Ever been to Puerto Vallarta?

[ckay87]

I think I'll have the opportunity to tag along to Puerto Vallarta on one of DH's "work" (notice the quotes) trips.

Anybody ever been there? Opinions? What's there to do? I've never been to the Pacific, so that might be an opportunity in itself.

Funny note to add...DH pronounced it wrong and I corrected him. He asked, "how did you know that?" I said, "silly...that's where the Love Boat always stopped!"

 

[ckay87]

...or is it PuertA Vallarta? I have to look it up.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I would be interested in info about Puerto Vallarta as well. Dh and I are looking into the Caribbean for our next non-WDW trip and we are considering Mexico too.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Our family has been almost 20 times, what info would you like?
The beaches are beautiful, although it's a good idea to stay away from the bay where the river runs into it if there's been heavy rains, it gets kinda murky. Our favorite beach is Los Muertos Beach in old town. It's a much more relaxed part of town, not so glamorous or expensive as the Marina end of town. There's an amazing resteraunt and jungle tour at El Eden, that's where they filmed the movie Predator. It's only open for lunch as there's no electricity so no light after dark. Our favorite restaurant is La Fuente del Puenta (?) I'm pretty sure that's how you spell it. It's right across the street from the flea market downtown (by the big church). There's a marble statue of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton out front. Victor Bravo is the manager, a wonderful man. For a day trip, definately don't miss Quimisto. Hire a panga boat, hike (you don't need a horse no matter what they tell you) up through the jungle to the waterfall and have a Margarita that will knock you on your keester. You may need the horse on the way back If you need any other info let me know, it's my absolute favorite place in the world.

 

[Jimbo]

We've been there about 10 times, and agree with everything Cindy says. It's a remarkably clean, friendly town. Clean enough that we feel comfortable eating food from carts on the street. Our friends think we're nuts, but we've never gotten sick, and there's something about tacos made fresh to order that can't be beat.

We like to spend at least one full day on Los Muertos. There's a nice place called La Palapa that has tables on the beach, and we set up shop in the morning and stay all day. Periodic margaritas are involved. Vendors come around with muffins in the morning, and in the afternoon different vendors are selling "fish on a stick," which is fresh caught marlin that they grill right on the beach. A good restaurant in the Los Muertos area is Cafe de Olla.

By the way... beach vendors are numerous. This can be a problem if you let it be a problem. We just say "gracias, no" and wave them on their way if we're not interested. But I know that other people get majorly irritated by these people.

Watch out for timeshare salesman. If a complete stranger walks up to you and pleasantly asks if you're enjoying your stay in PV, chances are he will soon try to rope you into a TS presentation. Avoid these!!!

Some of my favorite memories about PV are:

• Our first night, when we went to Los Muertos with my brother and his wife. We sat at a table on the beach, ate free salsa fresca and chips, and drank 4 peso bottles of beer (56 cents then). There was a full moon dropping into the ocean, and dolphins were jumping out of the water in front of the moon. I kid you not! Later we went to La Palapa, where the beers were 5 pesos (70 cents). My brother said "I guess we're not getting drunk here!"
  
• On a different trip, our group of 6 bought a ticket on a party boat from a guy on the beach for $26 per person. It started at 7:00 AM and ended at 8:00 PM. It included breakfast and lunch, a snorkel stop and a waterfall stop, plus an open bar all day. For $26!
  
• The night our group went to one of the clubs on the malecon (The Zoo?). Margaritas were 2-for-1, and women drank free. I think this was one of my favorites nights, but I'm not sure I remember much about it.

 

[Jimbo]

I just reread my reply, and it sounds like all I do is drink! I'm not like that, honestly!

 

[ckay87]

Thank you both for helping me make up my mind about the trip!

(guess what I decided?....other than purchase a case of Tylenol at Sams!)

 

[Cindyluwho]

One more thing, if you have expensive perscriptions it may be in your favor to buy them while in PV. They are cheaper than co-pay in some instances so it pays to check the phamacies.

 

[Stacerita]

Its beautiful there. We went on a cruise some years back and one port stop was there. We loved it. Im not a beach person but the beaches there were amazing. We also took a bus tour up to where "Night of the Iguana" was filmes. Shopping was fun. And food was good. You will enjoy it.