, you can visit the Paradise Village little mini-zoo. It's free as it is only about 6 stalls with tigers, peacocks, monkeys, and birds. While you are there you can visit their mall. Don't think mall by US standards. It is a nice clean new building with a nice grocery store and other assorted little shops.
The streets in downtown PV may be a bit challenging to manuever a stoller. There are steep sidewalks and you have to step up and down to the sidewalk when crossing many streets. You won't find the handicapped ramps like you see in many streets in the US. If your back can handle it and the little one is not too heavy or you have a stong back husband, I would suggest that you use a back-pack baby carrier. Sorry, I couldn't be more helpful.
In Nuevo Vallarta, they have a place where you can swim with the dolphins. It is a little pricey at $70 per person(probably less for children with an adult). Also in Nuevo, you can visit the Paradise Village little mini-zoo. It's free as it is only about 6 stalls with tigers, peacocks, monkeys, and birds. While you are there you can visit their mall. Don't think mall by US standards. It is a nice clean new building with a nice grocery store and other assorted little shops.
The streets in downtown PV may be a bit challenging to manuever a stoller. There are steep sidewalks and you have to step up and down to the sidewalk when crossing many streets. You won't find the handicapped ramps like you see in many streets in the US. If your back can handle it and the little one is not too heavy or you have a stong back husband, I would suggest that you use a back-pack baby carrier. Sorry, I couldn't be more helpful.
Mar 1st, 2004, 07:57 PM
#4
As a long-time PV visitor and lover of the town...
Kids are welcomed by locals, I'm not sure about formal tours & don't know your hotel. But it's a family town, generally speaking. Friendly, safe, fun.
I'd suggest bottled water, plenty of sunscreen, careful with foods, etc. kids & adults both. If you have a frig in your room stock it with juice boxes and snacks from a grocery store.
Kids are welcomed by locals, I'm not sure about formal tours & don't know your hotel. But it's a family town, generally speaking. Friendly, safe, fun.
I'd suggest bottled water, plenty of sunscreen, careful with foods, etc. kids & adults both. If you have a frig in your room stock it with juice boxes and snacks from a grocery store.
Mar 2nd, 2004, 10:28 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you Suze and JRinPV for the information. Our hotel is located in Zona Romantica on Los Muertos beach. I think it's more like a condo then an actual hotel. We're very excited and can't wait to go.
Mar 4th, 2004, 01:12 PM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi CVM,
My husband and I will be taking our 2 1/2 year old daughter to Puerto Vallerta in May and would welcome any feedback from you on restaurants and child-friendly activities would be great. Have a great trip.
My husband and I will be taking our 2 1/2 year old daughter to Puerto Vallerta in May and would welcome any feedback from you on restaurants and child-friendly activities would be great. Have a great trip.
Mar 11th, 2004, 10:55 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree with all who have responded. We have been going to Vallarta for 20 years and have seen MANY families with toddlers -- and smaller. All did well with proper strollers, back packs, etc. Juices, bottled water and a typical variety of foods for toddlers are readily available. A good supermarket in the area where you are staying is Gutierrez Rizo. It's large and stocks an amazing array of goods.
Have a terrific vacation!!
Have a terrific vacation!!
May 5th, 2004, 11:08 AM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello EBZ,
We're back from our trip and we had a great time. Every restaurant we went to was very child-friendly. In fact, everywhere we went, people were so kind and helpful. We didn't really do any excursions. Our days were spent mostly at the beach, pool or walking around the various shops. We made arrangements with our hotel for baby-sitting services for 3 nights. It worked out great. (We made sure we met with the sitter and checked her out before we left our daughter with a stranger) Anyway, my husband and I, and another couple had some wonderful dinners. We ate at Fajita Republic, a beach restaurant that I can't remember the name, and Tequilas. We brought our daughter to the Shrimp Factory, La Palapa and Langostinos and they were all very welcoming. It's a great place to bring a toddler. We didn't have any problems going to any of the restaurants. (All of them had high chairs) I would recommend bringing some type of backpack carrier if you have it. We ended up only using the stroller in the airports. The sidewalks are pretty busy. The families that I did see using the strollers seemed more bothered by them. That's about it. Have a fun trip!
We're back from our trip and we had a great time. Every restaurant we went to was very child-friendly. In fact, everywhere we went, people were so kind and helpful. We didn't really do any excursions. Our days were spent mostly at the beach, pool or walking around the various shops. We made arrangements with our hotel for baby-sitting services for 3 nights. It worked out great. (We made sure we met with the sitter and checked her out before we left our daughter with a stranger) Anyway, my husband and I, and another couple had some wonderful dinners. We ate at Fajita Republic, a beach restaurant that I can't remember the name, and Tequilas. We brought our daughter to the Shrimp Factory, La Palapa and Langostinos and they were all very welcoming. It's a great place to bring a toddler. We didn't have any problems going to any of the restaurants. (All of them had high chairs) I would recommend bringing some type of backpack carrier if you have it. We ended up only using the stroller in the airports. The sidewalks are pretty busy. The families that I did see using the strollers seemed more bothered by them. That's about it. Have a fun trip!
