palmer

Looking to go on a vacation in July. I've been to Cancun and Los Cabos in the last five years, but I'm thinking of trying Puerta Vallarta. Any comments on PV? Love to hear anything about the weather, the food, cleanliness, safety etc.

PV overview

Weather in the summer will be hot, possibly humid with some rain. Puerto Vallarta is very safe, the people are friendly. Cleanliness varies in different parts of town and/or hotels. Most places are very well kept. Tons of restaurants to choose from, cheap to fancy, everything in between. The resorts in Nuevo Vallarta or The Marina are more similar to Cancun or Cabo. El Centro (downtown) or Old Town south of the river has a more "authentic" Mexican feel.

Lori

I have never been to Cancun or Los Cabos but I have heard they are quite Americanized. I have been to PV more times than I can count and love it more each time as it still has that old Mexican feel to it. Not sure how the weather is during that time but I usually go in the spring or fall and the weather is great then. There are so many good restaurants that I would not recommend you stay at an AI. It is a clean city as it is only one of four citys in all of Mexico that has its own water purification system. And as for safety, I am a single female and usually go by myself to PV and feel safer there than in my own city, so that should tell you something.

Sheila

I have to agree with the answers you have received so far. We first visited Puerto Vallarta several years ago and fell in love with the city. We spent part of this winter in PV renting a condo about 10 minutes south of Old Town. Riding the local busses to town was quite an experience and a lot of fun. The town is glorious. Everyday there was something different we noted. The people are incredibly friendly and generous. We loved the restaurants, the shops, the general ambience and most importantly, the people. You will be perfectly safe there....And you will see the most amazing sunsets. Have a great time and don't do AI!!There are several very good sites and newsgroups on the net where you can get excellent information. If you would like that information please email me.

pvdeb

I agree with the earlier posts. I "found" PV after 5 trips to Cancun and though I haven't been to Cabo, other friends that have said it was pretty much party central like Cancun. I've now been to PV 3 times, twice solo (female) and have never had any problems. I will agree, that you usually get better service as a solo female, which is great and fun. I have even walked alone in the evening and never been hassled or had any problem whatsoever. The town is divided into distinct areas, Nuevo, Marina, Hotel Zone, El Centro, and Old Town. I prefer to stay away from touristy resorts, so have found Old Town and the smaller hotels and area more to my liking. PV is a wonderful mexican cultural experience and there are more restaurants there than you can fit into many trips. My list just keeps getting longer of places I want to try.
If you want to experience more of the mexican culture, you will not lack for things to do and see in PV. Check out www.puertovallarta.net and www.todopv.com, a couple of my favorite spots for keeping up with what's going on there. Good luck!

pvdeb

Sorry, forgot to say, July is very hot and humid, and being in the middle of the rainy season, it may rain some each day, but it doesn't usually last very long and just makes the air smell good.

Brad

I agree with the other posts -- on top of those, I'd say that the food is unbelievable -- many outstanding restaurants, some serving incredibly upscale Mexican food in beautiful outdoor and garden settings -- I had heard that PV has so many international cuisines and outstanding food, but even having heard that I was surprised.

I also found the old town and south of town areas to be beautiful, charming and very safe. The locals were very friendly.

Marie

I went to PV when we went on our Carnival cruise a few years ago. I liked it better then Mazatlan (to dirty) put PV was nicer. It does have alot of old Mexico charm to it. It is not very clean and it is very very humid (we went in July). I would say PV is between Cabo and Mazatlan. it is definitly worth seeing, but, you might not be to impressed. One thing for sure is the food is great and there are many resaurants and bars to go to.

reply to Marie

The area where the cruise ships dock is shabbier and dirtier than other parts of town. I know several people who had a bad impression of PV; they were all folks who came in on a cruise and only spent the day. Doesn't give the town a fair chance, in my opinion. It's rare to meet someone who spent time in Old Town and doesn't fall in love with it.

mexicodan

My favorite resort town of all!

adios!
mexicodan
www.mexicomexico.info