Puerto Vallarta in the afternoon

[needalatte]

We're booked for a July cruise and have a late morning excursion in Puerto Vallarta that will get us back around 2:30-3:00. Any suggestions for what to do in the afternoon? We're traveling with kids and I like the idea of hanging out at one of the resorts, (beach, pools, restrooms, food) but we get back too late to book it as an excursion.

Questions: Can we/should we consider doing this on our own? If so, any recommendations for which one? Are there places that will do this without being part of a group? Is it worth it or better to just hit the beach for a few hours? Or are there better alternatives that everyone would enjoy (kids range from 5-11 yo)?

Thanks!

 

[Itinkso]

Check the cruisecritic boards (www.cruisecritic.com). There is a lot of info on the Mexican Riviera. Krystal Resort is said to be next to the pier and you can use their loungers etc. The cruise critic threads also have directions on how to get to Krystal. We are thinking or possibly going to Krsytal for massages as they are around $45.

 

[mlshields]

We recently went to Puerto Vallarta and spent the afternoon at Krystal. It is only a 10 minute walk from the pier to their beach and pool and it was worth EVERY minute.

Krystal was one of my families HIGHLIGHTS on our trip and would recommend this place to anyone.

 

[needalatte]

Thanks for the info! I checked out cruisecritic.com and the Krystal sounds great--we can hang out for as little or as much time as we want, it's close to the ship, and, did I read that right, it's free??!! Definitely sounds like something to put on our to-do list.

 

[Itinkso]

"did I read that right, it's free??!!"

Yes, just tell them you are from the Magic and they should take care of you!

 

[JayCee32]

Hey Thanks for that information. My family and I are doing the dolphin excursion but not until 2:00pm. Maybe we can hang out at the Krystal Resort until 1:00 pm. This is my first time cruising and doing an excursion, so I wanted to know when I do the dolphin excursion with Disney are we supposed to meet on the cruise, outside the cruise or at the Port?

So if I decide to hang out at Krystal do I find a taxi to bring me to the port so that I can go on the dolphin excursion? Or do I go back to the ship?

Thanks

 

[mlshields]

I would definitely go back to the ship and meet up with my cruise excursion there. If you miss your connection via the taxi for any reason you would lose your $$.


Yes, the Krystal is free, it is a lovely resort with a lush green park like area that opens up to a HUGE pool with built in bar,built in lounge chairs, built in checker boards etc.. it is an infinity pool (which means it has the illusion of never ending) and the side facing the ocean cascades over the side like a waterfall.

On the beach you will find lounge chairs with little straw umbrellasl and the other side of the built in bar. Plenty of roaming waiters as well as roaming peddlers (they leave you alone, all you have to do is put your hand up and say no thanks). There are also horses on the beach to rent if you want to horseback as well as parasailing. It was truly a beautiful day and one of our favorite places.