Puerto Vallerta

htownbdr · Posted: Mar 15, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject: Puerto Vallerta

Just booked a last minute get away for me and the wife to Puerto Vallarta for this Thursday to Tuesday. Can anyone that has been there give me some advice on what to do and what not to do?

wolfman · Criminal Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 58

They have a couple of dolphin excursions in Puerto Narvo its about half hour away well worth going to also their is a water park right their that just rocks and its only 18 bucks and you never have to wait in line. We stayed in the marinia which I really liked that area the best. Got to eat at Pee Pees good food and lots of fun. Go to the Tequlia factory other than that most of it is just Mexico. You'll have a blast

nmballa · Posted: Mar 15, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

My folks have a house in PVR. What part of town are you staying in. Hotel zone, the romantic zone, or new vallarta? People are pretty easy going in PVR but it's the same as travelling anywhere else in Mexico? Keep your eyes on your wallet, don't talk about your wealth at the bars, low profile,etc.. There has been two Americans murdered within the last two months. One downtown in his condo and another one at his house in guadalajara. The one was actually from near my home in Wisco. Thinking the violence is starting to spread a bit. Just play it safe...

If your looking for surf head north. Sayulita is the tourist spot for surf. Cool little town, consistent break from beginer to advanced. Towns produced a handful of world champs. But it's usually packed. I would check out the punta mita area or roll up to san francisco. If you have a rental you can walk into punta mita from the main high way, you will need to get directions from a local but it's pretty easy walk. Surf report is not looking to good for you though.

I don't know a ton about the night life scene. Theres some cool restaurants and bars in the romantic zone but we usually kick it at the house when we are there. Let me know if you have any questions. Oh and always check your change. They love to short change you.

htownbdr · Posted: Mar 15, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject:

We are stayin at the Westin. Not sure if that is Neuvo Vallarta or the old one??? We are probably just staying at the resort most of the time. Any good ideas on restuarants? Also, is the fishing any good?

wolfman · Criminal Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 58

Thats where I stayed its in the Marina district youll like that the best. The resort rooms are a little dated but the property is amazing. That place was rated in the top ten places to stay in Mexico last year.

wolfman · Criminal Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 58

And yes it was Neuvo vallarta been a few years sorry

nmballa · Posted: Mar 15, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject:

htownbdr, definantly make it down to the romantic zone and walk the melachon. Alot of cool stuff at night.

Mikeob1 · Posted: Mar 15, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject:

My parents go there almost every year and I was there a few years back. A good restaurant that I remember is Le Kliff. The views at sunset are pretty remarkable and the atmosphere is nice. It's a bit pricier and a little ways out of town. I remember we took a taxi there and it was at least 30 minutes away IIRC.

Alter Ego · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 5:53 am Post subject:

find the guy with $1 ceviche on the beach between the marina and old vallerta.....great stuff.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

Is PVR being affected by the drug war as much as the border towns and Cancun? All reports are it is not safe to travel anywhere in Mexico if you are American...just curious. Have fun though...don't be walkin' down dark alleys at night though!

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

We stayed at the Marival last summer (all inclusive). It didn't compare to anything Sandals had to offer. We spent pretty much the entire time at the resort other than playing an included round of golf at the Nicklaus course out there, which is the nicest, and most difficult course I've ever played.

Although the water wasn't clear, there was a lot of decent surf when we were there.

htownbdr · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 6:49 am Post subject:

Dpierce - I did some reading and it looked like this area wasn't really being affected. Hopefully. Laughing

Either way, these gringos will play it safe. Not really much of a "partier" anymore so I really don't see going to clubs or anything like that.

Thanks for the recommendation Mike, I will check it out.

8824 · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 7:15 am Post subject:

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

htownbdr, nice knowin ya. Laughing

htownbdr · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 7:55 am Post subject:

Screw you people Smile

OK, just for that, if I don't come back, you dont' get any of my wheels.

RampageWake · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 7:59 am Post subject:

Some of my friends are headed to PV this Thursday as well. They're staying at the Casa Velas. I'm leaving for Cancun next week - hopefully it is safe, we normally ride the busses around and hang out late at different clubs/resturaunts in town. Methinks this time we won't be cruising around the city after dark...

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

It's been 3 years since my last trip to PV. But I have been a dozen or so times dating back to 1989 or so.

Go to the Malecon. They were finishing up the new waterfront area last time I was there, and it seemed like they were doing a decent job with it.

Check out the side streets around the malecon, but don't wander beyond them. You will know when you are at the "end" of the touristy areas. Also, go to the smallish flea market near the river. If you keep wandering south on the malecon past the church square, you will pretty much run in to the little flea market.

Barter. Nearly everything not located at the Senor Frogs store is negotiable.

If you pay in USD make sure they give you a fair exchange rate. Using a trusted CC that doesn't screw you on currency conversion fees is a good idea, because they usually give you the true rate on that day.

Don't rent a car. Not needed. Use the cabs.

The restaurants seem to change hands there quickly. So other than the typical touristy places (like Carlos & Charlies) it's hard to say. I've had really good food all over downtown, but the names of the restaurants escape me. Can't remember too much "bad" food. If you like seafood, you will be in heaven.

The only other thing I can say is if you stay around your hotel at night, you will have zero worries. Also, tell your wife to leave the purse in the safe in the room. Pack light when cruising the town, and don't flaunt a lot of jewelry or anything else that would make you a target.

If you just follow those simple rules, you will have a great time.

I love going to PV, and my favorite hotel there is still La Jolla de Mismaloya. It is 25 or so minutes south of town, but what an awesome place. I really hope they have kept it up over the years.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

muck, the surf was actually pretty good at the resort so we never even left the main beach. I never looked for the local surf spots.

8824 · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 8:29 am Post subject:

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

8824, yeah, but it was pretty hard to find. I'm not sure where Dreamz is in relation to Marival. I tried to find a map with them on it with no luck.

nmballa · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 10:17 am Post subject:

QNev · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject:

I'm in PV right now (Playa Del Sol Costa Sur). Definitely take the bus everywhere you can. They're rough as hell, crowded, and hot but they work out to about 60 cents so they're really cheap. Right now the weather is pretty much perfect. We haven't had an overcast day yet or any rain. Definitely hit up some parasailing and head up North to Sayulita.

Cabs are really cheap too. To get from this resort to downtown in a cab costs about 60-80 pesos so I'd recommend taking them only at night.

Spend as much time as you can walking around the Malecon during the day and at night It's just beachfront downtown. I was down there on Saturday and there was a free concert and a flute band playing at the top of a 100 ft pole.

nmballa pretty much nailed it though.

Have a good trip man.

QNev · Posted: Mar 16, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject:

Sorry for the hijack, but where else is alright for surfing? I heard the waves at Sayulita are pretty huge and I even suck at wake surfing Laughing

Thanks.

nmballa · Posted: Mar 17, 2009 3:17 am Post subject:

QNev · Posted: Mar 17, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks man. Heading up that way tomorrow Smile

nmballa · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 10:34 am Post subject:

htownbdr · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 7:11 am Post subject:

I'm outta here. Wish me luck on not getting my head chopped off or kidnapped. Thanks everyone foer the input.

QNev · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject:

htownbdr, just don't travel by Greyhound Wink

nmballa · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

QNev, how was the surf?

QNev · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 8:34 pm Post subject:

My family wasn't feeling too great so we postponed it for tomorrow. I'll let you know how the bus ride was too haha.

QNev · Posted: Mar 22, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject:

The buses are pretty easy to get around with but the trip to Sayulita is about 2 hours. First bus to "Walt" Mart costs about $6 pesos. From there you look for a more 'luxurious' bus with "Sayulita" on it. That one costs about $20 pesos. The bus will stop on a dirt road and back up. Sayulita is under a lot of construction and guaranteed in a few years it's going to look beautiful. Just walk to the beach and look for "Patricia's Surf Lessons" or "Captain Pablo's". They're the same little hut but we found the prices there to be a lot cheaper. Board rental is about $50 pesos per hour. If you want lessons, you might luck out and get her son Dylan Southworth (11th world ranked pro) to teach lessons for her. I was pretty stoked about that haha. This shop is right beside the restaurant across from the rocks sticking out of the water.

The waves when I was there were extremely inconsistent and small. I'd be out there for about 15 mins at a time waiting for a decent break and because I never paddled in fast enough I'd miss them haha. Stay to the left of the rocks sticking out of the water. On the far left is sand but a nice break there is rare. Be careful where you step too. The rocks are pretty sharp and the water is only about 3 feet deep. My sister sliced open her foot there.

Hopefully you get some worthwhile waves. I heard the day I was there was a little out of the ordinary. Have a good trip.