Visitors' Comments Archive
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
January 2003 to January 2004

Please give Reports from anywhere in Banderas Bay. Bucerias...Marival...Riu...etc...

I don't know what happened to previous posts. I check this group every day. Where is everyone?

Moved the web site and message board ... messages stayed behind. A whole new life we have! [%sig%]

I have been looking via the internet for schedules etc. for "First Class" bus services from the PV Airport to Rincon de Guayabitos. We are travelling to PV on th 6th of Febuary. Also we will require information of bus service from Rincon to Melaque too. (First Class). If anyone could point me in the right direction I would be most grateful. Thank you in advance. Ali

I would try this board for Rincon info .... <http://www.members2.boardhost.com/jamiefromalta/index.html?999287475> and this for PV bus info <http://www.costalegre.ca/Busing_PV.htm> Hope something works for you

ali writes: "I have been looking via the internet for schedules etc. for "First Class" bus services from the PV Airport to Rincon de Guayabitos....." Rincon de Guayabitos is at worst an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, and consequently nothing that you'd have to seek out a first class bus for. Additionally, second class busses will drop you off at the intersection of the highway and Avenida Sol Nuevo, the sort of main road entrance to Ricon de Guayabitos, while first class busses use a small "terminal" (waiting room) in La Penita, a short cheap taxi ride away Rincon de Guayabitos. For the ride south from Rincon de Guayabitos to Melaque, one option would be to pick up a Primera Plus from La Penita, south through (and undoubtedly stopping in) Puerto Vallarta to Meleque.

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Transportes del Pacifico (2nd. class) bus service hourly across the highway from the airport to Rincon and other villages north. (green and white) Primera Plus from PV's north bus station (2 kilometers north of airport) to Melaque departs at 7ish and 12ish daily ($14)

Well that stinks. There was alot of useful information on the past posts. I am heading to PV the last week in March and staying at Viva Vallarta. Can anyone fill me in on this resort; rooms, views, food, activities, how far from PV, beach, etc.?

I agree with you Blue Jeans. It is too bad the whole text of the past few months is gone now. I read a lot of it and picked up some good information about PV and Nuevo Vallarta from other peoples writings. Sorry I don't know anything about Viva Vallarta. We plan to be in N. V. at Paradise Village the first week of February. If anyone knows anything about Paradise Village, please write about it. The only way to get back some helpful text is for everyone to write again. Anyone know what day the cruse ship comes in? We like to avoid shopping on that day, as prices tend to go way up. Thanks.

HOLA! You will love Paradise Village. My husband and I stayed there during Valentines week last year. We didn't book all-inclusive, which was fine with us. We caught the bus and went downtown PV one night to Pipi's---wonderful time. We also enjoyed the food at the Paradise VIllage Mall---excellent choices and lots of fun! TIPS---get going early if you plan to catch a bus---quite often the bus fills up and you have to wait for the next one going into PV. Also, the last bus back to Paradise Village leaves PV at 11 p.m.

We walked the beach last year from Paradise Village into Bucerias. It took us about 2 1//2 hours---but, came across the Royal DeCameron resort and that's where we booked this February for one week---a new twist for us---all inclusive; however, we are close enough to Bucerias when and if we need a change of pace.

We are meeting up with relatives at the Marina one night. Without knowing where to find each other, we set the meeting place at the LIghthouse in the Marina. Has anyone been there for a drink? Feel free to give us recommendations---we are just as excited as all of you! Gracias, Sandy

Greetings~ Looking for information on Royal Decameron resort. We will be staying there for one week in February. Appreciate any and all info! Thanks! Sandy

On the Jaltemba Bay Folks discussion board there's not one but two recent message threads which discuss options for getting from PVR to Rincon de Guayabitos in great detail: <http://members5.boardhost.com/CasaLibertad/msg/3401.html> <http://members5.boardhost.com/CasaLibertad/msg/3322.html> The board is a lot more private clique-ish type place then the Tomzap forums, but there's some interesting and useful information at times on the La Penita/Rincon de Guayabitos area.

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The proprietor of this site tried to save the old messages but was unsuccessful with most of them. He has them in corrupted text files which perhaps he'll be able to get fixed in the future. Remember, he provides this wonderful site on a strictly volunteer basis and does not accept advertising.

Sandy wrote: > Greetings~ > Looking for information on Royal Decameron resort. We will > be staying there for one week in February. Appreciate any and > all info! > Thanks! > Sandy I stayed there about 2 years ago, and it was the most magnificent resort I ever saw. The staff is very friendly, the rooms were clean, and the resort is very large, with multiple pools, bars, and a walk down to the beach. The multiple restuarants prevents you from getting bored easily with the same food over and over again, which is my major complaint about going anywhere in Mexico, and even the snack bar is very good.

The only downside of this resort is the EXTREMELY remote location, that requires a long Taxi Ride to get anywhere. Aside from that, it's heaven on earth. Truth be told, I didn't even mind the reomote location myself, as I was going just for a weeks relaxation and was able to get all I needed from this resort.

One quick tip, make sure to get to the restaurant reservation desk early in the afternoon as soon as it opens, because some of the restaurants fill up quick, and if hanging out at the bar after dark isn't your idea of fun, then you'll want to bring something with you to occupy your time, because due to the remote location, there is nothing else to do after dark besides go back to the room and watch (mostly Mexican) TV or go to sleep. It's can be kind of difficult finding a taxi that can take you to the resort from the city after midnight. Trust me on this one.

I was just reading about a large earthquake, 7.6, that struck western and central Mexico, with some damage in Jalisco, the state where Puerto Vallarta is located. I read that there were deaths and lots of damage in the state just south of Jalisco. I pray that help will come to those who may be trapped inside buildings that have broken down. Does anyone know about the Puerto Vallarta area? Was there any damage or injury there? I pray not!

Muchas Gracias Sandy, Thanks for the tips on PV at PV. We have been to Bucerias also. We visited a small Panaderia there that specialiazed in pasteries and doughnuts and stuff like that. Their ovens were the kind shaped like an upside down funnel made of clay or something. It was fun to see. Not a regular scheduled tour. We just hired a taxi for the day and had him take us to Bucerias, and out to the farms and stuff. They have cornfields just like those in the Midwest, with corn growing in all different stages of growth. You don't have to take a regular scheduled trip. Just hire a taxi for the day. Make sure you agree on the price first. I just hope the earthquake south of there didn't do any damage in PV. If so, I hope it didn't do much damage to the PV area on the bay. I am concerned for the people there. They just had a hurricane, now an earthquake. I'm not going to ask what next.

No damage at all, except to my neighbor's nerves.

Hi! I am currently trying to find out myself if there has been any casualties in Puerto Vallarta, for My Brother, Glenn Hynes and his girlfriend Nicole Pearcey had just arrived there on Tuesday (Their first trip out of Canada). I tried the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, but the office is currently closed, I do not know if that is due to the time difference or the earthquake. The line connected me to the Canadian Consolate Emergency Line. The person there informed me that as far as they know there are only water and communication problems. Until I hear from someone else, however, I will continue to search for all possible outlets of people in the "know". If there is any word from someone who has first hand knowledge of the current status of Puerto Vallarta, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Don Hynes

Thankyou JRinPV. That helps. I am thankful for your safety and your helpfulness. I spent 2 weeks in El Salvador this summer rebuilding homes for people that lost them to the January and February Earthquakes of 2001. I saw first hand Las Calinas, where the mountain fell down on a whole neighborhood in a suburb of San Salvador. It's not a pretty sight. There were people in cars under the ground honking horns, pounding on walls of their homes in hopes of being dug out. Very few were dug out alive. Eventually they brought in the heavy equipment to dig out some. Most are still buried there. It gives you a funny feeling in your gut to walk there. I hope it's not that bad south of you. Plan to be in PV on February 1.

How are things in the area, Bucherias, Rui Jalisco any damages from quake ? or is the worst in Colima

What should a person expect to pay for a cab ride from the airport to the Zona Romantica?

Hi all, Just returned yesterday ! First of all we followed the suggestion of someone who posted here about e-mailing the resort to get rooms with a nice view and it worked.We requested the rooms 6163 6164 6165 and got 6163 6164 6169 .These rooms are thebest view going with easy access to the elevators, if you were to book Iwould book room 6169 because it is off from elevators and a little quieter.When you email direct it to the attention of Mercedes Feirrerra.(we tipped her 10 us) and it was well worth it after seeing some of the views others had. THE ROOMS Previous posts stated these rooms were sub standard but Ifound them to be very nice,clean and quaint.No complaints here. THE FOOD I have been on many AI vacations and this buffet is the best I have ever had,it varied every evening and the choice was unbelievable.We ate at the brazillian rest. one night ,it was quite unique and good if you do not like meat, pass on this. We ate at La Botana one evening ,this was by far the worst meal everything was undercooked.The lunches here were great and very tasty.The other place for lunch serves an italian theme with less choices but very good. THE BEACH AND POOL Nice beach with plenty of loungers allways available.The pool is nice and you need to put a towel out by 8 am to secure a nice spot.Very few children at the resort this time of year.We had to complain to manager to get music on around pool area to liven it up and had to keep reminding staff to put it on. THE STAFF Front staff ,food servers and cleaning were all top notch.My biggest complaint was the sports and entertainment staff sucked.They would start a game then leave or not even ask people to join in.Their games were poorly organized and often times not even run.The exception to this were Marcos and Cyndy,they were a lot of fun. TRIP TO TOWN Bus is 1.50 us but stops well short of downtown.We negotited with cabbies and they took us to town for 2 us per person.Wuold have paid 3or 4 after seeing where bus drops you off.Negotiated a cab ride fare back for 10 us with 4 people sharing. THE SHOWS They were cheesy but entertaining and the theater area is great with 2 nice pub style bars outdoors. Would go back to this resort in a minute.It was awesome ,very clean and beautiful.

For more info post your questions here and Iwill reply.

No damages at riu jalisco and no damage in PV jerry

Hi Jerry! Glad you enjoyed your trip! We are leaving on Wednesday (29th) for the Riu Jalisco (first time there) and I was wondering if you could give me the email address for Mercedes Feirrerra so we can do what you did and request some nice rooms. If you prefer not posting her address on here, you can email it directly to me at charles.frappier@rogers.com Thanks very much! Charles

I was just there in Jan. along with 3 friends. We paid 250 pesos (about $25 US)from the airport to Hotel Eloisia, just down from the Burro Bar. Granted, wewere loaded down with a total of 8 pieces of luggage, 4 of those bags were filled with donations for the local orphanage. We could have walked across the ramp to the other side of the highway and paid a lot less, but too much of a hassle with all the luggage.

WE ARE GOING TO THE RIU IN MARCH. WE NEED TWO FAMILY ROOMS ,WHICH ARE ROOMS WITH TWO QUEEN BEDS, ARE ANY OF THE ROOMS YOU MENTIONED THESE KIND OF ROOMS?

Thks for the report Jerry. Will be there for two weeks in mid-February. Have you Mercedes e-mail address. You can send it directly to colmoi@sympatico.ca.

My family and myself are planning to stay there in Feb. 03' can you send me Mercedes Feirrera's email address to beatriz_drglass@yahoo.com. Thank you for the info.

To the person who left a message looking for a bar with satelite TV so she and her hubby could watch Canadian hockey - I'm sure you meant "Go Sens Go!" in your subject line (HA HA). When are you going to RIU Jalisco? - we are hockey fans too (albeit for the Ottawa Senators!) and wouldn't mind catching a couple of games while we're in PV. We will be at the RIU Feb 5 - 19.

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Thanks a million Jerry, I would be in your debt forever if you can email me Mercedes email address! The only thing I'm not thrilled about RIU is that they do not allow you to pay extra for ocean view. Thanks, Dan

sorry Jerry for not including my email addy it's dzink@cox.net thanks again Dan

Hi everybody Sent you the e-mail address,in case you did not receive it, here it is.

clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com.

Rhonda these rooms had 2 double beds pushed together.We did however check out the family rooms in case we brought our kids next time and they were located on the outside of the hotel overlooking the tennis courts and another hotel.The size of the rooms are the same so you may want to stay in regular room and push beds apart. Keep the questions coming, I WANT TO GO BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! jerry Also check out chain website riu.com

I was just wondering if you would recommend this hotel for honeymooners? I am planning to go on my honeymoon in late July. Thanks very much.

HI Jess, Although their were not many kids there when we went I have heard that they do have a lot of kids at at other times.We stayed at Aventura Palace Spa last year and it is more suitable perhaps for honeymooners.If you don't mind some kids Jalisco is cheaper,better food(by a mile)and a nicer beach.Their were a few newlyweds when we were there and seem to have a great time.Hope this was a little helpfull! jerry

if you would like to see some photos of resort.somebody has posted their vacation photos at this website.Although photos don't do it justice.http://community.webshots.com/photo/41125046/41130063ewccXA jerry

Why is there so many references to RIU Jalisco on this message board? Someone, somewhere must be doing a heck of a selling job. Is it really cheap?

El Torito's bar, Old Town. Absolutely great.

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Riu opened new last spring. There was a promotion last summer with a much lower price compared to other Riu series Resorts. I took advantage of that and went there last November. It was a big push in and outside of Mexico to populate the new Resort. I don't know how long the lower price will last. Here is another Forum for info. http://mytravelboard.com/pacificmexico/messages/7.html http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/mexico/riujalisco.html

Ireenie is just about correct on the price. The times that I didn't get freidns to pick me up it cost me aproximately $11.00 the last time. If you don't have a lot of luggage you canwak about 200 yards east on the overpass over the highway and get a regular city cab for for appriximately $6.00. The Burro Bar is one of my favorites.

Does anyone know what is the best and cheapest way to phone home from Mexico these days? Has that changed from before? Can you still by a phone card there for little or nothing? Thanks?

we bought 10 u.s. phone cards from reps in hotel and that would give you approx. 20 min.

jerry

I would appreciate the e-mail address of Mercedes Feirrerra please. We have 5 couples going to Riu in 4 weeks and would like to make sure our rooms are all close by eachother.

Thank you.

A few weeks ago we spent the evening at Steve's Bar, on Basadillo Basillo (I know I've spelt this wrong!!) next to Frankfurt's watching the World Juniors, unfortunately Canada lost, but still a good time. Much small than El Torito's, but a real at home atmosphere. Steve the owner is Canadian.

Hi, we just got back yesterday, stayed at the Marival in Nuevo, was there when the earthquake hit, very freaky, ground was waving, really weird feeling, if you have not experieced an earthquake before. The serious part of the earhtquke from what we saw on the news was 3 hours south of PV at Colima, they sadly suffered the damage and we heard there was at least 25 deaths. PV and Nuevo were not damaged as far as we heard.We did hear that it was 7.6

Hi, we just got back from PV, were there for 2 weeks and stayed at the Grand Marival.

ROOMS, we stayed on the Grand side ours room were large and roomy, bathroom with shower and bathtub. We had a ground floor room with a patio, very handy as we could just nip out for some food or drink and bring it back to our room if we wanted. Our friends stayed on the club side, room were smaller, older, noisier air-conditioning, and they had no balcony or terrace, for the difference in price,I am happy we choses the Grand side, and would do so again.

Beach, very nice, lots of palapas, not too busy our first week but if you wanted a palapa the second week we had to out there by 9 or 10 am, they do NOT want you to reserve beach chairs wiht towels but people still do it anyway! Other than that there was usuallly someplace somewhere to sit with shade. The first week the ocean was reaaly rogh and they had the red flag out for 4 days, (no swimming, dangerous) so that was too bad, but then it settled down and we had great wavess for boogie boarding, really fun, there are also, kayaks, and they will take you out on a hobie cat if you want,, there were some dolphins playing not oo far off shore one day.

Food, varied, there was a choice of buffets, snack bars and ala cartes. Breakfast, one big buffet, pretty good,and one alalcarte was open, quite good used it often. Lunch was snack bars(2), buffet or one alacarte.

Dinner, one big buffet, or choice of 4 ala-cartes.

for the most part we found the buffet OK, not great, but we were comparing it to the resort we stayed in last year, which was a bit better, you won't starve and will find something to eat. We did really enjoy the 4 ala -cartes, they were very good 5 course dinners, and food was very good there. They book up fast, so make reservations early. They seemed to have a pretty easy dress code for dinner, Snack bars were, good, pizza , ribs, etc.

Bars, lots of them,6 of them I think, 2 swim up bars, never had a long line up.

The resort seemed to have lots of good organized activities, bikes, beach vollyball, etc, night shows, Very clean resort, rooms and grounds very clean, it is a big resort 2 large pool areas.

Kids club, good, variety of activities, they were supervised, and seemed to have fun, Our daughter used it a little. They have a GREAT kids pool with 3 small waterslides and a waterfall, its really great, our daughter also loved boogie boarding.

The only downside was that our daughter got quite sick the second week, vomiting and intestinal upset, whether it was the food water or whatever, we don't know, but it was a damper for us, we talked to other people whoses kids were Ok so, I guess it was the bad luck of the draw.

Other than that he PV area is wonderful, we went to Las Caletas, with Vallarta Adventures, on the Marigalante, the pirate ship cruise,, and whale watching with Open air expeditions,, all fantastic.

Loved the Puerto Vallarta area, will definately return, liked the Marival, except we felt the buffet food could have been better, but thats our only comment.

Address is clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com.

jerry

Great Report Laur. I was waiting for a Report from Marival. I walked through the grounds very carefully last month, since I had a Riu band on my arm. It is a beautiful Resort, much improved since several years ago when we stayed there. At that time they better entertainment than we seen at any AI Resort. They had professional groups from outside not just the locals. You did not comment on that. Glad you had a good time.

hi, we did not manage to stay up and see much shows, we were too tired,too much boogie boarding!!!!, we did see one show, it was a musical presentation with costumes of many Disney tunes(perfect for our 5 year old!) it was in our opinion, FANTASTIC!, if the other shows are of the same calibre then I would think they would be great.the staff works very hard and long hours, Laur

Were you able to bring food back to your room. I have been to some resorts that do not allow this.

Thanks

They ask you not to take food out of the Restaurant. Yes, there is a note. You can ask them to take food to your room. But! 1 Not everyone notice it or know about it.. 2 Not everyone cares. I have seen people taking some food out. It seems like all the other rules that are not being enforced. This was only MY observation. Others may see it differently. Examples: "No kids in the adult Pool" "No jumping into Pool" "No shorts at Dinner" Rules rules rules.... I usually follow the rules with a grain of salt. Just see what goes on. You are not in the Army. LOL

Hi Jerry, I am glad you enjoyed your trip. I was wondering if you could tell me how far this hotel is from other hotels? Could you walk from this hotel to Paradise Village? Or it's mall area. We are thinking of either the Riu or Paradise Village. There will be 11 of us. 6 adults 5 kids. It's just so hard to decide. We have stayed at Paradise Village before and thought it was wonderful. So any other selling points that you could offer on the Riu would be helpful.

Thanks, Gia

Hello Sandy The Royal Decameron resort is actually in the town of Bucerias..Neuvo Vallarta is to the south and you can walk there in about 1 1/2 hours...buses are frequent and cheap...if you want to catch the bus to P.V..walk up the road from the resort to the highway,there is a bus stop right there,Just wave a bus down that has El Centro written on the windshield.The cost is 9 pesos each way..the buses in P.V cost 4 pesos around town.. Bucerias is a quaint town of about 20000 people..there's plenty of trinket shopping available,more in P.V....there is actually quiet a large "gringo" settlement in Buceias..some people from Quebec seem to be the "ringleaders" of the community...there is a kayak shop run by a lady from Langley,B.C.Canada...and there is a nice coffee shop called Caroline's right by the center of town,and most of the gringo population congregates there every morning...Bucerias is very safe,and the mexican population is helpful and friendly by nature...as this is a small town,people are much more friendly than in bigger cities... Buses run about every half hour from 6am to 10pm....you can catch a bus to Sayulita on the opposite side of the highway(heading north) for 9 pesos also...all buses have their routes written on the windshields,and they generally slow down so you can see what's written and then flag them down if that's the one you want...this can be a bit of a challenge for us with distance-challenged vision,but if you look like you're interested in what the bus says,the bus driver slows a bit,so you can see...Sayulita is a surfer destination,and the waves are amazing,as are the surfers..the bus will drop you in the town square,and this is where you pick it up too for your return...Sayulita is 3km from the highway..so just stay on it till he stops in"el centro"... There are Bar-B-Q chicken stands right on the highway in Bucerias...(it's about the center of town too)...these are safe to eat and cost $45 pesos for a whole one..for that you get chicken,rice,piquante sauce,tortillas and coleslaw..throw the coleslaw out,I'm sure it's safe too but why risk it just in case...and they are DELICOUSO!!!! most of the restaurants in town are kinda of expensive by mexican standards...there is one called "The Apple Place" which is upstairs of the grocery store,and is reasonably priced,has a great view and is good!...it's on the other side of the bridge over the river about 2 blocks south from the center of Bucerias...try it! The Bital Bank is north on the highway from the Royal Dec...it has a big black sign on the very top of the building and is the best place to cash travellers cheques,in air-con. comfort no less..there is also a bank machine there...but beware of bank machine charges,check with your own bank to see what kind of charges they will sharge to use them...generally each transaction at a bank machine will cost you about $5...but travellers chqs cashed at the Bital won't cost you anything,you just line up like normal in regular bank...there are 2 sets of doors when you go in...the first door MUST be closed before you can open the second door...who knows why...and there is an armed guard at the door with a rather BIG gun outside...I guess in Mexico they have bigger robberies! Have fun,the water's warm and easy to swim in... Cyndi

We were at the Marina in Pueuto Vallarta when the earthquake hit and it was pretty scary at first. There was a little damage at our resort (The Melia) such as cracked walls and a little heaving of some floor tiles and some broken dishes and glasses but no injuries except for our wits. The quake lasted for 56 seconds where we were but hit the town of Colima about 250 km. south and sorry to say but we last heard 29 or so deaths and many injured. We also had a minor aftershock the next day mid-afternoon.

Just returned from a week in Bucerias. We were in the town square where their yearly festival was going on. We didn't feel a thing and none of the people around us were acting alarmed. When we returned to our house(about 5 blocks from downtown), the other guests said the pool sloshed and the ground rolled there. Boy, nothing like being in an earthquake and not feeling a thing!

Hello there Returned from the riu jalisco on january 20. 2003. simply paradise!!!! we spent 2 weeks there and it was a super, excellent vacation. don't even know where to start to describe everything. rooms: super, we were in room # 5173, very clean, very spacious, beautiful ocean view and into the park settings towards the pools etc. food: the brazilian restaurant very, very nice, very unique. requests reservation at the main restaurant 7 am in the morning. otherwise almost no chance to get a table. la botana, super for lunch. evening not much variety, though a very nice athmosphere, since it is right at the ocean, open concept, very nice set the tables, spanish coffee celebration very unique and sure very tasty!!! next to the bar was a guy playing music and one got a chance to dance. the main restaurant super. a buffett you can only dream of. tons to choose from and we never had the same thing twice. beach and pool: nice, clean beach, lots of loungers available. pool area super. we never had to put towels on the loungers in regards to reserve them. besides, they didn't allow you to do that. there was always enough to choose from. staff: front desk, waitress/waiter, bartenders, cleaning staff, gardeners extremly friendly, top notch. entertainment staff: super. never enjoyed an animacion group like the one at the riu. very funny, hilarious and they were always around to get you into the games, or to come on stage to help and have fun. very funny were alvaro (the boss of the group) enrique, marco, cindy, mariana and ruth. adhil is not very secure of herself, we found. but that is not a big deal.

trip to town: we always took a cab. axel is his name, cab # 410 we can reccomend him very highly. the prices for a cab are posted at the front desk and there is no negotiation. we even hired him for a whole day and had a lot of fun with him. we got a chance to see somethings inland and learned a lot about this area and their people. riu spa: if you ever want to get a massage. ask for ALMA and get it done at the beach. she doesn't speak english, but does a very, very good job. very thoothing and you can enjoy every second. full body, will take one hour and costs 660 pesos. well worth it. (would take two massages a day) :) :). the only thing we were annoyed was, there were quit a few people complaining about everything, mostly about the food. they went back to their tables with heaped plates and sure enough at least half of it went into the garbage. ( take so much on the plate what you can eat, so nothing gets wasted. I mean, you can go back an get more stuff , 20 times if you want).

when I think of it and I am sure, the staff there works there butts off, sure they have a little bit a different working speed than us, but what they earn as a basic wage, it is ridiculous. and other people are so wasting. it's just something to think about it.

something else made me think. before we left for this trip I kept reading the comments here. there was this accident at the riu, when somebody wrote, that they should make the balcony railings higher, because they are somewhat to low. this is really nonsense. the railings are high enough. but when you watch certain, stupid people, who clime from one balcony to the next, then are you surprised, when something happens????? however, we would go back to the riu jalisco in a flash. It was a dream vaccation and we enjoyed every second. It was awesome, beautiful and very, very clean. the people/staff extremly friendly, very attentif.

we plan to do this again, hopefully next year at this time.

for everybody who goes there next, have a great holdiay and enjoy it !!!!!

Anyone else going to be a Sun Getaway April 11-18? 4 Canadian guys in their 20's/early 30's making a return visit to PV and the Sun Getaway (was Blue Bay when we were there last year). Who else is ready for some sun, sand, surf, sin, booze and heading out? Drop us a line

Thanks for your replies, (we may have to check out both!!!) Sorry, Laureen, we aren't arriving until February the 21st (although, there will be 17 of us die-hard Canucks fans-so you may be glad you missed us!!!!). I hope you have a great time-and get a chance to catch a game-I just can't imagine anything better that watching your favourite team after day of sun and surf! -Hope your Sens pull through all the adversity-although it really isn't affecting their play!

Thanks for all the great information!! Has anyone used the kids club facilities?? We are taking our 3 year old and was wondering what people's experiences were with the people and things they do at the club?? Also..what is the children's pool like?? Thanks for any info you can provide.

i was at the riu on november 16-23 or something like that, anyways im only 16, and i had been living in Barra De Navidad Jalisco for 5 months and my parents were coming down to visit me (from canada) they came down, and i have been on vacations before but nothing like this, i was there during when that beam fell on that lady...if she reads this i hope shes okay:) anyways my only complaints would be the food was cold, but even then it was soooooooooooo good. if you have teenagers you dont have to worry about them bothering you on vacation, the disco was so much fun......the entertainment and games wutnot.SO FUN! anywayz if you have any questions bout Barra, Guadalajara, AguasCalientes, Guanajato, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Melaque, Cihuatlan...etc. you can drop me a line here and i will make sure to respond. : )

hey, ummmmmm a little tip, i lived in mexico for 5 months and for 4 months my host family didnt have a phone so i had to phone home from payphones. im only 16 so i phoned quite often....we had a few VERYYY large phone bills. if anyway possible, if your from canada just buy the 7-11 long distance cards...they give you decent minutes.

this is for Kim you don't have to worry about a thing. the kids club is great. where the big toblerone is, that's the kid's club with a little pool. what they actually do with the children I am not quit sure, because ours were already to big to go there. however, the animacion people are super with kids. you can send your child twice a day to the kids club. can't remember the times. but evenings they always mentioned it after the kids disco was over. our children went on stage to join the kids disco. they had games for them, danced (we even bought the cd from them) and had so much fun. we even noticed there were children joining them who were 3, 4 years old. everybody gets involved. cindy and mariana are super with kids. even enrique and marco. so don't worry, just enjoy and have fun. honestly, you have something to look forward to. have fun!!!!!!

Carrie wrote: " i was there during when that beam fell on that lady...if she reads this i hope shes okay:)" She is OK. The ceiling fell down on Nov. 22, in the afternoon during our briefing. We just arrived that day from Toronto. I was in the conference room next to it. They think the stucture was weakened previously during Hurricane Kenna. No one was seriously injured but it gave us quite a scare. It was repaired by the following week.

You can buy mexican phone cards for 20 - 100 pesos...the cost is 5 pesos a minute in a phone booth...you just have to dial 001-area code-phone number...it's that easy now!...no dialing 9 etc...DON'T use your Visa card,this results in amazing charges on your bill,like a minimum $62.00Cdn....another great way to communicate with home is thru the internet places around towns now...these are generally 1 peso a minute,5 minutes seems to be the minimum....very cheap and easy...the keyboard is a bit different,the commas etc are in different spots...and to get the "@" symbol....you have to use the alt key and then type in 64...I finally had to ask someone else,I'd never guess that one!...If you want to use your local phone company calling card,you still have to get a mexican phone card to insert into the phone,it will just bypass their system,and then use the calling card as normal...(million numbers to be dialed)....Mexico has entered the 21st century!!

No, Mexico has entered the 1980s PB

Thank you sooo much for responding!! This is our first trip ever to an all-inclusive and to Mexico and so was not sure what to expect. However all the responses have made me feel very comfortable and excited to go!! Thanks again for your reply!! Have a great day!!!

We've read about many of the beaches around PV, but have not seen a lot about these two, north of PV. Somewhere we read that Playa Pontoque has a nice reef for snorkeling. Is this true, and has anyone been there? Also, is there snorkeling at Playa Anclote, or is it more or a drop-off spot for those going out to the Marietta Islands? Are there beach palapas/restaurants at either beach? Finally, I read somewhere that these beaches may be quite rocky. Is that right? Thanks--and can't wait to arrive on March 15! [%sig%]

El Anclote is a lovely beach just inside the bay by Punta de Mita, it has some nice palapa restaurants on it, recommend El Dorado. The other beach I've never heard off.

Does anyone know when the Mexicans have their holidays in April? I know there is at least 1 week in April that the resorts are really busy, just wondering when that is this year. Thanks in advance, Spring

That would be Easter week, Spring. Big time holiday.

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Playa Pontoque is on the north coast. I believe it to be inaccessable today. Your next best bet is Destilladeras which is a beautiful beach with a restaurant. There is another small beach further out towards El Anclote (see Punta de Mita) whose name escapes me, with a small palapa restaurant. see map link: http://www.allaboutpuertovallarta.com/banderasbaymap.htm

Do you know if their Easter is the same as ours? I think there is another holiday that ties in with Easter that they also celebrate. If anyone knows the actual dates that would be great.

Think about what you just asked !!!!!!Easter is the same in Mexico as it is anywhere else in the world. Good Friday is April 18 and Easter monday is April 21, so either the week leading into easter weekend or the week after easter weekend could and probably will be busy.

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Be warned that Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) is 13 April, which mean Semana Santa, which is actually more like 2 weeks .... so, starting that Friday and the following two weeks.

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Does anyone know how much it is to golf at the course next to the Riu Jalisco?

I purchase AT&T telephone cards from Sam's Club. They can be used in Mexico.

The "other holiday" Spring mentioned is sometimes Benito Juarez's birthday, which is a national holiday. Not sure of the exact date and if it's on a Friday every year, but this year it's celebrated March 21; too early to affect Easter (which is very late this year). One year I was in PV when BJ's BD kicked off Semana Santa with a long weekend -- it was nuts!

I had inquired and the rep told me $70 u.s.

I sent a request for a specific room or at least facing the middle but did not get a reply. Did you get a reply

I was wondering if you have the e-mail address of the person you contacted to ensure a nice room and if so, could you please send it to me. Also, I was wondering if there is a golf cours nearby and if so, what the quality and prices would be. Many thanks. Ian

Info requested in thread: Address is clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com.

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Pontoque is one of the better beaches for snorkeling. There is a reef offshore that calms the waves at lower tides. On one end of the beach is an old lava flow. Makes for some interesting pools and a good place to fish. No restaurants or any other facilities. It is one of the prettiest beaches on the whole bay. Anclote isn't any good for snorkeling as it has a very gentle slope and a sandy bottom. Lots of restaurants. Both beaches have some rocky areas but are mainly sand.

Ian, maybe you should email Spring. You two can plan your trip together. PB

Just wondering if anyone has been to Plaza Pelicanos recently or the condos through them. My family and I will be traveling there in April. I wanted to know if anyone had any feedback on them. Thanks.

Hi Jerry, Me and my friend plan to go to Riu Jalisco in the end of November, because we are two single girls and I do prefer to go to a resort where there are more single people to meet and have fun sp my questions is do you think this resort is ideal for single or couples? I have been to Riu Bambo in Punta Cana and there was only couples and families and we where the only two single girls in this hotel.

Hope to here from you soon, Cheers, Monica

Monica, While there may be singles at Riu at times, it is primarily a family Resort. Best way would be for you to hook up with singles before you go or check with Travel Agents. They have a better picture of Resorts. It is still a small chance. May be you should consider P.V. Hotel area as opposed to an All Inclusive. Just my thought.

Hi Theresa... This is your sister, saying "Hi". I just want to say "Hola" to JRinPV also!!! And, if Jill Mustard checks this site...How was your trip? Never got an e-mail back from you, so I don't know if you lost our e-mail address...Hope you had fun!

Thanks, RNG! I'm wondering if you have any info that this beach may be inaccessible today, as mentioned on the other reply to my question? It sounds like a beautiful beach to truly get away from it all! [%sig%]

¡Hola Rachelle!

You can't drive to it anymore as they put a gate up on the road. You have to park beside the highway and walk-about 10 minutes.

Monica; I agree not many singles at this resort.

Jamie

My Fiance & I are going to the Riu Jalisco for our honeymoon. We were wondering if there were any recommendations for things to do away from the hotel? We would appreciate any information you can provide. We have enjoyed reading all of your comments & have taken notes.

Thanks, Dawn

hello dawn as you could read in our report, we truly had a blast. what we did besides the ressort was: we booked a trip on the marygalante the pirate ship.had breakfast and lunch on board. entertainment, drinks everything included. sailed to a semiprivate beach, which was a wonderful, romantic place to stop. had a chance to snorkel, bananaboat ride, volleyball if you wanted, drinks even at the beach and have fun with the waves. was head over heels sometimes, nevertheless we had so much fun. it was a whole day trip, about 8 hours fun.

we also booked a trip on the geronimo to the islas mariettas. we enjoyed again snorkeling, wale watching, dolphin playing around the katamaran and we stoped again on a beach. again, we had breakfast and lunch on board, drinks all included. this trip lastet even for about 9 hours. one day we rented a vw tropical as well as a taxi driver. he drove us all over the places and we have seen a lot of things. it was really fun. if you plan to do that, ask for axel, he is very friendly, very competent.

everything was perfect for us and we enjoyed each second of our vaccation.

a must is a massage from alma, down by the beach of the riu jalisco ressort.

we wish you a great trip and even more a super stay at the riu jalisco ressort. eliana

Hola Rachelle!! I am so sorry for not e-mailing you back. Since I have been back from my trip life has been crazy. This cold weather is for the birds, though. Yes, my vacation was nothing less of SPECTACULAR. Plaza Pelicanos (formerly Plaza Las Glorias) opened on Dec. 30th (just the hotel part). The timeshares were not even there because, of course, they were destroyed in the hurricane. However, the Palapa that goes over the bar area was just about finished the day that we left, Jan. 11th. The grounds there are more beautiful than before!! (If you can imagine that!!) The bar is amazing; it is very close to the beach and kind of sunken down so it is like you are sitting in the pool. There is also a "swim-up bar" that is also probably open now. We stayed at Pelicanos next door - the white building, in a time share. We thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful place as well. If you can, try and book a timeshare there, as the other timeshares will probably not be available. All of the timeshares there are pool/ocean view; very large rooms; two kitchens, 3 bathrooms, pull-out couch and 3 double-beds. The activities staff at the Pelicanos was "out of this world". We played tequila volleyball, wateraerobics daily (12 Noon) - very good workout and very hot latino men heading up the aerobics!!! No doubt that Pelicanos will look so spectacular when you get there. The mexican people were working non-stop - night and day- to repair and clean up the horrible rubble that that hurricane that lasted only 3-hours did. Sorry for the book, but I thought I would give you details. I hope you have a fabulous time; if you happen to go to Pelicanos, say hi to Ticho - activities staff member who is so funny and very nice!! Adios, Jill

Hi Jill... Thanks so much for the e-mail. I'm glad to have heard from you...We were thinking of you!!! Actually, from your e-mail, my parent's time share IS the white building you stayed at this time...Right at the pool and beach, 3 bathrooms, a pull out couch, two kitchens...We are the first floor. We are going April 3-13. 10 nights, 11 days. We're getting very excited. Your condos must have been right in with the Plaza las Glorias Hotel?!?!?! Right after the hurricane, we got on the web and actually found a picture of my parent's white 4-story, single building, in great shape---It was on a German website of all places! But it showed the building in great shape and everything around it, in not such great shape. The tennis court looked kind of bad too. Every year we do see all of the young, attractive "events staff"! They are fun. I will say "Hi" to Ticho...I'll ask around for him!!! Thanks so much for the e-mail. The cold weather is a drag. Right now the indoor/outdoor digital thermometer is reading 21 degrees outside and that is like a heat wave right now!!! Thanks Again! Rachelle

We are going to Riu next week and I am being told that I should ask for specific rooms....I heard that there are certian areas you DO NOT want to be in because of the noise.....which rooms are best for view and quiet??

Hi All A friend of mine has a flight booked from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta for four weeks. Leaves on the 16 of Feb and returns March 16... air only. Unfortunately he has to go in for surgery on the 19 of Feb and cannot use his ticket. This is a charter flight so I am not sure if it can be switched to someone else's name. I just found out about this tonight and have to wait until tomorrow to check with the travel agent. If anyone is interested, he will accept any reasonable offer. Email me at fleet98@hotmail.com and / or leave messages here.

Thanx Bubbly Bob [%sig%]

6172 6173

travelling to Sayulita in Feb and wondering if there is a flea market there?

jerry wrote: > 6172 6173 We were in Punta Cana last year and there was topless women at the pool and beach. Is this allowed or seen at Riu Jalisco? Thanks

I believe it is customary(and preferred) to keep all clothes on in Mexico.

Re: topless in Riu I have seen topless women on the beach, around the Resting and Pool area in all Resorts in Mexico. . It was the same in Riu Jalisco. I don't know if toplessness is legally allowed or not but no one complained or said anything. It is the same in Dominican Republic and in Cuba. I don't know of any Resorts where topless rules exists or are enforced.

Heading for Puerto Vallarta March 29, what are some of the more authentic mexican restaurants in Old Puerto Vallarta? And what should i look for if we choose to indulge in the food from the street vendors? How about the night life, any clubs with salsa, merenge or mariachi music? Hope someone out there can help....thanks bunch...

Mexican on the south side The Red Cabbage Cafe Los Guamuchilitos Cafe de Olla Las Cazuelas Margeritas For a Street Food guide see <http://vallarta-info.com/streetfood.html> Salsa/Merenge J&B, by Plaxa Genovesa Jabula, southern end of Ignacio Vallarta [%sig%]

Try www.sayulita.com Adios! mexicomexico.info

Hello- We will be going to the Riu Jalisco on Sunday 2/16. I was wondering if there were any ATM's or banks in the airport. I am having a difficult time exchanging for pesos here in Chicago. I emailed the Riu and they replied that they exchange currency at the front desk. Where would I get the better rate? At a bank/ ATM or at the Riu" front desk?

No topless bathers at beach or pool when we were there.Not sure but do not think it would be condoned at pool at the RIU.Atm's and bank at airport,they had better rates than at hotel.

jerry

There are several places to change money at the Airport. Earlier, on this BB, people said the airport had one of the best exchange rates and it is so convenient also. Hotels are not known for having the best exchange rates--just so handy.

What is the rate for a cab ride from the airport to the Melia Puerto Vallarta?

In December 2002 we were charged 110 pesos (2 people +2 cases )

Just remember to agree on a price with the cab driver BEFORE you get into the cab! You don't want to have any surprises.

On the Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and other Latin music front definitely J&B on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio @ KM 2.5 (note - this is not in "old" Puerto Vallarta). It can be pretty dead before 11 PM or midnight, but once it gets going, it's pretty amazing. Although gringos and other visitors are welcome (and when things are slow the staff will make an effort to get them onto the dance floor), it's definitely more on the Mexican nightclub side of things, including the way they serve drinks (you can order singly, but it's very common to order bottles of liquor plus mixers, or beer by the cubette). If you take a taxi, remember in Spanish the J&B is pronounced "hota bay"; I've never met a cabby that didn't recognize the name and know where to take you.

It's definitely targeted for the tourist crowd, but La Bodeguita del Medio (on the Malecon), part of chain based on a Havana bar favored by Ernest Hemingway, has a very good house Cubana band that can get people dancing on the miniscule dance floor as well as nearby aisles, between tables,etc. I'm not particularly impressed by the food, however, and the trademark mojitos are kind of watery and production line.

Hello This ticket is now gone, thanx for the emails. Bubbly Bob

The Riu Jalisco was one of the AI hotels suggested by the travel agent. Even if your booking through a travel agent would you still be able to send an e-mail to the hotel requesting booking of specific rooms? Also, i saw a picture of one DS room and am wondering is the bathroom separated from the rest of the room by drapes only? Thank you.

The commode is in a separate room with a door. The double sinks and shower have a curtain separating them from the bedroom area, creating quite a large dressing area. I liked the setup.

you can still request a specific room even if you booked through a travel agent.The room set up is quite nice.

Do buses run from Melia P.V. to Old P.V.? Where can the bus be picked up at and how much is it to get to Old P.V.? Are there any transfers? And once in Old P.V. where do we pick up bus to return to the Melia? One more question (hehe) how much is bus fare and do we need correct change? thanks for putting up with all my questions...hope someone knows the answers...thanks again!!!

The Marina bus runs about every 30 min. Stops right by your hotel and goes to the southside terminal, See map <http://vallarta-info.com/south.html>. 4 pesos, no transfer and the last bus back is about 10:30pm.

I have an AT&T phone card from Sam's. But when I called them to ask about rates, they said it was 9 to 1! I assume this means that it costs too much to use! Is this correct??? Leaving Monday, Jwilkie

Hi Jerry! Can you please email me Mercedes' Address?

clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com

I have an International Conversion Chart and it is about 6 minutes within the US to 1 minute from Mexico. If the At&T Prepaid Card cost 3.5 cents per minute, it will probably cost about 25 cents per minute from Mexico. It's a steal compared to not having the card. FYI: to call from Mexico, using your AT&T card, the access number is 001-800-462-4240 or 01-800-288-2872. Where are your staying while in PV? I will be in PV the week of March 22nd and staying at Viva Vallarta, north of Nuevo Vallarta. Any feedback is welcome.

only problem is that Mercedes emailed me back and said that she cannot reserve a particular room until the day before your trip, and even then cannot guarantee anything. She said only 30 rooms have an ocean view and the hotel is frequently full but I guess it doesn't hurt to try. Good Luck, Dan

She did the same to us and we got the exact rooms requested.The key is most people don't specify rooms so the odds are that you will get a room with a view.

You walk out of your resort and walk to the left till the yellow speed bump (about a short block) cross the street and wait on the other side of the street and wait for the bus that says downtown. Cost you 4 pesos and it'll take about 25 - 30 minutes. When you decide to travel back, get on any blue bus that says Marina and look for "Melia" right on the windshield. It will bring you back pretty much where it picked you up. We stayed at the Melia two weeks in January and we wished we were still there. We had a fantastic time. The resort was great along with the food, drinks, pool, beach and weather. Hope you have a good time.

Hello everyone, I really enjoyed everyone's emails. I'm part of a group that is going in May, the 18th through 22nd. There are 12 of us, ages ranging in 23-33 years. I emailed Mercedes concerning the rooms, and am hoping to get a reply back. Here are some questions that I would love answered by you Riu Jalisco Nuevo Vallarta veterens: 1) What kind of non-paying activities are there available, and how available are they? 2) Do other resturants need early reservations as that one? 3) Do you recommend changing money at the airport? 4) What kind of shopping is in the hotel vs. outside the hotel? 5) What other outside activities would you folks recommend such as tours? sightseeing? etc.? 6) Is there any deep-sea fishing opportunities? 7) How is the snorkling, and do we bring our own gear? If anyone could answer any of these questions, I'd be really greatful! Thank you! [%sig%]

Any problem using airline 1-800 #'s from Mexico to verify your flight/times before leaving?....Thanks again!!!

We also had 3 people in a cab and had about 8 pieces of luggage and paid 30 pesos or $3.00 US. We also went to Plaza Pelicanos, in the Zona Romantica. We picked up the cab right out in front of the airport.

Hello Rachelle!! Thanks for the response. Sounds like you and your family have a great time in Puerto Vallarta also. Where do you live??? Have a super time!!

Did you specifically request Grand Marival, say when you were booking with a travel agent. What was the difference in price between the Grand and Club?

Does anyone know how much cab fare to paradise village in Nuevo Vallarta costs from the airport?

Wow! What a beautiful resort! We just returned this past Wednesday, Feb. 12. We absolutely loved it! Highly recommend it...any questions, feel free to email me.

Can't be specific, but I do know that you will get cheaper rates if you walk across the pedestrian footbridge and get a taxi across the road from the Airport.

Just want to let everyone know that we're giving away samples of the herbal insect repellant again in return for your feedback. See <http://www.tomzap.com/crocodile.html>.

Can anyone tell me some info on the Melia?? We are staying there for the first time in April and would like to know how some things are, i.e. beach, food, rooms, etc.

Also, any trip reports would be great too. Thanks!

Hi Melissa You should enjoy the MELIA,been there many times. Last time Dec 2002. I find the food and drink to be top class. If you go to my web site it should answer most of your questions- http://communities.msn.ca/MELIAPV Also in the bulletin board section of- puertovallarta.net you will see comments about the Melia (all good by the way)

OK, We spent the first week of February in Puerto Vallarta. The Wallmart Att Card is difficult to use. You had better get a code from Att before you go. I'ts a long number and takes lots of time to punch in the phone. I never could get mine to work. I bought a TelMex Ladatel mexican telephone card for $10.00 US at a drugstore downtown PV. They sell them all over the place. We called home to the USA, using that card all week and never used it up. In fact, the telephone tells you how much you have left on it, counting down by 5s from 100. We didn't talk too long, but we did make several calls. Make sure you use a payphone with the Ladatel printed on it. They are all over the place. Just dial 001 then the area code and phone number of the place you are calling in the USA. I'm not sure if you are calling Canada. The first three numbers may be different then.

Watch out for making calls from your Hotel Room. We were warned they add on some stiff charges. Get out of your room. Have some adventure. That's why you are going anyway! Hope this helps someone.

I was just in PV the first week of February and stayed at Paradise Village. We had transfers to and from the airport, so I can't answer you exactly. I'm going to guess 90 pasos, or $9.00 US. We went all the way from downtown Puerto Vallarta to Paradise village for 130 pasos, or $13.00 US. The airport is closer. The taxi drivers know the fares and they don't barter. It's a set rate, more or less. Maybe a little negotiation, but not much. Hope this helps. You're going to like it.

We like a little adventure. We took the bus from paradise village into town for 40 pasos, or $4.00 US. Then we took a taxi home after a night on the town for about 130 pasos or $13.00 US. Live a little! Catch some of the local culture. Make sure the bus is going where you want before you get on it. You might end up somewhere else otherwise.

I've posted my photos and a review of the Riu Jalisco at this website: www.geocities.com/riujalisco. It is a great resort for couples and famlies (singles, you're better off staying in downtown PV if you want nightlife!). Excellent food (especially the shrimp!) and service. The rates are really a bargain for a 5 star resort. In the low season (May thru December) the rates are about $63/day per adult. We also emailed ahead and got a great oceanview room.

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tricia You only need reservations at the Nayarit.The exchange at the airport is better than hotel.They set up a mini market on 2 evenings but prices are quite high as compared to town.The shoppes on resort are very expensive.There is deep sea fishing and you can inquire with the group in the main lobby.

Why don't you just call the airline with which you're flying at the airport and verify your departure flight and time. Their number are in the phone book.

we stayed 2/1 - 2/8/03...yes i agree its a beautiful resort....wish the beds were softer :)

We are travelling to Riu Jalisco next month with another family. I was reading about the rooms you suggested 6172 and 6173. We both have two children (6 and 10). Are these rooms better or worse than others for kids? Are they close to the elevators? Are there rooms that would be more appropriate? I know, I want the best of both worlds. View and location. Do you have room number suggestions if we wanted to be close to the pools. Sometimes this is nice with kids because you can go back and forth quick and easy. I appreciate any info you can give me. I'm hoping the resort is not too split up adults vs kids. We went to the Dominican last year. The kids used and enjoyed the swim up bar more than we did. Are they allowed to use it there? Is there anything particular we shouldn't forget to bring? For example, water toys for kids, or gifts for staff.

Thanks. I really look forward to your view.

You cannot call 800 numbers from any pay phones or using a telmex card. You will pay operator charges to connect to 800 numbers, but it will cost you a lot.

I know of two options to make 1-800 calls from my house in Mexico. Unfortunately, neither option is free.

1) substitute 001-880-xxx-xxxx for the 1-800-xxx-xxxx number. You will get a message in English informing you that the call will be billed at the international direct-dialing rate. I haven´t tried this from a pay phone, yet.

2) usnig my AT&T calling card, I can call either 001-800-462-4240 or 01-800-288-2872 (one of these two usually works). The billing is per the calling card plan.

Sometimes, the company that I am trying to call has a non 1-800 number which makes things much easier.

hi lisa Those rooms are fine and close enough to elevators.But if you want to be closer to pool you would be better off at the tip of the u shaped building but there are no elevators.The childrens club seemed quite good and they involved the kids in the evening show.Kids are not allowed in adult pool,although if they were supervised they were never bothered i.e.a parent in pool with them.The staff seemed to apreciate gifts that had a theme from the country you are from i.e.shirt with canada flag on it.

I will be taking my brother with me for the first time to Mexico....what tours (if any) are recommended for Puerto Vallarta? What are some of the things that he shouldnt miss on his first visit? Thanks for your help....you've all helped me so much already....i just want to be prepared for our trip....thanks again..

Please look at my site <http://vallartainfo.com> any questions after that, feel free to e-mail me.

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No, but I know the worst way. Don't you any phone in you hotel room and don't use one of the pay phones that say dial "090" (or some variation thereof). The best way....use a calling card that works on a "TelMex" phone. Many of them will work. I paid about $.50 per min to the US on my last trip.

i've been to the Melia once...and i'm going there again this year.....the people were wonderful.....food was ok...beach was ok....very relaxing....thats why im going back again...hope u have a good time....

WARNING - Don't use one of those "Call Collect Anywhere in the US or Canada" telephones to contact your friends back home. Once your friends receive their phone bill, they won't be your friends any longer. I accepted collect charges on one of these calls and later found out that a 3 minute conversation costed $64 US dollars!

A lot of places sell Ladatel phone cards which you use only on the phones that say Ladatel. Supposed to be pretty reasonable rates and you see those Ladatel phones all over the place.

Only $64.................... I had a lot more than that. Only use a pay phone, and if you find one that still asks for money using a calling card, find another one. Find a Ladatel or a TelMex phone. They will do and there are plenty of them. And remenber it is cheaper to take a cab into town for $20USD than to pick up that phone in your hotel room.

Hi Jill... We live in a nice suburb of Milwaukee. Cedarburg, Wisconsin. It is about 20 miles north of Milwaukee. Right now our indoor/outdoor thermometer reads 30 degrees. The past 2 days haven't been bad. Tomorrow it is supposed to be back in the 20's. So, PV sounds really good about now. We have just over a month to wait. (4-3 through 4-13). You are in South Dakota?!?!? It is probably just as cold there! Thanks again for the e-mail!!! We'll let you know how PV is when we get back!!!

We were at the Melia in January 03 for 2 weeks and had an absolutely wonderful time. We stayed in room 1430 which overlooked the ocean and the sound of the waves were soooo soothing and the view of the sunsets were breath-taking.The swimming pool (which was huge), was great and clean and liked especially the swim-up bar. The food was good and our favorite was the breakfast because you can order 1, 2 or 3 egg omelets with your choice of toppings, then watch the "egg lady" make them fresh right in front of you. For entertainment they have Target Rifle shooting, Archery, (my high score was 250), Sand volleyball, Outdoor Billiards, Table Tennis, Real Tennis, Pool Bingo and a variety of other things to keep you busy. The nightly entertainment was decent considering they only have 6 or 7 entertainers and their main thing was dance. Would have been nice to see some sort of Plays. The staff and food servers were very friendly and attentive. There are 4 different restaurants and the only disappointing one was (ironically) the supposedly "high-end" restaurant that you have to make a reservation for, and allowed only once per week of stay. We received 2 passes for this and after experiencing the first week, we promptly exchanged the second week's pass for the other restaurant, La Palapa's evening dining. The walk to the "Marina" is less then 5 minutes, where you can stroll and shop, visit the many quaint restaurants, have laundry done, use the internet cafes and basically is a good change of scenery from the resort if you need a break. The bus stop is a block away where you can catch the bus to go Downtown. All in all the resort is very save if you have young children and lots of activities for them too. We had a very relaxing time and would not hesitate to go back again.

glad to see you had a good time harry by the way how did you get such a nice room ha ha ha hope to see you there next year paul

Does anyone have any comments on this Resort ? We would like info. on food, rooms, is it quiet any little tips that you might have that made your stay a good or bad one. Thanks in advance. Terry

Sylvia, We went on all day snorkeling/sailing/whale watching tour on a boat called the Geranamo from the Marina pier. We saw about 20 humpback whales on the way out and went snorkeling at a protected island about 20 miles out. The boat is a sailing Cat and the people are very friendly. Open bar and breakfeast (fruit, pastry), lunch are served. Leaves @ 9:00 and returns about 4:00, sails back in. Well worth it. It also stops at a private beach for about an hour on the way back in Also did the Mexican Fiesta Tuesday night @ the Krystal hotel, fun and good entertainment. I'd catch this Thought about the jungle tour but didn't do it so can't give you a recommendation. Several people taked about the city/tropical tour and also a tour up to Guadalajara.

I'd skip the bullfight.

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It's across the river, but Pipi's and Los Milegros are also very authentic. Pipi's is a great place to go.

Tequilla's on the Malecom is also a very nice place to watch the sunset and enjoy authentic food.

We were going to go to Margariatta's but never made it. We did have lunch at Senior Frogs in old town but I can't say it's all that authentic. More like Don Pablo's south.

There are also a few good places in the Marina. We really enjoyed Victor's place (Tucpa's) [%sig%]

one thing we were REALLY warned not to do is eat from street venders. i have to say that when we walked past the vendors i understood the reasoning. food is left out in the sun and even if they have a cooler it may not be in working order. you should probably forget that idea. never made it to pipis but the food is supposed to be real good and plentyful. have fun.

Hi. Have you ever actually eaten from the street vendors??? I can't speak for ALL of them, but just to let everyone know, we have eaten from some of them, over ALL of the years we've been to PV, and we've NEVER had a problem. Just because they do things differently than here in the States, DOES NOT mean they are unsafe/not good! Lots of people eat from them all the time! Also, Pipi's is a good restaurant, but I would hardly call it "authentic"...It is more "Americanized" mexican food. Very good non-the-less.

Hello all! My girlfriend and I just returned yesterday from the Riu Jalisco and we had a wonderful time! 84 degrees and sunny all week! Some tips: I didn't really go around looking for the rooms with the best views but from what I saw, any room the third floor on up ending with 194-198 (3194, 4194, etc.) have a balcony overlooking the beach area. The drawback to having these rooms, however, is that they are directly over the disco area which can get very loud at night. The rooms across the courtyard that have the similar view are directly above the resort theater area where it also gets very loud. I suppose the best rooms with a view would be the ones located along the main lobby area overlooking the courtyard and the beach.

Looking for good drinks? Look for CECILIO the bartender. He generally works at the main lobby bar overlooking the courtyard. We liked his drinks so much (especially the bloody marys) that we tipped him 200 pesos. Introduce yourself and he'll take care of you the whole week. The drinks are weak but none of the bartenders have any issues with serving doubles.

Bath towels are also hard to come by. The maid service will give you one towel per guest each day but with the pool and beach activities they are never enough. The hotel gives each guest beach towel cards. We found that those towels are far better for bathing because they are thick and can be replaced for new ones as often as you like by going to the towel hut. We usually grabbed new towels to use at the pool and traded them in for new ones to take to our rooms.

No complaints about the food. Nice to be able to serve your own beers (Corona and Modelo) or wines at every meal. We hardly used the mini bar in our room because booze was so plentiful outside of it. We tried the Nayarit (Brazilian rodizio style restaurant) but liked the buffets far better. When going to downtown PV to shop I suggest taking the bus going and then a cab to come back to the hotel. If you take a cab you can bargain down as far as 120 pesos ( about 11 dollars U.S.). We made the mistake of telling a cabbie that we wanted to go to the market to shop and he dropped us off about a 20 minute walk away from the real market to a smaller "mall" where he was given a kickback by the shopowners to bring tourists. If you want to go to the real market, ask to be taken to the HOOTERS (yes that Hooters) restaurant at the end of the PV board walk. The market will then be up one or two blocks across the street. Never go downtown on days that Cruise ships dock (Wed. and Thurs.) because prices are raised 20% and your bargaining power goes down.

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Spent two weeks at the Solare over Christmas and New Year's. First visit there, although we've been going to PV for 10 years or so. Really enjoyed the Solare, although we really prefer being in town. However, our regular hotel, Las Palmas is closed due to damage in the hurricane. Found the food at Solare to be good, although like any all-inclusive it does become repetitive in the second week. As well as the buffet, there are two a la carte restaurants for dinner (reservations required and only one may be open on a given night) plus the beach grill during the daytime. Overall, no complaints with the food or drinks. Beach was nice, nicer in fact than in town. You can walk for miles each way. Nice to take a walk into Bucerias, about 45 minutes north. We had a balcony room, overlooking the big RIU next door. We were right over the tennis courts, but the noise wasn't a problem. Shows in the evening are very well done. Enjoyed them. If you have time, take a trip up to Punta de Mita for a day. Great beach, nice restaurants and the place to go for whale watching. Any questions, I'd be glad to answer them.Just e-mail.

Lorne

I am so happy to have found this site. I have been emailing the Riu for a couple of weeks trying to get information, but haven't had much luck with a response. I was going to try to call, but thought I'd try this first. Does Mercedes have a direct email? We would love to get a room with a good view. We leave this Sunday and are going for 7 nights to celebrate our 5th anniversary and we are trying to make it as nice as possible. Does anyone know about the massages? Did you need to make an appointment well in advance for them? Also, is there a dress code for the evening meals? Some of the other resorts we looked at said no shorts or jeans in the evening, but I can't find anything about this one. Any additional information we would appreciate. We are SO excited and looking forward to this trip. It is great to hear everyone's wonderful comments!

Of course you have to use a little common sense when you eat from a street vendor, but some of the best food I've had in Mexico was from the streets.

There's a burrito grille vendor on the corner of a street across from the Posada Roger in PV...awesome! I"m going to wander over there when I arrive on Saturday! Anyone know if they are still there? Grilled burritos, your choice of topping! wonderful stuff! I always watch the place before I order, make sure it looks clean and they are following sanitary procedures. The mexican gov't now goes around and teaches proper sanitary procedures to these folks, and the word is things are improving greatly. However, I do take precautions, spread on the lime juice and then go for it!

Thank you for the review. My boyfriend and I are set to vacation there in a few weeks. Could you please pass along the e-mail address for Mercedes Ferreira. What a magnificent experience to have an ocean-view room. Did you do any excursions away from the hotel? I went to Puerto Vallarta a few years ago and took a wonderful day trip to Las Caletas. Joy

Massages are $20 for 30 minutes and I believe reservations were necessary but there were also times when I noticed the masseuse just standing there for lack of customers so I 'm sure you will be able to get in for a session on any given day without reservations. There are dress codes for the restaurants. No bathing suits and tank tops at the two main restaurants attached to hotel during dinner. The beachfront restaurant is a little more lax as far as dress codes go but many people were dressed up for dinner because this is a great location to eat and watch the sunset. At our last dinner we saw a pod of whales spouting water while we ate! People who go to the pool and the beach usually go to this restaurant for snacks, drinks, etc. At the Nayarit (reservations only) there is a dress code. Though we noticed a man in worn denim shorts and an old t-shirt at our sitting. He stuck out like a sore thumb. If you want to secure reservations for the Nayarit make sure you go as early as possible to make them. The head waiter sets up a table between the two restaurants on the first floor at 7 a.m. I went down at 7:30 and was one of the last to get seats for the second dinner seating which was at 8:45.

hi, okay i am convinced i am off to the rui. as i am canadian i don't have much money. sooooo how much should we expect to pay for a night at the rui?

What is the nightlife like? Any recommendation for disco's or club's close to the RIU Jalicso? Going in April for our honeymoon- Can't wait! All of these posts have been helpful - Thanks! [%sig%]

The vendor is still across the street from Posada Del Roger. I've had breakfast from his stand on many mornings. Was there last month for 30 days, and it was on the way to the house that I rented. Have a great time.

went to the Riu last summer, I envy all who will be going soon or who have just come back! We had an amazing time. my hubby and daughter got a kayak and went out into the ocean one misty morning and the dolphins were swimming around them in the bay. La Botana is my favorite eating place but they were all really good, we loved being able to have dinner and watch the sunset! Our room was 6119, we could look out our balcony and see the ocean and the mountains, what a gorgeous site! The sunsets are sooo... beautiful! Free water crafts except for parasailing or jet skis. have a great time and take alot of film, trust me, you will need it!

Hey Paul, Thanks for getting us the rooms. Great rooms. PS: We received the photos of the turtles, thanks.

Street food guide at <http://vallarta-info.com/streetfood.html> [%sig%]

MANY people who were at the Riu last week were from Canada. We met a family of four who booked a last minute trip two weeks ago from Edmonton and they stated that it was a "steal". We paid about $950 U.S. taxes included through Apple Vacation for our trip and it was well worth it. I believe most if not all guests at the Riu were there on 7 night packages.

Not really much to do in Nuevo Vallarta as far as nightlife is concerned but you will find several clubs in Puerto Vallarta only a 20 minute cab ride away. The NV resort area is relatively new so I wouldn't expect night clubs to appear for another year or so.

One last shopping trip I forgot to mention on my earlier post. We learned on our second-to-last day of course about another good shopping location. There is a town just north of the Riu called "Bucerias?" where you can buy arts and crafts, souvenirs, etc. for much less than you would in tourist infested downtown Puerto Vallarta. People we spoke to said it would be an hour walk along the beach from the Riu or a 5-minute cab ride away.

Hello again- Another guest at the Riu posted her vacation pictures online and had a room with an absolutely gorgeous view of the ocean and pool areas. Her pictures do not do the hotel justice- just imagine her same pictures with 10 times more sun! Here's her website: www.geocities.com/riujalisco

Vivian, How and where did you request an oceanview room? How to find a bargain price for this property? Thanks.

Hello! I'm from Minnesota, and have spent countless hours fishing our lakes here, but have never been deep-sea fishing. My wife and I are going to be in Puerto Vallarta from March 19th-26th, and I'd like to get out and go fishing while we are down there.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where or who I should try to go fishing with? I know that a lot of these guided fishing charters can cost two or three hundrded dollars or more, is there anyone else out there who is going to be in Puerto Vallarta at the same time who would like to split the cost? Lastly, is there anywhere or any way to fish from shore? (this may be a stupid question ;) Or, maybe I should ask, is there any easy way to fish without spending all day and a lot of cash? Thanks! -Matt [%sig%]

Yes, there are ways to fish from shore. First of all, where are you staying?? We stay at Pelicanos Resort (formerly Plaza Las Glorias) and walk the beach every morning. We always see people fishing from the piers along that stretch or beach. Also... there is a pier at Los Muertos beach, which is near downtown. I think that you will need the necessary line, pole, etc. to fish the ocean. My friends run the parasailing along Las Glorias beach. I have gone out a few times with them in the boat while waiting for customers. They fish simply with a big spool that holds very hefty line and just throw it in the water. Morning time is obviously the best time to fish. You will see the pelicans in a group and that is where the fish most likely will be. We have been in pt.vta. both in February and January and seen many whales right from the beach as well as dolphins swimming as we walked on the beach. My other suggestion is to embarque upon a "booze cruise". They will probably be glad to fish with you.

Hope you have fun!!

I saw a kid bring in a BIG Dorado with a hand line last year from the pier Los Muertos. It does get a bit crowded on that pier.

Thanks for all of the great information. I just have a few questions that I was hoping you could answer.

Do all of the rooms have a private balcony with chairs and a table. Is there a stocked mini-bar in the room? If so, what's in it? Is there a store on the property or within walking distance wheret you can buy some munchies to have in your room for a late night/early morning snack? Is there a place to snorkle? I didn't see any large rocks in the water at the beach, yet that is typically is better for scenario for snorkling.

I think that's all for now.

Thanks, Lisa

Thanks for all of the great information. I just have a few questions that I was hoping you could answer.

Do all of the rooms have a private balcony with chairs and a table. Is there a stocked mini-bar in the room? If so, what's in it? Is there a store on the property or within walking distance wheret you can buy some munchies to have in your room for a late night/early morning snack? Is there a place to snorkle? I didn't see any large rocks in the water at the beach, yet that is typically is better for scenario for snorkling.

I think that's all for now.

Thanks, Lisa

Hi we fish from shore every year that we go and catch lots of fish i live in wi so i know what you are looking for send me a email and i can help you out with all your ??? benn going to PV for 9 years now . friends taught us alot of tricks for fishing Paul

Lisa- The rooms all have private balconies with two chairs and a small side table. All balconies also have a rack to dry your swimsuits on. The mini bar is stocked with domestic vodka, dark rum, light rum and tequila all hung upside down with pourers. You refigerator is stocked with Corona's (more alcohol content than Coronas in the U.S.) Bottles of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Seven Up, Large bottles of drinking water and seltzer water.

You can buy munchies from a small store at the Riu but prices are high. We went to WalMart one day (about a 20minute bus ride away) and stocked up on junk food. The hotel offered free snorkeling and scuba lessons so I assume there may be somewhere near where you could go. Hope this helps.

We will be going to this resort early April - am looking for any information, good or bad, about this place. Also would like some recommendations for some trips to do while we are in PV. We really enjoy snorkeling, where is the best place for this.

Hola! It's so nice to read al the positive messages about RD. Me and my friend booked for june and I would like to know what building is the nicest to stay in. I heard there are 3 or 5 buildings?? We are aged 23-26,lol! I hope you have some advice.

Thanks! Sharon, The Netherlands.

We are going to the Riu Jalisco in April and have booked a Family Room with two queen size beds. The hotel told me it is more spacious than a standard hotel room and that some do have nice views. Has anyone stayed in one? Your comments please. Also, I understand that there are no beach umbrellas. Should we bring our own or is there enough shade on the beach to be able to stay out of the sun? We stayed at the Paradise Village resort in August and they had a ton of palapas on the beach - always lots of shade. I'm surprised the Riu doesn't have them. Thanks for your input.

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Email me your dates and I will give you a price quote. I am a travel agent that specializes in all inclusive resorts. Here is a link to my photos and review of the Riu Jalisco: www.geocities.com/riujalisco. This is a 5 star resort, which means first class facilities, excellent food and service (all the shrimp you can eat!). Email: vivianthornhill@attbi.com

Matt: I'm from Minnesota too. My wife and I were just in Puerto Vallarta the first week of February. We stayed at Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta. In the morning both Children and Adults would fish from shore along the two stone jetties that guard the approach to the Marina at Paradise Village. I saw them catch some nice sized fish. It looked pretty easy, but I didn't try it myself. I didn't have any fishing equipment along. I also saw a local man catch fish from the sand beach by casting a net into the surf.

My wife and I took the boat tour from the Paradise Village Marina to Yellapa, a small remote village on the opposite side of the bay. They had ocean fishing gear on the back of the boat and they let us fish with them all the way across the bay and back, at no extra charge. We didn't catch anything, but we did get the feel of it anyway. The trip included lunch at Yellapa and snorkeling to see some beautiful tropical fish in the bay.

We have two feet of ice on our local lakes here in southwestern Minnesota. Perch are biteing off and on. It's nothing like the 85 degrees in PV.

Yes, there are five buildings. All are beautiful on the outside...and we didn't get into any of the buildings, other than our own building--No. 5...very nice and quiet. There's an "adults only" pool there...and, the majority of the elderly population opt to stay in that building. However, we liked the peace and quiet in the evening, and found all the action towards the front of the resort during the day. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the buildings....but, if you want to be by the ocean, tell them right away when you check in. Have fun! I would love to go back!!!!

there are no umbrellas, but there are many palm trees that you can scoot your loungers under. At the pools there are many umbrellas, just not on the beach.

We were fortunate to get 2 rooms , ground level nearest the bar in bldg4...xcellent location for pool, beach, BAR!!!!

Hi, does anyone know how far of drive it is to Mazatlan in time? Thanks ....

Do the rooms come with tub or only a shower how is the tv are they any english channels i know at Rui Mayan Coast the tv was bad. do they get the leaf and raptor games i am a sport nut.

Rose, the room we were in only had a shower. The tv had good reception and yes ,there were english channels . I know they had games available but I did not check it out.

thanks deb did you like the rui any shopping nearby

I am not for certain, but I recall asking my friends that are natives of PV and they said about 8 hours. I believe that you take the highway that goes to Punta de Mita and Sayulita and it is about 7 hours past Punta de Mita. If you go, please let me know how the driving trip was; I'd like to do that some time.

Hi, I am a U.S. citizen with dual nationality status. My wife and I are moving to the area early this summer. She has a job offer already and I am wondering what the market is like for gringos. iI am fluent in spanish and have spent 10 years workin in and managing restaurants.

can anybody tell me what currency to use,we are going to the rui in April and are not sure whether to take us dollars or mexican pesos? [%sig%]

Take your US dollars and change to pesos when you get there. You get one of the best exchange rates at the places at PV Airport.

Rose, I loved the Riu. It was fantastic! We went about a month after they opened and it was just great. I can hardly wait to go again. The shopping is not near, but by cab only a few minutes. We were told the shopping was good at Bucerias, about a one hr walk from the hotel, 5 mins by cab. We spent most of our time at the beach as that was our main goal. The beach is raked every morning and picked up, so nice. hope this helps

We are heading for the Royal Decameron for 1 week on March 11th. We are wondering if anyone could tell us the how the weather has been lately, do we need sweaters or pants at night? Were there any mosquito's, bugs? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Gracias.

i have done the drive about 6 times but not in the past 4 years. the distance is about 300 miles pvr-maz. each time the drive took approximately 10 hours. the roads were 2 lane and winding. if there is a limited traffic, slow vehicles, road work etc. you might be able to do it in 8 hours. as i recall taking a bus takes 11 or 12 hours. longer, because of pickups along the way. hope that is of some help.

One of the best exchange rates that you'll get in the Puerto Vallarta area are the ATM's, which are located at many locations.

Thanx.Did you have to tip at the airport if so dollars/pesos?The last time at Cancun we tipped in dollars.

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Tipping in pesos is the easiest for the recipient. If you tip in dollars, I would do so with paper currency. It is probably difficult to get someone to exchange US coins with pesos.

8 - 10 hours sounds about right. Now, there are some 4-lane, toll road sections, but they are still too few and too far between. The road is not bad (except for those 20km or so of pure curves in the mountains outside of Las Varas), but slow traffic and big trucks can really get in the way.

Gretchen I remember your name as a person who has info on Sayulita but I have not seen you post in awhile. Are you still out there? I have a few questions on Sayulita.

Take US dollars, in small denomations. Most places / vendors will give you change in US dollars if you ask for it. The front desk at the RUI can also exchange your dollars into pecos.

If you do find somebody that wants to share fishing, we always go with an outfit called "Fishing with Bruno". He has three boats and we spent 350.00 for an all day fishing trip. These guys are really experienced. We brought in 3 huge mahi mahi and 2 good sized sailfish. We also brought in a hangful of bonita, but only used those for bait later.

Hope you give them a try. We live in Colorado and the trout and bass fishing is fun, but nothing compared to deep sea. hope you have fun whatever you do.

B

Going to Riu in 10 days. Would like to know more about the town of Bucerias for shopping. And does Riu have a gym, and what type of equipment does it have.

JoJo, Gretchen can be found at: Http:mytravelboard.com/pacificmexico/. Hope this helps. :-}

Thanks so much Sandy for your reply!

It is a good idea to take lots of ones for tipping the maid, bartenders, waiters, etc. You will get a lot better service and lots of clean towels.

Hi there, My friends and I will be staying in Puerto Vallarta in mid-April 2003, and we would appreciate it if anyone can help give us some info on the Sun Getaway Resort. We are all between the ages of 22-24. Thanks, Dave P.S. My e-mail is dkuch@hotmail.com

All rooms have a balcony with chairs (can't remember if there is a small table as we really didn't find time to sit out on balcony)plus a pull out mini clothes rack to hang your wet stuff to dry. There is a small tuck shop in the hotel selling chips and other munchy type snacks. Mini bar is stocked with vodka, gin, tequila and rum, fridge has bottled water, pepsi and pepsi light, 7 up, soda water and corona beer (4). More can be had by phoning down to the desk to request restocking. Hate to advise that snorkling is really the pits at the Riu and in PV. The water is very murky and it's really not the greatest. However, one can watch for whales right off the beach at the Riu in the morning and see nature at it's best. Not as close as being on a boating excursion,but cheaper, free, but some mornings whales are in closer to shore than others. More than makes up for the lack of good snorkling. You will enjoy I'm sure [%sig%]

The Riu has a weight room adjacent to the children's pool. Didn't really go in but I saw an elliptical trainer, treadmill, Universal (stack) weight machines. Not sure if they have free weights.

Bucerias is about an hour walk north up the shoreline or a short cab ride away. Another tourist told us that it is a small town (chickens, goats, etc. wandering the roads) but that prices are way better than what you would find in downtown Puerto Vallarta where all tourists including people on day excursions from cruises go.

Hi, If they run this resort like the one they run in Manzanillo you will have a wonderful time. Our travel rep reccomended this resort highly as she has been there. Please report back as this is on our list as places to go. adios, Kerry

The gym has 2 treadmills 1 stepper 1elliptical ski 1rower and about 6 universal weight systems.It is very small but adequate.

thanks found another great site

I am looking for the information if Riu Jalisco has an Internet connections. Thanks.

The Rui does have a room just off the main lobby with about 12 pc's set up. the cost is 20 pesos for 15mins. The fellow who runs this area was very helpful. This was a nice cheap way to communicate with my kids, especially thru msn....

Joanne, Thanks. TD

HAS ANYONE STAYED AT THE NEW GRAND VELAS? IS THIS AN ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT? WAS IT EXPENSIVE?

Will be arriving in Vallarta on April 29 for three nights before heading down the coast - if anyone has any good suggestions and/or favourite cheap places to stay in Old Town, any help would be much appreciated. Cheers! CC.

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All of these hotels are in the budget class. They are famly owned and operated and are clean: Budget Lodging There is a lot of very economic hotel accommodation available in Puerto Vallarta. The economical hotels on F. Madero have got together and have all the same rates. 'Real Cheap' do not take reservations. Real Cheap47 units, very clean, cheap with ceiling fans. With kitchenette & TV: 1-2 persons 300 pesos 3 person 350 pesos Single.150-160 pesos to 315 peso for 4 persons Low-season - Hi-season Hotel Azteca, F. Madero #473 222-2750 Real CheapMexican hotel. 27 spacious, clean rooms with ceiling fans, desk and chair. Air-conditioning add 80 pesos.Single.150-160 pesos to 315 peso for 4 persons Low-season - Hi-seasonCartagena de Indias Hotel Madero 428. 222-6914. Real CheapMexican hotel. Clean rooms with ceiling fans, desk and chair.Single.150-160 pesos to 315 peso for 4 persons Low-season - Hi-seasonHotel Ana Liz Madero 429. 222-1757 Real Cheap49 rooms upstairs from street level lobby. Monthly apartments on the top floor at $400US.Single.150-160 pesos to 315 peso for 4 persons Low-season - Hi-seasonHotel Villa del Mar Madero 440. 222-0785. Real CheapMexican hotel, clean rooms with ceiling fans, desk and chair.Single.150-160 pesos to 315 peso for 4 persons Low-season - Hi-seasonHotel Bernal Madero 423. 222-0785. Real CheapMexican hotel,30 clean rooms with ceiling fans, desk and chair.Single.150-160 pesos to 315 peso for 4 persons Low-season - Hi-seasonHotel Lina Madero 376. 222-0785. MediumIn the heart of the south side. German, Dutch & English spoken. 3 Blks. to the beachFrom $24 - $50 US. Penthouse $60 US Trailer hookup $13USHotel Frankfurt, Basilio Badillo #300 at Constitución. Ask for Mike 222-3403 Web Page Map #4 Good Deal Near the river and the beach, in town. Walking distance to everywhereDouble with Fan 250 pesos. with A/C, TV and kitchenette 350 pesos. Hotel Rio, Morelos #170 Ask for Victor 222- 0366 Hope that this helps you.

Well the list lays out better on the site it came from, go to the bottom of the page here <http://vallarta-info.com/hotels.html> [%sig%]

I found that the best places to exchange your money is the caja de cambio. You will see these everywhere. I was in PV in December and January and the exchange rate was 10.20 pesos to the US dollar compared to last year at the same time at 9.4 pesos to the US dollar.

I just got back... it's about 10.8 - 1 at the Cambio's.. 11.2+ at the bank ATM's. I would suggest switching to pesos there. You'll get a better deal and the local cabbies and such don't have to hassle with the banks.

yes mandatory ai. no kitchens in rooms

Keep in mind the fact that the RIU does not have ATM machines. I learned this the hard way.

Anyone have a favorite snorkeling/diving area with shore access. I am looking for more places to take fish pictures. Anyplace from San Blas to Melaque.

Hi everyone. I had some difficulty finding my way back to the bulletin board here! (yeah, should have bookmarked it!) I'm still looking for someone interested in splitting a charter trip -- any takers? And where can I find "Fishing with Bruno"? I'd still like to get any pointers about shore fishing. My wife and I are going to stay at the Holiday Inn -- from what I know it's in the Hotel zone but that's about it. I do some tournament bass fishing and have been a musky nut for the majority of my life, just to give you some of my fishing background and a glimpse of the gear I have... What can I get into down there, fishing from shore? What should I bring? What kind of bait is typically used in these areas??? Thanks for any help you can give me! -Matt

I also posted on another board and got tourist info. What I am looking for is what is more off the track places. Has anyone snorkeled/dived the other south side of the rock cliff at Mar de Jade, the outcropping separating La Penita an Guayabitos, Destilladeras, El Anclote, Pontoque, Quimixto, Yelapa, or any of the coast from El Tecuan to Melaque. It always seems the good spots are hard to find and sometimes hard to get to like the reef west over the hill from Playa la Mora.

Here is a website with contact for Fishing with Bruno: http://www.mexonline.com/brunosfishing.htm I have never fished from shore in Mexico so I can't be of assistance.

Hope you have a good time in Vallarta.

B

We are thinking about booking the Marivel for a group of 50 some people next February. I had read that the beach is very nice and that you can walk the beach "for miles". Is that true?

Just thought, I could use a swim buddy. If you are going to be in PV March 20-april 2 and want to hit some outlying reefs.

two years ago I stayed a couple of nights at the Hotal Posada Lily...Basilio Badillo No. 109. Clean and safe, only a block from the beach. It cost about $22. They'll hook up a TV in the room for a minor charge. Fan, not air conditioned. Good showers. I thought it was a pretty good deal and would recommend it.

Stay away from timeshare presentations. The street vendors will give you money or free tours to go through the sale presentations. We were promised only a 90 minute tour and a no-pressure sales pitch at the Mayan Palace. It was 4 hours and extremely high pressure. They could not answer most of my questions and when I told them NO!, Gill the manager showed up and started in on me again (new car sales games). These street vendors get money for each sucker they send to the tour. Just ignore them.

this is what you will need: a spool of 10 lb or heavier nylon line, hooks, and weights. once in pv you wind the line around a plastic bottle, tying one end to the bottle handle or neck. attach the weight and then the hook. bait the hook, put off enough line to twirl then start twirling, pointing the end of the plastic bottle in the direction you want to cast to. release the line the bottle acts as a reel and dispenses the line. once the cast has been made, you retrieve by wrapping the line around the bottle.watch the beach kids to see it first hand. the fun starts when you catch a good sized fish, be careful, the nylon will cut through your hand like a razor blade. good fishing is from any beach with surf and bottom vegetation. good luck and let me know, i will be back in bucerias monday.

there are plenty of opportunities for employemnt. you can sell real estate as most of the gringos selling are high school dropouts so there are opportunities. an agent makes 9 1/2 percent on each sale and commissions are sent to canada avoiding mexican taxes. or you can be an opc at one of the many timeshare hotels in town. opc's make up to $3k a week during high season. or be a closer but you must look scary to be good at it.

I did that ONCE in Cabo. I agree. They will say and do anything to get you to sign. Onc eyou hear someone say, "hello, my friend. Woud you like to go Fishing, Snorkling, etc..." on the street...RUN THE OTHER DIRECTION. I hate those guys... and I am not very nice to them.

The same thing happened to me at the Mayan Palace, in Nuevo Vallarta, the first time I went to Puerto Vallarta. I was promised 45 minutes, but the "tour" took 4 hours. Very high pressure and they don't take NO for an answer.

The first deal that they offered me was the most deluxe at $87K US dollars (in Aug. 2000). When I finally convinced them that I didn't want it, they started pushing something a little cheaper. Later, it was something even cheaper. This went on again and again, as I declined their offers, until they were finally offering some "el cheapo" package at $7K US. The whole time, I was trying to convince them that I just wasn't interested. As the discussion progressed, the previously nice sales person became visibly upset (i.e., red face) and I thought that she was about to have a nervous breakdown (seriously). They were trying to bring out the sales manager to offer more deals, but I was so angry, by that time, that I got up and walked out of the place, ignoring all pleas for me to come back and continue the sales discussion. I don't normally act that way, but there was just no graceful way to exit. The sales pitch was one that had no forseeable conclusion. I was so angry that I didn't even want the free trip that they were offering.

The place is very nice and they have a lot of activities to do. I am sure that there are many people who have gone there and fallen in love. It could be a paradise for the right person. However, the sales experience was just too disturbing for me.

They tried about the same tactic with me. About 7 years ago I went down to Cabo, backpack and tent on Brisas del Mar, outside of San Jose del Cabo. Had little $$$ and was hanging with three of my friends. I was the only one with a Credit Card. (with $200 credit limit!).

My friends wife and I posed as a couple to get the free stuff! We got stiffed on about half of what they promised after a 3 hours pressured sales pitch. After they "checked" my card, they were more than happy to get rid of us! That was the best part! I have to admit the place they showed us was incredible. But, it's not for me. Since I have become the cheapskate traveler of the world and travel quite a bit. I prefer the cheaper, clean accomodations in the more out of the way places. I recently was in the area andI did spend about 2 hours in PV before I had to fly out of Mexico. About 5 time share sales people approached me, and I looked like the backpacking bum I am. They must be pretty hard up right now to hit on me, and I wasn't very nice. I would just say, "Absolutely not!" and leave it at that. PV is okay, but I really could do without the time share salesfolks. At least it's not as bad as Cabo or Cancun.

You really have to weigh the value of your vacation time against the value of the free gift that they are offering.

Humorously, I remember reading a post a long while back where this tourist went to a very high pressure timeshare presentation and was absolutely delighted. He didn't want to buy and they kept pushing and pushing for the sale. It turns out that the tourist was a car salesman by profession and he appreciated the opportunity to learn new sales tactics!

We just returned from PV. Go to the nearest ATM and get your money. There is one in the airport terminal and many downtown. I used my credit union ATM card, so there was no charge from them and there is no point charge with Mexican ATM's. I just looked at my statement and I got my pesos for 110 on the dollar.

My sister and I are moving to PV in a year and a half. She has a degree in Travel/Tourism, Lodging management and a minor in marketing. I have a teaching degree with a lot of experience. We are from the USA and are wondering how the job market is for this type of work. I know hotel management will probably not be a problem, but as far as teaching in PV; does anyone know about how to go about getting a teaching job? I would appreciate any advice and help! Thanks!

Just got back? Did you have a good time.Can you recommend anywhere for great food? For a change from the hotel itself I mean. Thanx [%sig%]

Bucerias is a good walk from Riu. You can take the beach, but we took a side road and made it in less than an hour. Most of the walk is sidewalk. Good bargains and after a few beers, you can take a cab back to Riu for 50 pesos. It is a pleasant day trip. We didn't eat in town, we were actually overfed every day at the hotel and had no interest in eating. However, do check out the "night shift" which is on Tuesday nights. For $22 you ride a bus into PV at 8 pm and visit 5 bars with a drink(okay, not much alcohol). The final visit was about 1 am at Senor Frogs and the place was busy! Back to the hotel by 2 am. For the price, it's a bargain. J

Easiest way out, tell them you didn't bring or even have a Credit Card! Debit Cards don't work for timeshare credit checks!!

That all sounds pretty good to me,we've been to a senor frogs before I think it was in playacar though after a day out deap sea fishing! Sounds like you had a pretty good time there,we are going out in April hopefully.

[%sig%]

these are great stories. but the better stories are those of the bottom feeders who sell timeshare. one guy said he was swiss and fell off a mountain and needed a warm climate to recover. another had his wife run over and killed by a drunk, 25 years ago. been married 3 time since. another was an emt and was stabbed in the back while giving mouth to mouth to some guys wife. another story a guy marries a real estate agent then decided to practive medicine in mexico. timeshare have no resale value a look at ebay will confirm that. why pay $50k when you can buy one for $3k.

HI Terry we got back from a week at the Solare on March 11th and had a wonderful time. It is definately not a 5 star as it's web site claims, and I even question the 4 star rating that our brochure gave it, but if you go there expecting a good 3 -31/2 star, and have paid accordingly, then you won't be disapointed. The hotel itself is small and quiet. Lots of stuff for the little ones, our 4 year loved it but teenagers might be bored. The beach is clean and you can walk a long way in either direction. The rooms are simple but very clean. We upgraded to a 1-bedroom suite and were happy to have paid the extra money for more space and an ocean view. I would be happy to answer any more questions you may have! Have fun! [%sig%]

We were in PV last week. Had an awesome time as usual. Stayed at the La Jolla De Mismaloya again. Great place to stay. Awesome adventurous bus ride into town - Kids loved it. We walked around several of the beach bars including CyC, Sand Bar, Burro Bar etc. Ate at Tequilas, good food and great place to people watch. It is across from the Malecon, 2nd story, great view of the Ocean, ships, people walking along the malecon. We called our Cell phone carrier, on the way to LAX, and added international dialing for $5.99 per month, price for a phone call from PV to LA was .25 per minute. Cant beat the price. Much cheaper than the hotels and even cheaper and easier than using a calling card from a phone booth. We called , our older children who didnt come, from the beach at Mismaloya...reception was great. Sounded like we were right next door. When you come home, call the phone company and have deleted from your service, until next time. Also, my husband left his cell phone, charging in our suite at the La Jolla. They were awesome. Got the cell phone and charger and mailed it us, HDL, and we recieved it in 3 days.

Anyone with any questions on the La Jolla, just ask.. Great place to stay, have stayed there many times. Awesome hotel, great people and wait staff. Go out of their way to accomodate any of your needs.

Forgot to mention, the La Jolla De Mismaloya, mailed it back to us free of charge.

We stay at Pelicanos Grand Resort. It is a five-star over-looking the ocean and pool. It is right next to Las Palmas and Continental. It is about 5 or 10 minutes from downtown and it is geared to any age. There is waterpolo, volleyball, bingo, water aerobics, superior nightly entertainment, pool bar, regular pool-side bar, pool-side grill, beautiful beach and lots of sun. The staff is top-notch and you definately won't be disappointed!! Try it out!

We just got back from 1 week in Puerto Vallarta. We stayed at the Royal Decameron for 4 nights and then to the Qualton Club & Spa for the other 3 nights both being all-inclusive. We had a great trip and really enjoyed both Hotels which are different in many ways. The weather was awesome being in the high 80's during the day and low 70's at night. Most people did not have to wear a sweater but of course I feel the cold so I did have a light one on at night. Make sure to bring the 30 sunscreen because we usually tan pretty easily but needed the sunscreen right up to the end. We walked into Bucerias when staying at the Royal Decameron which is a very small Mexican Village with a small market. We also took a bus for only 4 pesos from the Qualton Club to downtown Puerto Vallarta for a little shopping at the market.We walked along the malecon to Old Puerto Vallarta with a stop on Los Arcos beach for a frosty Margarita. We noticed the beaches all close to Puerto Vallarta have been effected by the Hurricane they had last year. My son did the trips at night with the Qualton that give you a bit of a discount on the taxi ride and getting into Senor Frogs one night and another night he went to Carlos O'Briens and had a great time with all the College University kids (they have a cover charge since it is Spring Break). We used the ATM (Banamex) to get pesos from Canadian and got about 7.2 to 7.4 pesos to the Canadian Dollar, the Hotels were only giving about 6.5 in exchange. Had a great view from the Qualton to see the Humpback Whales and Dolphins in the Bay in the morning. If anyone wants extra info let me know. Adios for now.

Hola! I would love to hear something about your stay in Royal Decameron. What's te food like, any fruit? And what is the nicest building to stay in and did you like the animation team? I hope to hear from you! Greetings from The Netherlands.

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Hey! Don't know anything about the SunGetaway Resort, as it might be fairly new or have changed names. Anyway, if you are looking for a great place for fun, sun, and young people, about your ages, you should try Pelicanos Grand Resort. It is about 10 minutes south of the airport, right in the middle of the romantic, or hotel, zone in PV and about 10 minutes from downtown. My family and I have been going there for 6 years now. My sisters are 27 and 23 and I am 29. Every time we go there we have a superior time. The activities staff at the hotel are in their early to late 20's and provide non-stop fun all day. They also take anyone in the hotel who would like to go to a different club each night. They get you in for 1/2 price, pay for your cab, and party with you all night long! It is a great place.

Dave, check out this bulletin board www.puertovallarta.net Look under the heading of Hotels and Other Lodgings, and scroll down, there are quite a few reviews on that resort. Have fun!

What is the typical cover charge, if any to enter the local clubs?...

Hey Dave! I was on Expedia.com the other day and found a virtual tour of Sun Getaway Resort. Go to Mexican Getaways!

Cover charges vary from one club to the next. My sisters and I went to the Zoo, the Collage, Kristines, and Carlos O'Briens while in PV over Christmas and New Year's. The Collage was $15 for women, $20 for men; Kristine's, which is one of the best clubs in PV is $20 for women, $25 for men; Carlos O'Brien's in $10 for men and women. Can't remember what the Zoo charges! We went with Pelicano Grand Resort activities staff as part of a service of that resort and got in for less and a lot more faster! Have fun; we sure did!

Hey Daniel! Thanks for the tip on the sight for Sayulita! What a great sight!! I am going to book a place next time I am there!

I've never heard of a flea market in Sayulita. I believe there's one in Rincon de Gayubitos/La Penita (north of Sayulita) on Thursdays. Bucerias opens there big market on Sundays - up the river bed, about 2 blocks from the highway.

Not sure how easy it will be, but I think you'll find a teaching job in time. I've seen more and more private schools pop up where English is taught. Just for interest - my daughter had high school Spanish, then moved to PV where she took 3 intensive Spanish classes at the Univ. of Guadalajara downtown PV, then moved up to Bucerias (just a little ways up the coast). Within 1 month, she had a job at a private school (Colegio Bucerias) teaching English to the local kids and Spanish to the English speaking students from USA and Canada and Europe. She also tutored on the side - both English and Spanish. She got a job in a local internet shop/real estate office, also. For a couple of months she worked from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM! Just before she had to leave (she was there 6 months) she was given a job teaching English to adults.......all these jobs she got because she was bi-lingual - and only 18-19 yeras old! Jobs are not hard to come by. The pay was not good, but she was young and we were paying her rent, so she had plenty of money. She loved it and made a few lifetime friends...and she keeps going back to visit. I'm afraid one of these days she won't come back. She now has it planned to keep up her college, going Spring, Summer and Fall months at home, then move down to Bucerias during Winter quarter to tutor - or whatever comes her way. Good luck! She is also interested in tourism - but hasn't gotten as far as checking anything out. I'd love to hear if your sister is able to get a job, at what level, etc. My daughter met a young Mexican man who was enrolled in courses for hotel management, etc., in PV - it seems that there MAY be competition from the Mexicans. Again, being bi-lingual is such a plus.

I am also planning on going fly fishing from shore when I am there in about 10 days. I am just wondering what to do about liscenses? I have tried to get answers to this question, but I can't seem to get any info. Do I need to worry about having a liscense to fish? Dan

Well, theoretically you should have one. I believe they are about 60 pesos, but I have no idea who issues them. Maybe one of the fishing supply stores here can help, such as Rizo's sports store on Insurgentes and Aquiles Serdan. On the other hand, I have never heard of anyone asking for one, don't think they have an inspector in PV.

locals and gringos alike fishing from shore do not require a licence. should you go offshore on a commercial boat, by law the charter is to provide the licence for all fisher people. should you decide to buy a licence you can do so from the dept of fisheries. as i recall, they are located a bit north of ley's but on the beach. i bought a licence there about 5 years ago and it was $30 usd good for 12 months from date of issue. not sure what the price is these days. $6 bucks? we all wish!

Thanks a lot guys! I've been looking for this info for several weeks, and this is the first place I've gotten answers. The U.S. consulate in P.V. couldn't even answer my questions

Hi Sandy, Not sure if you can answer any of these questions or not, but here goes. I am going to the Royal DeCameron the week of April 20th with my two teenage sons. 1 - Are there enough in resort activities in the all inclusive package to keep the boys occupied (ages 16 and 18). 2 - Is there a better section of the resort to stay? I've read areas that some people say are 'quieter' for the older group, younger people that say they like being close by the bars and the party life at night. I guess I'm looking for an area somewhere in between. 3 - This is a first for me and I am very ignorant in regards to 'outside' adventures. Did you go on any trips outside of the resort? Anything you would recommend for the boys and myself? 4 - Lastly, would you recommend bringing Travelers checks or US dollars? And, any idea of how much you would recommend, we are on a somewhat tight budget. Thanks so much! JaniceSharon wrote: > Thanks so much Sandy for your reply!

The Royal Decameron was great.The food was pretty good, you could always find something to eat. This is only a 3 1/2 star so you won't be getting any seafood other than fish. They have 2 buffet restaurants and 4 a-la-carte restaurants that you can reserve in the morning. They have an Italian restaurant, steak house (I have never had a good steak in Mexico), Jap-Jap & Wok Thaifood restaurant. They have a great snack bar that you can always get great guacamole, fresh made slasa, quesadillas, pizza, hamburgers, hotdogs and Frech Fries.They have lots of fruit at the Buffet restaurants. I usually would have fruit, yoghurt and a bit of granola for breakfast where my son went up to the grill where they made omellets or eggs of you choice, bacon sausages etc.I think all the buildings are good. If you did not like your room you could ask to be moved. Both times I have gone we had a lovely room with pool,ocean view.The animation team is great they do all the activities during the day and then the show at night in the outdoor open theatre. I found it was so much better than the 5 star Qualton show, hardly anyone showed up at the indoor theatre and the qualtity of the show was not even close to what the Royal Decameron put on. Any other questions please let me know. Adios for now Gringo

we are leaving in two weeks.how was the weather while you were their.and how was the night life after the kids were in bed. was there a jazz bar or discobar or was it prettymuch all combind.do you know anybody that went deep sea fishing. if so how did they do and what was the name of the charter. there is about 70 people going there most of them are freinds

Hello: Last week I had the unfortunate experience of going to a time share presentation at Los Tules Resort in Northern PV. It all started when we walked by a shop and the gentleman asked us if we were interested in any trips. Well, we were planning on taking one so we entered his small office. If we agreed to give a $200 peso deposit and go to a 90 minutes presentation we would get to go on a cruise that stopped for a 40 minute snorkel, a stop at a private beach, a stop at some palapas that had lunch and so on, plus a bottle of tequilla and a mexican blanket. Plus cab fare. We went last monday to the presentation. It began with us being interviewed by Jesus, (very nice gentleman) where we filled out the form and everything seemed to be going very well. At about the time that we were to go inside and see videos the closer (Arturo Cardanas) came over, read our form and then proceeded to humulate us. He was basically accusing us of being there only to take advantage of the gifts and not really interested. He said the interview was over and escorted us by the back way off the property. We then had to spend approx 15 minutes trying to get our deposit back. His treatment of us was rude and in appropriate. I was sick for the rest of the day. It was too bad that the gentleman that came with us to the presentation had just inherited $50,000 and was prepared to purchase. Just want you all to be prepared for the experience.

That really sucks!! Most of the time the people are very nice, but there are those unfortunate times as you had experienced. I will share this with my friends in PV that are timeshare sellers as they would like to know this. We have a timeshare at Pelicanos and have fortunately had good experiences with the organization. We have a representative at the Pelicanos who is so amazing; if you are at all interested, I could give you her name. This place is amazing. We absolutely love it! Actually, we bought a second week of timeshare this past December when we were down there. Timeshares sure beat the rising costs of hotel rooms! Good Luck! --Jill

Jill: Thank you for your concern. I know that time shares can be great. That is why we went. Do you know anyone that is affiliated with Royal Holiday. We would like to contact share holders or a Corporate Officer about our experience. I think that Los Tules may misrepresent Royal Holiday, and I am sure that they would like this information. Thank You Pam

Pam: I sure don't know of anyone affiliated with Royal Holiday. We go through the organization known as RCI. I am not sure if Royal Holiday is the same as RCI, just a different corporation. I hope you are able to purchase a timeshare. There is lots to learn when you get an open-minded and pleasant representative in which to do business with. If you need any further information on Pelicanos time share, let me know. There also is a site with many pictures of Pelicanos (formerly called Plaza Las Glorias). I will have to look it up and post it on another comment! --Jill

Great, thank you Jill. Pam

I just got back yesterday from 3 weeks in PV and I overheard something simular while there. This really confused me because I had never heard of anything like this before and we usually go once a year or so. I will go an a tour once every couple years to check out a new resort and once I was refused a tour and escorted to the beach when I forgot to bring my Credit Card (they couldn't do a credit check). A deposit? What for? Now that has got to be a new scam. You are giving your time to set through a sales presentation. And ONE tour? The last presentation I set through I got breakfast, 4 tours (we picked 2 horse tours & 2 snorkeling tours on the Bora II) and a VW for $10 a day for up to 5 days. Last week I was offered $200 in credits to put toward selected cruises/restraunts or a car. As for buying a timeshares your friend is probably better off by getting kicked out. I would recommend buying into a condo club like Great Escapes where you aren't locked into one place and or time. If you really like the facility there are many people, constantly trying to get out from under the yearly maintence obligation of a timeshare and will sell at a very reduced price or even give it away. Here's one at the Los Tules from someone in Canada I found when I did a search for "timeshare Los Tules puerto vallarta". Condo Timeshare For Sale Puerto Vallarta Mexico Vacation. Park Royal Los Tules Asking $14,900 (Less than $9,000 US) Paid over $25,000 and was never able to use it due to health reasons. No reasonable offer refused. Here's another new one for me. After buying a T-shirt at the Flea Market, the guy that sold it to me ASK FOR A TIP! I wonder if anybody would actually give him one??

Just got back. For the most part it was a very disappointing trip. The water around PV is COLD and murky. All along the coast it was COLD, I'm glad I took my shorty. Not many highlights, The Pacific side and down the north side of the bay good for boarding but not watching fish(Lost my Z2 mask in the surf at Punta De Mita). One pleasant surprise was Yalapa. Under the boat dock on the south side of the cove(left side when you come in). Have the water taxi drop you off there. Beginners paradise, shallow 4-8', calm and clear. Was told that the cove two north toward Boca(started with a 'T') was also very good by a fellow fish watcher. You will need to rent a privite boat in Boca rather than the water taxi to get there.

The Blue Bay resorts just changed their name to Sun. (I hear it was for tax purposes). The resort always attracts a younger crowd and alot of young Candians were there over the last couple weeks. The beach has more rocks, but otherwise the resort is pretty much back to pre hurricane condition.

Thank You for your input. I will have our friend look into the Condo deal. I can only think the $200 peso deposit was to assure them we would show up. Pam

Hi, I was wondering if you have to wear special braclets at the royal decameron complex hotel? If so, do they have different ones if you are under 18? I am 17 and all of my friends that are going are 18. Will I not be able to drink alcohol or get in the night club there? Do they check your ID if you want to buy a drink?

Hi I am going to Puerto Vallarta April 9th to the 19th. I am only 17 (18 in 1 month) and i heard that the drinking age was 18. Is this true? Do they actually inforce it? Do you have to be 18 to get into any of the night clubs there? I dont want to be left out! Well, please write back thanks!

Hi: Just got back from PV and Senor Frogs. They do post 18 for the age and do check ID.

Restaurant Review March 2003 Barcelona - Very good Tapas (appetizers) We had the $25 selection of six, or seven. Way more than we could eat. The view is dramatic at sunset, but the chairs are hard and very uncomfortable for long meals. Ours lasted 2 hours, which is the limit for my back. Making reservations is almost impossible. We called twice and we were never certain if we even reached the correct number, so just to be sure, we asked the hotel to make our reservation. They got an answering machine and were never called back to confirm. When we finally got there, they had no record (go figure) of our calls. The number on their card is 222-05-10. Worth a visit, but we probably won't go back. Asaderos - All you can eat meat place. Actually pretty good. I have never eaten at any of the meat restaurants before, but decided to try this one. 80 pesos per person is a steal! The chicken and the ribs were very good. The steak made a decent Fajita, but the sausage was polish, the best I could guess. I ordered more ribs, and they brought a large platter which I thought a classy touch. The marguerites were good also. If I was traveling with kids, I would camp out in front of this place. Directly next door to the Fajita Republic. Archie's Wok - What a delight! I can't believe I have never eaten here before. One of the top two, or three Asian restaurants I have ever eaten at. Great food, great service. make sure to order the Egg Rolls appetizer. The best I have ever tasted. La Terrazza di Roma - At Marina Vallarta. We go to the Marina at least once each trip, and usually end up at Porto Bello, which also has very good Italian food. Being Italian, I'm fussy about Italian fare, but they came through just fine. Better than Porto Bello and one of the best dining views to be had anywhere. The mariana sauce on the Ravioli was worth the visit alone. This is the best Italian restaurant I have found in PV, with the possible exception of Mezza Luna, which we didn't go to this year. La Piazzetta - The best pizza outside of Italy, period. And if you've never been to Italy, you don't know what I'm talking about. I had the plain Margarita (which is what it's called in Italy also). This is just tomato sauce and , good mozzarella with some fresh basil. This is their least expensive pizza. I then added black Italian olives. Wow! Cafe' de Olla - Outside of La Pizzetta, this was the only repete restaurant we ate at. We were there a few years ago, and I thought is was only so-so, but since everybody else raves about it, we decided to try it again. It was so-so. Their margarita was the strongest ever. I was dizzy after one, maybe they just forgot the mix. Restaurant Gaby "Gaby's" - We decided to try some less expensive fare on this trip and I found Gaby's to be a delight. Typical Mexican food that was good , but not great. Very good, and huge Margarita on the rocks for $6. Good service and a nice atmosphere. Another good place to take kids. La Dolce Vita - After hearing about this place for years, and walking past it for years, we decided to try it. Very good margaritas and very good pizza. If it wasn't for La Pizzetta, this would be the best pizza in town. Fun atmosphere also. Los Milagros - Good decent Mexican food at a good price. The Red Mole was very good and the surf-n-turf special was very good also. We will definitely go back on our next trip. Maximilian Cafe - We have never eaten dinner there, but always have desert on their sidewalk cafe. They have the best coffee in PV. What they call in Italy "Coffee Americano." We didn't get to Pepe's Taco, but walked past one day, and I didn't look overly grungy to me. maybe next trip. Chez Elena will have to wait also. This was the first trip in years we did not go to the Red Cabbage, which is our overall favorite in PV.

Yes , there are 2 differnt colored bands.....I think most resorts that are AI do

PV is not known for snorkeling

The $200 pesos was to pay the guy that got you to go to the presentation.

The saleman is responsible for a portion of the "trip/gift".

This is a scam. I have seen it in Hawaii, Jamacia, Florida, Las Vegas, Etc. If you know how to book hotels, it is "always" a beter experience.

If you think "timeshares are great", just buy one from the hundreds of people that abandon them every year at all of these locations.

The timeshare promoters keep selling the same units over and over and over.

This has been going on for 50 years. It is not new.

Peace out gg

I love these salesmen.

Please help these people! Pierre is Swiss, fell off a mountain and needs a warm climate to recover. Tom had his wife run over and killed by a drunk, 25 years ago. He has been married 3 times since but can't really get excited anymore. Robert is an paramedic and was stabbed in the back while giving mouth to mouth to a tourists guys wife. John is a MD married to a real estate agent but can't make ends meet practicing medicine in mexico. All of these people fell in love with selling timeshares.

Anyone else have better stories? Timeshares have no resale value a look at EBAY.

Why pay $50k when you can buy one for $1k.

gg

I can't feel sorry for you. When trying to get something for nothing expect a downside. I find it hard to believe any sensible person would even consider going to one of these presentations.

HI, Do they check ID's for night clubs in Puerto Vallarta? thanks

Tenacatita... I was there in early March. I went in the afternoon. I heard it's best early in the morning. When the weather gets warmer, be careful of jellyfish... the small ones there. I heard they don't usually show til late july/august. If anyone else can elaborate, please do so. Good luck!

Does anyone know when mangos are in season? My last two trips they seemed to be out of season, but still found some tasty mangos to slobber over. I was curious when they start the harvest in the PV region?

June

I have seen them ask for ID's at Senor Frogs, Hooters & The No Name Cafe.

I haven't ever been carded and I look about 15 years old (I just turned 28). I have been to Frogs, No Name, Hooters, Christine's, the Zoo, and a number of strip clubs without ever having a problem.

CAN ANYONE GIVE ME AN UPDATE ON THE FIESTA AMERICANA AND THAT HAS BEEN THERE LATELY. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

I have heard that the best snorkeling in the area is at Tenacatita, a spot called The Aquarium. A google search will turn up plenty of links to check out. Some were impressed, others weren't.

It has started. They have been coming into our local market in Bucerias for about three weeks. Each week there are more - and sweeter. By June, we have to worry about them hitting us on the head as they fall from the seemingly unlimited number of trees lining the village streets. They're so delicious it seems almost sinful to eat them

This sounds sad, but I am actually planning a week long trip to Mexico based on when Mango season starts! I am hooked.

How far from Puerto Vallarta is Tenacatita?

I feel the need to voice my experience at the Riu Jalisco as it is somewhat different from the others. The hotel is very beautiful, the rooms are nice and Puerta Vallarta is a unique place. This was, however, at the bottom of my list as far as service. I have been to several other all-inclusives where you get served where ever you are. There are servers to get you drinks or food at any time. Not so at the Riu. In fact, they do not allow food outside the restaurants and you can't get ANYTHING to eat between 10:30am and 12:00pm or from 5pm to 6:30pm or after 10:00pm. This doesn't happen at ANY hotel - much less one that bills itself as all-inclusive. The buffets were boring, at best. Hardly any Mexican fare, nothing spicy. Pretty much the same thing every day - with a few exceptions. There was always a wait at the bar and the drinks are put in little glasses, so you had to go back often and wait again. Also, I would warn anyone who likes to know what time it is to bring a clock because the rooms don't have them and you can't get one from the front desk. The disco played good music and we had a blast even though it was so dark and foggy we couldn't hardly see each other. (They had a fog machine that went off way too often) The gym had the equipment mentioned above but when we were there (3/22/03 to 3/29/03) one treadmill, the stepper and one bike were out of order. I went 3 times to the gym and each time there were people waiting to do cardio. I went with a group of 12 and we all had similar views. We have all been to resorts where we have been pampered and expected the same here. So I wanted to do my part in letting people know a different side than what has already been said. I did have a great time, simply by being with my friends in Mexico, but we won't be going back to this hotel.

[%sig%]

DOES ANYONE HAVE THE LATEST ON HOW THE FIESTA AMERICANA FARES AS A RESORT HOTEL. THANKYOU!!

I agree with Cindy's response above - buy the Mexican (Ladatel) phone cards when you get there - they are for sale in most all pharmacias, convenience stores, at the airport, etc,and there are "booths" (a phone on a pole) all over the place. Cost of 5 pesos (about $.50 US) per minute to US. I did find a couple of phones that didn't seem to work well consistently - other than that the cards are very convenient.

Kathy, I went to the Rui and enjoyed my stay very much, but I agree with some of your comments regarding the food and service. Could you recommend any other AI's in Mexico that provide beautiful accomodations and great service for around the same price? My general feeling is that you get what you pay for. I'd love it if I am wrong and you have names of other fabulous places that I could try. Thanks.

Erin

My son & I just got back and he was 17 at the time going on 18. He told the reception when we checked in that he was 17 (big mistake)and got the other bracelet so he couldn't drink. Well he then said the vacation was over because of that but I told him I would get him some drinks but he wanted to take off sometimes and wanted to be able to get them himself. He really didn't have a problem as he is pretty tall and looks 18 or 19 anyway but he was kicked out of the Disco earlier than other people that had the other bracelets on.I would suggest that right off the bat to say that you are 18 years old. The only thing that might happen is if they doubt you then you will have to show them your birth certificate. I think the bartenders are pretty Lax, most of the time they are too busy to look. I don't really think it is their job to police it. If all else fails then someone that has the proper bracelet on can get you a drink. My son ended up having a blast and wants to go back next year with his friends at least somewhere in Puerto Vallarta. Have a great time......

Just to let you know that my son was 17 when we were last in PV, March 2003. We originally were at the Royal Decameron then were moved to the Qualton Club Resort & Spa where he went out with the Hotel people on the Pub Nights to Senor Frog's and then to Carlo's Obrien's another night and he had no problem getting in to either place. He is tall 6 foot and looks like he is 18 or 19 so that may be why but he was not asked for any ID.

tenactita is about a 3 hour drive south

Last year when I went there I was still 17 and they IDed me at the front desk and I had to have the stupid child's bracelet. The bartenders never checked me so I got drinks, and even if they do, you can get your friends to get it for you (that way you never have to get up for the next round, haha). I got kicked out of the disco earlier then everyone else, but chances are that you'll want to go to clubs outside of the resort anywayz and they wont ID at any of the clubs in town, they didnt even ever ID me when I was 16.

My wife and I stay at club med often and this is our first trip to an all inclusive other than club med. How does the sports equipment (windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, sports court) and activities rate? This is what I like most about club med. We are going the week of 4-19 thru 4-25.

How is the beach? Good surf? Flat surf? clear-murky? Rocks-sand? Do you need bug spray? Is the snokeling good enough to bring our own gear? Also, is the night life at the hotel fun? or is it better to take a taxi into town? Would like to take a charter fishing one day if anyone wants to hook up or knows a decent charter.

Any input would be great.

Thanks Sorren

After spending another great vaca in P.V. I decided I will be back, again..... I just got back home on sunday and man, we all had a blast. the 4 of us went diving, out to clubs, walked around town, went up to sayulitus ( sp?) and the entire area is totally cool. The cab drivers in PV are awsome, most speak english, most try and most will respect you, so long as you respect them. they are mostly honest and will go out of their way to help you. I'm a guy and I met a women each night I was there, no, that doesn't mean i hooked up it just means I had a blast and I met great people all over the place. The last four hours I spent in town, this is what I did: I checked out of my hotel at noon, had 4 hours to kill before flying away, so i took to the bus to the malecon and hung out in a bar, put my feet up, scored a sprite and a lemon, and smoked a cuban cigar....I watched people walk by, a kid sold me some chicklets, I smoked my cigar, sipped my sprite, listen to music and scoped even more women walking by, it was 87 degrees, a cool breeze, and the ocean right across the street....it was then that I said to myself "I'll be back". I've been to Cabo, Can-cun, Playa Del carmen, Coz....and PV wins.

I was at the RIU for two weeks at the beginning of last November, my information might be a bit out of date.

How does the sports equipment (windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, sports court) and activities rate? During our stay the waves would get about 5 feet. Pretty good size. The hotel did not provide windsurfing boards or any sailing equipment. They did provide kayaks and boogie boards, which were in good shape due to how new the hotel was. I am not sure how the waves will be during your stay. They did have an area for volleyball and soccer (which were sections of the beach). The tennis courts and shuffleboard were behind the children's pool and in good shape.

How is the beach? Beach was nice. We arrived while they were rebuilding a section after the hurricane last year and only saw a few tractors at night. Should be nice by now. Beautiful beach. I only wish they had pallapas on the beach. Not much shade. Good surf? Good surf while we were there. Early mornings into the afternoon was best from what i recaqll. Flat surf? Later in the day the waves did not seem as big as earlier. clear-murky? It was clear, not much to see if you want to snorkle, just sand. I see on another message board that red tide might be setting in the bay so that might effect you. Rocks-sand? It gets slightly rocky about 20-30 yards out. Again my memory might be mistaken. It gets very nice and sandy after a few rocks off shore. They are not huge boulders and are somewhat deep (probably wouldn't even notice them).

Do you need bug spray? We did not need bug spray at our time of year, but not sure at this time of year. I would bring it just in case.

Is the snokeling good enough to bring our own gear? I didn't think so. Unless you like looking at sand and people's feet Also, is the night life at the hotel fun? or is it better to take a taxi into town?b They have a disco at the hotel. Opens about 10ish and goes to 2ish. The bar by the beach is open really late. They say 6, but I have sat there all night. The disco is ok. Some nights I had a blast, some nights were boring. They play a mix of US music and Mexican music to try and please everyone. I would say to go there on some nights, but leave most times you really want to go out for downtown.

The taxi into town cost us about 10-20 depending on how far you go. Senor Frogs is the furthest, but the best if you really want to get crazy. Some nights are better than others at Frogs. We went on a Tuesday and you could have thrown a cat through there without hitting somebody. We went on Friday and it was packed, good times. Another place was the Zoo. Pretty good and it is always 2x1 drinks. Gets busy late at night. I like to go to Khaluas right next door. They have an open bar that faces the beach. Good to go for a few beers and then head next door to the Zoo afterwards. Another place is Christines. It is a very cool club inside, but wasn't very busy the night we went. Might be diffrent for you. If you want to watch any sports, go to Hooters. I fell in love more than once.

Would like to take a charter fishing one day if anyone wants to hook up or knows a decent charter. I have been fishing in the bay a few times. Mostly pick up a bunch of Bonita fish and got pretty boring. The last time we booked at the last minute with "Fishing with Bruno". Best time ever. I would go back in a heartbeat. We caught a ton of Bonita (used them as bait), 3 Mahi Mahi, and 2 sailfish. The guys on the boat were excellent. I would reccomend them to anyone. We paid 450.00 for a full day and tipped them 100.00 (us dollars of course). Highly recommended if you can afford it. We had a full boat that day, but I saw many people at the hotel that were interested in hooking up with others. Might want to try just asking around at the hotel.

My photo of my brother and myself with our fish: (please notice my "Red Wings Suck" t-shirt) http://community.webshots.com/user/uppyunc Other info board with some info you might want to check out: http://pub69.ezboard.com/ftodopuertovallartafrm1 Let me know if I can answer anything else for you.

Brian

Bruno's Fishing Website: http://brunosfishing.tripod.com/ I will try to put a few pictures of the Riu up on my webshots area. Try to do that sometime in the next few days.

B

I agree!! Just reading your message I can feel the sun and smell the great smells of the ocean and PV!! I have been to Cabo, liked it, but PV still is THE BEST!! It has become my second home! Paradise! Jill

No. That said...

We are considering a vacation in PV in mid-May and are also looking for information on hotels in the same area. The Fiesta Americana seems to get good reviews (esp the lobby), but from what I've read, the Krystal next door seems overall better except for the general lack of ocean views. HOWEVER, if you look on the web for the Krystal - Spanish language version only - there is a very good sale going on now (2 nights for the price of 1). If we do opt to go to PV instead of Zihua, we will certainly take them up on that offer...

Tom [%sig%]

I have been to PV many times, most recently late March, but have never have dived. Just wandering where you went, how was it, and what did you see? I usually dive in Cozumel which is hard to beat and certainly, the water clarity is much better and warmer. I am planning on returning in July and may take a dive so any info is appreciated.

Check out Club Viva Vallarta in Nuevo Vallarta. Just returned and was wonderful. Besides the food being great, lots of activities to pass the time; boogie boards, surfing lessons, catermeran trips, sea kiyaks (sp?), very good gym, evening entertainment, disco, and I could go on and on. All these are included in the all-inclusive package.

Check out Pelicanos Grand Resort, right next door to Fiesta and Los Tules; I stay there every year. Ask for ocean/pool view; we have had that every year. Awesome entertainment, water aerobics, kayaking, waterpolo, tequila volleyball, pool bar, poolside bar/grill, great staff!! I have their web page, but can't remember it off-hand; I will post it in another message! --Jill

I've probably been to Puerto Vallarta 15 tmes and stay for a month each time I go. I normally rent a house or apartment for a month and found that PV has everything I need or want for a great laid back vacaation. As a previous poster mentioned I also have been to Cancun, Cabo, Mazatlan, Acapulco etc, and its PV for me. I'll be there from May 26 to June 25.

The Riu Jalisco has a special promotion for arrivals from May 01 - June 30th for only $127 Canadian/nt per room based on double occupancy. That works out to about $44 per person in U.S. funds! Great deal for a 5 star resort. Check out my trip report and photos at www.geocities.com/riujalisco. You can email me for help making the reservations.

I was wondering how you went about renting a house or apartment for a month. Is it possible to rent it for 2 or 3 months?? Sounds like you know where the good things in life are!! Adios, Jill

HI, my name is Jacky and at the moment I am promoting my condo at Royal Pacific Yacht Club, the condo sleeps 6 people, is a 2 bedroom/2bath, with one designated parking space. For photos you can check my website www.ebuymexico.com The selling price is $ 120,000.00 Usd. For more information contact me at jacky@igu.net.mx [%sig%]

Have a look at the rentals here <http://vallarta-info.com/rent.html>

Hi Jill - Here are a few rentals for you. The beds are hard but the price is right. http://vallartamexico.com/index.html

Just returned from the Riu Jalisco April 12......I love CLub Med for sports more than the Riu. Availability of the sport equipment was great. 1. Kayaks were free and fun - you could go chase dolphins 2. Hobies were available - had to wait for one once 3. Windsurfing was available but lessons were $25. Only a couple windsurfers were there 4. Water is murky - no good snorkling at the hotel 5. no waterskiing that club Med offers, no rollerblading, no bikes (they had bikes for a fee) 5.no bugs at all - maybe one mosquito bite all week 6. beach was sandy - typical for that area. Very nice beach. 7. had boogie boards to play in the waves - good surf for that. I absolutely love club med for sports so there is not as much to do at the Riu - but still fun Vollyball , stretching, aerobics were available Disco was OK - starting about 10pm.

Hello am a new fulltimer in bucerias (outside vallarta). Brought my breeding pair of wolfdogs with me and guess what. We have a new litter! Beautiful colorations. Great companions. Smarter than dogs but need more love and attention as well. Safe with anything from guinea pigs to horses if they are raised together. A bit mischievious. A bit more work than a dog. $250 to $350 depending on colorations. Rare wite masks and sable colorations in this litter. Email me if you have questions or would like to view. thanks

Looking for people to split a charter boat, for a fun and productive day of deep sea fishing. Staying at Riu Jaliscu and I'm assuming that the fishing charter will be out of Puerto Vallarta. Some have a minimum of 5 per boat and I'm sure people show up there to join in but I would like to know of some people ahead of time. Thanks for replies. Take Care, Tom [%sig%]

I was wondering if you vcoulf give me Mercedes Feirrerra email address. We have about four couples going with us in May. I want to see about getting these rooms for our trip. Thanks

My name is Clara Valdés; I work as a teacher at the secondary school in Bahías de Huatulco, Oaxaca. I'm organizing a second Summer English Program. Last year we got two volunteers one from Canada and one from U.S.A. and 80 students. This year I will need four volunteers for teaching Basic English from July 14th to August 1st, 3 hours per day from 9 to 12 in the morning, from Monday to Friday. My students range from 6 years old to 15 years old. I will be available to help you, and will provide you with a teaching guide and the supplies you will need, please be prepared to make your own lesson plans.

In exchange I offer a private bedroom in my home (July 12th - August 3rd) and you can also use the kitchen, the volunteer will be welcomed as a member of my family (Mimi 12, Martin 10 and me 42).

I am a licensed teacher with 20 years experience, and have taught all language levels. I would be happy to provide classes for those volunteers who want to improve their Spanish skills. I can provide grammar instruction as well conversational classes and have several textbooks and resources. Classes will take place in my home in the evenings; I charge $7.00 dollars per hour per student. For more information contact: claramagda61@hotmail.com tel. 958 58 3 43 74 Lote 19 Manzana 6 Ampliación "J" Bahías de Huatulco, Oaxaca. 70989

We have been to both Ixtapa and Cancun. Love them both, especially Ixtapa. Wondering if Perto Vallarto is as nice as these. Thinking about next year's vacation.

!Hola Clara! Me llamo es Jill Mustard. I have recently graduated from college with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education with a minor in middle school education and 4 endorsements - social studies, science, english, and mathematics. My family and I go to PV, Jalisco, Mexico every year for a week or two. We have been doing this for 6 years and have become familiar with the customs of mexico and her people. The reason we always go back is because of the amazing Mexican people!! I know a little conversation Espanol, but get a little rusty when I come back to the states. I live in Rapid City, South Dakota - northern United States. I am interested in your program; I am just looking at my finances and hope that I can afford to do it. Please send me photos of where you are located, if you have any available. I would appreciate it. My e-mail is jillmustard@savoy.bhsu.edu or jillmustard@msn.com. Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon! P.S.: I will pass this on to the education department at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD - where I graduated from. They always produce amazing teachers!! Sincerely, Jill M. Mustard

It's better!

clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com

I am going to the RIU with some friends on may 16. . .I was wondering about getting a jet ski rental. Are there any on the hotel site? Do you have to go somewhere else? How much? What kinds of things do you recommend doing for a few teengers on a limited budget? Where do you recommend for souveners? How much is golf? What is the safe like? How big is it? What kind of currency do you recommend we bring? What is the most widely used currency? Also hints you can offer would be great as this is really our first big trip without the parents WOO :) [%sig%]

if your looking to pick up snacks, there is a grocery store at the paradise mall that has everything you could need. much less expesive than the little tuck shop on the premises of the resort. it really is not a long walk from the riu, however it is only 5 minutes by cab ( if you took the bus you would have to go all the way into p.v. and back to get there) and there is other shopping you can do there as well. you can take the bus back to the riu and it only takes about 5 minutes to get back to the resort. catch it right outside the main doors of the mall.

JR is right! PV is number one on my list. Though Cancun (and points south) as well as Cabo are nice too. PV is just better.

Hi ! We are going to Riu this thursday. Have a ? about the minibar , is there a charge for any consumption from there, also what is the best place to book your tours from the hotel or from town.Also which tours are recommended Thanks

Sue, rather than just generic statements, I will say, after having been to all three places several times... Cancun is slick, Americanized, commercialized and what I'd call "Vegas on the beach". It is increasingly expensive and you have to visit the downtown area to feel any "Mexican culture" at all. If you want to party, this is a place to non-stop party. The white beaches and the turquoise water are the most beautiful IMHO. The working people there have become a bit more jaded and aggresive, also IMHO, toward the tourists. There is access to visit beautiful Mayan ruins within a daytrip. Ixtapa...I call "Cancun on valium"...still the hotel to hotel resort mode, just on a smaller and more laid-back scale. A few restaurants, bars and some shopping and a decent wide beach with fairly strong ocean undertow. Mexican culture can be found just next door in Zihuatanejo and they have a couple of nice beaches, some small boutique hotels and other more standard Mexican lodging. Ixtapa doesn't offer very many excursions or daytrip ideas. The people were friendly enough.

Puerto Vallarta...I say I found my soul there. PV's setting is on a huge bay with the Sierra Madre mountains and their lush green vegetation as the backdrop. The beaches are more tan colored and narrow until you go further north around the bay where they're whiter and wider. The water is ocean blue, not very clear, and not as good for snorkelling as the Caribbean waters. But there are a couple places you can go to that have pretty decent snorkelling. The streets of downtown PV, many cobblestone, are lined with architecture ranging from rustic to gorgeous, with stucco and wrought iron bringing the elements of detail. Flaming pink and red bouganvilla cascade down balconies and along walls. Hibiscus and bright yellow "copa de oro" are everywhere. The malecon, or seawall boardwalk, with its whimsical sculptures, make the perfect promenade for people watching. Streets run up and down the hills, lined with small restaurants, bars and shops, ranging from the tackiest souvenirs to designer wear. Lodging can range from the most modern resort in Nuevo, to the back to back hotels of the hotel zone, to the most basic and inexpensive in town. This doesn't include all the condos and fabulous villas available. Restaurants...well enough cannot be said about the fabulous variety of restaurants in PV. You can eat from the most expensive and artfully displayed plates to the corner taco stand. I've heard there are around 900 restaurants and 80 cuisines represented in PV. I certainly have not made it to all of them. Excursions run the gamut...hiking, biking, horseback riding, trips into the mountains to observe flora and fauna, dine at "jungle" restaurants overlooking rushing rivers, visit the otherworldly villages of the Huichol Indians, or fly along the zip lines of the canopy tours. All kinds of trips by water are available, sailing, day and sunset cruises, campy pirate cruises with fireworks over the bay, snorkelling, dolphin and whale-watching (in season) and deep-sea fishing. Several beautiful villages along the water are accessible within a day. Buses and taxis are cheap and available everywhere. And the people...the people are the warmest and friendliest that I've met. The people are what makes PV what it is. Now that you can see that I'm not in the least biased...LOL...only you know what you and your family are looking for in a vacation. I will only say, that while I won't say I'll never visit the other places, they will never hold a candle to Puerto Vallarta.

the mini bar is free and their are tour companies set up in the lobby.KT their are jet ski rentals at the resort they were pretty reasonable to rent.

I understand the promoter of Girl Gone Wild is building a house in the Puerto Vallarta area. Any idea if it is north or south of town? ~ Carlos Fiesta

Where is this promotion being advertised?

I second exactly what she just said about Puerto Vallarta!! I, too, along with my mom, dad, and sisters, have found our souls in Puerto Vallarta! We used to just stay 7 days, now it is two or three weeks. As she mentioned, the people of Puerto Vallarta are truly the heart of Puerto Vallarta. Hope you have a chance to experience this wonderful place. Adios!!

Thanks Dennis and JR. Any help is always much appreciated!! I went to PVMIRROR.COM and found an apartment that is very reasonable and in a fabulous location. It is about one block from the Mega store, which is very near Pelicanos, where we have our timeshare!! Have a great summer; hope to see you in PV sometime.

Thanks for the restaurant review!! We always appreciate hearing about reviews from other restaurants. We try a few new restaurants every time we go, but always have the few favorites that are a must!! What kind of food does the restaurant 'Red Cabbage' serve and where is it located? Have you ever tried 'Coco Tropical'? It is right on the beach. I have seen advertisements and have walked by it, but am wondering about any reviews? Thanks! Hope your PV vacation was good; how good it not be!! --Jill in South Dakota

Check out the Costa Alegre "Happy Coast" to the south of PV at: www.mexicomexico.info.

For a splash of Real Mexico!! Adios!

looking for female wolfdog puppy please lemail me back

You will have a great time. We went last year right after it opened. You can pick up souvenirs on the beach, a few yards north some of the locals set up a little shopping spot and you can get tee shirts , jewelry ,blankets and other things. Also during the week a couple of times people come in and set up tables out in the courtyard. Everything you can imagine can be bought here. So really you will not need to go elsewhere unless you just want to. I was there for the beach( which by the way is gorgeous), not shopping, although I did some of that too! Golf at the Famingo I believe is $65.00, kinda high, but hey, if your dedicated I guess thats not too much to pay. The safe in the room is about 18" X 18" and it locks with a key. It is secured inside your closet in the bathroom. Currency...we carried US, and most places will accept that form if you need to change your money you can get a pretty good exchange at the front desk at the hotel. There is a disco, but we never checked it out, too busy doing other things, but I heard it was pretty good. Do not use the phones in the rooms, too expensive, get phone cards and got to a pay phone. I know I am not your mother and I am sure you will probably hear this from your parents, but...you will be in a foreign country whose laws differ greatly from ours, so please use caution and be smart. You can have a wonderful time there and that is my wish for you and your friends. Parasailing is available for about $35- $45, free boogie boards, paddle boats, kayaks and cattamarans. Oh, and when you eat your evening meal, go to the La Botana just a few yards from the ocean, you will enjoy the most amazing sunsets over the mountains. Have a great trip, be safe and hope to hear about vacation after you get back!

How is the food at the fiesta americana???

Sue, pvdeb is right. I've been to Cancun only once and to PV 3 times. Not saying I'll never go to Cancun ever again, but give me a choice and it's PV every time. The people are wonderful there. I'll throw my cap in the Pacific Ocean if I'm wrong.

And Jill in SD, I'm next door in MN. Nice Spring!

Hi we are going to riu soon. is there parasiling, and how much does it cost? also some of the guys want to golf.isnt there a course near the riu. any info? thanks ill be waiting to hear from you Leanne

We stayed at the Fiesta Americana last February (2002) and the food was wonderful. We are planning our second trip to the Fiesta Americana for Feb, 2004. I guessed you can see that we really must have enjoyed our trip there. Any other information needed please e-mail me.

Leanne, yes there is parasailing, when we were there it costs about $35-$45 . The Flamingo golf course is about 300 yds from the hotel, the cost is about $65. Have a great time. Any questions you might have I will try and answer.

Hey there Leanne when are you and your friends going to the Rui? We will be there the last two weeks of May. I checked out the Flamingo's and they said I can play for 50 US. I will take my clubs and play a couple of times. If your there when we are maybe I can get a round in with your friends. Some of the other courses run around the hundred dollar mark Bill

The Red Cabbage is the most authentic (my opinion) Mexican reataurant I have ever eaten at. I never thought of Mexican fare as gourmet before eating there. They have a very limited menu, and I haven't found anything I didn't enjoy. The spinich salad is a must. Not only because is is good, but totally different than any other salad I have ever eaten. The last time there I had a large stuffed Plumbano (sp) pepper with a white walnut sauce over the top and served on a bright red plate. The sight was worth the price, which by the way is fairly modest. On my next trip I plan on ordering the fixed price complete meal, which I think is $25 and the most expensive item on their menu. It came with peanut soup, which I have not tried yet. Reservations are a must. Without them, you will not get past the door. (unless your eating very early, like 5-6 PM) It's a good idea to take a taxi there, but when you leave, there is a bus stop directly across the street that goes back downtown. It is located about 10 blocks East of the South side, next to the river. They are not open for lunch

Thanks to all of you! Wow, what nice information! I, too, am from Minnesota!

My husband and I are trying to decide where to stay and both the Fiesta Americana look very nice. I was wondering if anyone could help me choose. I am looking for a nice beach, pool, room, and activities.

The beach is better at Fiesta,but Marriot is a nicer hotel. I'd pick Fiesta, I like the location better.

Hello, A while ago, I stayed at La Jolla De Mismaloya. I loved it. I notced they had fenced off an area for the sea turtles. I had heard once that when they hatch you can "adopt one" for the day and help it get to the ocean safely. Does anyone know about what time of year that is? I 'd like to go back in June. Thank you in advance.

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The turtles typically hatch on October. You can't "adopt them for a day", as they are not pet shop animals, rather a near endangered species. If you do see turtles hatching on a public beach (usually at night) you are encouraged to carry them to the water's edge as the Frigate Birds, among others, are waiting to eat them.

JJ

There is not a better hotel in the area. It is small enough to be quiet, large enough to rock on DIsco night, and the staff are excellent. You can get to town and back at reasonable cost, The beach is clean and wide. No other AI food can come close. Staff are cleaning the pooldeck and grounds by 6:00 am, but unless you are up you will never know untill you step out of your room. The best resort in the Puerto/Nuevo Vallarta area.

JJ

For more information see <http://vallartawhales.com/turtles1.htm>

I apologize, When I said adopt for a day, I did not mean that it was like a pet shop. I understand they are a endangered species. Thank you for the information.

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I was wondering if anyone has found any other useful message boards/forums about puerto vallarta? If so where are they?

http://pub69.ezboard.com/ftodopuertovallartafrm1

Hi Stephanie, "lew's" reply gives you the best message board. Members on that board have weekly get-togethers in Puerto Vallarta, so when you travel there, you can meet your board friends face-to-face. The board covers everything from basic tourist questions to permanently living there. Several board members permanently reside in Puerto Vallarta, others have been returning vacation visitors for many years. Good discussions without a lot of flamming. The "board mistress" is named Brenda (or bzy1). A good board on general tourism and information on Puerto Vallarta is: http://www.puertovallarta.net click around the site and you will quickly find their message boards.

The Lonely Planet's Thorntree has a message board that covers Mexico and sometimes there is discussion regarding Puerto Vallarta and its surroundings: http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/

Oops! Forgot to mention the Yahoo group associated with the www.puertovallarta.net site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/puertovallarta/

A good PV web site is: http://www.vallarta-info.com The site is maintained by "John" who has lived in PV for years. He's a great one to ask a specific question of - very helpful. He, and many others, offer good info (and fun) on the ezboard site that someone else mentioned.

Hi, Does anyone have some information on this resort? My family would like to try PV this time. We really enjoyed Manzanillo and would like to try PV this time.

We recently vacationed in P.V. and fell in love with one of the street dogs. We decided to adopt him, but have ran into many hurdles trying to get him back to the States. We mentioned setting up some kind of rescue, in Denver, to get people to adopt the street dogs, but since we've had such a hard time getting ours here, we're not sure it would work. If anyone out there has any ideas or information regarding something of this nature, could you please e-mail me? Thanks!! Please identify in your subject matter that you are e-mailing about the dog.

sounds good, where can we sign up for this vacation.

Kerry: My teenaged daughter and I just returned from Club Viva Vallarta late March. We enjoyed it so much that we will be returning this summer. The beach is great and is good for walking in both directions. Be sure to take some sandles or beach shoes for the water/beach cause of rocks in some areas. The room was perfect and we did have a partial ocean/pool view. Be aware that the rooms do not have any drawers for clothes but have shelves in the closet, hair dryers, and safes (free). I would suggest requesting a room in building 1. The resort is built on a cliff, there are lots of steps and walking, so get those legs in shape. The food is fabulous in all locations. My teenager is picky and she was quite content to have pizza, quesadillas, hotdogs, cereal, pastries, salads, and lots of fruit for the week. The Portofino Rest. is exceptional as is the gourmet pizza. Didn't get to experience the Mexican Rest. this trip. The buffet has lots of Mexican dishes so didn't feel cheated.

We did a lot of boogie boarding and sea kayaking. They have surfing lessions and will take you out on the catermeran. Be sure to sign up promptly at 9:00 AM for these two since the slots fill up fast. Spent most of the time lounging on the beach or at the adult warming pool.

The resort is about 20 mile north of PV, taking the cab can be about $25 1-way. Try the bus, it is an experience all it's own and cheap. We always commute by bus unless in the evening. If you want to go to town often, plan on about 40 minutes one-way. I have been to PV many times and found this to be my favorite. In fact, a girlfriend and her husband are there right now and this is their first trip. Feel free to e-mail me for more information.

She gave me a heart attack there for a second! lol 140 Canadian dollars buys 100 US or it did last week. But I' ll take that 44 dollar deal if I can get it.

I read your comments with much interest as we have been comtemplating a visit to PV. Last year we visited and loved Manzanillo as it was just enough laid back and just enough Mexican culture for us, without the peddlars we have heard so much negativity about in other locals. Now we wish to return but wanted to try someplace different without losing the Mexican culture. We figured from all we had heard and read that Cabo San Lucas wouldn't be for us and neither would Cancun as we weren't in for the bigtime party scene. After reading your comments, I am convinced we will love PV. If you have never been to Manzanillo, I think you should give it a try. It has wonderful hotels and villas and some very worthwhile restauraunts, although surely not as many as PV. We loved it for the laid back atmosphere, the people, the culture and the private villa which was awesome.

Stayed in Marival in early May. Although this is listed as a four star, it is far from it. The food was marginal at the restaurants, far worse at the buffet. For instance, the hamburgers were of that brown, "boiled meat" color and were all but inedible. If a resort can't cook hamburgers, it can't cook anyhting. The food was so bad that my wife, who has been to Thailand, Peru and many other places and is not a food snob, insisted on eating outside the resort for dinner. I am amazed that this place is rated equivalently to grand velas (one of the places we ate, very nice, beautiful pool, etc.). There aren't elevators, check out took about an hour (they don't have express). The activities staff, although trying was forced to adhere to strange policies (for instance, our vollyball was taken away, in the middle of a game, at 6 p.m. because the animation booth was closing. The waitstaff had the enthusiasm of indentured servants. Service was pretty abysmal, I can remember sitting more than once at breakfast for more than 20 minutes before anyone came to take our order. In short, this is at best a two star.

Effie .. I think you fell pray to someone who thought they were the only sensitive person in the world (don't we all sometimes). Of course someone on a vaction can't take up a life long cause ... and volunteering for a day or two sounds like an interesting way to extend your Mexico stay.

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Cab from Royal Decameron to PV was $15

mnlakes56 wrote: > Cab from Royal Decameron to PV was $15 ....but Viva Vallarta is quite a ways north of Royal DeCameron, so $25 sounds right.

Hi! Me, my family, and some friends are going to Puerto Vallarta in the end of June and are split between which hotel to go to. There's one mom, two 20 year olds, a 17 year old, and two 15 year olds (all girls). We all want to go to which ever place is the funnest, has a reasonable amount of teenagers staying there, and has the best disco at night time. So to put it in other words, which resort is more of a "party" atmosphere. I read that at the Grand Marival you have to pay for the drinks after 12 in the disco. Did this seem to interfere with how much fun it was in the disco? I would appreciate any comments you guys have about which resort (Viva Vallarta or Grand Marival) would suit us the best. Thank you so much!! [%sig%]

Alex---- was the Grand Velas next to the Marival ? If so could you elaborate more on the food and facilities? We plan to go to Nuevo in the near future. Peace

Alex, Sorry to hear that you were disappointed in the hotel food. I have been doing a lot of research on this hotel and nuevo vallarta and finally decided to make my reservations for June. I did hear many mixed reviews, but overall I heard it was a very beautiful resort, many things to do there, one is treated like royalty especially when tipped,l and heard it was a 5-star hotel . The majority of people said that the only negative thing about the hotel is that it is difficult to make reservations at restaurants but have found out that reservations could be made a few days before your trip via E-mail and that the Italian restaurant is excellent and so is the steakhouse. Did you try all of their restaurants? What type of room and what side (grand or club) did you stay in and were the rooms nice? .Did you do any activities? I

maybe you want to do some homework before going to velas. they require mandatory all inclusive payment. depending upon season, it will cost you $85-100 per day per person plus room plus tips and tax. food and services at that price can't be that great. but then maybe it is.

need info on everyday food prices at the supermarket ?

About average but compared to what - and what are you buying - duh

Lock up the girls!!!! Too much fun to be had.

Can anybody give us information about facilities for inline skating within or around Riu Jalisco? Are there any smooth surfaced roads, sidewalks or trails suitable for inline skating. Thank you very much. Judy and Peter

Last we were there, there are no suitable areas for skating. The walks within the resort are mixed pavement and pavestone, so not smooth. They also have too many pedestrians to make skating safe. The sidewalk on the main road in front of the resort, that leads into Nuevo, are not that smooth and level in places and you'd be taking your life in your hands to skate in the street with taxis and buses coming by.

Hola, My wife and I are visiting Puerto Vallarta in June and are seeking a female, petite in stature between 18 and 30 to spend a few days to a week with us. Can you be of any assistance? If you are unable to and you know where we can place an ad for that area I would be very appreciative if you could e-mail it to us at renoxotics@aol.com Here is our web site in case you have interest or care to pass it on www.renoxotics.com/jenjef.html Thank you for your help, Jennifer and Jeffrey [%sig%]

will do my own cooking. it is forevery day food like meat, cheese and vegies.the last time i was in pc 15 years ago.i own one of those timeshares for the last 20 years.i,m just plain nosy.

Any damage from the last hurrican?I will be staying next door in Los Tules this comming weekend.The last time I was in PC was 15 years ago.

????????????? Jesus H. Christ, what kind of message board is this? Why don't you scope some personal ads somewhere!!!

Jennifer & Jeffrey I think that you may have the incorrect board for the type activities that you are alluding to!!!

I do most of my shopping at Riso's whch s the only large market south of the river and find their prices to be slightly lower than stateside prices. Here is a website that may be of help to you: http://www.vallarta-info.com/

Lothar - I think that is PV - you are using your PC - double check your flight destination before commiting ;)

made a mistake,you know senior moments.i will be in pv end of this week . why should i check my airflight????????i have a nurse and she is doing all the thinking.

I am looking to rent an Apartment/Condo for a month in 2004 for April/May time periodb (flexible). I am wanting a 2 bedroom with a kitchen.I am looking for something clean and reasonably priced. Please reply or e-mail me at rockymountain@telus.net. Gracias

Check out these websites: www.move2mexico.com, www.costabucerias.com, www.lasrosasagency.com. You can just type rentals Bucerias into Google and lots of stuff will show up.

Has anyone stayed at Velas Vallarta (in puerto vallarta not nuevo vallarta)? Please post your comments. thank you.

Hi Sharon- my sister-in-law and I stayed at this resort last June, we spent our 40th birthdays there. Upon arrival it was a little late in the evening and the man at the front desk was very apologetic that he had no ocean view rooms available but if we came back early in the morning he would have one, however-when we were taken to our room the night we arrived we were pleasantly suprised-it was overlooking the adult only pool so we decided to give it a try.We were glad we did because if you are going to be in a room closer to the ocean then most likely you will be right above the pools that are for the children-and believe me-it was very noisy up there.The kids are there for fun as well so they are in the pool quite early!We met alot of nice people at this resort- and found that most people that were at the adults only pool were 20+ ,you can always try it and if you are not happy with your room just go to the front desk and ask if you can be moved to another room.Hope this helps you out,have fun, Debbie-Vancouver Canada

v v is a brand new resort opening early this year. it is a mandatory all inclusive. daily rates run $75-$100 usd per day per person plus the cost of the room. they have a beautiful pool and great beach activities. they have a website with more info. hope that helps somewhat.

sorry about the miss read of your question. velas is a 13 year old resort with beautiful grounds and beach. they have 2 good restaurants not counting the burger shack. they are undergoing some major upgrades to the rooms. the 3 pools are very nice and comfortable. check their website for pixs and other info. shop around for price. the rack rate for a small studio is around $200 a night. velas is a short walk to shopping centers and the marina which has great restaurants. you can buy all inclusive by the day covering all meals and beverages for around 600 pesos. hope this helps.

The 3 pools nearest the ocean are not all kids......this is where all the activity takes place, volleyball, etc.....but the pool by the adult pool was quieter(alot of retired people were there.....but any where at the RD is good

Than you so much for your information. Kerry

Any comments good or bad regarding this resort.I am thinking of going their in november.

Just returned from a 2nd visit. It was great! Here's a link to my pictures: http://community.webshots.com/user/ksjoberg

STAYED AT THE RIU IN FEB THIS YEAR, HOTEL IS BEAUTIFUL, THE BEACH IS THE BEST I'VE SEEN IN PV, FOOD WAS ABOVE AVERAGE, ROOMS ARE KIND OF SMALL, BUT ARE VERY NICE. THE ONLY BAD THING ABOUT THE RIU IS THE LOCATION. WE LIKE TO GO DOWNTOWN ATLEAST ONCE A DAY, IT TOOK ABOUT 45 MIN EACH WAY ON BUS TOO MUCH TIME WASTED,CAB WAS FASTER BUT COSTS $12 EACH WAY. WE STAYED AT THE PRESIDENTE INTER CONTINENTAL LAST YEAR AND LOVED IT. ONLY A 10 MIN FUN 35 CENT BUS RIDE DOWNTOWN. HAVE FUN

Has anyone stayed in a grand standard ROH room at the Grand Club and Marival in June . If so, what are the rooms like? Also, any other information about the resort would be appreciated.

Thank you

Just got back, will answer anything I can for you ................. tomorrow....................need sleep................... popper anyone?

I heard the fiestaamericana has a fantastic beach. Is it hard to geta palapa(I think that is what they are called) on the beach. Do you have to try to reserve one by a certain time. Is the beach crowded? We are thinking about traveling in August. Any info. will be greatly appreciated.

I need to make a decision on where to stay in puerto vallarta, and I was wondering if anyone could help me decide between these two. Actually I found a package where the camino real is $100 dollars cheaper per person than the Fiesta Americana. I was wondering about both of their beaches, rooms, activities, and If they play any music by the pools or beach. Thank you.

We have a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house for rent in Rincon de Guayabitos. The town is 45 miles north of PV, easily accessable by bus or taxi. The house is one block from the beach in a quiet residential neighborhood. Email me privately for rate info and a link to pics.

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Just spent four weeks in Puerto Vallarta. Prices for food are the same as in the states. They have a Walmart, Sam's club there now. I found the best prices in the Mega Supermarket and Gigante. Outside of Gigante, there are two spots that have roasted chicken with roasted potates all for 55 pesos (approximately $5.50). I cooked most of my meals because the restaurants were so expensive plus you have to tip the waiters and pay a 15% tax on everything.

I own at the Villa del Palmar and this was my 19th year there. The weather there right now is very hot and humid. Glad to be back in NYC with the rain.

Hi we are heading to the Riu in the middle of July. We hear the weather isn't peak at this time and are wondering if anybody had been there around this time. At the hotel we really wish to have a ocean view room and our travel agent deal is run of the house. Do you have to have a suite for an oceanview. What are the best rooms for this. We also wish to take 2-3 excursions which do you recommend.

there is alamo rental car in downtown PV, just short after crossing rio Cuale (leaving downtown=going south). there is The only nasty guy in whole PV...stay away! you want to rent a car, he instead offers 30 min.timeshare present.tour and SUV-rental all for $20 us bucks. don't let him know that U know it's some kind of trick because he'll REALLY get upset and tell you to get up and out...

You've got to wonder how many vacations have been ruined by the timeshare salespeople. Your guy in the Alamo rental place must be an exception: the Mexican salesguys on the street are usually friendly enough, abeit sometimes annoying. The real sharks are the very aggressive American/Canadian sales people you will meet at some of the presentations themselves. Unless you really want to consider buying a timeshare, be polite and avoid any temptations to go on a timeshare tour. Whatever they offer you as an incentive to go on a timeshare tour, you have to ask yourself if it is really worth a 4-hour piece of YOUR vacation time.

i was waiting for my wife at the west end of the lobby of the hotel we were staying at. got hit up by a timeshare flake. said no of course. walked to the east end of the lobby and once again another flake hits me up. no of course. waited for some friends and off to the golf course. loaded up our cart and went to pay our fees. came back to our cart and some yahoo is sitting there. he said he wanted to introduce himself and invite us to breakfast at velas. in less than a half hour we are hit on by three low lifes from velas. not sure why it takes management so long to get the message. needless to say we won't be back any time soon. the marriott keeps looking better and better.

that was one of the reasons we chose to vacation in Manzanillo rather than PV; no timeshare salemen anywhere we could see and very few, if any, peddlers on the beaches.

Hey Vallarta Folks, There are only two bullfights left this season - the one this Wednesday, June 4th, might be the best of the year if the bulls co-operate. The toreros - Guillermo Martinez, from near Guadalajara, is a six foot+ handsome devil, he is a very good torero, tall and lean and very artistic in his work with the capes. And he is an honest killer - he exposes himself and goes straight over the horns to plant his sword. Second, is Pedro Ruben, another young handsome devil, and he is also very good. I've seen both he and Guillermo fight a half dozen times this season - they both give you your money's worth. Pedro usually places his own bandarillas, after he breaks them in half - it is scary and thrilling to watch.

And a new, real sensation, Omar Villasenor. He was here about a month ago for the first time, he amazed the crowd with his mastery of the capes. He did the most dangerous passes, firmly planting his feet and citing the bull from long distance - then standing rooted as the bull rushed by just missing his body - it requires a tremendous amount of both bravery and skill to do what he did - the crowd was hushed. And he did it again and again, it was poetic and spellbinding to see. After the fight, I asked Omar who was his teacher. He answered, "My uncle and my grandfather." Omar is the fourth generation in a Mexican bullfight family dynasty. His great grandfather, the original Juan Silveti, was known as the Tigre of Guanajuato, or Juan Without Fear, he became famous over eighty years ago. His son, Juan Silveti also, was one of the most famous Mexican matadors during the 1950s and 60s. His son, David Silveti, is also fearless. David is 53 and has two new artificial knees - and he is still fighting. The grandfather, Juan Silveti, was here a month ago for his grandson's fight and I had the opportunity to talk with him. He was very proud of his grandson, the happy glow in those eighty year old eyes. I hope he'll be back on Wednesday so I can talk to him again.

PETA people should stay away, this is not the place for them to go. Bullfights are medieval pagents, full of beautiful costumes, horses, music, art, danger, and tradgedy - all real and live in front of you. It is not at all like watching Gladiator - for bullfighters, it is the real thing.

ditto Huatulco

I ran into one guy down in PV who quit his timeshare sales job for a job at a traditional PV real estate company. He hated the timeshare job because of the pressure his employers put on him to make sales. Also, he didn't like having to pressure tourists into buying something that they may not have wanted.

I'm traveling to the Riu Jalisco in Nuervo Vallarta in mid July. I was wondering if the weather is truly that bad there in July. If anybody has been there in previous years at this time or knows please respond.

Hot, hot, hot and very, very humid. Just get ready for it. Take light colored, cotton clothing and a hat. Drink lots of water. Plan your excursions, shopping, strenuous activities for the early mornings and lay around the pool or beach in the afternoon....with lots of SPF30-45 sunscreen. It usually (not always) rains for a couple of hours early evening and sometimes into the night, with great lightening shows out over the bay. This is an El Niño year, so the weather may not be as usual. Also take bug repellant with you, as in the rainy season all the little critters come out to play, and bite. Be sure and put some on when going into areas of more vegetation, including waiting for the bus in front of the Riu. The mosquitos had a field day with our legs one morning till we learned.

I'm not familiar with the Fiesta, but we stayed at the Camino Real last year. It's south of downtown, and a very quiet, low key place to stay. I don't know if they have music at the pool, we spent most of our time at the private beach or went into downtown for meals and entertainment. The rooms are older, up-scale and all are ocean-front. They may have activities, I didn't notice any. We loved it, but if you are looking for more excitement, you may be disappointed.

On the other hand, you can be just as rude as they are and get up and simply go after you've fulfilled your 90-minute obligation and still collect your gift.

We're looking for a cell phone service that works in Puerto Vallarta that we can hook up to our laptop for internet use. (Of course, phone must also work in the US).

I spoke w/ someone at AT&T, and she said that you can't get mobile internet in PV, because they only have digital service there (which is not sophisticated/strong enough to support internet).

Is this true? Has anyone out there been able to use their laptop for internet thru their phone in PV? Also interested in the same thing for Guatalajara.

Any info would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

Why not just use a local ISP? The cell charges would be outrageous, apart from the poor connection. We have over 200 cyber cafes, many with DSL, that charge 10 pesos an hour, which would not even buy you one minute on the cell for an international call.

If any of you gringos go to PV I have a brother there. A very DARK complected hispanic, american. Benny, he ran from the Odessa, TEXAS, U.S. and our family issues...tell him his sister is worried, she misses him and wants to communicate. He sells timeshares.. he will approach you don't worry. He is full of tatoos and was working parttime at AZTEC TATOO somewhere in Colonia Cinco in PV. Tell him I love him and to call.

the salesperson on the street who gets you to attend the sales meeting makes about 300 dollars per couple,or about 70,000 dollars(not pesos) a year.Can you imagine how much the closer makes? I think all of these salesman where one time used car salesmen.

Hi, my friend and I will be going there for a week in July, and I was wondering what kind of night life is there for younger people (we are 22 and 23). How late are the hotel bars open till, and is there anything to do after they close?

Are there any other bars or nightclubs very close to the Royal Decameron? My friend and I will be there for a week in July and I am concerned that we wont' have anything to do after the bars at the hotel close at night.

No, there aren't. The RD is about a 35-45 minute bus ride (during the day, last bus runs from town out there around 7:30PM) and a $12-20US cab ride (each way) from all the clubs in PV. I think the establishments in Bucerias, which the RD is closer to, run more toward restaurants than clubs and they close up fairly early. Nothing in Nuevo, just south of the RD, to speak of. Sorry to say, but for clubbing, you're pretty far away from town.

The Decameron has a disco thats open till around 3-5 am....PV parties till dawn

We just thought it would be more convienient to have the internet capability with us at all times, but every time I talk to a cell phone company, I get a different answer!!!!!!! If you know of a company that would work, dispite the charges, I would be interested to know who it is (By the way, we're looking for business reasons, so the money isn't really the issue!) Thanks again for your insight - I will definately keep it in mind! *k [%sig%]

Going to Club or Grand Marival for a wedding in December with my wife and two boys. Want some privacy so checked and found out we can do a Jr. suite at Club Marival or two adjoining rooms at Grand Marival. If anyone knows these properties well enough to advise me I would really appreciate it. Thank, Bill

If you're just using the cell to connect, you still need an ISP, like PVNet. It would work OK but reception is not very consistant around here on cells. More trouble than it's worth, JMHO

Another reason travel may be down is that cell phone use is not available or easy enough to use world wide yet. As I walk around Seattle .... half the people on the streets are talking on cells. The withdrawals would be difficult.

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Great place for kids. Lots of activities and water sports. Buffets are ok ---Some of the restaurants are really good-especially the Italian one. Make reservations for dinner in the restaurants for each night as soon as you arrive as they do fill up at that time of year. We have been to the Marival a couple of times and prefer to stay at the Club Marival ( the original building --it is quieter and not so many small children). With over 600 rooms it will be a busy place at that time of year.

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More cell phone use in Vallarta than you would expect. The main problem is Telmex - 3 month wait for a land line, if you're lucky and they even have one available in your area. The installation costs about 1,800 pesos plus the monthly rental, 160 pesos for 100 free calls, is more that a lot of families can afford. But you can get a cell phone for under 700 pesos including about 300 pesos of air time. You can buy a new card for 100 pesos. And don't forget that incoming local calls are free.

We got married at the RIU JALISCO resort on March 3 2003. What a beautiful wedding....what a beautiful dream come true. We couldn't have picked a better place...couldn't have got better service...and couldn't have had better sunset's than at the Riu Jalisco in Neuvo Vallarta. It was definitely our dream come true. We wouldn't have it any other way. We had a group of 29 people with us. And each person loved this resort wholly. The service was perfect..the food was amazing..the bar's were great and fun..the bartendar's were super. It was just absolutely the most perfect place to go.

I have been to the RIU JALISCO twice. First in June of 2002 when it first opened...and again in March of 2003. We got married here at the RIU JALISCO ..and it was the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen in my life. They did a wonderful job. And were very professional and organized. I would recommend it to anyone ! The RIU JALISCO is perfect. Wonderful food..wonderful beach...great pool and swim up bar. The service is excellent. And it is so beautiful to walk around at night. It is a gorgeous place. you can't go wrong by having your well deserved vacation here. I would go back in a minute. Hope this is helpful !

We stayed in 6161. It was a great view down the middle of the courtyard and out onto the ocean.

There's a bar called Gecko Pub on Morelos in Bucerias. Not really a club, but a place to hang out.

I have never seen anybody at any bar ever i.d. someone, I know it is supposed to be 18, but the guys at the door dont care, it just means more money for the bar.

Janets right, about half of the phones I tried using either didnt work, there was static, or plain old bad connection. most of the time i would walk around to the other side of the pole and use the other phone which would work perfectly. Canada is the same as the US using Telmex or Ladatel phone cards you dial 001 area code and number. There was a comment made above (2nd or 3rd in) by Carrie saying that you can us 7-11 cards from Canada (where I reside) does anyone know if this is true? How hard are they to use, and how much value do you get (being from Canada I make alot of calls up north to brag about the weather in Mexico to my Canadian friends)

Bill, Was your room just off the elevators? We were there last July and are returning in August and want to get close to the same rooms we had. Last year our room was in the middle of the U right off the elevetors, directly above the lobby bar. We loved the location but I just can't remember the room numbers. Is that where you were located? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks DJ in Oklahoma

Does anyone know what nightclub Andrew Luster was found at?

Wasn't a night club, it was outside the 'Dollars' bar

Correction, he was first detained outside the Zoo bar and later there was a scuffle outside the Dollar bar, that's when the police were notified. He's already in California, the others, incl America's Most Wanted team is still in jail - uncharged at this time (law here, they must be charged within 72 hrs)

one report I have "Kidnapping (after talking with witnesses) At 5:30 Luster left the Bar The Zoo and headed north in a gray VW Jetta with Jalisco plates. He was followed by Bounty Hunter, Duane 'Dog' Chapman, his 2 sons and 2 cameramen for the television program 'The Most Wanted". According to witnesses, local businessmen, 300 yards north of the Malecon, Chapman and group intercepted Luster, pulled in out of his vehicle, maced and handcuffed him and threw him into a navy blue Suburban with Tamapilupas license plates. The police had be called by witnesses, but arrived too late. Police called into headquarters and put out a 'stop vehicle' order on a navy blue Chevrolet Suburban and a white Chrysler Voyager. The vehicles were spotted headed north. Police stopped them between Plaza Marina and the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport. Al vehicles have been impounded. As to Duane Lee 'Dog' Chapman, 50 years old, his sons Tim Chaler Chapman, 38 years old and Leland Blaine Chapman 36 years old, and the two 'Most Wanted' cameramen are still in custody pending charges of kidnapping and information from Immigration on the migratory status of the four men."

"America's Most Wanted" says that the guy in jail in PV is not an employee of theirs. They do not accompany bounty hunters. Sounds like the guy just said that to try to get off the hook

i to have nothing but good things to say about the riu. we were there during huracain keena and the were so orgainzed it was unbelivable. i'm sure they would rather have been home with there families, taking care of their homes, however they made dam sure we were all safe and in no danger. they also kept us informed of what was happening. our safety and comfort came first and that is what i want in a resort. as beautiful as the resort is, this would be the reason i would go back. soon, i hope.

I agree in general with the comparisons. I would add a couple notes-- Traffic and time share in PVR is terrible (as stated here alot).

Cancun beaches and water are the best. Period.

Ixtapa is a great layout but again, not the beautiful beaches.

Solution: Playa Del Carmen- Quiet, quaint town like PVR was years ago. Nice resturants, walkable main street with No traffic and minimal timeshare hawkers. And the clear turquoise Caribbean waters. Sorry PVR fans. I like it there, just don't think it's the best of Mexico.

If you want a unique Mexican experience away from the maddening crowds, a beach all to your own and prices down right cheap try Hualtuco. It is south of Acapulco on the Pacific and beats Ixtapa,Cancun and PV all to hell. There are discos if you are in to that, great restaurants(cheap and clean) and water so clear you can snorkle or scuba. If interested go to Huatulco, Oaxaca on the tonzap web site.

We had been coming to PV for about 8 years--always enjoying it. But the number of tourists and the traffic are beginning to be a bit much. So we stayed in Bucerias this past January and really loved it. Quite a few restaurants and shops, beach is great, few vendors, but the "small town feeling" is still there. We are returning there again in January, 2004.

Hey everybody!! I'm going to puerto vallarta tomorrow and can't wait! I'll be staying at the Grand Marival so if any of you guys have any last comments you could leave me about the resort it would be great!! I'll post a report as soon as I get back! Love Emily

Looking for rental Feb. 2004 for minimum of 2 weeks possibly one month. Please e-mail rates and availability, pics, etc.

Thanks GL [%sig%]

Did same pressurization as you but they only came down to US$14000 ( plus 6 free weeks with excess being rented out to my benefit. Never again regardless of what they offer!! :-} PS Ask what happens if your unit is badly damaged in an earthquake and is unusable so you have no unit to throw in the pool to vacation elsewhere until repairs are complete!!! What Earthquake??

I know a few people who own timeshares and are delighted with their purchase. However, I don't believe the salesmen's standard sales pitch on how a timeshare purchase is a vehicle for investment. It's more of a purchase for your own recreation and enjoyment.

Myself, I'm too disorganized and "spur of the moment" to go on a planned-week timeshare vacation as such. Also, I would probably procrastinate too much to ever set up a timeshare trade with another vacation location. But, that's just me; and after living with myself for so many years, I know this old guy pretty well.

yes, booking a timeshare vacation definitely takes lots of advance planning, especially if you intend on traveling somewhere desireable. The only spots where you can book "spur of the moment" or in less than one year are usually those places where few people want to go. Also, beware of the quarterly maintenance fees as they amount to the price of a hotel room every quarter. For most of us, the fees would pay a 2-4 night stay somewhere "spur of the moment".

looks like luster has garnished more media attention than coverage of the emc world cup.

Can anyone tell me how the weather will be there around the middle-to-end of July? My friend and I will be there July 20-27. Thanks!!

Wanna share a fishing charter july 10-14? any day; email tclongbeach@sprintpcs.com; 562 208 7689 while in US; at the westin under cameron.

Share boat and hook ups, 50/50 We are a 35ish couple from the LA area and would like to share a nice fast boat and expense and get out to the big fish .

Hi Tom - When are you going - Ill be there 7/10-15. Todd tclongbeach@sprintpcs.com 562 208 7689 [%sig%]

My buddy Candace has openings for shared trips on July 10th,14th and 21st. Contact her at <fishingwithcarolina@hotmail.com>

Very hot and very humid. Will probably rain a couple of hours most every day in the early evening, sometimes extending into the night.

I am 17 and I just got back from a week long trip in PV. I'm not tall, big busted, or old looking. I look my age, sometimes younger.....I DID NOT GET CARDED ONCE! have fun ;) warning though- they WILL sometimes card the guys. They are quite generous to us ladies;)

Thanks JR IN PV.

Was there in Nov. 2002, had an amazing time, even with hurricane Kenna!!! The staff is great, food was excellent. The club on the resort is what you make it, if you really want to Party head into PV. Take the open air trip into the foothills and small villages, worth every penny - the tequila is not too bad either. The beach that you go to at the end is amazing, and very secluded.

Any questions, let me know, I will be happy to get back to you.

Andrew.

Note, double underscore in my email address.

Does anyone know if Paradise Village offers an all inclusive package? My daughter, getting married in December at the Grand Marival, is sold on the concept. However, the Marival is turning out to be a pain to deal with so I'm looking at alternatives. Any ideas? Bill

phone cards are fairly inexpensive, also, most of the internet cafes offer inexpensive rates to the world. if you live here, i found one that as of now, i pick up my phone and have a dial tone directly to my home town in the us with perfect reception. i get free long distance thruout the usa and canada. the best thing, our family and friends can also call us and it is a local call for them too. if you want to know more about this, let me know. my email is dennym1@hotmail.com

bringing an animal from mexico into the united states is very very simple. all you have to do is go to a local vet here that can give you a health certificate. he will check the animal. make sure it has all it´s shots, check general health, fill out the certificate and presto. it is a done deal. just show this to customs in the states and you are home free. i hope this helps. denny

Perhaps your efforts would be better spent if you were to focus your energy on the homeless dogs in Colorado instead of importing more to add to an already urgent situation. If you really want to help, set up a clinic in PV with a task force to gather up the stray dogs and fix them. Males and females. Snip snip is much easier to stomach than bang bang.

If you want to help the unwanted dog situation in Colorado. Adopt an ex-racing Greyhound,you will find lots. We got 2 from Loveland. They make marvellous pets,clean /quiet /very friendly /and contrary to popular opinion,do not need lots of exercise /and as they are used to the leash are very easy to walk . When their racing days are over (when they stop winng money ) they are killed or sold to medical labs or in some states released into the desert!!! There are lots of Greyhound adoption groups. When we got ours they were spayed/neutered,wormed ,vacinated,all dental work done ,and came with their special collar and leash.

[%sig%]

Has any one stayed at the westin regina? we are staying there and I was curious. I just found this board or I would have posted sooner. anyway, let me know what ya think so I know what to prepare for. I would also be interested in chartering a fishing boat with someone and sharing the expense. E-mail me at jdfife5@yahoo.com.

Hi.. i was just wondering what some good buildings would include.. (quiet would be best!) and could you please tell me what the weather is like around the middle of august! Thx so much!

Hi there...

We are going there in August.. is there weather there the same? thx!

Hi there.. we are going there in mid august and i was wondering what the weather is like at that time.. and if anyone has been there. is there a good quiet building to go to?? thx a lot!

Yes, the weather in August is about the same as July.

Hot & Humid with a couple of hours rain late in the day, thunder and lightening, if you're lucky. 'good quiet building' ?

oh just a building to relax in without much noise! thx

Hotel, Bar, Restaurant ...... Stadium ????

Stadium? Is that the name of the hotel.. cause i know there are 5 buildings there.. i was wondering what the quietest one would be! thx

No JR, you're not going crazy. Sharron, this thread does not mention that you're asking about the Royal Decameron in Bucerias. You only mentioned it in the R.D. thread. So no wonder JR has no clue what you're talking about. If you'll go to the Royal Decameron thread, which is just 2 down from this one....and read all the posts on that thread...you will find some discussion on the different buildings.

We stayed at the Westin about 3 years ago and enjoyed it very much. I believe it is a 6 star hotel and worth the high rating. The pool and grounds are superb, the beach is not much to brag about. It is small, steep & lots of stones. The hotel staff is excellent. If you like to play golf, the Marina course is within easy walking distance. Part of the complex is a time share, but a polite no thanks to the sales person and we never saw them again. Enjoy.

Sharon, can't comment on the good buildings question. Weather in mid-August is hot and humid, it's the rainy season (not every day, but very commonly rains real hard in the late afternoon for an hour or two - with thunder/lightning). If you're not used to high heat and humidity, it can be quite uncomfortable.

We are looking to go to PV in February for softball. What hotels are near the fields and are they AI and kid friendly. Any information would be appreciated on the softball and hotels.

Sounds good anyone have any idea what the weather is like there now (July 2003)? What is the best weather site that is accurate.

Thanks Sue

Yes DJ , our room was just off to the left of the elevators. Nice room and a great view too.

The Riu Jalisco is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Nuevo Vallarta. Check out my website for photos: www.geocities.com/riujalisco. I just checked the prices for Nov/Dec (before Christmas) and the rate is only $49/nt per person! Email me if you need help making reservations or have any specific questions about the resort.

My wife and I will be going to Royal Decameron at the end of the week... two quick questions... is there any decent snorkeling areas near the hotel beach? are there a lot of insects (mosquitos) around this time of year? thanks

No on the snorkelling near the beach. Water is not clear enough. Though nothing compared to the Caribbean, the best snorkelling spot is the Marietas Islands; you can do a day tour with several companies or bus out to El Anclote beach at Punta Mita and hire a boat to take you out there (you may have to provide your own equipment there). Yes on the mosquitos. Rainy season brings all the little critters out to play. Take bug repellant and use it especially when you're around a lot of vegetation.

My wife would like to do a little snorkeling as well as relax on one of the island beaches... Does anyone have some experience with the various tours to either Los Arcos or the Marietas Islands? Is the Marietas Islands worth an all-day tour? thanks.

The Tres Marietas would be much better, especially at this time of year the water clarity will be better, plus far less crowded.

los arcos gets my vote. dove both many times and los arcos always had something to offer. take the bus to mismaloya and hire one of the many boats for an hour or so. it is fun swimming thru the tunnels and around the islands. plus after snorkeling you are not far from the fish shacks for a good meal and a bus ride home.

I've snorkelled at both and I agree that the Marietas Islands have the best water clarity. You can either take a day trip tour there which usually includes a continental breakfast, lunch and relaxing time at a beach off the mainland or you can bus out to El Anclote beach at Punta Mita and hire a panga to take you out there. You may have to have your own equipment there; I'm not sure as I always carry my own. There are no real "island beaches" around PV. Marietas have a tiny little beach that you can snorkel to, but it's not a place that you'd stay for any length of time IMHO. There are other beaches that you only reach by boat, but they're not on islands.

My understanding was that snorkling was included in the 'all inclusive' package. I wonder what they do if the water isn't clear enough.

Could be misleading advertising. Lots of A/I beach hotels will list snorkelling as an included feature. Guess they figure anyone can don snorkel, mask and fins and swim around in the water. You're just not going to see anything but maybe some sand and a rock here and there. There are gentle waves that come in there around the RD and snorkelling in waves isn't much fun anyway.

You aren't really allowed to land on the Marieta islands, it's a protected bird sanctuary.

wondered how much a taxi to puerto vallarta town center costs ,and is there any alternatives to get there.

Thanks for all the input. Because of time constraints, we ended up going to Los Arcos with Chico's Dive Shop ($20 for a half day trip!). Best deal we could find and a pretty good amount of water time. Clarity and fish were pretty good. Actually better than expected, but not quite the same as the Caribbean.

Just got back from the RD. They do not have snorkeling equipment at the resort, but as mentioned above, there really isn't much to look at near the resort. We went with Chico's Dive Shop on a half-day snorkel trip to Los Arcos (only $20). The clarity and fish were better than expected and would recommend if you want to do some snorkeling (equipment included).

how much is a taxi ride from here to puerto vallarta town center ???any other good ways to get there instead of taxi ?Ken wrote: > wondered how much a taxi to puerto vallarta town center costs > ,and is there any alternatives to get there.

Would appreciate link to photos. (and some price info) am planning upcoming return to Ricon....

Have been there many times, but not for the past couple of years. I understand it is much busier and many more tourists than my favorite sleepy village used to be.

axm

Hi We are two university students who are looking at traveling to the RD for reading week 2004. The price is good and the facilities seem nice......does anyone have any comments/experiences?? Is there much to do as to night life.....is the area resonably safe??? Any replies would be much appreciated.

Thank you [%sig%]

Hi everyone. One of my neighbors out here in Nuevo Vallarta has asked me to help sell her place. It's drop-dead beautiful....massive, elegant-yet-rustic, huge beams throughout, 40 foot ceiling over the entry, winding staircase, 7 bedrooms, 6 baths....heated pool....oooh-weee baby. It's also right on the canal in Nuevo Vallarta, in a fantastically lush, beautiful area. The canal is navigable and provides ocean access for your good-sized boat. Check out the web site for lots of color photos of the interior, exterior and surrounding area....plus the Nuevo beach club area, and all the data we could think of that you might need: angelfire.com/amiga2/oasispv If that doesn't show up as a clickable link, no hay problema. Just copy it with your mouse and paste it in your address bar.

[%sig%]

how much? gg

too much if you need to ask ... but nice [%sig%]

$850,000 US. A bargain. (There is a much-lesser house up the street for $1,100,000 US.) Here's the link again. I'm going to put the html around it and see if it works as a highlighted clickable. (I'm new to this board and not sure what the system is yet.) <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/amiga2/oasispv"><b>VILLA OASIS</b></a> If it's too pricey or way too much house for your needs, another neighbor of mine has a much smaller, more affordable place for sale, also in Nuevo, but not directly on the canal system. Go here: <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/rings/colorado"><b>VILLA COLORADO</b></a> [%sig%]

I have booked at trip to the Riu Jalisco for two weeks in September. I noticed in one of their brochures that they have a rifle range. As an enthusiastic shooter, I was very interested, and wondered if anyone had attended the range? 1. What is the cost? 2. What sort of pistols/rifles are available? 3. Is this is rifle only range, or pistols as well? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. William

Just use the following with brackets (><) in reverse order http://www.angelfire.com/rings/colorado [%sig%]

Since having guns are illegal in Mexico, I doubt there are any real weapons involved. When we were at the Riu, I think they had some kind of mock range competition, where kids competed for certificates and prizes. I wouldn't expect anything like what you're thinking.

Can anyone give me an overview of their experience at the fiesta americana???Thanks,,,

I brought my dog Napo back form Mexico City three years ago, he is great but very spoiled now lol. As the above poster said, just get a health certificate from a Mexican vet, then I needed some kind of government document before he boarded, got that at the airport. He has his green card now and even had eight mexican-gringo puppies with the beagle next door. Joel in Miami

www.geocities.com/neraasen2002

We are going to PV August 17th and we are staying at the Rui Jalisco. I have read the messages as far as good rooms go, can you tell me if there are any smoking rooms? We would like a smoking room, kind of on the quiet side with a good view. Doesn't matter if it is close to the pool or not.

Thanks, Rose

We were at Riu last december. YES, they have Rifle shooting beside the Gym. It is free, the days and time is listed on the Activities Board, We had target shooting every day at 10:30 AM. Shooting is free. The best shooter each day gets a "Diploma" at the Theater just before the show. The rifle is a Mexican Mendoza Air rifle, very accurate and high powered, .22 caliber. The distance is about 10 meters. The backstop is the Gym wall with carpet on it. I collected 5 diplomas in one week. (No big deal) Good luck.

Hi there, I'm trying to book a trip for the end of AUgust but I'm worried about the rain. Does anyone have any weather advice for PV in August?

?? Asked and answered by pvdeb

You are one of many who are the problem in this country and Mexico. Why would you ever think it is okay to add eight more to the problem of the homeless, mistreated and unwanted that roam the streets? It is bound to be as cheap to have your dog spayed or neutered as it is to raise litters of puppies until they are old enough to either give away, or, is all too common, dump out in the country or in neighborhoods under the false hope that all will find good homes before they starve or are run over in the streets or killed by disease or wild animals.

I was wondering if anyone has any pictures of the Entertainment Crew from the Royal Decameron in Puerto Vallerta. I was there this past June 03 and I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to - especially of all the awesome entertainment and shows. So if anyone has any pictures to share I would be ecstatic! Thank you very much! mmccutch@hotmail.com

I was just wondering if people had any pictures of their trip in Puerto Vallerta at the Royal Decameron if they would post them. I was there this past June and I didn't take enough pictures. I would greatly appreciate it! Take care Marina :) mmccutch@hotmail.com

Here is a Webpage that has some pictures: http://www.mybcoutdoors.com/mexico.htm

Bob: Just booked 10 days at Velas Vallarta (marina) thru Alaska; $2110 for two in one bedroom, All-inclusive. Hopefully this price includes food!!??

If your trip was booked as all-inclusive, it will include all food and drinks. The Velas is a beautiful property.

Thanks pvdeb. I was getting worried when "Bob" said a studio goes for $200. I just came from Velas web site and one-bedrom is $175. Don't know where he's getting his info. Asta

pvdeb. Called Alaska today and confirmed...yes, $$ includes room/food/drinks.

I'll be going at the end of October and will let you know what I think at that time.

thanks for posting your website! It was greatly appreciated!

My husband and I plan to visit Viva Vallarta Christmas week 2003. He is a surfer and we heard a rumor they have surfboards there hotel guests can use for free - is this true and is the surf good in Dec in front of the hotel and north of there? Also, we would like to go sport fishing, do they have boats that leave from the hotel, or near it? How much $? As well as scuba diving? Is there a local bus stop (I've heard it's much cheaper to ride them then a cab) near the hotel? Does anyone have a 1-800 # to the Viva Vallarta? What activities would you suggest for active travelers in this area? -- we like to do everything! Thanks!!

Does anyone know what the weather in Puerto Vallarta is like in October/November?

Great! It's still hot in the day, but a little cooler in the evening and not as humid as summer. The rainy season is over, so chances of rain are less. Everything is green and lush and the rivers are full.

We have 2 people traveling to PV Oct 4-11th and was seeing if another 2 people wanted to share a boat. We usually go with "Fishing with Bruno" and usually runs 450.00. We would like to know if anyone wants to split this cost. Dates are flexible.

Brian

barb, excellent price. bob probably pulled the studio rack rate out of his buttocks. actually the $200 for a studio was pre all inclusive. vv went ai around june/july, to everyones surprise. as i recall ai is $85 usd pp. so you got an excellent price for those 10 days. as far as the food goes, its great. they started theme night. one nite its, chinese, south pacific, argentinian, italian, mex etc. vv also makes great pizza which you can order 24/7 in additon to your regular meals. drinks average around $5 per, so again what a bargain you got. order a couple of pizzas and beers and we will drop by. if you like walking the beach, head north for about 20 minutes to the little fishing village on the river that separates the states of jalisco and nayrit (sp). stop in at george's (the place with the surf board) for a cold beer and or shrimp and fish. the best most entertaining time is sunday afternoon when the locals by the hundreds turn out. you can't miss having a great time.

I would love to share my pics with you, but we left our camera in a taxi :( But on a good note. The hubby (who lost the camera) promised to take me back and not loose the camera!

Bob, thanks for the great information on food (not that I need any more!). Looking forward to a wonderful 10 days at Velas Vallarta. Stop by and say howdy if you're in the area...you'll find us glued to a lounge chair on the beach. Bring a crowbar with you (ha!). Just ask for Patty or Barbara. Hopefully there won't be any others with the same name. Tooda-loo.

JoElla.......get that 'promise' in writing (ha!).

Somebody has a boyfriend!!! *wink*

hola barb, you most certainly will enjoy the 20 palapas on the beach to lounge. and yeah the beverage servers do deliver. for daily activities, pool aerobics, beach/pool volleyball, intro to scuba etc. the marina bus stops infront of vv and for 4 pesos (10.5 to $1) it will take you to old town (olas altas) for a look see. not sure when you arrive but currently turtles are hatching. this past week at around 2am there were about 40 people on the beach watching as the turtles made their way to the water. see don at the guest relations desk for more info ( tel #69) on release schedules. well i could go on and on but will stop here. you most certainly will be enjoying your stay, it is a great place.

Bob, Patty and I will be at Velas 11/4 to 11/14/03. If anyone else is there during that time, stop and say 'howdy-do".

DESEARIA OPINIONES DEL HOTEL MORANDA, SOBRETODO LA DIRECCION.GRACIAS. ALGUIEN HABRA ESTADO EN EL, DIGO YO.pUES QUE ESCRIBA DANDO SU OPINION.gracias.

We are considering renting a 2 bedroom suite at Hotel Encino for 3 months this winter. Has anyone on the board ever stayed there and if so, what is it like for a long term stay. How is the location????

Huh?

Does anyone have a contact phone number from the United States to reach the hotel (Mercedes would be great) or the wedding coordinator? We're getting married there in 6 weeks and I'd like to make special room arrangements and get some ideas for the wedding ceremony. Any information on what they offer from a wedding standpoint would be phenomenal! Thanks in advance!

I'm going to PV for the first time the end of Aug. I was wondering if I should take travelers checks?

Depends on what you're going to buy? You can exchange traveler's checks at hotel. I take money for beach vendors - they love USD! Some people are wary of using credit card, but I've never had a problem yet. Where are you staying? I'm going to PV on 11/4 to 11/14. It's going to be hot (90 degrees there today), so don't overpack.

Hi Jerry, Thanks for the info. Could you give me Mercedes Feirrera's e-mail address? Thank you, Rick

Although the Club Viva is very nice, for you I would recommend the Grand Marival because it has a much better Disco.

The beach vendors don't 'love' USD, they will take them, but you won't get a good exchange rate. They can't pay their electricity bill with dollars and would have to line up at the bank to change them. The days when the pesos was fluctuating wildly are over and the pesos has been strong against the dollar for over a year, so they are not as popular as they were. When in Mexico use pesos, it's good manners. The best exchange rate can be had by using your ATM card, make sure it has only a 4 digit PIN. The ATM machines dispense pesos, the country's currency.

Hello.... My wife and I along with another couple are head down the last week of September... My wife is a biting bug (mosquito, noseems, knats, etc) magnet. We were in the Dominican Republic last year and she has 50+ bites on her legs. I had 3. She is a trooper....anyway Are there alot of biting bugs? Suggestion on products home remedies to repel and stop itching greatly appreciated....

tjk: A sheet of "Bounce" fabric softener is suppose to ward off bugs. I haven't tried it, but one of the golf courses here (southern Idaho) issues them.

Hi again; I loved the riu jalisco so much last year I am going to the new riu cancun. Here is the ultimate riu website with info and pictures of all riu hotels and great trip reports.

http://www.riubambu.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=topics jerry P.s. Let me know how you like the website

my oh my what an interesting event at the vv beach last night. had a bud call me up at 6pm to get on over to vv. there on the beach was a great big turtle laying eggs in daylight. pretty interesting as she lay the eggs and circled the nest covering up the eggs. what a site. vv has a nesting program on the north side and quickly recovered the eggs after the turtle left. they were replanted in the protected enclosure. something to remember.

This resort is close to Punta Mita. Surfing is supposedly good in that area and north in Sayulita. I'm quite sure that you'll be able to find surf boards to rent in Punta Mita, as well as boat transportation/fishing/cruises. Buses run between Punta Mita and PV regularly.

this website has their 800 phone number, etc. http://www.geographia.com/bestfitacc/hlinfo.asp?Hotel=877&agency_id=0

<<"When in Mexico use pesos, it's good manners".>> I agree. Have seen many visitors to PV over the years complain about having to deal with pesos, squawking about exchanging, etc. Would we here in the USA and/or Canada except pesos from a visiting Mexican? No way!! Why should it be different when we we're in their country? It shows such a lack of respect, IMO.

Ok, JR & Janet.....I stand corrected about the "love" thing, but I'm still taking $$ to PV

Hey, Leslie........are you back from VV in PV? Just wondering how you like the place. E-mail me. Barbara

We flew with Air Transat last January to P.V. It was OK but a little cramped when it came to legroom. Can anybody advise me on flying Air Canada out of Vancouver? They are charging an extra $110 per person. Also has anybody booked through "itravel2000.com? They quoted $4,414.00 (cdn) all included whereas my Travel Agent quoted $4,870.00 (cdn) all included. That's a savings of $456.00 in my pocket but we're a little nervous booking online. We don't know what to lookout for and any precautions to take.

Thanks in advance...

[%sig%]

Kim: Encino has two locations, we stayed in the hotel but there is another building for long term renters.

The location of the hotel is in a busy part of PV. It was too noisy for us and our daughter's asthma flared up while there, possible from the exhaust from the many buses that pass by. The final straw was getting hassled by a timeshare hawker that had a table set up in the hotel lobby.

Buena suerte, Henry

Ask your travel agent to match the price of itravel2000.

That's what I have always done. Whenever I find a good price, I contact my local travel agent and she has always matched the price. I found a good deal last May with itravel2000 and she did match their price.

Have used www.selloffvacations.com the last 2 trips out of Edmonton. Very good prices and good service. Booked on line with no problems.

Thanks Henry: You have answered my question. I think we will probably head a bit north right out of PV as we have many memories of the busy busy streets when we visited there for a week or two, not to mention the time share salespeople. That is fun for short term but could get a little annoying for 3 months. You help is appreciated!!

Hi all - I'm going to be visiting PV in Oct and can't wait! I'm going to be staying at the RIU Jalisco and I'm wondering if anyone has had good experiences with a company that does resort certification Scuba and also snorkeling trips? I'm think of doing both while I'm there.

Also, if anyone knows of good snorkeling locations around the PV area I'd appreciate that too! Thanks in advance! [%sig%]

Hi Kim: How close to PV do you need to be? Also, how many bedrooms and that kind of stuff are you looking for? Henry

Hi Megan, Vallarta Adventures has some good snorkeling and scuba diving trips: http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/english/scuba_diving.html Also, if you want to experience scuba diving but are unsure if you will like it or not, they have an "exploratory" option. For your safety, you will dive to a depth not to exceed 40 feet with a certified divemaster. Then, if you decide that this is the recreation for you, you can sign up for classes to receive your diving certification.

We would like to be within half an hour or so of PV and would prefer 2 bedrooms. There are just the two of us and not pets and we would pay up to $1000. US. English TV is a must. Do you know of any place??

We are taking an april trip for spring break! we were wondering if there will be any other soon to be college kids there.aka will we meet people our age there. Are all the bad reviews you here true? I really hope not! if anyone has been there for easter break please reply! thanks! lindsay

Going to Riu Jalisco again Sept 13 for a week. Went last yr a couple weeks later. We are from Denver and previously Edmonton. We are in our late 40s and sure hope there arent toomany kids this time. Would liekt o have tried somwhere different this time but the price was too good to be passed up. If it is as good as last yr, it is a heck of a bargain. Let me know if you are there the same time and perhaps we will meet.

Bucerias might have something for you.

Another PV site you should post your question is http://pub69.ezboard.com/ftodopuertovallartafrm1

Talk about a tough question!!! My experience w/ Transat involves being delayed at both originating airport (TOR) by more than 12 hours ("we don't have a plane (later) we have a plane but no pilot") . and more than 7 hours on return leg. Additionally very cramped seating & at least 2 cases of food poisoning from improperly stored frozen meals inadequately heated for serving. Both before getting to Mexico. Apology for not having special meal ordered directly thru their ops centre ( so no excuse about travel agent didn't call) but attitude re: redirecting our chartered plane to pick up somewhere else (for extra profit) while we cooled our heels was : We have your money,it's non-refundable and non transferable and as long as we get you there sometime we've filled contract. Here's $6 go have a snack! The flight delay game was played out on us on another trip to Margarita as well!.......Now Air Canada.....recently in Toronto A/C was the only airline not flying on time, all charters and even regional jets (including regionals owned by A/C Jazz, Tango ) left on schedule but due to break down in back up power to main flight systems for A/C their premium tickets left all their passengers sleeping on chairs and floors for more than a day. Due to reduced staff (to save money) at height of busy period line ups of several hundred people per agent nearly led to walkout and strike by customer service agents harassed to tears by rightfully angry "loyal" customers. Since then , the Blaster worm took out their computer systems leaving staff to have to manually check in everyone for several(2?) days. See lineups above and requests to arrive at airport 5 or 6 hours early! You don't mention how many of you or where staying (if included) but price for even 4 persons doesn't;t sound like big bargain to me. Check Air Alaska for pick up in Vanc. I'm hearing flight only(RTN) as little as $450 Cdn (plus asst charges) on dates up to Feb/04. Good hunting!

I'd vote Ixtapa, but I'm 50+ and don't need the party. Love to play in Big surf and can deal (mostly) w/ undertow which only accompanies bigger surf. With Zihua (pretty fair sized Mexican city now, lots of shopping etc.) with authentic Mexican feel for day tripping only 10 minutes away by cab $8, 1/2 hr by bus. PV is great party town and fabulous for shopping with very friendly residents. Bucierias is quite nice and about 40mins(?) out of town. Huatulco..Welcome to the Jungle! (heat, humidity & insects). IMHO limited selection of everything v/s PV. Manzanillo like Mex. version of San Diego: Working Port and main bay not for swimming. Nicer outside of town but not my favorite. Have always found Pacific side has more laid back , Mexican "West Coast" friendliness comp. to Cancun. Playa del Carmen for Carib side or for quieter :Isla Muhueres (sp?). Mexico: still my favorite SUN destination! :-}

To Sandy Beach, Sounds like you had a rough time to say the least. Ouch! Since I posted, I think we're going to book through itravel2000 for $4414.00 for my wife and I for two weeks at the Melia Resort in January. Before I do, maybe I'll take Danille's advice and asked my local travel agency if they'll match the price. If they don't, then I guess it'll be our first On-line Booking. I guess you have to try everything once. Wish us luck, either way, we must start 2004 in P.V. Too much potential for a good time!

Hey Sandy Beach, that story is even more spectacular than the coca cola story last year. Boy oh boy you sure must put in some awful nights trying to sleep while coming up with rediculous tales such as this. Why don't you just stay home, apparently you have not had a good trip yet.

Good luck in the future oldtimer. Hey, why not write a book?

Harry Take Sandy's tirade with a grain of salt. The price you quote for your stay at the Melia sounds about right to me .The Melia ia NOTone of the popular cheapie places with horrible AI. I checked Air Alaska prices for Jan 04 ,cheapest I could find was 477 $ U.S. ! We stay at the Melia and fly Air Alaska.

Hey Kim, ¿Qué pasa? Believe it or not, 50 plus years gives a tremendous supply of mostly useless and pointless knowledge but some of it you save as it may help you or someone else. I can tell you there''s a pot hole in the road but if you insist on walking backwards down it.... Passing on experience (along with books) is what keeps society from going backwards (hopefully, sometimes..) Anything I've posted has been from real life situations...perhaps I've led and unusual life?:-}

Harry! I happily stand corrected! With your further info, $2200 each isn't too bad for 2 weeks. Do you have a west coast branch of BelAir Travel out there? They've always ended up $2-300 better than anywhere else I've tried, especially with early booking discount and no need to do the online thing. Real people. Yes I do have good trips. I don't take AT anymore (after dropping $10,000+) learning a lesson over several tries. You'll love it. Wish I were there! :-}

Not a good spring break area. Nuevo Vallarta is a quiet resort area (where the Riu Jalisco is) that caters to families and people looking to just kick back and relax. If you want a more "exciting" nightlife book a hotel in downtown Puerto Vallarta which is where all the clubs and bars are. The Nuevo Vallarta resorts try to curb all Spring Break activity. If you're looking to have a Girls Gone Wild type Spring Break, you're better off going to Cancun or even Jamaica.

Anyone stayed here (Puerto Vallarta)? Trying to decide between this one and the Holiday Inn. Thanks.

Hi, we are considering the Royal Decameron. What did you think overall? How was the food? Food is important to us. How about the cocktails? Was it good liquor or cheap stuff? Did you take any tours outside of the complex? Anything else you might ad that would be helpful is really appreciated. Thanks!

Hi, we are considering the Royal DeCameron in January. May I ask how the food was? That is very important to us. How about the cocktails? Were there name brand liquor or the cheap stuff? Any other comments are appreciated.

Did you on any excursions? Any good ones? Thanks for your help!

Denise, We have only heard about Royal DeCameron's food from a very small group of people - so I wouldn't take this as any sort of gospel! We talked to a few people who were staying there, and they came into Bucerias for many of their meals because the food at the hotel wasn't so good. Now, this was almost 2 years ago - things change - and usually for the better. Don't know about their liquor selection.....have heard that many All Inclusives offer watered down drinks, or "cheap stuff". You can buy your own bottles of booze/mixes in Bucerias if the hotel's fare isn't good.

Thanks, well we definatly are looking to kick back and relax during the day, but at night we may want to go out for a while! Will it be to much of a hassle to go downtown at night? please let us know! thanks! we already put our deposit down, do you think we can change it? [%sig%]

I would say the food is average , 2 buffets and a few reservation restaruants ( 3 or 4 If you think the drinks are watered down, have them add more for u....Polo was very accomodating with this : ) We had a very enjoyable vac in Feb there

Going downtown isn't much of a hassle because there are literally hundreds of taxis in and around town. You can usually get rides from 10-12 dollars (100-120 pesos) for a one-way trip to and from the Riu it all depends on how well you bargain with the drivers.

I wouldn't back out of the reservation, but then again I'm biased because I absolutely enjoyed our vacation this past February enough to go back this October 18-25.

hi hope you can help us with a couple of queries we have. We are going Oct for 2 weeks to Royal Decameron but want to know if the sand is white or golden, the pictures in the brochure look white but descriptions appear to differ can you put us right? Is the water blue or turquoise? Is it clear enough to snorkel? are there any fishes, the colourful ones? What's your opinion of the food ? Did you find the drinks weak? We have booked our holiday but people's opinions seem to differ so much regarding quality of the food, hope you can help us and would appreciate a speedy reply. Many thanks. Dave and June

This site is awesome for getting infomation on P.V. BUT, why don't all of you that seems to want only to talk about Riu Jalisco start your own website. I mean come-on, other postings get replies from 4 to a dozen but anything to do wih Riu gets 109? All you ask are the same questions over and over. START YOUR OWN SITE! Riu Jalisco is not the be all end all.

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This site is awesome for getting infomation on P.V. BUT, why don't all of you that seems to want only to talk about Riu Jalisco start your own website. I mean come-on, other postings get replies from 4 to a dozen but anything to do wih Riu gets 109? All you ask are the same questions over and over. START YOUR OWN SITE! Riu Jalisco is not the be all end all.

Melaniel, I couldn't agree with you more about all the posting about RIU Jalisco. I have a feeling someone connected to this message board has an interest, possible financial, in creating lots of interest in the place. I personally can't understand why anyone would want to stay in an all-inclusive place like that anyway when PV is so full of wonderful restaurants. If vacationers just want to spend most of their time in one place and eat cafeteria-style food most of the time, they don't have to go to Mexico. I'd recommend getting a modestly-priced hotel somewhere south of the river and ejoying more of what Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

I have read about a school in PV that you can go to for certification in TEFL. I believe it is called University English Teachers. Does anyone here know anything about that school? Any information would be helpful.

SO DON'T READ THIS THREAD,IDIOT. IT SAYS RIU JALISCO REPORT.WHY SHOULD YOU CARE .GET A LIFE LOSER.

I can't agree more. There is so much to see and do in PV. Why would anyone want to go to one resort and stay there and eat only there all the time? We have never taken the all inclusive because we are always gone someplace, doing something at mealtime. Fun things, like horseback riding through the Sierra Madre mountains, shopping all the shops in town, boat trips to see the whales, or across the bay to Yalapa. Everyone should eat at Chico's Paradise at least once. This restaurant is half way up the mountain, with a river running through the middle of it. "I have no financial interest in PV or any of Mexico." My wife and I have been to PV three times over the years and we still see new things every time we go back. Get out! Have some fun! With all the wonderful restaurants to choose from, why would you want to limit yourself like that? We have never stayed at Riu, but we stayed at Paradise Village, and they have excellent food. We just don't want to be tied to one place all the time.

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Hi Nate, I found this on the internet, but I don't know anything about them: http://www.project-masters.com/UET/ I don't know much about teaching English, but I remember reading something on one of the Mexico discussion boards. There, one person was claiming Mexican schools that teach English often use their own programs to evaluate perspective teachers and do not rely much on outside certifications such as TEFL and CETA. I don't know how true this statement is, so if you are planning to teach in a particular school, you might contact the school to find out what their requirements are. Otherwise, you might be throwing away time and money.

Case in Point??? ------------------------- The most prestigeous school in Puerto Vallarta for teaching English is called Proulex and is part of the University of Guadalajara ( http://proulex.udg.mx ). I believe they have their own training program and certification for their English teachers.

Best Wishes, Matt

Hi all, I was thinking of booking last minute for this upcoming weekend but I'm confused about the name of this resort.

My hotel listings have 2 resorts that sound similar, but I'm not sure if they are the same.

1 is Decameron Complex, the other is Royal Decameron. Are these 2 seperate resorts? If so, can anyone tell me which is better? Thanks in advance!

The Royal Decameron, the Decameron Complex, Tropical and Flamigos all refer the Same Hotel. There are 3 sections, the Royal, the Flamigos and the Tropical. Email me if you want to know more. Been there twice.

Shame on you Jerry. I'm just pointing out something that is quite obvious. I've been hooking up with this site for about a year now, and it seems that anything to do with RIU gets an explosion of postings. I really do think that there is some kind of conspiracy to artificially enhance the this resort. I've been to PV for the past 5 years and I DO know that there is life outside of Riu. I do have quite a nice life and I'm not an idiot so Shame on you again Jerry!

Well, we've decided, I took Danilles advice and asked our local Travel Agency if they would match the price of itravel2000.ca and guess what? They did! So... we've booked for $4414.00 CDN for 2 for 2 weeks AI at The Melia Resort in January. Sweet beverages are waiting for us! Thanks for everyone that replied.

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I have to agree somebody is getting some kudos to keep advertising the Riu every other day it seems. Don't get me wrong I have been there and it is a very nice place but come on now lets get some other postings man.

I could help myself by not responding to Melanie......

To Melanie: Shame on you Melanie for a person that has been using this site for over a year and flames people for posting about a vacation destination. I do not know why you posted such a ridiculous comment here, nor do i care. The beauty of the internet, is allowing people the freedom of discussion boards that are being used the way they should be.... I do agree with you that are alot of repeated questions.. So what! If the webmaster does not care, then you should not care. If you still do care, the contact the webmaster with your concerns not the people posting. Like the old statement goes...... If you don't like looking at something, then don't look at it, but DO NOT intrude on my personal freedom! To everyone else: I apologize for not posting about the resort. I will be there on Sept 28 through Oct 4. If you are there at the same time, I will buy :) you a drink in support of freedom.

Please make this the last comment about this topic.

Hi to all, Wondering if anyone can give us information on traveling to Puerto Vallarta via suv. We plan on leaving from McAllen Texas, as this seems to be the most direct from Houston, if anyone know's a better way, don't hesitate to tell us My husband and I have never done this before, but have planned to make Puerto Vallarta our winter home from Dec.1 - Mar. 15th /04. Looking for ideas on places to see and spend afew days at a time when we are in P.V.

Any suggestions, on where to overnight and how to plan this trip would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Elena.....you might want to go to Todo Forum bulletin board and post your question. There should be some great advise and suggestions. Just a thought......

Chris: Don't understand lack of responses. Try entering Fiesta Americana in search engine at top of page, Should be several reports over the last 1/2 - 1 yr. From memory of posts generally pretty good. Enjoy! :-}

I'm with all of you who wish the Rui Jalisco had its own news group. Its not in Puerto Vallarta and don't dsee why they keep posting over and over again. I personally don't care for all inclusives, and stay in Centro south of the Cuale when I stay in Puerto Vallarta. I normally rent an apartment for the month and I usually go 2 - 3 months out of the year. I thoroughly enjoy Vallarta with its hundreds of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops etc, and never tire of going there. I'll be there next month for the month of October, and as I said before I wish that we could keep this site strictly for Puerto Vallarta.

YES! Riu has it's own Forum. Here is the Web Address: (Just scroll down to Riu Jalisco.) http://www.riubambu.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=topics

Hi there, I'm coming for my first trip to PV (or anywhere else for that matter) from the 27th of Sept. to the 4th of Oct. I have been searching the net for info on the fun things to do and a couple have piqued my interest. I was wondering if anyone has any information on either the 'Pirate Ship' cruise or the 'Rythems of the Night' cruise? In specific I am wondering about what's included (Drinks, Dinner etc.), how long they last, the price and the quality/overall value. I have also read that very often if you go to one of those 'time-share' presentations, you can get some of these cruises or even cash for free. If so, does anyone have any recommondations for which presentations offer the most cash or the best cruise/perks. I am more than willing to sit in on a 4 hour seminar in order to help pay for my trip or entertainment. Any insight you can provide would be most appreciated. Thanks and i'll see you all in two weeks!

Check out this Tepic to Manzanillo Road Log: <www.emilebymile.com/main/mexico/jalisco/state_200/mexico_jalisco_road_map_logs.html> Adios!

My daughter taught English at a private grade school in Bucerias with no credentials at all. She's bilingual, which made it pretty easy for her. She was just out of high school (in USA) and, besides 3 yrs. of high school Spanish, took three 2-week "intensive" Spanish classes at the Univ. of Guad. in PV. She was amazed at how easy it was to work in the small town of Bucerias - having bilingual skills was the key. She is now taking a TEFL/TESL course on-line as she'd like to be able to teach English in Mexico on a more full-time basis with an FM-3. She'd love to have her own little school where she'd teach "grown ups" English, offer tutoring to Mexican kids and English-speaking kids.

you may want to try sunholidays.ca. i have found they are the cheapest over the net. great prices. just a thought for anyone looking for low prices.

Well you cullybaggers why don't you just get an Alaska Airlines visa and get your buddy pass. You pay for one fare and a buddy can travel with you for $50!! You get a new buddy pass every 12 months plus your frequent flier miles. We have used our credit card enough to travel to PV the past four years and not pay airfare, just taxes (depending upon the tax rate, but this year we paid $90). Can't beat that!!!! Happy traveling - jk

Well, JK, sounds like you have the inside scoop on paying for travel, or should I say the lack of having to pay for travel. My problem with the "buddy" system is that I have no buddies!

JK, don't forget first class upgrade coupons!

Melanie, Have you ever been to the Riu? I have and it was wonderful , last I heard we are still allowed free speech. If you dislike the Riu so much why keep torturing yourself by reading the posts over and over again? It seems that there are those who use MB's to "vent" their anger. By the way, we all know the Riu is in Nuevo Vallarta, so maybe you should contact the travel agents and airlines that book this trip as "Puerto Vallarta". I am sure your input would be appreciated...NOT!

Well stated Kim.

The resentment is understandable, as this board tends to be populated mainly by people who like Puerto Vallarta and enjoy reading others' impressions of it. Periodically it gets swamped by waves of newbies chasing the Riu's loss-leader prices; it's like sitting at a favorite outdoor cafe in Paris enjoying a cappucino and people watching, when suddenly a bus pulls up and debouches a swarm of loud Americans on a charter tour onto the sidewalk right in front of your table, all yammering about the Eiffel Tower. Compared to PV itself, the Riu Jalisco is nowhere.

We stayed at Solare Sunset Bay about 4 years ago with some friends for 2 weeks and we absolutely loved it. We liked the fact that it was a smaller resort as you got to know the staff. They were helpful too. The rooms were clean and we had no problem with rowdy people at night. The shows were well done and we enjoyed the food. Also liked the fact that the beach was close to the washrooms and bar. you didn't have to walk a mile to get to your room either like some of the bigger resorts.

The 4 of us just booked to go there again in Jan./04 Can hardly wait! I like it much better than being closer to P.V. The beach is better, you can actually go in the water and boogie board. Also you can hop a bus and go into El Centro if you want. Which is an experience in itself. We highly recommend going to PiPi's in El Centro at least once. GREAT margarittas! Food was good too.

This will be our 3rd trip to P.V.

Two other times we went to Cancun/ Mayan Riviera. Much prefer P.V., it is quaint compared to Cancun.

( We also stayed at the Westin Regina in P.V, much prefer Solare and all inclussive. Having to shop for food and cook and also trying to decide on a restaraunt to go eat at for all the other meals was a big pain in the butt. The food at Westin Regina wasn't great and it was quite expensive.) The jungle jeep tour and the Whale watching excursion were really good as well.

I'm rambling on but the point is that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend going to Solare if you want a quieter resort.

The Spanish classes at the Univ. of Guad. in PV are quite good. A big difference in taking the Spanish classes in Puerto Valarta vs. taking them back home is that the teachers at the Univ. of Guad. don't speak English. So, you've go to start learning Spanish from day #1!

Matt, did you take Spanish classes in PV at Univ. of Guad? We're still amazed at our daughter's experience there summer of 2001 after high school. First of all, she was alone, so no one to speak English to. She moved in with one of her female teacher's homes when the teacher's husband left the country for awhile - no English allowed. Her last class of the 3 that she took had only one student in it - her! So she and the teacher (male --- ahem!) went on "fiedl trips", she picked up so much on the culture in addition to the language - WOW!! We were nervous parents up here in Seattle - but she did so well.....and she's shy. Think what a real gregarious person could do!!! She's very proud to be bilingual and she uses her Spanish just about every day now that the Latino population is growing in our area.

I've heard the taxi fare from Nuevo to town is around $12.00, which sounds about right. You can take the bus once you get up to the highway for probably less than a $1.50.

looking for any info on the holiday inn. is it a nice resort? what is the food like? what are the rooms like? how close to town? trying to decide on a place to stay and any info would be a great help. thanks

Hi Janet, The cab fare is around $12.00 -the bus is cheaper but by the time it gets to the Solare (last stop) it is standing room only. However the very resourseful cabbies would wait until there was six to eight people standing at the bus stop by the Solare and just before the bus arrived a van would pull up and offer a ride to downtown PV for 3.00 per person. The ride back was around 12.00 and what a fine ride it was. The road thru Nuevo Vallarta is so lush and quiet compared to the hustle bustle of Puerto Vallarta. Both are great .

www.vallartaonline.com has info on boat tours, and all sorts of other info. You can contact them directly if questions aren't answered on the website.

I don't know which time share presentations give boat tour freebies. We have purposely avoided those presentations because, one, we're not interested in buying, and two because we read/hear how much pressure is applied, how rude the sales people will become, etc. when you decline. I just can't bear the t hought of anything unpleasant when on vacation in paradise - no freebie is worth it to me......but maybe it'll work out for you.

Have a great trip.

111 there that makes 111, this is just a long thread and I sort of like it. We when to the Riu last year and it's nice to see what other folks thought of the resort. And as to the AI blasters that is just your own feelling. Some folks like not having to go anywhere but the swim-up bar and the beach. What ever floats you boat!! Say Hi to David and the rest of the crazy kids when you get there

Janet, Great story! Good luck to you and your daughter:)

Chicago- Thanks. I need all the luck I can get in convincing her to stay here and finish her college education before moving to Mexico to teach English, tutor Spanish (or whatever)!! Her heart is there - no doubt of that - and I don't blame her for wanting to be there. She has such wonderful Mexican friends in Bucerias, and I really do envy their lifestyle. They have very little - but they know what's important in life and what isn't. She's counting the days until fall quarter is over (just started today!) so she can go and spend 3 weeks with them.

Janet

have a photo entered in a contest featuring the Balloon Man on the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta.

There are only 2 days left in the contest and I am so close to winning a few extra dollars towards my next vacation.

Please help by voting for the balloon man photo at this website: http://www.cwtleisure.ca/photocontest/index.cfm Your help is greatly appreciated. Darlene.

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Hi Janet, Sorry for the long time in responding to your question above. I have just moved to the Atlanta, GA area after an absence of several years.

I took Spanish classes at the University of Guadalajara, in PV, during the month of February 2002. Our intermediate level class had about seven students ranging in age from 18 years old to an elder gentleman who would never give a straight answer about his age. It was a lot of fun (and work too). The teacher had a "piggy bank" that he would use to collect a 1 peso fine for anyone caught speaking English or French in the classroom. Spanish was the only language permitted in the classroom, but the teacher was very patient as we would try to express what we wanted to say as best that we could.

Regards, Matt

Hi Darlene, I have already voted for your photo, so I cannot vote again. I hope that anyone on this board who has not voted yet will help you out. Good luck with the contest and best wishes for your upcomming marriage.

Regards, Matt

Does anybody have information about hotel Casa Corazon?

Does anybody have information on this hotel?

this is not a real singles place

I will be there for a week 27th of Oct I will let you now how it is ok Keep in tuch bye for now Patches

Sorry thats the 27th of sept Patches

my girlfriend and I had spent 7 days at the royal decameron in Nuevo vallarta and it was nothing short of spectacular. That was our first trip to mexico and if it is yours you will not be disappointed by being on the west coast. The food was excellent, the drinks were great (and made by the fastest bartenders I've ever witnessed), and the resort staff was very friendly. The club has nightly shows, as well as a disco, which I wasn't too impressed by ( they mostly played oldies and greased lightning style music) but served as a good place to continue drinking late at night. There is security around the complex 24 hours a day, and if you take a resort offered day trip, they make sure that you check in and out at the right times.

Judy, e-mail me and I can send you some info.

Sorry! It helps to leave my e-mail address. pdupont12@charter.net

Does anyone have any recommendations of cute little places to stay on the beach in Bucerias or Sayulita? We will be going in January.

two bad room, diningroom, living room, kitchen, one bathroom, garage, 3 blocks from the beach. 38,000,00 usd.

two bad room, diningroom, living room, kitchen, one bathroom, garage, 3 blocks from the beach. 400 mts2. 28,000,00 usd.

Check www.las-palmas-travel.com, for one. Another thing to do is plug "vacation rentals Bucerias" into your search engine. I use Google. Lots of stuff will come up. Also check www.vrbo.com. Good Luck!

We love the Solare. We have stayed there several times the last few years in October and May. We have booked again for January 5, 2004. The staff at the Solare are simply great. The rooms are simple and clean. The housekeeping staff is very good. The food is above average for an AI. The quality has varied from each time we have stayed there. The only negative thing I can say about the resort is the lock boxes are at the front desk and not in the rooms, but that is only a minor problem. We have stayed at resort that did not even have lock boxes! If you like walks on the beach, you will love the long stretches of beach. While you are there take the walk to Buceries. It is about an hour walk from the Solare. If you are tired when you want to leave Bucerias, you can take a taxi back to the resort. If you would like some pictures of the resort, just email me at soapguy@rubadubsoap.com and I will send you some.

Yes, about 6 yrs ago and it was great. We have since bought at Paradise Village and go twice a year. However, a great deal came up through II so we are headed to Villa del Palmer next week. I hope it is still as great as it was the first time we stayed there. Have fun in PV--so many wonderful restaurants!!! Enjoy

My daughter stayed at the Holiday Inn in OV this last June and loved it. She did the all inclusive option and really enjoyed the food. She has travelled Mexico quite extensively nad really liked Holiday. It is a reasonable bus or taxi ride to central PV.

We're going to Mexico for the VERY first time and I'm VERY excited :) Decided to stay in PV area because we like mountains, culture and Ocean of course. I found condo rentals next to Presidente InterContinental Hotel and I am wondering how's that area? I understand it's a bus ride away from downtown but that's fine. We're in our 30. but not exactly social animals. Would like to walk a lot (wondering if that board walk is by the ocean and can we take it all the way to the downtown sometimes?) and would like to get a feeling of how locals live as much as possible. Would prefer not to be in the middle of touristy areas and wondering if it's safe to walk around all alone (using common sense, of course). I have so many questions, can't even wrap my mind around it yet :) Any suggestion is more than appreciated. Thank you all!

Try Jaltemba Bay Folk message board, you will find it very helpful.

Papa's Palapas in Sayulita looks like a neat place to stay! Check it out. Go to www.sayulita.com.

I am a certified elementary and middle school teacher from South Dakota and spend at least 3 weeks a year in Puerto Vallarta. I have taken two years of spanish in high school and two semesters of spanish in college. I would love to be able to teach English in Puerto Vallarta. Any idea of how I should go about this?? I will be in Puerto Vallarta in December and January. Thanks in advance!! --Jill

We stay at the Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort. It is right in the middle of the Romantice Zone, about 7 minutes by cab to downtown, right on the beach, all-inclusive, great entertainment, great food, bars. We loved it so much that we bought a timeshare! Check it out.

Where is this house from Puerto Vallarta? Is the price $28,000.00 USD? Do you have a site where I can see pictures of this?

Thank you, Peter. IS this the board you were referring to or somethign else. Sorry I'm new around here so I might be missing somethign obvious. http://members5.boardhost.com/CasaLibertad/ Then again, why did you suggest that board and why Jaltemba Bay? Thanks!

Very safe walking around, but not from your condo location to town, no sidewalks and a long way, take the bus. You may be able to find a condo rental closer to town on the south side <http://vallartainfo.com/rent.html> Have no idea what "Jaltemba Bay Folk message board" has to do with your questions.

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Thank you JRinPV. The link you provided seems to be very good. I didn't mean we would walk to the downtown regularly (apparently bus stop is right in front of the condo building) but i read about board walk being there so I thought it might connect all the way to downtown. It's 5.3 miles so it's a nice walk being that we like walking a lot. I don't know the area so every location i read about seems to be just as good as any other. It's hard to make chose.

ok wi have two houses in punta perula one is in 38.000.00 and other in 28,000.00 usd. the houses is to 2 hours of puerto vallarta,if yuo want send yuor E-mail. wi take pictures and send back for meil. sorry for may english. atte. linda

Uoops whatever happened to my english :) I meant 'choice' of course :)

I was wondering if anyone had stayed at the Rio over New Year's and had a couple of questions: Does the hotel have a New Year's Eve party? What about downtown Puerto Vallarta? What is the weather like at this time of year? Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

I have been staying at Villa Del Palmar since 1989. If I had a choice I would definitely choose VDP over Holiday Inn.

Hi - There have been several discussions recently on exactly this topic on the following site : http://www.b2g5.com/boards/board.cgi?user=jerryannemexico Apparently there are several very nice and not overly expensive houses or condos you can rent around Sayulita - some of the pictures will make you dream.

Tom

Thanks so much!

Thanks, Marie.

Thanks, Tom.

Does anyone have any experiences with these two properties? Thanks.

THIS SPACE FOR RENT!

Hola everyone we will be staying at the RIU for the first time on OCT 25th, can anyone tell us what rooms would be the best for 3 adults 2 kids? our site www.bayofnavidad.com

Try www.sayulita.com Adios! mexicomexico.info

Wondering if anyone can help us. My husband and I are planning on driving to Puerto Vallarta the end of November/03 from McAllen Texas. Anything we need to know about driving and tolls, accommodations along the way, where to stop and where not to. Has anyone done this before? and if so, would greatly appreciate any input We will be making P.V. our home base for a 3 month period, any ideas for day trips and 2-3 days away would also be helpful.

Thanking everyone again, Elena

Haven't made that drive in years, so don't know current conditions. Take the toll roads - Cuota, I would only stop to sleep and get to Vallarta fast. A trip up into the Sierras would be nice, see <http://vallartainfo.com/outerlimits.html> [%sig%]

Just got back from RIU.... what a wonderful time... Considering it was the rainy season we had no rain for 7 days. Everyday it was in the 90s. The resort was beautiful, the service was outstanding and the food was good. My wife and I said we would definiately come back...we have be to Sandals before. With exception of nice little Sandals kits (shampoo, body lotion, ect), gourmet sit down dinners, top shelf liquor and pool rafts I did not see much difference. The price difference make the decsion a no contest.

The main resort is "U" shaped. We stayed on the 6th floor one of the tips of the "U", the only elevators were at the center of the "U". Needless to say we got our workout.... Just an FYI Some people to look for: Leo - bartender at one of the theater bars... he puts on a heck-of-a-show behind the bar. Gilberto - Bartender the the pool bar.... he took care of us quite well And last but not least, Roger. Roger was one of the guys that gets you involved with pool and beach games. He made a laugh everyday and took care of anything we needed.

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Bravo to you Rap! You hit the nail right on the head. It amazes me how many postings the Rui gets. I'm sure there is a boiler room somewhere that houses people just sitting and responding to build-up the Rui any chance they get. When somebody has a question about any other resort, be it All Inclusive or not, they might get a half dozen responses and then fades away in the sunset. We've been to P.V. for the past 3 years. Twice in an AI Resort and once at a private Villa. In all fairness though, I've never been to the Rui and maybe it is an amazing resort but like wow man 115 postings. Something smells fishy even in Mexico!

I totally agree! NO MORE RIU, PLEASE.

I am driving from Indiana on November 1 and arriving in PV on Monday, November 3, then returning home on December 20. Will be crossing the border at Laredo. As soon as I arrive will let you know my routing and toll amounts. Can't wait - I love an adventure. This will be my first time. Got insurance thru Lloyds and don't have to pay until I arrive in PV. Taking a 6mos policy - cheaper that way - if you don't use it all - you got a % refund.

Let you know the details after I arrive.

hey losers with no life; Don't read thread that says Riu Jalisco.It is very simple.

We 1st stayed there about 5 years ago and liked so much we have since bought several timeshare units off the internet. It is very clean, well maintained and convient to downtown. I also would choose this one over the Holiday. when are you going??? [%sig%]

We are going to PV 4/4/04-4/11/04. At this time we are also considering Los Tules. We like that it is in the hotel zone plus it has a unit that will fit all 8 of us (3 adults/5 teens).

We are heading down to PV on Oct. 19 and wanted to know if we would have a problem finding a place to watch the World Series. We're Cub fans and feeling a little optimistic.

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I would go to Hooters or No Name Cafe.. They are both on the Malecon.. Go Cubs!!

Thanks abunch for everyones input...re thought the route via McAllen and have now decided to cross at Nogales Tex...seems to be a more direct way. Not sure where we will be stopping to overnight...but won't be driving after dusk..Insurance has been purchased for 6 months, hopefully no problema with a 4 mos. tourist card!! Would really love to hear from anyone who has traveled this route and surrounding area's for short get aways from Vallarta....Nov. is almost here....

Happy Thanksgiving to all

Hola Linda! Thanks for responding! My e-mail is ilovepuertovallarta@yahoo.com. You said it is 2 hours from Puerto Vallarta; is that north or south?? Muchas Gracias! Jill

For everybody's info, Mercedes Feirrerra no longer works at the Riu Jalisco, therefore e-mails directed to her are returned. The general e-mail address remains the same.

I will be visiting PV next spring and want to bring home some of the beautiful sinks fron the tile factory in PV. Has anyone done this since 9-11? Are the prices still about 60 american dollars and did you get to carry them on the plane? Thank You

the houses are to the south of Puerto Vallarta good bye and thank you.

Hi Matt, What were the Spanish teachers names in Feb. 2002? My daughter is going down during Christmas break (3 weeks in Bucerias!!) and thought she'd stop by the school when she's in PV to say HI to everyone there - if there's anyone still there she knows.

Regards, JanetJill from sd wrote:

Hi We will be in Guayabitos Jan 6th To Feb 23/2004. We are looking for a reasonable place to rent. Please e-mail us. re location and price etc. Thanks. Dave

My teacher's name was Jorge. I wish I could remember his last name. I have it written down in my notebook, but the notebook is at my house in Puerto Vallarta and I probably won't be there for another two or three more weeks.

Jorge would be about 44 years old, today, and as I recall, he teaches at a high school in Puerto Vallarta when he is not teaching Spanish at the Univ. of Guadalajara. He is a very good cartoonist, which helped immensely in getting the meaning of words across in the "all Spanish language" environment. The speed that he could produce intricate drawings was really amazing.

j&a: I don't think you'll be disappointed - unless you're expecting to be close to PV and all it has to offer. But you can easily get there by bus or cab. You'll be very close (about 15-20 minute walk) to the town of Bucerias which is a really nice, friendly little town with plenty of restaurants, stores, a few shops, a big flea market on Sundays (across the highway - walk up the river bed, unless it's too wet, of course). Also not far (by bus) is Destiladeras Beach (north on the way to Punta Mita) - a fabulous beach for swimming, walking, boogie boarding - there's a restaurant there. Have a great time!

I did some checking into this place when our daughter was looking for a place to stay in PV while she took Spanish classes. The price was good but we decided it was a bit too far from her school, restaurants, etc.) It seems pretty "rustic" and simple which isn't a bad thing at all. Beautiful beach just a bit downhill, and there is at least 1 restaurant there on the beach. As I recall, a light breakfast is included in the rental price. No air-conditioning. check this site: www.zianet.com/corazon/

David, Thanks for your interest in our rental house. It is, however, rented for the period of time that you are interested in. You can go to the following web site for more info on the house for future times. www.vrbo.com/25491 Thanks! Susan [%sig%]

is there someone i should contact to reserve a specific room at royal decameron? we stayed at the flamingos and were hoping to stay there this nov.and are the birds doing fine in bucieros?

go red sox.almost anywhere will have it on. use sunscreen [%sig%]

We are going to P.V. in January for 2 wonderful weeks for the second time. We went last January and one of the things that our resort activities person mentioned to try, was check out a certain beach about 1/2 hour public bus ride north of The Marina Area. He said it was somewhat secluded but very pristine and assessible and to spend a full day there. We can't remember the name or how to get there. Can anybody help with this matter? Is there any other suggestions?

Destiladeras or El Anclote, maybe?

Here is some info that may help.

Destiladeras is a nice wide beach to the North with palapa restaurants, good body surfing, and boogie board rentals. Los Veneros beach club is just past Destiladeras. There are two oceanfront fresh water pools, gourmet dining, beach front bars, a daily show featuring rare tropical birds, and artesian quarters where you can watch local craftsmen produce traditional arts and crafts. They also have water slides.

Anclote is a narrow beach to the North with many palapa restaurants and calm water. El Dorado restaurant has many recommendations. There are a number of vendors on this beach, you should pay about 1/2 of their asking prices.

Now thats xcellent information!!

Thank you so much Sundevil. They all sound great. Maybe we can make 2 of them in one day. Perhaps the first two. Are they both acessible by public buses and would we have far to walk?

Get the ATM bus to Punta de Mita, it goes to both, El Anclote is the end of the line..

The only secluded and pristine one is Pontoque which is just past Punta del Burro. There is a second one that is also secluded and pristine several kilometres before Anclote but the water is quite shallow there unless there is a high tide. Anclote and Destiladeras (Los Veneros is part of this beach) are very nice but not at all secluded.

i am going in November 2003 with my daughter and her boyfriend (18). Can you give us some tips on things to do? Can they get in the bars? (She is 17) without any hassle? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

I found this link to a housing development at playa Pontoque. This beach had a reputation for good snorkeling, depending on the wind.

http://www.puntapontoque.com/

No Name Cafe is a great sports bar , alittle noisy but the shooters are great! Most of the Hotels View Sports on Satellite! Have a great time, We are there every January at the Krystal Hotel! Randy

Off the subject...is there any horseback riding? The grandparents are taking their 2 sons w/ wives and kids we head out Jan. 28 any info. helpful also- can you really e-mail the resort to get a better room (view)?

We stay in Bucerias (about 15 minute walk north of the town square) on the beach at Bungalows Los Picos - a Mexican owned/operated hotel. It's "motel" style, only 2 stories, all rooms are "bungalows" which are like a small apartment with kitchen, dining areas and bedroom(s) separate from living space. There are 2 pools. Very friendly staff (it helps to know a little Spanish - but not necessary). It's pretty "tacky" compared to the usual tourist hotels in PV area - but it's MEXICAN and we really like that.

http://www.sunworx.com/board/bucerias/index.htm

Hello: I am going to be in Puerto Vallarta Dec 25 to Jan 15. I was wondering the conditions of the beaches, particularily around Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort and what was formerly Las Palmas. We were there last December and Jan and there were wires, cement, etc on the beach as remains from the hurricane. Has anyone been in this area recently to see if the beach is back to "normal"?? Thanks, Jill

I was wondering if anyone has stayed at Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort since February 2003?? Wondering if the pool bar is up and running and also wondering if they have a band at night, poolside, at Plaza Las Glorias (same hotel, just next door). They used to have a band play there called 'Genesis'. Any of you Puerto Vallarta residents or tourists to PV know if they still play??!! Thanks! Jill

Sun Devil that is shocking to see they are going to develop that area. Pontoque is just around the corner from where the houses are going.

Thank you all for your comments on the RIU Jalisco. We are travel agents From Niagara Falls, Ontario that have been traveling to Puerto Vallarta for over 18 years, we think that it is one of the best destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean for the value, friendly people, good weather and quite safe, we have also driven to many other locations from PV with no problems. We will be staying at the RIU Jalisco for the first time and reviewing it along with many others in the area during this November.

We will be back with our reviews.

Can I please have Mercedes Feirrerra's email address so I can request the rooms you suggested.

Thank you

is there fishing ? marlin or the like?

their are several fishing excursion operators offering great deep sea fishing.

hi, just wondering if you could help us. we are planning to go to le kliff restaurant. just wondering if you had any idea where this is in relation to the rui. is it very far?? we can't seem to get any directions. thanks alot

hi, just wondering if you could help us. we are planning to go to le kliff restaurant. just wondering if you had any idea where this is in relation to the rui. is it very far?? we can't seem to get any directions. thanks alot [%sig%]

hi, we are going down in december and are planning on whale watching. can anyone recommend the best tour company for a 4 hour tour. thanks

can anyone tell us the best place to have drinks and watch the sunset??? [%sig%]

Open Air Expeditions is, IMHO, the best. See http://vallartawhales.com not a great designed site (they are re-doing it) but the company is very good.

Cuates y Cuetes, down next to the pier at Los Muertos, is a very popular place for the local gringos to celebrate the sunset. Well, any excuse for cocktails.

Hi Yes the beach and the resort are all very nice. You can walk for miles ... north or south...

We have been staying at this resort since it was a Jack Tar Village.. Have seen the many changes over the years. Would highly recommend this hotel. We are already booked for our return 17th visit in January. Actually it is my husbands 17th and my 18th visit as I was fortunate to return at the March break with my sister.

The hotel staff are fantastic and the animacion team work very very hard and yes very long hours.

Go and enjoy....lots to do if you wish or you can choose to do absolutely nothing and just enjoy the hospitality, sun and scenary.

Don't forget to get your picture taken by George at approx 7 p.m. He takes a wonderful sunset picture. Only $10 us. It is worth it...

If you have any other questions or would like some further feedback...just email me and I will be glad to answer.

Wendy Thompson

Hi Jill! We were there at the Pelicanos in early April 2003. We were there for almost 2 weeks. The pool bar was completed within the first few days we were there, and up and running! It looks great! They worked hard on it and finished it. We kind of got to see it all come together, and then we had plenty of drinks from in the pool! Can't help you out about the band. We didn't see any bands while we stayed there. Sorry. Hope you're doing well in SD! "Hi" from WI~!

I was just wondering, now that is it the 1st Anniversary of Hurrican Kenna, if you are all celebrating and having parties down in PV?!?! I heard there were to be parties upon the anniversary! I would love to hear about them...Wish we were down in PV to celebrate with everyone!

Hello all- We just got back from our second trip to the Riu this year and would like to share the following: 1. It is HOT!! If you are travelling within the next month or so, bring plenty of underwear, shorts and t-shirts. We found ourselves showering 3-4 times a day.

2. Definitely go to Bucerias. There are 2 small streets where vendors set up. Their prices are more than half off the cheapest price you can get in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The selection is not as big but there are also some items we did not see offered downtown.

2. When in Bucerias. Go to a SEAFOOD restaurant called CAPRI. It is about a block down from the taxi drop-off point (50 pesos from the Riu) along the shoreline. The food is excellent and the service is top notch. Many American and Canadian locals are regulars. Try the Lobster special (200 pesos) They remove the tail meat, cook up shrimp and octopus in a tasty cheese sauce then stuff everything back in the shell. The grilled octopus is also excellent as is the prawn platter cooked any way you want. We only found out about this restaurant the Friday before we left but ate there our last two days.

Enjoy!

FYI- I don't think Mercedes works at the Riu any longer. However, anyone who works the front desk is more than accomodating. We were initially given a room without a view (not in the courtyard) but asked for a room with a view. We were given a way better room the following morning after departing guests checked out. It was room 6172 which is part of the main building, not the two side extensions. This provided us with a great view of the courtyard, the ocean, and perfect sunsets. I recommend asking for rooms along this area because they keep you away from the disco area which can be very loud at night especially with all the people who stay out at the outside bars all night long.

Hi Rachelle!! I am glad you got to experience the pool bar; I can't wait. We have had gorgeous weather all Fall and are now going to head into our first snow storm and temps only reaching 25 degrees Fahrenheit!! Yikes! So...needless to say, I am counting the days, 59.5 to be exact, until I arrive in beautiful PV! We were wondering how the beach is in front of Pelicanos. It was kind of bad in Dec.

Please keep in touch! adios, Jill P.S.: Can you recall the names of the people on the entertainment staff. We had such a great time with the staff last year and hoping they are still there!

Just curious, how many people read the first post and started humming the song from Gilligan's Island? "Four hour tour"

Cuates y Cuetes is my husband's favorite place in Puerto Vallarta! With Pipi's running a close second.

Be sure to have the Nachos, great with the Pacifico.

Hi Jill... The beach was still not good in April. Pieces of tile and debris washing up on the shore all the time. The beach is rough and rocky and narrow. When tide was in, the water almost reached the wall. Almost the full 2 weeks we were there they also had the "red tide". (Marea roja?!?! I believe they call it.) Which comes and goes. So we didn't go in the ocean much...At least not by the Pelicanos. However, April was months ago, it may be fine now. I believe it takes Mother Nature years to recover from (that strong of) a hurricane though! It is also cool here in WI. Right now it is 39 degrees outside (at night). Snow flurries possible tomorrow. YUCK! I am forgetting the names of the staff there. I know there was a guy named Paris. I'll ask my sister/family if they remember and I'll get back to you!!!

S-K-I-P-P-E-R!!!!!!!

By the way, while you are hanging out at your favorite beachside spot, keep an eye on the bay. Sometimes the whales swim in close enough to easily spot them.

ditto CyC.

Also, watch for the "green flash" of light just before the sun disappears below the horizon. It only lasts for about 1 second and it will be on the top edge of the sun just as it "touches" the water.

The rooftop bar of the Cuatro Vientos, a small, intimate hotel up the hill behind the church in town. Unbelievable hilltop sunset view and fantastic margaritas.

Just returned Oct 18 after just a week at Villa del PalMar and it was great. Just as good as it was 6 years ago. They've added a third pool, right on the beach. Our room was immaculate and they were refurbishing rooms and getting ready for the high season. We had heard that the timeshare people were non-stop, but we were only approached at check-in, said NO and were never bothered again. A couple of minor things came up and they took care of things immediately. Only had lunch on the property twice and dinners were always in town. The deli was great for lunch sandwiches and drinks 2or 1 at the pool were great. Not a 5 star as listed but a very well-run, top-notch place--I would recommend to anyone and know that families would feel safe and comfortable here.

Hi, I was at the Holiday Inn in June. We had complimentary rooms. It was awful and I would never go back not even for free. Quite yucky! The first time we ever stayed in Puerta Vallarta was at the Villa de Palmar. Definitely a step above the Holiday Inn. They are next door to each other so location and beach conditions won't be a deciding factor for you.

Hi, Check out this website: www.talavera-tile.com You can get an idea of the prices and even order online.

is velas vallarta the same as club velas vallarta????? 2stepgal

could you please tell me if club velas vallarta is the same as velas vallarta. the directions i have are as follows: from airport take road towards downtown. about one mile from the airport turn right towards downtown. pass shopping center, and golf course on right then turn right at the next corner. this takes you to into marina vallarta follow road which curves to right until you find velas vallarta on left side. is this the resort your talking about?? i am thinking of going to it but they advertise it as club velas vallarta so i'm confused. and i want to be near shops, restaurants, marina, etc. like you said???? pls help?? iam2stepgal@aol.com

thanks for answering... any way of getting some directions. we have never been to p.v. and have know idea where anything is.

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i went to puchase Frommers travel guide to Puerto Vallarta and was surprised that i couldn't find his usual version. i found the compact portable guide and saw he had the larger size for Cozumel, Cancun but NOT PUERTO VALLARTA. HEY i thought Frommer actually LIVES IN PUERTO VALLLARTA. IF SO HOW DISAPPOINTING OF HIM NOT TO WRITE MORE ABOUT THIS PART OF MEXICO. 2STEPGAL

I WOULD like to see P.V. next yr and enjoy a nice large pool (quiet) since we love to lounge and read without kids . our choices are Villa del Palmar , Velas Vallarta and Club Velas Vallarta. i also want to be near shops, restaurants, and have easy access to downtown. PLS HELP???? 2stepgal

Hi Rachelle!! Thank you for writing back to me. I am sure the beach is still going to be rough, like you said, for a while. When are you planning your next trip to PV?? We are going in December and then in May. I made a reservation through RCI for a timeshare. I figure, we have the weeks and they are paid for so why not go! Was there a guy named Ticho, Raymundo, Victor or Jerry working on the activities staff??? Just curious! Stay in touch! Jill

how far are the beachs at Los veneros from conchas chinas/? an hour??

Personally, I prefer the Moon Publication on Puerto Vallarta. You can pick that one up at about any Barnes and Noble for from the Moon website.

The trouble with printed travel guides is that, by the time they're printed, they're out of date.

The Premier is adult only and closest to town.

We are staying at the Villa Playa de Oro, over Christmas and New Year. Does anyone have any comments on this hotel? I noticed a couple of comments about e-mailing ahead ( another hotel) to secure a room with a view. Has anyone done this with Playa de Oro? Thanks, Sheila

Hello, We drove down from Oklahoma 2 years ago,crossed the border at Laredo,made our nights stop at Zacatecas...we loved that city!! From Zacatecas,you can easily drive on into PV the next day...we stayed at the Hotel Aristos going and coming back...we walked down into the town the first evening we got there,and decided to take a city tour,the Aristos can book it for you....our tour guide suggested two restaurants,we ate at one that night,and the other one on our return trip,,they were both excellent..

One suggestion I would make...before crossing the border,buy some sandwich stuff,water,snacks..for there is NOTHING between Monterrey and Zacatecas,,we were so glad we had our eats and drinks with us...

Have a good trip...if you have time,stop in Tequila and buy some of the real stuff!!!

The good news is that they usually give 180 day (6 mo.) tourist permissions when you cross into Mexico by car. When you travel by plane, many times they only give you 90 days.

So how is the Riu anyways ? I'll be going in Nov/03. And I've got SO many questions. Just kidding !!!!!!

Wow ! Isnt this a site for discussions on vacations etc ? This is depressing, I'm going to go slice my wrist !!!

buenoventura !!and they take your photo as wel

your bang on its right by the marina

Directions? see maps here <http://vallartainfo.com/bay.html>

HI! Sheila Stayed at Play de Oro in February and will be there again 11/28/ to 12/07 - we loved this hotel, as you can see by the repeat visit. We did not email ahead to request room with view - when we checked in they took us up to the room were assinged to, if we did not like it we asked to be moved - We had 10 couples - and the hotel accomadated all of our request to change rooms. I am sure if they are full there may be a problem. I remember some of our group had to wait till the next day for choice rooms to be available. Have a great time and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Elena: I sugest you to do what Maryann say: stay at least for a night at Zacatecas and then head straight to PV. Zacatecas is a very beautifull colonial city and you can visit mines, just walk in the city or go to "la quemada" ruins. Important: I don´t think you need to go to Nogales. Just drive from McAllen to MTY (the road is Ok, just be carefull while you pass by presa el cuchillo).

The trip should go like this: McAllen - MTY - Saltillo - Zacatecaz - Aguascalientes - Guadalajara - PV

I'm glad I came across your comment. I will be staying at vdp Nov 15-22 and it is comforting to hear good comments. We have never been to pv and we are looking forward to it. I hear alot about the time share people but when we went to cancun they are all over the place but we told them we own one and they left us alone.

Cabs are cheap in PV and they'll all know where these places are. Enjoy!

Snip, Snip, rather then Bang Bang. Take care of your own backyard first is what I say. There are alot of stray dogs and cats as it is. Why would you adopt from another country? Also, how would you know if they're not happy in Mexico and all you're doing is depriving them of a good life with ther buddies in warm climies.

Hey!! I am heading to magnificent Puerto Vallarta in December and would like to try out the beach 'Las Caletas' that I have read about in a travel magazine. Does anyone know if it is possible to go to Las Caletas by water taxi and not have to do the "booze cruise" (even though I would like to try it sometime)??????????? Also...has anyone ever been to the spa that is at Las Caletas?? How was it?? Thanks!! Jill

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that Vallarta Adventures ran the all of the operations at Las Caletas: http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/english/las_caletas.html

The reason people want to stay there is two words ALL INCLUSIVE !!!

Hello i have heard wonderful reviews about this site....So here goes.. We are planning to travel to PV and or area for 2 weeks between Jan 15 and Feb 15th. My husband, myself and our 5 year old daughter. Having a very hard time picking somewhere to stay. Go all inclusive or not?? Spend the whole 2 weeks in one spot? Heard wonderful stories about Melaque as well. Plan was maybe try one week P.V. then 1 week Melaque... do not think we wanted A.I. for the whole time. Then people tell me it is so expensive in PV to go out and eat. How would we get from PV to Melaque?? Any advice anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks so much. (Husband is not a traveller so trying to convert him with this trip he finally agreed too) [%sig%]

I would say go to one place and stay put. For a laid-back first time family type trip, Melaque is probably a better choice. Or an all-inclusive in PV. Trying to do both places in two weeks could be a bit stressful. My personal opinion.

I don't agree that it's expensive to eat out in Vallarta, if you stick to the south side of town you'll find some wonderful cheap restaurants, see <http://vallartainfo.com/puertovallartainsider.html#bar> Also some very good places to stay <http://vallartainfo.com/hotels.html#budget> Melaque is OK, but not a lot to do, I think you'll will get bored pretty quick.

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I would suggest to pick one of the AI in PV and stay-put for the 2 weeks and enjoy. Seeing this is your first time travelling into Mexico, and especially with a 5 year old, by staying-put in one place that would offer kid's entertainment, food that is consistant and a chance for the 3 of you to make some friends, would be paramount to making a decision. Might I suggest The Melia All-Inclusive Resort. It is close enough to the downtown core by local buses, (15 minutes) yet seems like paradise on its own. They have a fabulous itinerary for kids and you can feel very safe for your daughter within the resort. She'll love the kid's pool area! As far as your husband is concern, tell him to enjoy because there is no better time than now.

any sightings yet??? [%sig%]

Spending one week at an A.I. and the other on your own is a good approach; that way if you don't like one experience you maybe will like the other and will have one superlative week to remember. I don't know Melaque, but PV is great. Also I would not recommend the A.I. experience except possibly for first timers, as a way of testing the waters to find out what kind of travelers you are or want to be. I can assure you that PV is a very friendly place for tourists, and after just a short while there you're very unlikely to feel a need for any first-timer hand-holding. I chose it for my first visit to Mexico alone, and I had a great time, no worries.

I agree with jr, there are numerous restaurants to choose from that are not expensive at all!!! To tell you the truth, I have not run into anything that is expensive, except for 'La Palapa'. We also tried PV for our first trip to Mexico, and to any tropical place, and fell absolutely in love with the place. This December will be our 6th year. The native people are so friendly and want you to have the best time while in their country; they seem to love life and "no worries" is the slogan of Mexico. I think you will feel very humbled after visiting PV. I agree with the first guy, stick to one place for your first time. You may find it was more stressful trying to hop from one place to the next, having never been there, and be worn out at the end of it all. Good luck and have a wonderful time!! Don't drink the water, drink the margaritas!!! Adios, Jill

We have seen numerous whales from Playa Las Glorias dive in and out of the water, water spraying out of their blow holes!! We were just getting ready to retire from the beach for the day, about 4:45p.m., and my friend who runs the YoYo's parasails spotted one and the whole beach was in AAAHHH. They jumped for a good 1/2 hour. The next day, around the same time, we again spotted the whales. I can't describe the feeling and the wonderment that I felt about these magnificent creatures. Hope you are able to see them.

We would get bored spending 2 weeks in one spot. Our first time there we stayed in three different places and only ventured as far as Bucerias. Later trips took us to the towns to the North, our next trip will be South to Melaque.

During those dates it should be easy to find accommoations. I would get reservations for the first couple nights and wing it after that. A fixed schedule might drive you crazy.

Get some ideas of what towns look interesting and catch a bus heading that way. Don't burden yourself with lots of luggage and have an adventure.

If your husband is not going to take the lead then you need to do the research. That's the way most every family works. My 2 cents, Henry

We aren't big fans of AI resorts, although I'll admit they are great with young'uns (we have a daughter now aged 7 and have been to 2 good AI resorts in the past 4 years - very enjoyable if you choose well). While I have no personal knowledge of these resorts, I've heard very good things about the Melia and also the Marival for kids. Both too apparently have good food. The Marival is well out in Nuevo Vallarta, closer to Bucarias than downtown PV, meaning that it is both more isolated and too has a nicer beach, etc. The Krystal, which often isn't AI but is a big resort with pool, restaurants on site... also seems to have a good reputation, and sometimes they have significant sales on their Spanish-language web-site.

If you do decide to stay downtown, I'd trust JR's suggestions - he really knows the options well.

FYI - I've read several nice reports about Sayulita, located a ways beyond Bucarias. It is a small town, great beach, with a few hotels and several nice homes/appts you can rent. It too might be a great place for a slow-paced vacation, if you are abit aventurious and hopefully speak abit of Spanish. There was a thread on Sayulita here - a couple inches down the list on this site. Another source of info is a small "funky" forum that focuses more on less touristy places in Mexico. They don't have archives of past threads/topics, but will respond quickly to questions.

www.b2g5.com/boards/board.cgi?user=jerryannemexico Tom

I think you are thinking Boca DeTamalon. It is a public beach and there is a bus that goes there about once an hour. Actually it is just south and across the Tamalon from the Nuevo Mayan. We just walk up the beach from the Marina to get there and take the bus back. What kind of beach are you looking for and how adapt a traveler, since there are swimming, boarding, snorkeling or sunbathing beaches. With or without palapas.

You can ride on the beach at Punta DeMita. We used to ride with Valentine, but didn't see him there last spring. In PV call Pam at Rancho Charro, or she has a web site. Her son has a VERY good restraunt that is buffet style that all the locals frequent.

Reading the responses, I started with one answer but after thinking about it changed it. We usually spend a couple days in PV, rent a car and go south to Malaque/Tennacatica or north to San Blas/Tepic, but that is us and we know the area. OK, for my HUMBLE opinion here goes... PV is more metropolitian. Shopping, nightlife, tours, buses, a wider selection of accomodations and has US grade water. Melaque, LaManzinillo, Tennicatica & Barra are small fishing villages. Really nothing to do but RELAX. There is a traveling Market in each one day a week. As a first timer you will find more than enough to do over two weeks. And if you are adventurious, you can catch a bus and take a day trip north to Sayulita, Punta De Mita & Bucerias or south to Mismaloya & Yalapa. Or there are boat and land excursion tours, I would recommend Eco-Tours or Vallartia Adventures, horseback rides Rancho Charro. After years of visiting, this last spring we just spent a couple days just taking the bus through the "BURBS" and found things I never realized were there, There are several fine churches in the area and I like the church in Pitillal much better than Guadalupe in PV, the view from the tunnel is grand..... As for the AI, we never do that, but then again we are more adventurous than that (Why I hate Cruises). It usually costs $40-70 a day per person and you can eat at most anyplace in town for that. You also do not get to savor the atmosphere of the area stuck in one place. Email me with your likes and I could possibly give you an idea what to plan for. OTHER 1st TIMER TIPS: A couple things to get, that I ALWAYS find handy and bring along is a large NYLON collapsable cooler (needed on the beach & works as an extra piece of luggage if needed on the return) and a foldup plastic beach mat. There are plenty of ATM's so don't worry about exchanging cash (just remember the withdrawl amts are in $pesos not $US). Things that are imported to Mexico can often be purchased cheaper up north at WallyWorld, so buy things like silver and other local items. There are some VERY good jewelers that make silver custom stuff like earings and rings CHEAP. Prices go up on days the CRUISE ships are in town. Gads I'm going on longer than my better half. We may even run into each other since we are going to be in the area at the same time......

clinta said it bang on . but depending how u travel moving around can be time consuming.get a good deal on an a/i in nuevo and do day trips. the buses r cheapand as jr said there are plenty of great excursions from the beach or hotel.

Thanks to everyone for your replies re: McAllen border crossing. Everyone had such good suggestions which we no longer need. We are leaving from Phoenix on November 24th/03. The car insurance has been bought over the net with Sanborns for 6 months. Hopefully leaving Phoenix in the afternoon we are able to make it to Nogales border crossing and if all goes well, I understand it can be a very lengthly process! Should we drive through the city or take the truck crossing? Any ideas of where to overnight along the way? Cuidad Obregon, Navojoa, Culiacan..somewhere is Los Mochis...and of course Mazatland...then it should be a straight run...am I right? 3 days at the most....? Need to be somewhere near a t.v. for the famous Packers on Nov. 27th (my husband) leave me on a beach!!! with a margarita............. Any ideas, would be appreciated...time is marching on....only been thinking P.V. for 11 months. And I don't like changes...especially when everyone was so kind to send as much information as you all did...one more question...how much are the tolls? Thanks again,

Hola everyone I just wanted to tell everyone that we have alot of new photos up on our site of the RIU, we had a wonderful time there and would stay there again. The food, entertainment, people, beach, drinks, were all very, very good! The only drawback we seen was the kids pool being 4 foot deep, this is a bit to deep for smaller kids. We did get by though bye using a life jacket from the beach. The hotel and rooms were wonderful. We had very good rooms as we seen on here that you could try and E mail ahead and request certain rooms ( We had 5169 and 5170). Taxis were not cheap to town but we found a better alternative, take the taxi to the main road and there you can catch a bus that is much cheaper. Well enough about this trip and if you would like to post any comments or see some great photos please visit us at www.bayofnavidad.com Thanks and hope you enjoy the RIU "ROOSTER"

We stayed at the Velas and it was very nice, we have some photos up on our site of this place also. It is in a very good location since you can catch the local bus right out font. We wanted to stay there this time but they didnt have a very good special running! So we stayed at the RIU up north.

see the photos at www.bayofnavidad.com Have a good trip Rooster

Hola everyone I just wanted to tell everyone that we have alot of new photos up on our site of the RIU, we had a wonderful time there and would stay there again. The food, entertainment, people, beach, drinks, were all very, very good! The only drawback we seen was the kids pool being 4 foot deep, this is a bit to deep for smaller kids. We did get by though bye using a life jacket from the beach. The hotel and rooms were wonderful. We had very good rooms as we seen on here that you could try and E mail ahead and request certain rooms ( We had 5169 and 5170). Taxis were not cheap to town but we found a better alternative, take the taxi to the main road and there you can catch a bus that is much cheaper. Well enough about this trip and if you would like to post any comments or see some great photos please visit us at www.bayofnavidad.com Thanks and hope you enjoy the RIU

If you stay in Nuevo you may as well go AI, because you will find your self stuck on the property and miss the ambiance of PV. Nuevo is so far out you might as well stay in Bucerias (actually not a bad idea). I like to be able to walk or jump a quick bus to get to where I am going, so I avoid the area. Here we go again, how adventuresome are you, how much "luxury" do you expect and what is your budget. Like I mentioned we do not go AI in PV because you can eat out fairly cheaply. We usually get a condo or kitchenette if staying over 3-4 days and you may want to SERIOUSLY consider it also, having a kid. PV is a very safe place and easy to get around in, so we go "CANADIAN". I don't need fake Mayan temples, waterfalls in the lobby, 10 bus boys, a jeweler or tailor on premises, a security guard every 10 feet, not even (you won't believe this) someone telling me my nylon cooler/beach bag is not allowed by the pool. We look for a Suite that is clean, preferrably on the beach and a hot tub is always a fine extra. There are several sites like this, http://www.puertovallarta.net/, http://www.virtualvallarta.com/, http://www.vallartatoday.com/, http://www.allaboutpuertovallarta.com/ where you can get visitors comments and rating of different properties. PVnet has a very good search engine that searches PV hotels by category, location, activities or if it has a kitchenette and is a good place to start looking for a place to stay.

Hmmm, two words, "all inclusive" -- same reason for NOT staying at the Riu or anyplace like it.

We are thinking of going in Nov - what's the weather like?

We are thinking of going to Royal Cameron in Nov. What's the weather like?

Whoops, it is Boca De Tomate! ~ Boca De Tomatlan is the little village between Yalapa and Mismaloya. I get confused so easily.... Manzanillo, La Manzanillo. de Tomatlan, de Tomate. Pitillal, Pitallal, Colimo, Colomo and there are some SMALL places a couple miles apart that are spelled the same....

Nov 14 2:45pm Partly cloudy and 88*. From the Weather channel.....

It is interesting watching the posts switch from one AI to another AI resort depending on which is being pushed at the time. I remember last spring it was the SUN (right after the name change), a while back it was the Holiday, Las Palmas. I also agree that there are paid Resort Pushers that talk up the facility. If I see any flowery response with an IP that is from the area, I get suspicious. As for AI's and Nuevo, they create a cruise atmosphere that I think keep visitors from enjoying the area. (I can not figure out the cruise mentality, what do people see in being shuffled like cattle for a week). But then, a couple years ago, while at the airport(Houston or Denver) waiting for our PV flight, I overheard an interesting conversation between two families that were staying in one of the "EXCLUSIVE" resorts south of Bucerias. "Oh, last time we had a cab take us to town (PV), so we could show the kids just how the people around here have to live! I'm so glad they can't get into the resort." I had to bite my tongue (well maybe it was the wife jumping in front of me ) just to keep from violence.... At $30-$100 a day per person extra for the AI, business has to be profitable to the resort since so many are going that way. It also doesn't matter how poor the cuisine is, they have your money. I also get a kick out of "SPECIALS" they push to first timers, that really aren't specials.

All Inclusive resorts are for easy, safe vacations. If you want a couch potato vacation, they are the way to go, and with young children they can be great. However, ease and safety comes with a price: you tend to be isolated from the locals, the richness of the culture, the diversity of the cuisines, etc. But for someone who feels very uneasy about a first trip to Mexico, or for someone seeking Florida-in-Mexico rather than real Mexico, or for exhausted parents with non-stop young children, they are fine. A suggestion though - choose your resort carefully, and don't get trapped by the "free food and drinks" - you will end up missing alot of great things off the resort that way. Resorts vary enormously in quality - good resorts (that tend to cost a great deal) can have very good food; less good resorts (that can at times cost alot too - price isn't the only criteria here - check people's evaluations) have mediocre food, and food in buffets can be unhealthy (not so fresh, bacteria growing, etc.) - you probably risk getting the tourista alot more in a standard AI than eating in local restaurants.

Myself, I don't really understand going the AI route in Puerto Vallarta. PV has great culture, restaurants, things to do -- reasons to get out of the AI environment. If you are just looking for a great couch potato vacation - lazing at the beach and not much else - then why don't you go to a place with a better beach and often less to do outside the resort (e.g., Punta Cana, which as a much better beach than PV, is cheaper (although airfare may be more from the West Coast) and some places have excellent food and entertainment -- check out the Iberostar Bavaro for example). Tom

the weather is great in nov.

In response to an earlier posting, Clint74 said that you can "ride" on the beaches at Punta de Mita. Do you mean ride horseback?? If so, is this available to tourists, etc.?? I am very interested in doing horseback riding on the beach. Anyone know of any??? Thanks, Jill

I totally agree, Tom. We love staying in Old Town. Usually in the Playa los Arcos or the Posada de Roger. There is so much to see and do, places to eat and drink, all within easy walking distance in this part of town. As in real estate-it is location, location, location!

We are going to Decameron Los Cocos next Sat from Saskatoon SK. Canada. We would like to hear information on this resort and the town of Guayabitos. We have been to PV 4 times but have always stayed in town.

CROWN PARADISE RESORT NO KIDS GREAT PLACE NO KIDS!!!!!!!!!!! ADULT ONLY

Crown Paradise would be my pick , the other hotels you mentioned all have kids my motto is if Im not taking my own I dont want to see other peoples .Easy to relax at the CPR great food and staff easy access to downtoen 30 pesos 3 bucks by cab. Good Luck

I dont understand the AI vs non AI argument ...to each his own I have done both and both have good and bad points .If you like one more than the other great but for the sake of all posters on this board olease try and keep the personal attacks out of it .If an AI is not what you like then great but it doesnt make those of us who like AI idiots who need some sort of guidance.

I have been to many places AI and not, as we have two small children that are very active and always wanting to eat and play. I can,t believe there is a better way to spend a more confortable, fun, and relaxing time as an AI. They usually have fun clubs for my kids, which keep them busy almost all day. This gives the parents time to themselves. I also stay in OLD TOWN but its when I am by myself, as its more my style. All the people should look at and repond to the good things and forget about the bad, the many times I have been around there I have never been asked to push a AI resort on the internet! If I end up giving good reports on a place its usually because of the experience I had not someone asking me or paying me.

Rooster Our Site www.bayofnavidad.com

We've sailed a couple of times with "Captain Vladimir". He has a 48 foot cutter, and sails along the coast for 5 hours. We've been lucky enough to see whales really close, last time was in February. Vladimir followed their path, and it was awesome. I'd recommend going out with Vladimir, especially if you like "pure sailing", he doesn't stop for swimming, snorkelling, so you get a good day out on the ocean, and the usual refreshments are provided. His phone number is: 22-4-48-80. Sheila

Hey Sheila! That sailing tour sounds wonderful!! How much did you pay for this tour?? We've been looking everywhere for a good sailing tour. Where did you begin, where did you end? Do you bring your own refreshments, food?? Thanks! --Jill

bring sunscreen

going down on the 22 of nov .anywhere to catch live sports?

Thanks, we will. We've always gone in Jan/Feb so we weren't sure what they weather is like in Nov. We leave Sat 22 Nov for Decameron Los Cocos - Can anyone tell me what's it like?

Rooster2 was mentioning that AI's have things for the kids to do. THAT IS THE RESORT! There are many european plan resorts and even resorts that offer both, that have things for the kids to do. I guess that I am kind of a tightwad and do not like paying for things that I do not use or over paying for the things that I do. Different places require different tactics. If we were talking about the Bahamas, Florida, California or several other vacation getaways, I wouldn't be so anti AI because it is easy to spend $30-60pp/day on food and drinks and who cares about the local culture? Same with places in Central America where you HAVE to go AI because you are not allowed off the premises because of the people with guns. I have only eaten dinner at a resort in PV once and that was by invite,(could be why so many resorts are going AI because I'm not the only one) because of the wide variety of places to eat (some VERY good and some VERY bad) but that is the fun of it. PV also is not where I would go if all I was wanting to do was lay on the beach, never get out and be waited on hand and foot. PV is where you go if you want to see and experience a different country and culture in a safe atmosphere. Tom1 makes a good point that the AI does make for a Safe & Easy vacation for the first timer. But they are not the ones that return every year, because all they see is the resort and resorts are EVERYWHERE. It all comes back to the point of what you are expecting from your vacation. That's why there is such a variety of places to stay.

Yes, you can horseback ride on the beach there. They also have 4wheelers for rent there. If you want to go for a longer ride you may also want to call Pam at Rancho Charro. She has nice rides for different riding levels. You will not see here ranch being pushed by the resorts or tour hawkers since she won't pay the pocito. We take here horses out a couple times every time we are in town.

Nothing really. The charro championships in Guadalajara and you will just miss the sailfish championships. There may be some local soccer matches...and there are always the chicken fights..

There are always the Bull Fights on Wednesdays. Those are always good for local colour.

It depends on when you are going. We usually do not go over a holiday, or when school is out and there are very few kids at any of the resorts. The thing is, you have to think "internationally" because every country has it's own national holidays besides Easter & Christmas that people travel on. So avoid Canadian, Mexican & Japanees holidays also.

Thanks for the info!! Can't wait to try it. Going to be there in December and January - 40 days left!! gracias!! Jill

We will be down again early mid Jan. also

When my mother and I planned to go to Puerto Vallarta for my highschool graduation, we decided to organize my trip with the idea in mind that we had a very limited amount of money to spend. I didn't want to be hassled about tours, shows, timeshare presentations in the place I was to be sleeping. (there's enough of that in the streets). With this in mind, I chose to do some research on a few bed+breakfasts in the area. I decided that being near downtown is important, because that is where much of the fun is. We ended up staying at the Hacienda Mosaico, which is contained in a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing home. The owners were extremely helpful and I felt almost like a personal friend of the couple when we left. It is necessary to mention they are white and english-speaking, because often tourists are intimidated by the language barrier. My mother and I couldn't have chosen a more relaxing place, although be careful around their white cockatiel, she can be a bit fiesty. I wouldn't have enjoyed my experience in Puerto Vallarta nearly as much if we'd had stayed in a resort hotel. Bed+Breakfasts in my opinion are the way to go.

It is well away from PV and gets mixed reviews from what I've seen -- not in the same overall class as the Decameron near Bucarias. However, the area is supposed to be quite nice. Apparently there are two sections - one better than the other. For a couple pictures see the web site of Anne and Jerry; you might want to ask them and others questions on their own board -- several have been there. Tom http://homepage.mac.com/jay.welch/jerry-anne-mexico/guayabitos.html

Hey clina74: When in January and where do you stay?? We are at the timeshare units at Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort. Where are you from?? Maybe we will see you down there. Have a great time!! Puerto Vallarta is "home away from home" for us!! "Don't drink the water, drink the margaritas!" --Jill

Is this Bed and Breakfast on or near the beach?? What did you pay per night at this place?? Thanks!! --Jill

Who do I get a hold of in Punta de Mita to ride horses on the beach??

go to the decamern

I will staying in PV foir one night only as I head down to Barra de Navidad. My flights lands at night and my bus leaves in the morning, so I was wondering if there are any places that are willingh to provide transfers between the hotel and the airport & bus station.

Travellers cheques are fine you can exchange them everywhere , the best rate is at the airport. Beware do not let your credit card out of your sight one word cloning , research this topic on any board and you will soon realize its a huge problem in MEXICO . If you have to take your credit card dont let it leave your sight it take 10 seconds to clone a card . Have a safe trip!

None that I've ever heard of, some of the bigger hotels have a shuttle for the airport. Nothing for the bus station, but of course some of the city busses stop there.

I am wondering what the real word is on documentation for Canadians visiting Mexico. We are a family of 4 - parents and 2 kids. None of us have passports. Three of us have birth certificates and photo I.D. but our 16 year old is lacking the photo I.D.. I can't seem to get the same answer twice when I talk to travel agents - some say he'll be fine, others say he won't get on the plane. Shame to spend the dollars and not get there? What's the deal? [%sig%]

Get a photo id student card drivers license sometrhing , you do not need a passport but you dont want to spend hours at immigration because of no photo id. I always take a photo id drivers license and birth certificate and am always fine. get a photo id you wont be sorry!

No, there is a very strong cab/bus union in PV. There are always cabs at the airport. Have fun in Barra. I actually like Melaque a little better. It is kinda interesting how Canadians end up in Barra and Americans in Melaque. We usually rent a car so we can hit Tennicatica, LaManzinillo and other places up the coast and will probably be down in January.

They will find you... if not just ask when you get there. Where from eastern Nebraska. As for when, we are planning the week of the 12th probably at LosArcos and a week before or after depending on what we can scrounge up. The New Del Sol Grande in Nuevo looks interesting, however I really do not like to being out in Nuevo. (to far to be easily accessable yet to close to rent a car...) But then again maybe we will go south.....towards Boca maybe even Tennicatica/Melaque. The Plaza Las Glorias was my favorite Hotel to stay at before it was sold, went AI and changed it's name. It was a real shocker to see the damage done to it and the beach by the Hurricane.

I find it easier to just use the ATM at the bank and forget the travelers checks. I also use a Credit Card because it is covered if lost/stolen where my Debit Card isn't. Another thing is that you will get the most current international exchange rate with your credit card. Yes, the machines are in $PESOs so remember to add a '0' to what you want to withdraw. If you withdraw $100 that is about $10 US!

You might try Andales, www.andales.com Trever

We love the Vellas, we have two young kids and they had a great time.

Trever www.bayofnavidad.com

I'm leaving New Orleans to go to the Fiesta Americana for a week.....can anyone give me their impressions of the hotel? Thanks.

My girlfriend and I went to the RDC in Oct of last year and it was excellent. Reasonable price, good all inclusive package, good beach sports. We were there for the hurricane and it was still wonderful. Staff was great. Nothing was stolen from our room. We're going back to Mexico in Feb and the only reason we're not going back to the RDC is we have free rooms at another hotel. If you'd like some pictures of the RDC/Hurricane Kenna, email me. I took my site down. Dan S

On the topic of food and drink at the RDC, I found it good BUT I'm not a really picky person. My mother in law would have been in hell. The liquor is mostly knock off from what I saw but it didn't matter to me. My biggest problem was the small glasses they give you at the bar, which I fixed by cutting the top off of a 1.5L water bottle from my room.... Dan S

Hey, just wondering if anyone is going to be kicking at the Riu around February 14. I will be there with my little sister and we are looking for some people to party with. It would be great if you could e-mail me. Thanks Tara

Each to his own opinion but I was there to attend a wedding October 2003 and my impression was that I thought I was in a minimum security prison. The food was terrible (in comparison to restaurant food in PV). The booze was cheap brands. Only one kind of beer and they won't give it to you in a bottle but only in 6 ounce plastic cups that go down in two sips. Then you have to wait and wait at the bar until the bartender has time to do it all over again. Even bottled water is dispensed 6 ounces at a time. Don't think about have anyone come to visit you. People that came to the wedding that chose to stay elsewhere were charged $35.00 U.S. funds for a "day pass" but only if they arrived after 3:30 P.M for a 4:30 wedding. If they arrived before 3:30 P.M. the charge was (I think) $60.00. A bridesmaid in our party arrived half an hour early and they made her stand outside until the clock struck 3:30 PM even though she only wanted to go help the bride get ready. Tacky! The rooms were low standard at best. Even to use a computer to check your Email costs $2.00 U.S for 10 minutes of slow dial up service. All inclusive you say? The resort is in the middle of nowhere about 30 minutes outside of PV. The evening one hour stage shows were the only thing that I can say I enjoyed. Maybe I'm just past the stage in my life where I go to a all inclusive resort just to spend my week trying to get my monies worth by seeing how much I can drink. Seems like that was the common denominator for most of the people I saw while I was there. Would I ever stay there again? Never!! [%sig%]

I am writing this review somewhat after the fact, but I just had to put in my "two-cents" worth. My husband and I traveled to Puerto Vallarta in January and we loved it so much we headed back in the end of August. The first time we stayed at the Velas Vallarta, which we loved, but it was a little far from town as it is near the marina. This time we wanted to be closer, read some good reviews and decided on the Fiesta Americana. I would not recommend this hotel to any of my friends. The view was great and the balcony was nice, but there were far too many downsides to the hotel. Here are some of the things that were a little frustrating: they never had Mexican money at night when we were going to head into town to exchange, check in was a disaster- we received our room 3 hours after check in time, the pool is quite loud and unrelaxing, in terms of a romantic setting for the pool-you will not get it-it is attached to a kids pool(which seems a little unsanitary for all the kids in it had diapers on), and the beds really were pretty bad. There were a couple of good things: it was close to downtownand their margaritas on the rocks were great. Overall, too many negatives and definitely not a 4/5 star hotel. I am looking forward to a 3rd trip back, I just won't be staying here.

My husband and I went to the Vellas in January- loved it! It's a beautiful property. The grounds are amazing. It is right near the marina, and somewhat close to town. We ended up using the buses to get into town, a lot cheaper and fun. The staff do go out of the way to accomodate. Our first room had an air conditioner that did not work, they changed us immediately. Also, we had a late flight and they will allow you to use a private room to change, take a shower etc. in. I thought that was a nice touch. We loved P.V. so much we went back in August, stayed at Fiesta Americana to be closer to town, but did not like it nearly as much as the Velas. I do not suggest all inclusive, as downtown has so many great restaurants!

Chris, The previous reply was something I had just typed up for Trip advisor. I hope it helps, if you have any specific questions, I can try and answer.

It seems as if the reason why there are so many posts for the riu is b/c when people type in "riu jalisco" in the search engine, the jalisco section of the tomzap site is pulled up.

Can't wait for this holiday! Never been to this resort. I couldn't give a ---- right now, if it will be like living under a srawny palm tree right now-just looking fwd. to a vacation. Other mexico vacations have been great!!!

When the Cheesburgers in Paradise owners did their disappearing act, they left a humungous telephone bill for the camera, seems they never paid it. Plus probably some salt water damage after the hurricane didn't help. Someone want to come up with $5,000 US, I'll get one up.

Now that your back- how did you like Villa del Palmar? Hope you had a great vacation!

Cheeseburgers in Paradise once had a live web-cam on the malecon. We really miss seeing what is happening on the malecon on a daily basis. Does anyone know if there is a working live web-cam on the malecon?? jk

Cheeseburgers in Paradise on the malecon in PV used to have a live web-cam. We enjoyed keeping up with everyday living on the malecon. Does anyone know if there is a live web-cam on the malecon now? [%sig%]

You will luv this place !!

Now Jon, The place is not as bad as u say.......Our family of 4 had a totally enjoyable vacation at the RDC.......

Dont worry...You will have a good time

If your looking for good food, good service, good resort (very clean and well maintained) and overall relaxing time - Go to Cameron Los Cosos. It's about 1 from the PV airport, so it's a little far from all the action but if it's just a relaxing time with a little shopping this place is great. We went to PV for one day and couldn't wait to return to the little fishing village. Anything anyone wants to know - please ask Sharla

Hi We have stayed at anywhere from a 5plus star to a 2 star ... This place as far as a resort is a 4. Beaches: are nicer than PV. They go on for the entire bay, we walked from one end to the other and it took about 1 hour and it was all beach worthy of sun bathing on. There are 4 buildings all different levels of room size. We went Eco (tower 4) and we got a huge room... king size bed facing the ocean, table and chairs, 2 couches & balcony. Totally upgraded and very clean. And remember there are 4 pools - Tower 4 has an adult pool and is the nicest.

Food: Good food and wonderful drinks. There are 3 restuarnts to choose from each with a different theme. The food was better than our last AI. We never ever got hungry... pizza every afternoon on the beach and food served just about every hour in one of the restuarnts. Very organized Service: Actually the best so far other than the Westin Regina in PV where they brought drinks to you but they never smiled. The staff was too notch. Always happy will do anything for you. Lots of loco but thats what made it fun. To Do: the beach club is 15 minutes away bus leaves at 9:45am and returns 3:00. Very quiet there not what I expected. Just beach and a little hut to serve lunch and drinks. Very nice but would of liked to come back sooner. The town is a very poor fishing village and it shows. Once outside the resort it's sad the upkeep of the town but you can tell things are impoving... give it 5 years and watch out. Went to PV one day for higher end things to bring home and couldn't wait to get back to the resort. This was our 5 time to PV and we would definetly go back well worth the difference in price..

Any more question just ask

hi!! we are looking to get away this january...we dont want to spend too much and were told by our tavel agent that this resort is avail for a reasonable price. we are used to staying at 4 star resorts with beautiful white beaches, etc.

whenever we look at pics of this resort we are concerned about a couple of things: -lack of nice beach area -the resort being full of locals...nothing really wrong with this but have read reviews that the tourists get ignored when the locals are staying at the resort. -we also heard maybe an ant problem and not good food reviews also just how long really is the shuttle to the beach club and how often does the shuttle come to get people? i guess we have been spoiled and the thought of staying at a resort that turns out to be not nice is kinda scarey.

any info you can share would be great! thanks so much kris hoebee

We just returned from Decameron Los Cocos

Funny you should mention sunholidays - that's who we used. We drove to Edmonton and for $493.00 AI (not including taxes) we went for a week . Can't beat that price but then again no one can touch sunholidays prices & service. We would go again in a heart beat - hopefully next year 1 week at decameron los cocos and 1 week at royal decaeron. This way we get a little of both. Quiet and nuts

Wendy, My husband and I are staying at the Marival in January of 2004. We have boked a junior suite. I've heard that the junior suites are on the Club side. Have you ever stayed in one? When we were there in 2002 we stayed on the Grand side and we liked it very much. Our goal for this trip was a full ocean view which I understand that the junior suites have but I have some reservations about the quality of the rooms on the club side after reading many comments on Trip Advisor. Any feedback from you would be most appreciated.

Thanks! Michelle Kaiser

We stayed at the Los Cocos in January 2002 and again in 2003. The beach at the hotel is similar to the beaches in other PV locations. The beach is not the beautiful white sand of cancun or the DR but is OK. The beach is about a mile long. The beach at the Beach Club was great in 2002 but rocky in places in 2003 (the effect of the hurricane??). The beach club is about a 15 minute shuttle bus ride away. The bus takes you in the morning (around 10:00) and picks you up in the afternoon (around 3:00). The bus does not run in between these times. There is a bar and grill at the beach club.

The resort does get a bit crowded with locals on the weekends, but service did not suffer.

I would suggest booking the "superior rooms". These rooms are furthest from the beach but are in the newest section of the resort and the rooms are huge (twice the size of a standard hotel room). Did not have any insect problems.

There is nothing fancy about this hotel, but it is kept very clean (it is a 3 star hotel). The food was good but again nothing fancy. The hotel is about 40 miles from PV, therefore it is not convenient if you plan to shop or party in PV. The hotel pools are small and are not heated. The ocean is warmer. The majority of guests are 35+ or mexican families. Very few singles or young couples (unless you get a spring break week). We enjoyed our first stay so much we returned the following year (we are in our 40's).. Great place to relax and do nothing. However, if you want shopping, non-stop action/activities or to party, this is probably not the hotel for you. If you are travelling from Canada check out www.sunholidays.ca for the best prices.

Disclaimer: This post is to provide information and not to start a debate on the morality of keeping dolphins in captivity.

Took part in the dolphin swim at Vallarta Adventures located in Neuvo Vallarta. For general information check out their website : www.dolphin-adventure.com.

The swim program lasts about 50 minutes. First there is a 20 minute taped audio presentation on dolphin facts. Then you enter the pool (olympic pool size). You wear life jackets so you do not have to know how to swim. You are in a group of 8 people with 2 dolphins. For the first 15 minutes the dolphins liesurely swim around your group. You can touch/pet the dolphins during this time. Then in groups of 2, you get a dolphin "kiss." Then in groups of 2 you get a dolphin ride for the length of the pool. The dolphins then do a couple of jumps and the program is over. There is a change area available. Also, a viewing area for non-participants (no charge for non-participants). There is a concession and gift shop.

You can purchase a video or dvd of your swim. Or, if you have a non-participant, pictures/video can be taken from the viewing area.

Booked online before we left for PV. Get a 10% discount if you book online. Checked at our hotel when we arrived and were quoted the full price.

Overall, if this is something you are interested in, you will enjoy the program.

!Hola! I am heading to PV on Christmas (Navidad) for two weeks and am wondering if anyone has recently returned from Puerto Vallarta that could enlighten me on the conditions of the beach in front of Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort or Los Tules. Also, if anyone has stayed at Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort, how is everything. Are there activities, bands, bars, etc? Any insight would be great! Adios! Jill [%sig%]

Does anyone know of the current beach conditions in front of Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort? Last year the beach was pretty rough as a result of the hurricane. Also, what is the resort like this year?? Any insights would be wonderful. Am heading there for Christmas! Adios! Jill

I was the person who originated this message almost a year ago. My husband and I did go to RDC for one week last February and had an absolutely great time. Two months ago, we decided that we wanted to return so we booked a week in February 2004---we truly enjoyed our vacation last year and just had to go back! Yes, the location is 30 minutes from PV...but, we ventured out every day for a walk and enjoyed our little trips into Bucerias & back every morning. Great exercise and beautiful scenery.

I'm a rather fussy person when it comes to food, beverages, and room decor. So in the past, we have always booked 5-star resorts. However, we knew ahead of time that this resort was a 4-star, so we didn't set our expectations very high---AND were pleasantly surprised...we certainly received the bang for our buck.

So, it just depends what one is looking for---this resort met our needs and was value priced!

The Las Caleta day trip through Vallarta Adventures is a wonderful trip. The beach and surrounding hillside are beautiful and the V.A. staff are great. This is NOT a booze cruise. There is a continental breakfast served and a very good lunch served at Las Caletas. There is no actual spa at Las Caletas. They will have 2 or 3 people on staff that you can book a massage with (additional cost) on the boat trip going down there. Sign up quick as all their times usually go fast. They just have an area above the beach set up in an open air building to do the massages. And it is correct that Vallarta Adventures have exclusive rights to the beach for their trips. You might be able to hire a water taxi to take you there, but I doubt you would feel very welcome and would probably not be able to use any of the facilities as they are a part of what the day trippers have paid for. There were no other boats or persons outside of our group there when we went.

There has been alot of discussion in recent months on the often very poor conditions in which dolphins live in a good number of the "swim with dolphin" operations in Mexico. In a number of places their death rates are extremely high, and after several articles in newspapers, the Mexican government finally seems to be reviewing their rules over importing dolphins for shows...

In PV you do have a real choice -- you can instead go out to see and even swim with dolphins in the wild. I believe that http://vallartawhales.com/whale.htm is one operator that dies this; I've seen JR suggest these tours on other boards (his website is: http://vallarta-info.com/). Tom

I just have to say that, although the accomodations at Villa del PM were great, I found the dj at the pool loud and obnoxious and for that reason alone, I will not return. Although the Holiday Inn is obviously not as posh, the food at the outside restaurant was consistently good and the pool was never crowded. On the whole, though, I prefer staying closer to the downtown area, and my favorite spot is Molino de Agua, for its location as well as the peaceful ambience and attentive staff.

This is the exclusive domain (as I understand it ) of the Vallarta Aventures, and therefore off limits to independent visits. But that's what keeps it so isolated and wonderful, in my opinion. Go ahead, book the trip. You will be glad you did.

Does anyone out there have current info as to the status of the Malecon extension that bridged the Cuale and was to continue south towards Los Arcos? I'd heard that it got so far and then stopped. But how far did it get? Is the view from Molina de Agua affected? And while we're on the subject of Molina de Agua, why are the folks there not responding to emails? Ayudame, por favor! (I have reservations in two weeks!)

Too bad its disinformation !!

Take the day trip to Las Caletas. It leaves around 9AM from the Marina. You can get rolls, juice, etc.on the boat. When you get there, you can park in a hammock or chair and enjoy the view, the surf, and the island. A terrific lunch was included when we went about 3 years ago. Then we left around 2PM and saw dolphins alongside the boat on our way back. It was really relaxing.

Disclaimer: This post is not to provide information on this stupid tourist trap and is to keep a debate going on the morality of keeping dolphins in captivity.

What a load of crap. I hope the Mexican government finally cracks down on these operations. Great info Tom! I'd much rather go out in the ocean seeing these wonderful creatures in the wild than support those bastards.

nope, although it would be nice.

There is now! <http://www.puertovallarta.net/interactive/webcam/index.php> [%sig%]

Ambassadair Travel Club has a very good overview guide website on PV, actually has a map that gives you an idea of where things are on the bay! Not scaled correctly (20 miles looks like 3 miles in places) but I found it helpfull. http://www.ambassadair.com/vacations/dest%5Finfo/puertovallarta/

Looks like it is off the dock on the north side of the Malicon. Is that the CheeseBurgers building with the blue circle on it where the old camera was?

No, it's on the top of the Rosita Hotel. The building with the 'blue circle' is Plaza Malecóm.

Not too bad as Vallarta sites go, but, as usual, about 3 years out of date : ie, 8 restaurants named, no longer exist. Saludos, JR The Insider's Guide to Vallarta <http://vallartainfo.com> [%sig%]

Yep. I can imagine how hard it is to keep up a website with the comings, goings and name changes of the restaurants and hotels. I live in a small city about the size of PV and I am constantly finding "Oh, they closed two years ago!" or I ask "When did that place open?" and am told it has been there for several years.. Shows how much I get out....

Just back from the Riu via continental airlines vacation package. weather was great all week. The hotel, grounds, and beach are a knockout. Evening entertainment very poor. Food was very good. If you want to go downtown or to the marina, save your self some money and take the bus. taxis are $18 one way but the bus is $1.90. The bus is also more entertaining. The bus stop is across the street from the hotel. Bus schedules are available at the front desk. The first bus ($1.50) should be taken to walmart or the next stop, the marina. Wait for another bus marked centro ($.40) to take you downtown. Busses run very frequently (every 10 minutes). To get back take any bus from downtown ($.40) marked walmart or sam's club (which is next door to walmart). if in doubt just get on the bus and say "walmart?. To get from the marina or walmart back to the riu ($1.50) you must wait at the bus stop in front of walmart (not the bus stop in front of sam's club). the bus should be marked Riu or Solare (which is next door to the Riu). you need pesos for the bus. A peso is roughly 10 cents. The front desk has a good exchange rate

What kins of rates are these places? VDP, Holiday Inn or others.

Wal-Mart? Sam's Club? I suppose you eat at Taco Bell too? 1 [%sig%]

That Taco Bell food is awesome. They have great burritos and the scenery is breath-taking being next to Fred Myers and Loblaws!

Going to Riu in January. Is there an ATM at the hotel or nearby ( walking distance)? Does the hotel have a currency exchange? Anyone play El Tigre golf course recently, if so how is it? [%sig%]

Does anybody have the inside scoop on taking Acidopholus before going on a trip? It is rumored that by taking it a couple of weeks prior to travel, it can help your immune system and your stomach so that things like different foods and water such as in Mexico, will not be as bothersome. True or false, looking for any safety measures.

Heard the same. You can also load up on yogurt for a couple of weeks before you go. Does much the same as acidopholus.

We aree looking for the last week in feb and the first in Mar. Do you have space available , and what are your rates.

Thanks Terry Benning

cuando fui me la pase muy bien, atienden de maravilla especialmente los cantineros

no atm at the hotel. good exchange rate at the front desk. as an alternative there is a bank at the airport. bank closed on saturday and sunday

The website gives you that info. www.vrbo.com/25491

Hola, Please e-mail me at dondelmundo@yahoo.com. I'm very interested in the fights.

I was at a memorial service for El Rey David at Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso in Guadalara a few weeks back and each of the participants in the afternoon event wore a small black bow on the left sleeve.

We can swap stories.

Acidophilus is a probiotic bacteria. By producing organic compounds, this type of bacteria promotes good digestion and increases immune functions by increasing the acidity in the intestine thus increasing resistance to infection. Acidophilus commonly used for: Poor digestion, prevent bacterial overgrowth and rebalance bacteria levels in the intestines.

Many "health food" yogurts contain Acidophilus. Good idea to make this a constant part of your diet ... not just a prep for Mexico.

Thank you Beach Monster, you sound just like a professor or doctor. We will heed your advice and start taking Acidophilus by pill form. We're staying at an All-Inclusive Resort so we're not overly concerned about the food and water from all the reports we've heard about P.V. however, as a precautionary measure, we'll take them.

Hola. Its been a few years since we were in PV. Is Looney Tunes still a good place to hang out on Los Muertos beach? Or is it too crowded. What are your favorite beach restaurants on Los Muertos? We like to meet people and have a few laughs. We'll be there beginning of February. Thanks!

Small world, just saw this thread on the Puerto Vallarta board, so here's my two cents regarding acidopholus: Hello all, Feliz Navidad. I am reposting this, as while my wife and I will unfortunately not be able to be in that place we love so much, the information therein is still good and, if followed, should allow anyone a more pleasant and healthy visit. Especially happy holidays to Puerto Bill and thanks for all his great informative and entertaining posts. On our last two trips to Mexico, one of five weeks, five years ago, and the most recent, two weeks, last month, we have enjoyed excellent health. Part of the reason for this, I believe is the a week prior to departing we each took an acidophilus pill daily and continued to do during our time in Mexico. The theory being that acidophilus is probiotic and it develops healthy bacteria in your intestines which will then enable you to resist foreign bacteria that your system is not used to. That along with the normal precautions about eating and drinking has prevented us from having to engage in those not so enlightened conversations concerning the solidity of one's movements, which it is well known detract from one's ability to enjoy Mexico. We have also found charcoal capsules to be an excellent relief for discomfort. The theory here being the charcoal filters out poisons. Last month, In Puerto Escondido, my wife gave a couple to a young woman we had meet who, one morning, had that look of "let me die now, lord", on her face and by late afternoon felt that a rum and coke, would be "just fine now, thanks". A true testimonial! Anyway, these two items, acidophilius and charcoal capsules can be found at most health food stores.

Cuates y Cuetes Bar right next to the pier on Los Muertos is one of the best places in PV for happy hour, people watching and catching the sunset.

Arriving PV Jan 3. It's been 4 years. Does anyone know cost of taxi from airport to Condos Vila Tizoc on Hyw 200 just before Conchas Chinas? Do you still get ticket for taxi in airport? Thanx in advance.

[%sig%]

oh!!! thank-you so much for answering...this is going to be our one big trip, and I want to make the most of it! any other advice on shopping, eating ANYTHING is greatly appreciated! It sounds corny, but it's so nice to benefit from everybody else's trips and experiences! Thanks:)

ok...I know this will sound dum--we'll be at Riu Jalisco...is that close to where you were? Or close enough (to get to the good horse riding)? thanks....

just a thought: the best acidophilus is from Enzymatic Therapy called Acidophilus PEARLS...the theory is because they are coated they do not break down in the stomach, but get directly to the intestinal tract where the most benefit is! Available at health food stores....not cheap, but are not affected by heat or lack of refrigeration (as some brands dictate). Good health to you!

awesome advice! a bus ride that inexpensive is good to know about in advance... we're staying at riu j. Jan.28-Feb.3 I can't wait!!!!!!!!!! So it sounds like we should head into town for any nightlife...any suggestions are appreciated...thanks!

My mother and father in law are taking us to riu jalisco as a gift....maybe someone could suggest some must do or see spots in pv that we would otherwise miss....let us benefit from your knowledge! Just cuz we're from the ai doesn't mean we aren't cool, man, uh yeah sorry:)

Exactly what do you get with the European Plan?

Nada, Zero, zip.......Just lodging

The thing to worry about in an All-Inclusive Resort is the cafeteria food that may be sitting around too long. Get there early or order from the menu.

[%sig%]

Hmmm, I'd bet this is more about beliefs than about science......

I take Acidophilus and Bifidus occassionally all year round. I just returned from PV and absentmindedly left my travel supply in the fridge at home...I had no problems at all this trip and did not hear of anyone having problems. I ate at a buffet almost every meal for 7 days. I am careful at the buffet, I eat lots of fruit and salad (the hotel water is purified so veggies are safe), but never eat anything that I recognize from the meal before and I always eat shortly after the buffet opens when the food is fresher. I was quite pleased with the cleanliness of the kitchen (I took a peek around the corner) and was pleased to see the cook staff wearing hair nets (even short haired people), and masks over their mouths. Relax and enjoy! Since I am a bit parinoid about getting sick, I brought a prescrip of Cipro, just in case I got "loose" with a fever...but it was not used, thankfully!

Moll - how'd you get so lucky!! I always get sock and sweaters! You will enjoy the RIU, it is very large and beautiful. I just returned from a trip to the Solare, which is right next door to the RIU (I prefer smaller hotels). You must: visit Bucerias to shop and wander. Best way to get there is by bike, 15 min ride up the road, past the Royal Decameron Hotel. (the cobble stone streets are a little bumpy on a bike though!). Or you can walk up the beach, 40 mins, go up the road when you see Karen's Place restaurant (great spot to stop for snack or beer). There is a great flea market in Bucerias, better prices than in town, plus cute restaurants and shops. Also, take the bus outside the hotel (15 peso) to Plaza Las Glorias hotel in town, transer to a city bus (4 peso) and get off in Old town, wander around, then walk back over the bridge to the Malecon (we did this on Christmas Eve - what a blast!). Walk the beach in the morning or afternoon. Watch the sunset with a cocktail. Boogie boarding, sailing, kayak - all great to do. Lots of tours, people loved Vallarta Adventure snorkling tours. You will love it, and I can't wait to go back.

Hey Sharla, My husband and I have never been on a vacation and I have been searching non-stop for a great place to go without all the high prices. Sisters of mine are staying at the Royal Decameron Complex. Is that in the same area as the Los Cocos? Scared to make a wrong decision.....

Regina...check into the Solare hotel in Neuvo, I just returned and would recommend it. It is a smaller hotel, so it's easy to get around (no 10 minute walk to get breaky!) and the food and service were very good. You can walk to the Royal Decameron in about 1/2 hour along the beach, or cycle in about 10 mins. The RDC was a little too big and spread out for me, the pool area was more crowded than the Solare. The Solare is more relaxing, laid back than the RDC so it depends on what you are looking for.

Think of it this way: European Plan: your standard US motel. Some places may have rolls and coffee in the morning, but for the most part you pay for things as you use them. All Inclusive: think Cruise. You pay for everything (food, drink, usage of things like paddle boats, etc) up front. It this is good or bad depends on each person because: You can budget, since everything is paid for in advance, bad if there are facilities or meals you do not plan on using or you spend alot of time away from the resort. I think most AI's run $40-100 per day per person extra for the AI. Some places like PV you can "eat out" for less than this, other places you can not, so one has to do the math, know what the area is like and how badly you want to be waited on.

Yipee! Ok--so that's exactly what I'm talkin' about...great ideas!! Thanks..:)

I loved your photos!! Especially the Manzanillo shots--the kids surfing, the girls dressed up for the parade-funny! Thanks :)

You are right not much science to it-it might help some people but probably not.

RNG take the Acidopholus! It can't hert can it? I'am going out right now and buy "it" i.e.Acidopholus. I do notice a period of time it takes me to adjust,not only the mexico direction but back to corporate computerize food from the states! Some times I think it's something that takes you over and lives with-in you! It either likes what it inhibits or back home main street usa..!!!!!!!Dave-the-wave~

We stayed at the Royal Decameron in November, 2003. It is about a 20 minute bus ride north of the airport. The Los Cocos is another 25 minutes north of the Royal Decameron. The Royal Decameron is a bigger hotel than the Los Cocos and offers more variety for restuarants, bars, pools, activities, etc. If you are looking for a relaxing - do nothing holiday Los Cocos, for the price, is a good choice. If you are looking for more activities or to spend time in PV, the Royal Decameron would be a better choice.

Hi The Royal is a sister hotel to the Decameron - We would like to try both next time. We stayed at the Decameron De Cocos and loved it but we hear the Royal is even better - More hectic - so it depends on what you like. Let me know what you decide or e-mail me at hrsharla@mgf.ca and I can give you a recap of what to expect at the Decameron Sharla

Can anyone tell me rates for a night or two in any of the PV all inclusives if you walked in off the street for a quote. Perhaps someone could try the properties next to where they are staying if curious themselves and post any results. Might be interesting to find out what you would pay where your at if not booked through a travel agent? We plan to travel up the coast and inland a little this year. Might be ready for a few nights being served at the end. Any efforts greatly appreciated.

[%sig%]

Before setting out to travel around Mexico we like to spend a couple of nights in old PV. We have stayed at The Frankfurt, Villa del Mar and and Hotel Ana Liz. What's your favorite? Quiet is nice, because we like to catch up on sleep.

We stayed at the Torro De Orr - quiet - good food - big rooms and all totally updated - at the far end of old town 1 blk from the beach Sharla

Going to stay at the Costa Vida in Jalisco in March. First time to PV Anyone ever stayed there. It is time share trade.

Can anyone help me with room selection. We're (family with 2 girls 6,8) looking for a quiet room with nice view (prefferably sunset) close to pool.

What are the prices for these places, 1 - 2 nights. Thanks.

Frankfurt last year was 275 pesos for 2 people. Others are slightly less.

My opinion differs from some. Stayed on 3rd floor back from beach. I would say your concerns are realistic. Very little beach in front of hotel proper and at high tide, none at all (hence the sea wall). I found room not as well maintained as expected. Had notified hotel of severe allergies to mold & mildew and pollen and asked care be taken before we arrived. Found : Large amount of mildew in bathroom which I cleaned up myself after purchasing bleach (Aclarado) in local town. Apparently the hotel had none for the housekeepers to use. Found: Inwall A/C's filter had not been cleaned or changed in months to point where whole sheets of pollen& dust were falling out onto floor. Food was average for 2 1/2* hotel which would be my overall rating of this resort. Couldn't drink the Margies as the "Gasolina Blanco" they used to make them was (I believe) moonshine from a 5 gallon jug which by the second drink gave the worst hangover imaginable. Problem solved by buying Cuerrvo Especial at local store and making my own with the kiddies limeade, consuming quarts per day with no hangover to mention. I admit the price as cheap $1000CDN/2 weeks but so far from PV that we spent several nights in PV hotels rather than try to get back late at night. Found many in PV in the 25-35 dollar /night range which were quite acceptable. Good thing: The horseback riding (available just down the street was excellent and very much enjoyed several 1/2 day rides thru the countryside. Don't believe I'd stay there again irregardless of how cheap. I hear the Royal is better (formerly a Jack Tar Village property). Just my Honest Opinion. :-}

It almost appears we had two different vacation -same resort. We have stayed in PV anywhere from a 5* to an 2 star - the Decameron was a good as any 4 star we have stayed in and the staff was far superior than the Westin in PV. It's too bad your trip was not as enjoyable as ours - we would go back in a heart beat. We went to PV for the day and was glad to get back that night. Next time we'll do both Decameron - but for a week it was nice to have the quiet. I also have a allery to dust and pollen and didn't have any problems.

royal decameron is the place to stay. great everything

try the posada rio quale small but cheap n quiet

have not even tried acid

we love rdc and will go backk for our third time ....go new england

Thank you.

x x 0

I purchased a large tile mural on my last trip to PV in 4/03 at the tile store. Huge selection - it really was amazing. Had no problem taking it home. They packed it very well and it was secure. I did carry it on the plane. Made it home fine. I'm not sure what the prices were on sinks, as I shopped mostly for tile murals. Highly recommend the store though. Sales persons were very friendly and they did bargain. I plan on purchasing more this spring!

Jill - Wondering if you are back from your trip yet. Hope you had a great time. I would love to hear how things are at Plaza Pelicanos as we plan to go this spring again. Last April things were really nice after all the remodeling they had to do because of the hurricane. The new pool and swim up bar were great. I'd appreciate any info you are willing to share.

Can anyone help me with room selection. We're (family with 2 girls 6,8) looking for a quiet room with nice view (prefferably sunset) close to pool.

We are planning on going to this resort in mid Jan from Regina. Iwould be interested in what you thought of this resort.

We have stayed at anywhere from a 5plus star to a 2 star ... This place as far as a resort is a 4. Beaches: are nicer than PV. They go on for the entire bay, we walked from one end to the other and it took about 1 hour and it was all beach worthy of sun bathing on. There are 4 buildings all different levels of room size. We went Eco (tower 4) and we got a huge room... king size bed facing the ocean, table and chairs, 2 couches & balcony. Totally upgraded and very clean. And remember there are 4 pools - Tower 4 has an adult pool and is the nicest.

Food: Good food and wonderful drinks. There are 3 restuarnts to choose from each with a different theme. The food was better than our last AI. We never ever got hungry... pizza every afternoon on the beach and food served just about every hour in one of the restuarnts. Very organized Service: Actually the best so far other than the Westin Regina in PV where they brought drinks to you but they never smiled. The staff was too notch. Always happy will do anything for you. Lots of loco but thats what made it fun. To Do: the beach club is 15 minutes away bus leaves at 9:45am and returns 3:00. Very quiet there not what I expected. Just beach and a little hut to serve lunch and drinks. Very nice but would of liked to come back sooner. The town is a very poor fishing village and it shows. Once outside the resort it's sad the upkeep of the town but you can tell things are impoving... give it 5 years and watch out. Went to PV one day for higher end things to bring home and couldn't wait to get back to the resort. This was our 5 time to PV and we would definetly go back well worth the difference in price..

Any more question just ask

hi all..........only 9 more days and we will be at the Decameron, can't wait.!!!! does anyone know what time the Italine/steakhouse/thai resteraunts close. We will be comming in late from a tour and would like to be able to go to one of these after getting back, say around 9ish.. Also what time do the other resteraunts close in the evening. Thanks in advance. lors

Hola, Has anyone been to the Getaway Club Resort in Puerto Vallarta? I am seeking feedback and reviews on this resort. My husband and I will be staying there for two weeks this month.

Thanks in advance Winnie

Winnie.......try this site..it has a lot of rviews on it for the gataway www.tripadvisor.com go to mexico then to hotels and where it says search type in getaway sun resort. I believe there are about 100 reciews there. lors

Say--could you please give directions to this store? We'll be at Riu Jalisco in Feb., and I'd really like to check it out! Thanks....

Our family is looking to buy a lot where we can build in the next couple of years. In the course of our search we have been repeatedly warned to avoid ejido land and to only purchase land which has a clear title and which is held by the seller as Escritura Publica.

However, we ran across a genuinely interesting opportunity where a seller claims that he can convert his "Certificado Parcelario" in a "couple of days." Frankly I am skeptical. He says, "Make me an offer contingent upon the conversion. No probelm." Am I wasting our time??? Note: The other paperwork that he has provided to me includes the "Otorgo - Titulo de Concesion" and a survey stamped - "El Presente Certificado No Acredita La Calidad de Ejidatario." Does this offer any other clues as to the ease with which one can convert to a an Escritura Publica? Many thanks to you Veterans!! [%sig%]

He will Photo ID.

Have you e-mailed the hotel and acked them your question?

I think your best option would be to get BC I.D. They issue them just like a driver's license at the motor vehicle office. It is an official BC Government document. With the US setting the rules for the rest of the world, soon you will need a passport everywhere.

I'm sorry I can't give great detailed directions, but if this helps.....first of all it is in Puerto Vallarta - so from Rui you'd need to take the bus into PV or taxi...then it is on the south end of town. I copied the address and phone number below. How I found it was walked into a few stores in town as I was shopping and kept asking them, in my very broken spanish, where Mundo de Azulejos was and eventually I got there. Everyone is so friendly and it is a big place, hard to miss. If you ask enough people they'll point you in the right direction. Venustiano Carranza 374 Col. Emiliano Zapata Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México C.P. 48380 / Phone: 011-52-(322) 222-2675 / 222-5402 Fax: 011-52-(322) 222-3

Since your from BC get a BCID from a Government agent. They don't cost too much and it's what my son had last year when we went to Barra. The absolute minimum is 1 piece pf photo id and Birth certificate. That's if you a Birth Canadian. If landed immigrant you need the new Government landed immigrant card.

Any suggestions for a less expensive 1 night accomodations in PV where reservations are usually not required? Thanks

how about prison?.... it depends op when you are planning to come, since it is highseason it can be difficult sometimes

http://www.vallartainfo.com/hotels.html#budget

I am planning a trip in June to PV. I will towing a 22 foot boat from Nogales, AZ and was looking for recent info on road conditions and/or driving tips and possibly estimates of time to drive that stretch.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Russ [%sig%]

Looking at Booking Condominiums Girasol Sur. Anyone have any experience with this facility. Please provide your assessment.

Thanks gk

If you buy a sink at Mundo's ask them to pack it for carry on baggage and they wrap it with foam and put carry straps on it.I brought one back and never had a problem.Looks great in our bathroom along with the tiled mirror and electrical covers and handles that are also available at Mundo's.

I have but no response from them so far.

We were just down there and had 5106. The room was quiet but was musty smelling to the point where we had to leave. Our friends had 5184. Great view but hard to get to the room . We ended up in 4167. it was close to the elevators , not musty smelling but you could still hear the show at night until 10:00 or so. My advice is 4th floor or higher and 60s to 70s.

I am booked there for 2 weeks in Feb. I have not been there before, but do have photo's I could send you.

We are flying into PV on Feb 23 and want to spend a couple of days and nights around PV and do the dolphin and kayak thing with Vallarta adventures. Then spend a couple of weeks around Barra - Colima - Manzanillo and then up the coast. I am ok with getting accommodations in Barra but have never been to PV.

I would like to tap into the wealth of knowledge that exist here and see if anyone can recommend a decent hotel (my definition of decent = clean, quiet, friendly staff, hot water, I have given up with soft beds and reasonably priced = ~ 60-75 US or less) in PV.

I would prefer some B&B type establishment but will take anything decent. For my wife's sake I have to book this before we arrive. Women "can't live with, pass the beer nuts" Thanks for any information you might have on this.

cheers !

I've stayed at the Blue Bay Getaway - is that the one you're talking about? They had a sister resort somewhere south - around Los Muertos, I believe, that was called just the Blue Bay Club (at the time - this was a couple of years ago). The BBG was adults only - BBC was a family resort. Anyway, BBG was great - no complaints. We had a nice room overlooking the pool, restaurants and ocean. It was close enough to downtown to walk if you want, or take a short bus ride (less than a mile from downtown). Staff was good, food was good, everything was clean, and even the entertainment was ok. If I could afford it, I'd move in permanently!

If you are that sick you should stay in Toronto!

Does anyone know which bars in Old Town are having superbowl parties?

There's alot of info on hotels (including good cheap ones) and other things to do at: http://vallarta-info.com/ Also check out: http://www.virtualvallarta.com/ http://www.puertovallarta.net/ (The All Vallarta board is also very good (do a search on todovallarta), although their tourist web site doesn't seem to be working right now.) Tom

Has anyone ever stayed at the Viva Wyndham Vallarta? I was wondering if it is nice and if you would recommend it to anyone. My family and I usually stay in the hotel zone in Puerto Vallarta, but thought we'd try Nuevo and explore the northern part. Thanks for any help you can give.

The Hotel Posada de Roger,#237 Basilo Badillo, is a clean, quiet, family run Mexican hotel in Old town that has rooms for $35 or so a night. www.puerto-vallarta.com/posada We have arrived many times without reservations and only once had to find another hotel for one night before we could get a room at the Roger. Also, consider Playa Los Arcos in the same part of town. It runs $65 or so a night and has a web/reservation site under the same name.

The Roger has about the best breakfast in town and Los Arcos is quite decent.

Don't know, but I will be right up the street next week and will check it out. I normally like the marina and south because it is easier to get back and forth to downtown but Nuevo is somewhat quieter..

Hi, You may want to check out vallartaonline.com, you can look at pictures of many different types of hotels, including b&b. We are staying at the El Pescador on the beach for 49 US/night, but don't know firsthand yet. You can also read vistor's comments about the hotels on that site. I found it helpful. Regards, Valorie

I have to agree with your statement, if your going to Mexico you really can't expect the ritz. I've can honestly say I've never taken apart the air conditioner to look for dust. I go for the people, sun and the relaxation. Mexico is a poor country in some areas and I'm just glad that they have invited us to stay there without having to worry about disinfecting the room with bleach.

Hi again; I just returned from the riu jalisco.And my feelings regarding this resort are unchanged.It was awesome.Some things that bothered me last trip were fixed this time around.The restaurant Nayarit was much better this time around as was the botana steak house.The animacion staff were much better although 2 staff got fired whom I thought were very good.If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Is there a limit to number of messages in a thread on this board There should be a limit to riu jalisco posts anyway

My husband and I are retired, and are looking for economical accommodations for the months of December, 2004 and January, 2005. We would like to be able to relax, read, walk or bicycle, snorkel and watch and photograph birds. Easy access to buses and grocery stores is important. We are non-smokers. We might be visited, for a week or so, by our daughter, son-in-law and our two-year-old granddaughter. We would like clean, comfortable accommodation. We have traveled to many places in Mexico and want to take Spanish classes and do Mexican cooking. Please respomd as soon as possible with details.

it said riu jalisco why did you need to read it loser.stay off this board sparks.geez i hate losers.

Doug, even if the guy is legit, he would not be able to convert it in a few days. If that's the case, tel him to do it, then make your offer. I think the best thing you can do is find a reputable notario who has experience in this type of dealing.

I am going to be in PV approx March 20 thru the 25th. I am looking for a hotel that is close to andelaes the bar with the donkey or close to the pier that is fairly nice thanks [%sig%]

Check out this oceanfront apartment for sale in Tehualmextle, Jalisco, near Puerto Vallarta <http://www.tomzap.com/fishermansdream.html> 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, US$150,000 tom

The Andale has its own hotel- Andale Hotel, Restaurant & Bar Olas Altas 425, Col. Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 48380 Local phone 222-1054 Fax 223-0684 ... http://www.andales.com/ or the Playa los Arcos hotel right across is the street is very nice and also has a web site that has all the information. www.playalosarcos.com

We stayed at the Torro De Orr - It was great, one block from the beach by the pier, last street in old town

My fiance and are thinking about travelling to the riu in PV in May for our honeymoon. The price is good the reviews are pretty good. I wanted to know people's opinions on "is this agood place to honeymoon"?

hotel eloisa is nice-2 pools, one on the roof with unobstructed suntanning possibilities, just down the street from andales, near atm's and all kinds of other restaurants and convenience stores. i think they have a website and the rates are reasonable and they will bargain a little depending on the length of your stay.

I've heard the weather in PV has been wet. Can anyone verify this?

We had a rainy week, last week - very unusal for January. It's fine now - clear skies and sunny.

Wondering if I could get Mercedes Feirrerra's email to reserve a room. Thanks alot.

she doesn't work their anymore.just email front desk with your request. clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com.

Was wondering if anyone has any good tips or experiences on any fishing or whale watching trips. We are going the 1st week of March and was wondering if that is still "whale season" down there or too late? Any info is appreciated.

Good question Theresa, we are there around the same time and I was wondering the same thing. I know it is near the end of the season.

My family had a reunion there christmas 2001 and loved them

Hi there, whalewatch season is untill the 31st of march, so YES the first week of march there are still whales around.(I was there two years ago more or less the same period, this year we will go in feb. ) Actually, they stay untill april, but by federal law they can not go after the 31st of march of before the 15th of april. Whalewatching is an amazing Xperience, and as you come in the season, you should take the opportunity. I recommand Open Air Expeditions, since they are the only one operating in a Zodiac boat.

I am torn. Would love to see more of these beautiful creatures but I wonder how they feel about a zodiac running around their livingroom.

Open Air Expeditions is one of the 'licensed' opertrateors of whale watching here. They are all marine biologists and are also involved in the whale identification program, there are strict rules about how close you can get to the whales (often ignored by the unlicensed operators), especially when the young ones are with their mothers. Their boat "The Prince of Whales" was especially designed for whale watching by Jacques Cousteau.

My husband and I stayed for 2 weeks at Girasol Sur in October 2002 - and we loved it. We had a 2 bdrm/3 bath unit on the 6 & 7 floors (I think). Since we were there in off season, the pool wasn't busy -nice & quiet. Very nice beaches. The restaurant at the pool has very good food - we had lunch there every day and dinner a couple of times. They also had happy hour each day at 5:00 - many of the people in the building live here permanently or half-time. We have stayed at many condos in PV, and enjoyed this one very much. Bus stop is right out front to catch into town. If you need any other info, please let me know.

We have stayed there may times and love it. If you are looking to rent a penthouse let meknow and i will send the address of someone that will give you a great price

On my past trips to Puerto I have walked out of the airport and caught a taxi to town on the street and have saved a few bucks. Any info on the current price to do this and on the current collectivo price to old town would be appreciated.

What Bar or club can we find women for hire ?? Thanks [%sig%]

Go to http://vallarta-info.com/puertovallarta2.html and scoll down to the bottom of the page.

About 120 pesos to the south side on the airport taxi. Cross the road for the yellow taxis for an 80 peso trip.

So, now that I know it is still the season, is Open Air Expeditions the group you would go through or are there others that are reputable? And just my opinion, but I understand there are rules about the whales to keep them protected, and rightfully so, but as for the boats "running around in their living rooms, " I know that they don't ban fishing boats/parasailing boats, etc, during the season, and Puerto Vallarta originated as a fishing village, long before tourism began, so I'm sure boats in the water are something that never changes...for whales or not.

Thanks Valorie, hope you have a great holiday

Thanks for the info JR. I think we will opt for the street taxi. Only 6 more sleeps till we're sipping a cocktail on Los Muertos. Can't wait.

I hope that you USC boys won't forget your Trojans :-) With all the regular nightlife in PV, you shouldn't need to seek the services of a professional.

Hi, me and my husband are going to the Riu Jalisco Feb 3-feb 10. We are renewing our vows and taking a honeymoon at the same time. Could you please email me Mercedes Feirrerr email address so that i can request a good room with a view? Also, did you go on any tours when you were there like Whale watching, or 4 wheeling, horseback riding, or dunebuggy riding? Thanks.

Hi, me and my husband are going to the Riu Jalisco Feb 3-feb 10. We are renewing our vows and taking a honeymoon at the same time. Could you please email me Mercedes Feirrerr email address so that i can request a good room with a view? Also, did you go on any tours when you were there like Whale watching, or 4 wheeling, horseback riding, or dunebuggy riding? Thanks. Please email me back at bruner_t@palmer.edu

Cuates y Cuetes is by far my favorite place to sit and watch the sunset, right next to the pier- it not only has a beautiful sunset, but has a wonderful atmosphere and the workers there are awesome. I know most of them personally, and they are really great people altogether. I definitely recommend C.C.'s to anyone who is new to vallarta, or just wanting a new experience.

Less than a block from the pier, playa de los arcos. A very nice hotel, it has a great pool, great maid services, has a restaurant located right under the hotel with great food*including a breakfast buffet, which is excellent* and is located right on the beach, probably less than a block from the pier.

I def. recommend Cuates y Cuetes. I have already posted this once, but, Cuates y Cuetes is the first place on the right of the pier, it has pretty good food- awesome drinks, and a really good atmosphere. I know most of the workers there personally and they are all really nice and very very friendly. The sunset there is AWESOME, too. Have fun in PV!

My husband and I

We have stayed at RIU's before, but never at the Jalisco. We stayed at the Solarie right next to it 2 years ago when they were just getting ready to open. We're going in a couple of weeks. I have a few questions if you don't mind. Do they have irons and ironing boards in the rooms? How's the weather. Is it cool at night (Your basic long sleeve tee)? Do you have to dress for the evening dining other than buffet? Thanks - Kim

Hi Jerry I just emailed you and a didn't realize that my email address might not have gone thru. It's kimmilax@yahoo.com - Thanks again and sorry for the inconvience.

Hello, I just enjoyed reading your comments and would like some direction. I will be going to the PV area with 2 other adults at the end of Feb. I have been to Bucerias several times and would now like to explore the north. Do you have any Rincon innformation or experience? Thanks for your time. Nancy

You are right my man. Punta Cana has great beaches. Try the Melia Tropical if you want to stay at an all-inclusive that has everything. You may pay a little more but daily Lobster did it for me.

Hola!! We just returned from a trip to the Riu. Very nice people, indeed!!! We booked our vacation through Funjet & the whale watching/snorkeling tour we took was awesome!! We went on a sailboat called the "Isis" which was great. The crew was very hospitable serving drinks immediately upon arrival. They served a light breakfast of pastries & fresh fruit with juice or coffee. They also served a snack & a delicious lunch. Don't plan on having any Corona's before the snorkeling, because it's just not allowed!! They will do whatever it takes to ensure that you have a good experience. They went so far as to dive into the ocean & bring a sea turtle on board!!! I would highly recommend using this group. They knew what they were doing, had as much fun as we did and could make mean margaritas!!! Jenjo

HI KIM There is no iron in your room but staff will bring one to your room if requested.The weather can get cool at night a couple of sweaters would be recommended.Long shorts and nice shirt is fine.Some people wore tees to supper and nobody said anything.

I was there last week, and had an amazing time. I couldn't have been happier with the resort, or with Puerto Vallarta. Though I did find the bed a little too firm, but if you ask, they will give you a foam cushion to go on top of the mattress.

Any idea of cost for what watching or fishing in PV area? Thanks

" They went so far as to dive into the ocean & bring a sea turtle on board!!!" this is exactly the sort of people you should avoid! What they did was totally illegal, turtles are a protected species here, they should be reported, certainly NOT recommended. Please do not support people like this.

Hola! Wondering if anyone has recently moved to Puerto Vallarta and what is required as far as documents, money, visas,etc. to make the move. I recently accepted a job at the resort in which I own a timeshare and have been going to for 7 years. I will be doing public relations, etc. I will be moving at the end of October 2004. I am a single woman, from the U.S., college degree, 30 years old and no dependents. Any input would be great.

--Jill

I'm not trying to be a smart a@@, just wondering if the "public relations" job has to do with Time Shares? Jill from sd wrote:

http://www.pvmirror.com/nature/whalewatching.html

<http://vallartawhales.com> BTW Vallarta was never a 'fishing village', sure they fished for their own consumption, but that's all. More agriculture than anything else.

[%sig%]

Information here <http://rollybrook.com/how_to_move_to_mexico.htm> <http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/immigration.html> Your employer should provide the FM3.

Going to the RIU Jalisco in March. Last year we stayed next door at the Solare. It was not a 4 star but it was ok. We checked out the RIU it seemed to be a 5 star as rated. Sent and email to the hotel hoping to pre book a room. I haven't hear back yet. What's your experience with the email connection.

Thanks.

Hi, I'm going to the Riu over springbreak with teenagers ages 18-22, what kind of nightlife is there for them. Are there disco's and what would you recommend. Is there activities around the pool during the day.

Hi, I'm going to the Riu over springbreak with teenagers ages 18-22, what kind of nightlife is there for them. Are there disco's and what would you recommend. Is there activities around the pool during the day.

I took a job trying to get people into time share presentations , for 1 month and nobody said yes . I think the days of timeshare will end soon as people become hip to the game .

You mention these rooms, which part of the u shape are they located? Did they have ocean view? We (there are 8 of us) will be going to Riu in Puerto Vallarta on February 7th, would you suggest that we e-mail and request certain rooms? We did go through a travel agent so should we go through the agent?

Hi all We're headed to the Royal Decameron next week for some fun in the sun...and to escape the -40 temps!! Any comments about the resort would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Jenn [%sig%]

Ann, there is a disco at the Riu. Around the pools they have exercise classes , dance lessons, or scuba lessons during the day. In the evening there is entertainment at the out door theatre, not professional, but very fun, they usually have guests participate . Also, they have free boogie boards, kayaks, paddle boats, also jet skis for rent. It is a great place with great food and good people...enjoy!!!

Deb, we stayed in room 6119, we had an ocean & mountain view that was spectacular, especially as the sun was setting ! We were in the U but on the side next to the Solare hotel. It was pretty quiet there, but a little bit of a walk to the elevator.

Could you tell me how far is it to the main road from the hotel? Is it in walking distance?

We stayed at Viva Vallarta (I'm guessing they've changed their name slightly). I have been to PV 3 times. Twice in the hotel village (Continental) and last time, spring break 2003 at Viva. It was a fantastic hotel. Very plush. The food was great and plentiful, the pools super, staff wonderful. I took my 13 and 16 year old daughters and they had the time of their life. Very secure hotel. I could go on and on about the hotel's attributes but it might be shorter and more beneficial to you if I list what I didn't like. 1. Too far from Puerto Vallarta (expensive trip both ways and the bus is quite a hike down the road) 2. Nothing around the hotel to visit (but you kind of don't want to leave anyhow) 3. Beach is rocky. 4. Ocean is treacherous and rocky if you are into swimming. 5. Booking an excursion was iffy. They screwed up the transportation.

So that's not much to complain about. None of us got sick, bottled water everywhere. The hotel rooms are spaced out so there is quite a hike if you are in the far building and on the third floor.

Enjoy your trip, I know you will.

Jamie [%sig%]

Thank you so much for the info Jamie. Do you know if there is any way to request a room that may be closer to the main part of the hotel? We are traveling with 2 kids (2 and 10 years) and don't want to have to lug all their stuff a long distance to the room if we can help it. Again, thanks for the update!

I would like to get some info on house or land in sayulita. thanks.

[%sig%]

It sounds like you are interested in buying. Do you happen to know of any lodging. I was there a couple of years ago on a day trip and loved it. I have a trip planned for next month with 2 other adults and hope to convince them we shoukd stay in Sayulita. Thank YOu. Nancy

Check out the following website on the area: http://www.sayulita.com/ Too, you might want to try to contact JRinPV (who often writes on this board and also on the Todovallarta board - he has his own website for PV) - he has excellent information on long-term rentals and links to real estate agents in Puerto Vallarta and probably too in Sayulita. Tom

Now that I know your kids ages, I would recommend The Melia by the Marina. We have been there twice and it is a fantastic resort for children especially younger ones. It's a very safe place and they really cater to kids activities. It is pretty-much between downtown P.V. and Nuevo, about 15 minutes by bus to downtown and 30 or so minutes to Nuevo. There are places to walk outside of the resort such as The Marina which has great restaurants and sights. The layout of the resort is great and easilly accessible to all the facilities. I know you will enjoy it here. When are you going? We just got back on February 1st and wished we were still there! [%sig%]

I am moving to Puerto Vallarta in October 2004 to work at Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort. I have been to PV numerous times and am extremely excited. However, it would be nice to get some advice from JR in PV as I know he does write on this board quite frequently with lots of VERY HELPFUL information. I am coming to PV again in May to get trained for my job as well as look for departamentos. JR, any advice?? I am a single female, 30 years old from South Dakota, USA. Thanks!

Blue chairs has tonnes of HOT HALF NAKED GAY MEN,,, mmmmmmmmmm lots of fun to be had there!!!

I would like to travel from PV to Manzanillo via Bus, would like information on bus depot and cost. Help greatly appreciated. Thanks Steven

Thank you for the sayulita.com web link. It makes me want to be there right now!. I'm not clear about how to get to your other suggestion........"RinPV (who often writes on this board and also on the Todovallarta board - he has his own website for PV)" Thanks for your help. Nancy

I just found the address for JR's website: http://vallarta-info.com/ In it on the top you can send him an e-mail message. Tom

Hi There, I don't know much about real estate in Sayulita, it is quite a distance away from PV. Glad to help with closer locations. Yes, the site is http://vallartainfo.com. E-mail jr@vallartainfo.com

The Primera Plus bus leaves from the PV bus station 1 mile east of the airport at 7:00am and 12:00noon. Takes 3-4 hours and costs 200 pesos. http://www.primeraplus.com.mx/ Other line is Elite.

Map for Cuates y Cuetes here http://vallarta-info.com/south.html

Susan, If you are Susan Schrandt of Casa Elania ignore this e-mail. (I found the listing on a different site and it does not name the casa.) If you are not Susan Schrandt, then I am very interested in hearing more about your place as a possible 3 mos rental in early 2005.

If this IS Susan Schrandt, do you have any suggestions or contacts that I could follow up? Robert Ball

Susan, If you are Susan Schrandt of Casa Elania ignore this e-mail. (I found the listing on a different site and it does not name the casa.) If you are not Susan Schrandt, then I am very interested in hearing more about your place as a possible 3 mos rental in early 2005.

If this IS Susan Schrandt, do you have any suggestions or contacts that I could follow up? Robert BallKen and Bea Rauch wrote: > My husband and I are retired, and are looking for economical > accommodations for the months of December, 2004 and January, > 2005. We would like to be able to relax, read, walk or bicycle, > snorkel and watch and photograph birds. Easy access to buses > and grocery stores is important. We are non-smokers. We might > be visited, for a week or so, by our daughter, son-in-law and > our two-year-old granddaughter. We would like clean, > comfortable accommodation. We have traveled to many places in > Mexico and want to take Spanish classes and do Mexican cooking. > > Please respomd as soon as possible with details.

[%sig%]

We have been considering several different hotels and wanted the best place for a family of 5 with 3 teenage boys. We read reviews of Viva and many complaints about the rooms and not a lot of activites planned. We are deciding between Sierro Nuevo or Grand Marvel. It seems like the Sierra has the best recreational activites for older children (game room, pool tables, disco, etc.) Also how is this stretch of beach? My boys all surf and I know it is good by Viva but how about these other hotels? By the way we are going over Christmas/New Years 2004/2005. Thanks for any info, Jane

We are a family of 5 with 3 teeenage sons, 14, 16, 19 and are deciding between Sierra Nuevo or Grand Marivel. We are planning a 10 night trip over Christmas/New Years 2004/2005. Looking at all the information it looks like the Sierra Nuevo has the best activities for older children (game room, pool table, basketball, disco, etc.) Can anyone tell me which has the best all around accomodations, foods and activites for teenagers? Also is the beach the same at both? My boys are all surfers and are hoping there are waves there or within driving distance. Any info would be great. THANKS

We are thinking of traveling then too and are wondering the same thing although my kids want to stay at the resort that has the best surf. Any recommendations?

J, OK, that is good information ... "HOT HALF NAKED GAY MEN". However, since neither my wife nor I are gay, we would like to know where the HOT HALF NAKED HETEROSEXUALS hang out?

Does anyone have a great car rental company that they know of who rents SUV's bigger than Jeep Wranglers (ie. Ford Escape, GMC Jimmy, etc.)?

I don't know where you've read...There are ALWAYS mixed reviews RE: different hotels...It all depends what kind of vacation you'd like. The only complaints about Viva's rooms I've heard is that they do not have actual pull-out drawers, only shelves. Most people don't go on vacation and let drawers ruin it for them!!! Remember Viva is a 4 1/2 - 5 star place. Maybe you should do a 6 star place with drawers then!!!

Hola you want Rooms 5169 0r 5170, the best roosm there! Rooster <http://www.bayofnavidad.com>

There is a Live web cam in Ponchos Internet Cafe in San Patricio/Melaque. See it at www.bayofnavidad.com Rooster

Live webcam in Melaque at Ponchos Restaurant and Internet Cafe! View Poncho as he tries to keep up with serving the best chicken in Jalisco! See it happen at <http://www.bayofnavidad.com>

Dear, My friends and I went at the Plaza Pelicanos in January and we had great time there. The staff activities is so nice, and if you go there, I promise that you'll have so much fun. The hotel is beautiful, and the site too. Good Trip Chikas 5 (Joanie, Christine, Célia, Josianne, Geneviève)

Paul, Just how do you go about getting a great room with a view at the Melia? We're staying March 13-20 with our children and so looking forward to the trip. The trip was booked with Fun Jet and not a direct booking with the hotel. Thanks for your help.

Went there last July. Had a great time took seven people. Everyone wants to go back. Great watersports. Good food.

On the Puerto Vallarta webcam, you can right-click your mouse on the picture and select "zoom in". After doing this, you can use the left button of your mouse to pan around the zoomed picture to see more detail.

We just returned from a wonderful 2 weeks at Dec. Los Cocos and would definitely go back. I have never stayed in an all inclusive before, and usually would get a place with a kitchen, in the past, but this was sooo easy. And the price was very good. Staff were friendly, attentive and fun. Food was good and we expecially took advantage of the grills in the morning where we could request anything form omlettes, pancakes or even a grilled cheese sandwich and if we were around in the afternoon, my husband always enjoyed a piece or two of the fresh baked pizza and I would go for a build your own chicken burger as the buffet offered just too much, including the desire to overeat. There was always fresh fruit and salads. The beach club grill was very good and had something for everyone. There were lots of water sports, including kayaks, boogie boards and even a hobie cat and we took advantage of using the bicycles to go to the internet cafe or over to La Penita to use the bank machine. We did a number of side trips, including a couple of great backroad trips with Bob and Vicky to coffee country which included a visit to the hotsprings and on another occassion, we went to the top of the volcano Ceberuco and visited the towns of Jala and Jomolca. The views were spectacular. One unusually rainy day, we took the bus to Tepic (abount $15 Can. each, return) and enjoyed the scenic valleys so rich in agriculture, (sugar cane, corn, beans, tobacco, algave cactus, melons, pineapple, mangrove groves, orange, lemon and lime trees, etc.) Los Ayala was a pleasant walk from the resort and their great beach was quiet and clean. We found that the restaurants in town were not very busy, so made a point of visiting a number of them while we were there. A good fish or shrimp dinner would cost 55 to 85 pesos and filet mignon was only 95 pesos at El Companerio. The collectivos made it easy to get from one town to another as well. A very enjoyable place with very friendly people. We felt privileged to be welcomed into their community.

We are going to PV next month and staying at the Riu Jalisso. Do they have any type of day cruises (booze-cruise for lack of a better term)? If so how do we sign up?

Is there a place that can make a digital camera card into a CD? Thanks [%sig%]

Can anyone recommend the best All Inclusive resort in PR to stay in for a family vacation with teenage boys?

me and the wife were downtown today near buenaventura when strolling by a mayan booth. when approached said nothing. he grabbed me by the arm and said i am talking to you. shook him off and told him to go f himself. seems these guys are getting more desperate. if the opc are resorting to physical contact reinforces the idea that timeshare is a lose lose opportunity.

Any ideas on where the best topless beaches are located in PV? My wife and I both enjoyed this phenomenon when we were in the Riviera Maya and wonder if the behavior is as prevalent and accepted in the PV area? [%sig%]

We just returned from a wonderful 2 weeks at Dec. Los Cocos and would definitely go back. I have never stayed in an all inclusive before, and usually would get a place with a kitchen, in the past, but this was sooo easy. And the price was very good. Staff were friendly, attentive and fun. Food was good and we expecially took advantage of the grills in the morning where we could request anything form omlettes, pancakes or even a grilled cheese sandwich and if we were around in the afternoon, my husband always enjoyed a piece or two of the fresh baked pizza and I would go for a build your own chicken burger as the buffet offered just too much, including the desire to overeat. There was always fresh fruit and salads. The beach club grill was very good and had something for everyone. There were lots of water sports, including kayaks, boogie boards and even a hobie cat and we took advantage of using the bicycles to go to the internet cafe or over to La Penita to use the bank machine. We did a number of side trips, including a couple of great backroad trips with Bob and Vicky to coffee country which included a visit to the hotsprings and on another occassion, we went to the top of the volcano Ceberuco and visited the towns of Jala and Jomolca. The views were spectacular. One unusually rainy day, we took the bus to Tepic (abount $15 Can. each, return) and enjoyed the scenic valleys so rich in agriculture, (sugar cane, corn, beans, tobacco, algave cactus, melons, pineapple, mangrove groves, orange, lemon and lime trees, etc.) Los Ayala was a pleasant walk from the resort and their great beach was quiet and clean. We found that the restaurants in town were not very busy, so made a point of visiting a number of them while we were there. A good fish or shrimp dinner would cost 55 to 85 pesos and filet mignon was only 95 pesos at El Companerio. The collectivos made it easy to get from one town to another as well. A very enjoyable place with very friendly people. We felt privileged to be welcomed into their community.

Patti, try Vallarta-Adventures. They have a number of great excursions.

We were a group of 16 that stayed at the Sierra Nuevo in March of '03 and it is a beautifull place! Checking in was a breeze & all of the rooms there offer an ocean view with a balcony and an absolutley breath taking view of the property and the ocean. The pools are huge and they really do have a lot of activities for the kids each day. The beach is great, plenty big and was never very crowded, also great for long early morning walks. The disco never really had very many people in it but the tiny little tables and chairs are a funny experience to see. I guess we were expecting it to be geared a little more towards young adults and not really kids. The food was very good for the most part, each night they had a different buffett style theme for dinner outside. I tend to think the food at any all inclusive is a little bland but I suppose when you are cooking for such large groups of people it's hard to get the seasoning perfect to everyone's taste. On the last night we were there they set us all up right out on the beach for a seafood beach party. The staff was always helpfull and happy. We didn't get a chance to try the more "upscale" restaurants in the resort that you need to make reservations for since we were always so busy running from excursion to excursion. Going back I would definitley have planned a little more beach and relaxation time but they offer so many fun activities it was hard to say no to anything. We went with Apple Vacations and the Apple Rep there was the best I have ever dealt with. He had his hands full with 16 twenty-eight years olds trying to coordinate excursions, dinners, etc. & he went way out of his way to keep us all happy and tip us off to the best things to do and places to eat. Almost each day we took an excursion, we did the whale watching boat ride which was okay but a little long. Take the short tour if you want to see them, not the all day tour like we did. We rented 4 wheelers one day and that tour was awesome...they took us through some of the little towns where you get to see where the locals live, through the sand on some of the beaches, out on some really good trails and towards the end we stopped at a great ranch with a good place to eat that also offered showers which we were definitley in need of since you do get full of dirt, sand and dust. We went horseback riding on another day which was a lot of fun, another tour which your boys would love was the canopy tour. You're up in the jungle with a very capable and funny group of guys that teach you how to repel, and go from tree to tree on cables. Do this tour in the morning though as they said that in the afternoon it gets pretty hot and humid. We also did the rythms of the night boat cruz which was a lot of fun, you could skip the show though and just walk around the island while that is going on but the food is great. One night we went to dinner at this great place way up in the mountains above the malecon. I can't remember the name of the place but I think the lower half was a hotel. The elevators weren't working that night so we did have quite a hike up many flights of stairs but it was well worth it and just helped us work up a bigger appetite. Our Apple Rep. made sure we were there for the sunset and he got us seating right up on the roof outside of this place. It was an incredible view, great food & presentation. Wednesday nights they have the bull fights in town which we checked out but it was way to much for me to handle & we ended up leaving half way through the show. The ONLY thing about this resort that we didn't like is that you are about 20 minutes to a half an hour away from downtown so your pretty far away from the action if you decide spur of the moment that you want to leave and go up town at night. Cab rides can be a little pricey. The distance bothered us a little bit at times but the place was so nice it was easy to over look. It was my second trip to Puerto Vallarta and I love it there, last time we stayed at the Qualton Club which is in the hotel zone and it is a very nice 4 star all inclusive hotel close to town. Obviously not quite as extravegant as the Sierra Nuevo but it did seem like there was always a lot more action going on around that place. You'll really enjoy it there regardless of where you decide to stay! Have a great trip! [%sig%]

Thanks for all the info. First of all we have rented a car for our entire stay as the boys and my husband will be going to different surf spots each day and we like to venture out on our own. The canopy tours are great, we all did one when we went to Costa Rica a couple of years ago. Other than my older son (will turn 20 while we are there) I do not think that the others will mind not going into town at night, they are more into the basketball, pool and ping pong tables and just hanging out with other kids their age. And if drinks are included my husband and I are just fine hanging by the pool and/or beach in the evenings. Do you think we should also check out the Qualton as you said there are more activities there? We are traveling over Christmas so assume that there should be families wherever we go. Any more suggestions would be great. Thanks

Would you recommend this property for a family of five with 3 teenage boys for over Christmas? We have been looking at the Sierra Neuvo Vallerta and the Grand and Club Marival as they are All-inclusives and seem to have A LOT of activities for teenagers which is what we want. The only drawback is that they do not have 2BR suites. Does Plaza Pelicanos have an all inclusive plan? Do they have tennis courts, game room, disco etc. Do you know their website? Any info or suggestions you could give would be great. Thanks, Jane

I read that there are no non-smoking rooms. Is this true? If so, did the rooms smell like cigarettes? Thank you, Asia

Has anyone stayed at this new property which opened October 2003? I read 2 reviews from Trip Advisor that were not good and wanted to hear more feedback. Thanks, Jane

We just got back from a fabulous 2 week vacation at The Melia. This was our second visit there and when we go back to PV next year, we were perhaps thinking of trying the Crown Paridise. Don't get us wrong, there is absolutely nothing we don't like about The Melia, which is why we are torn about the possibility of going to a different resort. I've read some pretty good reports on another bulletin board about the Crown and that people keep going back year after year. So, is there anybody that have been to both resorts within the last couple of years that can provide us with some comparison between the two? We usually travel with 6 - 8 of us, all adults. I will be in-charge of organizing next year's trip, so I don't want to make a error in judgement.

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No problem! If I can think of any other good suggestions I will make sure to post them. I think that the Sierro is definitley a more elegant and nicer hotel than the Qualton. Everything from the setup on the inside (lounge area, restaurants, etc) to the hotel room and the grounds that you'll be basking on and viewing from your room are much more impressive. You'll have more space to roam, more beach area & more pools to choose from (the Qualton only has one & got very crowded during the day). The beach vendors have a shop set up on the beach that you can walk to and they don't bombard you half as much in the Nuevo area while you are laying out as they do in the hotel zone. There will still be some, which is fine with me but when we were in the hotel zone you couldn't even relax for 10 minutes. Of course drinks are included and if you give your bartenders a small tip here and there they are very willing to take extra good care of you. Not sure if you or your husband are golfers but they also have a really nice golf course next to the property. I don't know prices as we are not golfers but it definitley does add to that feeling of not having people and other hotels right on top of you. As long as you are going to have a car anyway I would take the Nuevo area & the Sierro Nuevo any day. You'll feel a lot more pampered there. The resort had plenty of kids stuff going on in the pool and they do have shuffle board, volleyball, body boards, pool and ping pong as you mentioned. You won't be dissapointed there. I think it seemed like there was a lot going on at the Qualton because it is a smaller hotel and they had a great activity program for the kids but with limited space we almost felt like we were always tripping over them. They had pool activities going on constantly with the kids so every time we wanted to swim in it the pool was overtaken with the kids. At the Sierro they have several swimming pools & areas so there is always a beautiful pool available for the adults to get away in if they choose or you can hang around and watch the kids activities which can be pretty amusing! The Qualton also had the disco area right in the main lobby of the hotel whereas the Sierro has it's own seperate building. I guess what I am saying is that there weren't necessarily more activities for the kids at the Qualton, the Sierro just has a lot more room to accomodate everyone. I'll have to pick your brain sometime about Costa Rica. We were going to go there this year but my travel agent advised against it for right now so we're going to check out Huatulco Mexico this year. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.

it is about an 8 min walk to main hyway

Hi Karen, why did your travel agent advise against going to Costa Rica? I was thinking about a trip there next year? thanks

We were looking to go there this year in March and she just said that she would prefer we didn't go there right now...more for our safety than anything. She said they were kind of experiencing a "period of unrest" right now. Since I've worked with her for a long time and she's always taking excellent care of us I took her word on it. Other than that she said it was a beautiful place to go so we will probably look at visiting there sometime in 2005 as well.

Thanks for the info.

Give it up...delete this stupid string...

Which of these budget hotels did you like the most? I'm thinking of visiting PV and I am on a budget. Cleanliness is important as well as the price and a safe location.

The Frankfurt seems like a good budget price. How does this hotel compare with the others you have stayed in? Debby

I'm interested in availability for mar13-20. thx for your help sincerely, from snowy minnesota

Hi! can you tell me a little more about Decameron Los Cocos? is it right on the beach? and is it actually in a fishing village? Thanks!

hey tonto go blow your horse.the thread says riu jalisco why do you feel the need to read it.Is this thread of info somehow ruining your pathetic little life.what a loser.

Yes it actually is a fishing village - great people - the resort is on the beach - Building #4 is a little ways back from the beach (about a 2 min walk) - but has the adult pool and a bar.

Hey Everybody, I was just wondering, what the legal drinking age is at the RIU, I am going to the Jalisco in March. I am going to be there with my girlfriend. Another question I had is are there a lot of younger couples or is it kind of middle of the road. Thank you to anybody who writes back! Stretch!

working as an OPC was fun , but grabing people is a new trick . I selling my fellow americans down river too the wolfs kind of hurt . as for canadians .... well greed is a bad thing and they often find out why the got the cash . making a honest living in PV is tough .

Has anyone rented a car in PV lately? I'm looking to drive down the coast as far as Barra and back. Is there a good, dependable, honest local agency? Any idea what the costs are? I'd just as soon avoid the multinationals (Budget, Avis, etc.) if there's a choice.

Take a bus...$15 and your there in first class comfort. There are several rental car agencies if your don't mind spending the extra $$$. I probably pass about 5 between the Mega and the Sheraton heading south on the east side of the highway... good luck!

If you read Sombrero's post, the legal age must be 12 years old....he must have imbibed.....

Hi....reading the messages.....just booked at village de mar in P.V....is it o.k.?? Did it through someone owning a time share but have not paid him yet.....do you think its worth 700 cd a week?? Thanx for the info...are you from the kootenays??I am....are there any neat..reasonable places to eat or things to do with teens??

DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A LEGAL AGE , I SAW SOME 16 YEAR OLDS GETTING SERVED.THE AVERAGE AGE WHEN I WAS THERE WAS 28-45.LOTS OF FAMILIES.HEY TONTO BUZZ OFF,WHY READ THIS THREAD.

The Frankfurt is my favorite, you'll find me at the bar, most any night.

Does anyone know if you can walk accross the street and find a taxi van? We will have 4 adults and 2 children. Or do you think we'll have to have 2 taxis? Thanks

Hi mdHave, when are you going down to Barra, we were thinking of doing the same thing, we arrive Feb 23 around 3:00pm. I can't decide whether to take the bus or rent a car.

cheers !

Don't know if the RIU has a service to download from camera card to CD, but I know of other AI resorts that do. The going rate is about $10 US I think. However, my suggestion would be to just purchase another camer card or two and that way you have plenty of storage for this and future vacations. Camera card have gotten pretty cheap lately.

[%sig%]

I just LOVE this thread!!! There is some good info here and also some incredible entertainment ... what a fight. Such wonderful lines in here ... "Tonto go blow your horse" ... that's great! No offense Tonto, but we need to see a better comeback than the one about "the legal age must be 12". You're outnumbered in this thread 10 to 1, so you need to bring in the re-inforcements. Yeah, c'mon Tonto, bring in your amigo, the Lone Ranger, and give us a real show.

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Probably cheaper or the same price to take the airport taxi for that many, less hassle as well.

Watch out for being shortchanged at the airport cabstand where you buy your ticket, it's notorious. They'll push short change at you as if that's the end of the transaction and then wait for you to go away.

Flying in from Houston...which is the best route to Careyes? From PV or Manzanillo? Which is closer and what would be the best way to get to Careyes from there? We've never been there and are very interested in trying it out. Thanks for any advice/information you can give me!

I found a great deal on the Hotel Careyes but I don't know exactly how to get there from here...Houston! Is it closer to fly in to PV and rent a car, take a bus, etc. to Careyes? Or, is it closer to fly in to Manzanillo? And, if we did rent a car at either airport, is it an easy drive? We've been practically all over Mexico (my husband is from D.F.) and I know there are some places you can drive and some you want to avoid. Anyway, I'm very interested in Careyes...looks beautiful. Any information/advice you could send my way would be greatly appreciated!!!

Susan, what place did you find there? I would try <http://205.214.78.254/careyes.html> there is a lot of info on that area or <http://www.costalegre.ca> another great site.

[%sig%] Post Edited (02-13-04 14:20)

Susan, what place did you find there? I would try <http://205.214.78.254/careyes.html> there is a lot of info on that area or <http://www.costalegre.ca> another great site.

[%sig%]

damn stutter !

I love the timeshare speel, makes me feel important. Then after I show them credit card which is maxed to the limit we depart as great friends.

My wife, our 9 year old grand daughter and I just finished the 5 hour trail ride offered by Rancho El Charro. Beware! That was the most grueling, challenging horseback ride you could hope for. I write to you now with a bruised tail bone. This ride is NOT for novices, but maybe for very experienced riders who want a real challange. Maybe their 3 hour ride is not so difficult. If you use this provider, you should thoroughly discuss the the difficulty scale with Pamela. I will not again use or recommend Rancho El Charro.

The bus to Manzanillo should stop at Careyes.

I will be in Punta Perulo next week. Where is this house located?

Try www.careyes.com.mx. Possibly where you're staying may have a service for pickup? If not, you can rent car and drive or possibly have the bus driver drop you off at the entrance road into Careyes? Flying into Manzanillo would put you closer to Careyes than flying into PV.

Road Log: www.emilebymile/main/mexico/jalisco/state_200/mexico_jalisco_road_map_logs.html

Try www.careyes.com.mx Manzanillo airprot is closer than PV airport to Careyes.

Yes Hwy 200 is safe to drive.

Im going to be going to the RIU in June 04.. how is the weather at that time... Also the downtown u guys keep talking about, is that the hotel zone??? i am a little concerned as to staying far from the hotel zone, because ppl have told me that it can cost up to $40 one way to the hotel zone.. but then i hear ppl talking about it costing $11- $15 whcich one is accurate and is this downtwown the hotel zone? If not what is in downtown.... Also does this hotel allow tipping(i know some hotels do not because it is included and the managers get angry.I hope this is not the case as i enjoy tipping for a job well done... any other advice would be appreciated.... thanks

I was just wondering...anyone who has been to Riu Jalisco twice or more...have you seen some of the same staff there on your visits??? if so about what percent of the staff are the same??? j/w Thanx for any help Kirsty [%sig%]

It is about 15 dollars for a cab ride to pv.yes they allow tipping and it is very appreciated.I have been twice, a year apart and a lot of the staff were the same, probably 60%.

Thanks JRinPV, Very helpful. Steven

My wife and I were in PV a few weeks ago. When we arrived, it was evening so we walked down the street looking for a place to eat. I think we were on the one-way street that goes north through town, the bus route, near its intersection with Honduras. In a ten minute period we got hit up by three timeshare hustlers. Finally, we found a restaurant that looked nice. Can't remember its name but it's an open-air place on that main drag, at the southwest corner of an intersection, possibly at Honduras or within a block or two. If you don't like timeshare pitches, STAY AWAY FROM THAT RESTAURANT. After we were seated and ordered, the host came over and started making smalltalk. Within minutes he had Mayan Palace brochures all over our table. Offered us $200 usd cash to take the "tour." After about the 6th time telling him "NO!" we finally got our bill and got out.

We were so disgusted with the whole thing that we jumped on a bus the next morning and got the hell out of PV. And we won't be back. There are many other nice, inexpensive, beautiful and relaxing places in Mexico, with NO timeshare hustlers. Timeshares are just a total waste of money anyway. The night after we left PV, we had an oceanfront room for $35. When that kind of thing is available, why in the world would anyone want to remove their choices with a timeshare, and pay a premium for doing it? It boggles my mind.....

Hey a couple of buddies and I will be going to Puerto Vallarta in the Spring...I would just like to know the Hot Spots...where we can find so Women...

We are leaving feb 21 how is the hotel view to the ocean and how far I love the Ocean. Closest elevator to the Ocean.

How can I get Mecedes phone # or e.mial I would like ti have a nice view and close to thenelevators we are leaving Feb 21 help. Thamks Gloria

<http://www.bayofnavidad.com> sorry

<http://www.bayofnavidad.com>

Just back from a week at Grand Marival. Food was so so, facilities were good. But if you ever have a problem with the hotel, forget it! We were getting ready for dinner at 6PM one night, my wife had just gotten out of the shower and I was shaving. A male with a key walked into our room. I challenged him and he left with a "sorry." We called the desk and later talked to guest services. My wife was scared. We asked for a different room- there were supposedly only 2 rooms available- a garden facing room (we were in an ocean facing room) and a junior suite. But the junior suite was $200 more and Marival didn't think our comfort and security was worth $200. Management never apologized or explained to us who might of entered our room. Still waiting for anything from them. I also cut my foot on a sharp surface in one of the pools my first day there but I told guest services about it and got absolutely NO response- not how is your foot or which pool or concern for anyone else cutting themselves. I limped for the week I was there. They moved us to a different room (same cost) a day later. The maid left and we moved in. The toilet seat was broken completely off the toilet. I would think the maid would have gotten this fixed. When I reported it to the front desk I got sarcasm but the seat was fixed. I would not recommend this resort to anyone. Management seems to think if they totally ignore problems the problems don't exist. There are better resorts in PVR!! I was also very dissapointed with Villarta Tours, our reps in town. I told them of our problems and after $15 worth of phone calls (my expense) they only regurgitated what the hotel had told us. I asked to be moved to another resort but of course it would have been at my expense and would have been very costly! Vallarta Tours seems intent only on selling tours they have a financial interest in...

[%sig%]

Just back from a week at Grand Marival. Food was so so, facilities were good. But if you ever have a problem with the hotel, forget it! We were getting ready for dinner at 6PM one night, my wife had just gotten out of the shower and I was shaving. A male with a key walked into our room. I challenged him and he left with a "sorry." We called the desk and later talked to guest services. My wife was scared. We asked for a different room- there were supposedly only 2 rooms available- a garden facing room (we were in an ocean facing room) and a junior suite. But the junior suite was $200 more and Marival didn't think our comfort and security was worth $200. Management never apologized or explained to us who might of entered our room. Still waiting for anything from them. I also cut my foot on a sharp surface in one of the pools my first day there but I told guest services about it and got absolutely NO response- not how is your foot or which pool or concern for anyone else cutting themselves. I limped for the week I was there. They moved us to a different room (same cost) a day later. The maid left and we moved in. The toilet seat was broken completely off the toilet. I would think the maid would have gotten this fixed. When I reported it to the front desk I got sarcasm but the seat was fixed. I would not recommend this resort to anyone. Management seems to think if they totally ignore problems the problems don't exist. There are better resorts in PVR!! I was also very dissapointed with Villarta Tours, our reps in town. I told them of our problems and after $15 worth of phone calls (my expense) they only regurgitated what the hotel had told us. I asked to be moved to another resort but of course it would have been at my expense and would have been very costly! Vallarta Tours seems intent only on selling tours they have a financial interest in...

[%sig%]

Hi Paul- It seems you are the man to talk to about getting great rooms at the Melia. My husband and I will be arriving Feb 20 for the first time in PV. How do you get such a great room ? Can you help me ? Its our eighth wedding anniversary.... Thanks Patty O

Hola: Has anyone ever stayed at El Pescador Hotel in Downtown. I have a 3 night reseveration there and just wanted to know what to expect. Thank You

Hi, Great review..Could I have that email address also. I am going to Riu on April 3rd. I would like to request a room with great view also. Thanx. Nan [%sig%]

Don't think Mercedes works there anymore. Try the following email: clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com

Greetings We are planning a family trip to pv and were reading the comments about the riu. We stayed at a riu in Playa Del Carmen and the kids loved it!! However they did not have the kids and the parents segregated in two different pools...is this a big deal in pv along with the no jumping in the pool rule this concerns us. We are traveling with 2 -18 year olds 2- 15 year olds and an 11 year old. What can you tell us about the beach? We have heard that it is mucky on the pacific side and not fine white sand...is this true. Is it dangerous to swim ?? any other suggestions would be very helpful....we are trying to decide between pv and cozumel...looking for hot sun and activitivites for the fam...

thanx Elyse

Will be staying at the PV Riu Jalisco in March. We stayed at a property next door last year. The Riu looked good. The location of the hotel is about 15-20 min from PV. It is a quiet area. The beach is safe. Not your clear blue water or golden sand but it's OK. PV is a great spot to go for a holiday. I like it better than Cabo.

Anyone done a sidetrip to El Tuito? Is it worth the trip? Anything much to do or see there? Any other short sidetrips to small towns that someone would highly reccomend more than El Tuito? [%sig%]

I am getting married at the royal decameron this august, there are going to be about 25 guest. I am trying to find the best outdoor spot to have a little reception following the ceremony. Do you have any ideas, or a favorite bar/seating area?

We just got back from Puerto Vallarta last Monday. We went on a whale watching excursion with Eco Tours de Mexico and they were excellent. A percentage of your fee goes to research of the humpback whale. They give you a nice introduction before you go out, and they follow the rules for whale watching. Yes they are licenced. I would highly recommend them. Here is their website address: www.ecotoursvallarta.com. Enjoy. By the way, we saw at least 5 whales when we went out.

I was wondering if any one know what's it's like to rent in PV for about 6 months out of the year and what are the rents like?

hi, i'm planning to take a trip to puerto vallarta in may with a group of friends. i'm not sure where i would like to stay. here are my options: sheraton, westin, or riu.

we would love to stay at a hotel with a nice beach. good nightlife is a plus.

any suggestions or recommendations? thanks, cyndi

Check out the website www.vallartainfo.com Good stuff on outlying areas!

I am getting married at the Royal Decameron this summer. I need help picking a spot for the reception, having a hard time by just looking at pictures. If anybody has any input on a good location at this resort I would be grateful.

[%sig%] Post Edited (02-22-04 12:46)

dear sir, just writing to apologize for the creep who grabbed your arm in pv. i am a mayan palace opc and i just wish the mayan would get rid of some of the trash on the streets. they are rude and make the job more dificult for some of us who are educated and courteous. i know the bad rep that the industry has but believe when i tell you that it beats minimum wage( 5 usd per day). sorry again and hope youll still return to pv. take care.

OK, thanks for the info!

Hi I was wondering how much it cost to take a whale watching tour is? We leave March 13-20. Also can you walk down the beach to any shops and if you can how far is it to walk to and what way do you go from Riu Jalisco? Thanks

Hi, I just read your inquiry about jobs and was wondering what you have found out. I too am a teacher that has been teaching for 20 years. I plan to take a year off starting in september and move to Mexico, possibly P.V. I would like to work there as well, but probably just part-time. Please let me know if you have gathered any useful information or have found opportunities for work. I don't really need to make huge bucks but would like to enjoy my time.

Thanks for any suggestions you can make.

Lynda

has any one went to any strip clubs [%sig%]

I guess not

The last weddings receptions I saw at the Royal Decameron were held in the Flamigo's Buffet Restaurant and adjoining snack bar area.I guess it depends on how many people you have and if the Hotel has a designated reception area.It is the far left of the resort (that is if you are facing from the Ocean), ocean front just behind one of the pools.I think this is a great area as you have the Big Palapa Buffet with indoor seating and also outdoor seating. One of the cool Beach Bars is just outside of the restaurant.If there are not that many people I think they set you up at the snack bar area but it is much nicer than before as they have set up a kind of wicker covered seating area along with the uncovered area.They had it nicely decorated, I think with white canopies for the wedding that I saw.The snack bar could be used to set up Buffet food for the receptions. The other restaurants are in the middle of things and you may want to be off to the side.There is another Beach Bar with covered seating on the far right hand side of the Resort but that would be only if you were a small group probably getting together for drinks because I don't think they are set up for food there.Hope this helps alittle. Gringo

You're not allowed in unless you are literate.

Watch out for this airport taxi scam! If you book your trip to PV through a travel agency which sets you up with 'round trip transfers' from the airport to your hotel and back, especially the ones that cost $26.00USD per person, be sure you don't end up being shuffled out a side door of the airport to one of the much less expensive city taxis by some guy representing the tour company. This happened to us in Dec. '03.

To make matters worse, since we declined to buy some of the overpriced tours offered by our tour company representative, he conveniently 'forgot' to send a cab for us at the conclusion of our vacation. We ended up sitting in our hotel lobby, waiting.

Fortunately, the folks at the excellent Camino Royal realized what was going on and and got us a city cab back to the airport. A report of this deception to our travel agent upon our return home resulted in a refund of $46.00USD of the $52.00USD we had prepaid. We were also told that the Mexican tour rep. received a one week suspension without pay for his actions.

Mike

I am looking to rent a one bedroom apartment/bungalow/room for one week July 12th-18th. I would prefer an ocean view and the price being economical. I will be traveling alone so it would need to be a safe location. Thanks for your help! Deborah

JRinPV wrote: > You're not allowed in unless you are literate.

Who's not allowed JR?

While travelling in Mexico (PV as well) we saw a few stray (starving, skinny, but VERY SWEET) dogs...I fell in love with them too and cried myself to sleep thinking about how they just wanted soemone to love them. Yes, we should help our own animals in the USA, but my heart aches for the animals I saw in PV. If you want to adopt one of them, I say go for it. An animal doesn't have citizenship, you help the most needy, and the most needy animals I've ever seen was in PV. If I could I would have adopted the three sweeties I found there too... You CAN make a difference in an animal's life...

I dont much likes you-uns makin fun of us-uns who aint had the schoolin and aint learnt to speak such perty grammer as you-uns. Besides, them bouncers at the PV strip clubs probly dont speak no good English none better than me. So I think I might could pass there litracy test. Anyway, all Pete n me wants is the low down on whar to view some of them fine Mexican udders. Tired of seein nuttin but ol bessy out yonder in the barn.

Pete, buddy, fancy the link on the butt end of this here page by some other nicer feller who also calls hisself JR: http://vallartainfo.com/puertovallarta2.html#2 [%sig%]

hey there my name is Meredith and i am going to Royal DeCmeron in March. i have read a couple of comments about this place and i am kind of confused. i am 18 and i am going down there with 9 of my friends! a lot of people have said that it is dirty, the drinks are watered down, and that they beach stinks and it also dirty. i would like to know what you think about this and see if i should be worried about anything. also i would like to know which building you stayed in because i heard that building one is old and dirty and that we should request building 5, but that building isnt close to the beach. if you could just respond and tell me what you think about it that would be great. Thank you very much Meredith

Best thing is probably just to put these poor, unfortunate creatures out of their misery ... BANG, BANG ...

Not talking about the dogs either, but all you people flaming each other in this thread.

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Hi I was at Royal Decameron in February. I am 19 and went down with one of my friends for Reading Break. We knew as soon as we got on the bus that we may have made a mistake when choosing our resort. There were the two of us, and two other girls who were under 25! When we got to the resort our suspicisions were confirmed.....we were definately out numbered by the more "experienced" age category!! The majority of the people were old enough to be our parents, or else it was underage kids vacationing with their parents! But that was the only downside! The resort is beautiful!! We started out in building 1.......STAY away!! Our room was really gross, and the door didn't lock!! We requested to be changed in the morning, and they moved us to building 5. It's not "close" to the beach....it's about a 30 second walk!! We moved again later in the week to building 4. I would recommend either building 2 or building 4, they are both nice and both are central. The drinks are NOT WATERED DOWN!!! I think the bartenders see young girls and forget how to measure!! Almost every drink we got was VERY strong! When you order a drink order a pop as well because you might have trouble choking down the pure alcohol!! Another downside we found was the nightlife at the resort. The show goes at 10 and is worth going to...it was usually very good..and you can enjoy a few cocktails! The disco is not bad, but it was pretty empty while we were there, the first night it was just the 4 of us! But with 9 friends it should be a good time, just make sure and tell the DJ what kind of music you like and he will play it, otherwise the music is pretty weak. If you want to go into PV and party but don't want to be hassled with cabs (especially trying to get back) go on the pub crawl offered by the hotel. They take you to nice clubs and it was a really good time. But if you do decide to check out the night life, be sure to hit Senor Frog and Carlos O'Briens. We didn't make it to the Zoo but heard it was awesome. Another thing to check out is the Foam Party at Collage on Mondays. It's an open bar and an amazing time! If you have any other questions email me......we had an awesome time and wanted to cry when we had to leave!!

Hello!! I have come across an artist's retreat in Puerto Vallarta: go to www.vallarta-info.com and click on vacation rentals. Scroll down, it's there.

Also, there is an artist's retreat in Sayulita: go to www.sayulita.com and click on lodging. You kind of have to piece through this as there are a lot. There are also bungalows that are very economical and called 'Papa'a Palapas'. They are right on the beach and is perfect for one person!

Muchas gracias, Daniel. I've seen your name quite often, so I feel comfortable taking your advice!

The Careyes has a deal for about $400 for four nights. I can get airfare from Houston to Manzanillo for $405...I had found a package deal through Expedia for $1300 each! I've been reading comments on The Careyes and they've all been very favorable.

Thanks for the information on the two sites. I'll check them out today.

Have a great day!

Susan, My family and I will be in the area late June early July. Do you mind sharing the web site in which you found this deal? I inquired prices at the hotel web site and they where pretty steep. This sounds like a graet deal.$400 for 4 nights?

Hey, here's an idea!!! Why don't we put YOU out of our misery!

Bes' y'all b known theem PeeVee streep klubs 'taint nothin' 'cept howses fo' eel reepuet. Bes' b usin' thoughs kondomeaneums if'n u git lonelee.

Well just by reading here might just have to go there and see for myself what it is like. Now was just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this sunholidays .Just looking for some feedback as there prices are very reasonable compared to some of the other travel sites Thankx Brent P.S.

Thinking of booking tomorrow a.m .

Im goint to PV in about a month for spring break never been there and staying at the RIU wondering how the nightlife is what there is to do at night in 21 years old please give me good news.

Im goint to PV in about a month for spring break never been there and staying at the RIU wondering how the nightlife is what there is to do at night in 21 years old please give me good news.

ElNaco, GrassyAss fer them werds of wisdum. I kin tell yall growed up in the South, jus lik a me. Cept only thing is we aint stain in no kondermeneum. Bein as we stain in a motel, we needs differnt vice from u.

I have searched high and low when I am in and around Puerto Vallarta. How do you go about going horseback riding on the beach? Can you do this in Punta de Mita or Puerto Vallarta??? I have never seen any horses on any beaches that I've been to in PV. Any help would be great.

Thanks, Jill

I am wondering if anyone out there has rentals in PV for long-term and what are your rates. I am moving to PV in October and looking for a one-bedroom, terrace, good neighborhood.

Thanks!

Well, maybe I actually got your attention now.

My point is this - here is Mary, trying to do a good deed and make the world a little bit better place in her own way, only to have half of the people on this site ridicule her gallant efforts. Who really gives a rats !@# if she chooses to do her good deed in PV or Colorado or Timbuktu? The fact is that she is doing something beneficial, somewhere. Mary should be commended, not condemned.

Chuck, actually, I think I'll stick around and wait for you people to start slamming Mother Teresa.

Have booked our last three trips with Sun Holidays. After you book you will get an email confirmation. Also, the next business day the local agency office that you selected when booking will contact you with another confirmation. Tickets will be picked up at the local office. I prefer Sun Holidays to the other internet sites as Sun Holidays has a local office where I live.

When planning a trip check out the site daily as prices will fluctuate. Last January we went to Decameron Los Cocos for $750.00 plus tax for 1 week (booked 3 weeks before departure) and this year to Puerto Plata for $1,200.00 plus tax for 2 weeks (booked 6 weeks before departure). Prices from Edmonton. Both sale prices were only available less than 48 hours.

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Just got back from PV in early february. If you go to the beaches in Nuevo Vallarta they have horses you can ride on the beaches...beautiful area...enjoy !!

hello bill my name is eric. looking for a resort to go to with my family, i have a son and daughter who are 18. i hear alot about the resort in general, but nothing about if there are anyone vacationers in my two kids age group. do u have any insight on this matter?

Just returned heres the good the bad and theugly on Puerto Vallarta.

The good , weather sunny and 30 no clouds , its what we go for . Generally the people of Pvr are friendly and polite. Hotel was great no complaints .

The bad ...timeshare goofs at the airport are liars they told us they were tour reps even after I told them to get lost they still persisted , if Pvr does not doi somethinfg about this they are going to lose a lot of tourism, myself I just ignord them and kept waliking however a lot of people were sucked in , we were in Gigante one night buying groceries and a nice man comes up and asks us if we need help , hows our trip etc ....another timeshark we ran into two at Gigante hitting on us while shopping wat a bloddy nusicance , most of the time we ignored them but it does take away from the trip . Mercado at the marina had a clerk actually try and rip us off intentionally ( first time ) in 4 visits when we caught her she actually got pissed at us .

The ugly Girl at flea market walking her poodle and a full grown Rottweiler attacked her and her poodle for about ten minutes people chased the larger dog off the small one only to have the large one come back and attack another dog , later the same Rott was walking down the main street in and out of the shops .

Pvr should get this by now , tourism kepps you in pesos , Timeshares and ripping people off and dog fights in the streets aint gonna keep em coming back . Still a great trip however getting a little tired of being treated like a walking dollar sign .......

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$4 hrs. south of PV in La Manzanilla, Mexico is an Artists Co-op. Check it out at: www.lamanzanilla.biz.

April 03 we had luck finding a guy walking with a few horses out on the beach right in front of the Pelicanos, where we stayed. We just walked down by him and negotiated a price. My niece and I went up the beach then into the streets a bit and then back to the hotel. It was a great time. Don't recall how much we paid though. Don't think it was much. I guess we were just lucky we happened upon him. Good luck.

Hi all. Myself and four other women are heading to Rui Jalisco in March. Has anyone else stayed there? How did you enjoy it? Anything you can recommend to us about the resort? Where is the closes place for us to go shopping and best way for us to get there? How about nice restaurants? Has anyone swam with dolphins, how was it? First timers to PV, any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks kindly.

Looking for anything anyone can tell me about this resort. Going in 2 weeks.

Can anyone tell me if PV sells Clamato Juice "Clam Juice"?

It is now readily available in PV and NV

Oh ya, you can also get the rest of the Ceaser fixings there, but the Worchestershire is not the usual "Lee and Perrins" that Canadians recognize. I have the bottle, so if you need to know what it is called, send me an email.

Are you attending one and needing lodging or looking for one to attend?

International Artist Angeline Kyba has a room for rent. If I was going alone I would like to stay there. It is up on Gringo Gulch overlooking the city. Lot's of great drawing spots. At least go and visit, she is a great gal... http://www.mexonline.com/casabrava.htm

I have understood that there is little or no shade in front of los cocos on the beach. I am thinking of bringing a beach umbrella. Is this worth hauling on the plane or does the hotel have any? I love the beach but don't wanna be fried out there! Thanks for any replies! Only ten more sleeps!

Hey Suzy! Thanks for the info. What beaches exactly in Nuevo offer this. I have never been to Nuevo before and would not know where to begin. We would be taking a taxi there. Also...is it possible to do a horseback ride at sunset?? Thanks for your help, Suzy! Adios, Jill

Hello, My gal and I are heading to the RDC for the week before Easter. I've heard it's the biggest party week in PVR! So we'll have to go into Puerto Vallarta for clubs one night. Does the pub crawl from the RDC include Carlos O'Briens or Senor Frogs? If not, we'll HAVE to do a trip by ourselves into town and back. Any tips on doing so? I saw that it's *difficult* to get a taxi... do they run all night? Will I eventually get one? Also, we want an ocean view. Is building #1 the only one with a good view? Thanks all! [%sig%] Post Edited (03-02-04 22:40)

Whatever you do stay away from building 1!!! There are ocean views in all the other building except 5 (some are better than others...but are you really going to spend much time looking at the ocean from your room?) Building number 1 is really old and gross and the rooms smell. You will be disappointed it you take a room in that building. The pub crawl we went on took us to Senor Frogs, Carlos O Briens, Hilo and J&B's. It was not the pub crawl offered by the hotel, but if you go to guest services (in the flamingo lobby) and talk to Fili....tell him you want to go on the Monday night pub crawl (Pachenga nights pub crawl) The pub crawl directly associated with the hotel is on wednesdays, and I am not positive of what bars they go to, but I think they go to Carlos O Briens. We never chanced taking a cab back late at night......we didn't feel comfortable taking a cab out to the middle of nowhere after we'd been drinking....but I heard they were available........I would definatly get some confirmation from someone when you get there regarding the reliability of cabs late at night Enjoy your trip!

Make sure you all hold hands from the bus to the door of the clubs. PV can be so scary. Don't talk to anyone outside of your group and you should get back to your hotel OK. Unless banditos hold up your bus. I hear that happens alot at night.

I forgot. Unlike the rest of the world, the taxis in PV shut down at 9pm?

Could you please give me the e-mail address to this hotel/apartment. Thanks

Hi we want to go to PV in the month of Feb. 2005 does anyone know a great apartment in Downtown area or South that is a 2 bedroom bathroom full kitchen, ect. clean place to stay not far from the beach, restaurants. Walking in any direction 10 - 15 minutes to get anywhere would be great. We are looking for something about $600.-$800. a month for the rental fee. And maybe looking for 6 months each year anywhere within 10 - 15 minute drive to downtown. Any great ideas please let me know. Thanks Debbie

where is girasol sur? thanks

We just graduated and are booked to stay here but it seems like there is nothing exciting for young people to do? Any suggestions? [%sig%]

For shame! ; - ) Some people are bound to take you seriously, you know!

So I see we have a bunch of real dicks on this board, hey? Thanks, Jenn, for giving me a serious answer. I will definitely fax the RDC ahead of time to ask for an ocean view away from building #1. And I'll look for a good club crawl while I'm there.

But anyways, I wanted to know the ins and outs of catching a taxi late at night. Thanks to all you assholes, especially "come_on", a fellow Canadian, who won't help a newbie out.

They are south of town, next to Presidente Inter Continental.

Does anyone know if there is a place to watch the Canucks game next Monday in Puerto Vallarta?

http://www.hotelfrankfurt.com/

Thnks for the e-mail address. Is this a hotel that 2 couples can stay in for a month with everything you need to have. Kitchen, 2 bedrooms, living/dining rooms bathrooms. Are they clean, and is it in a good part of PV to walk anywhere. Thanks

hi my wife is from mexico and we just got back from a month there great place and we are thinking about moving there i'm 39 and is there a contact person for the resorts for work that you might know much appreciate we plan on moving there the end of this year thx Darrell

Jerry: Could you e-mail me Mercedes Ferreira's e-mail? We are leaving in a cuple of weeks! Thanks!

If I were to drive, either from Guadalajara or Mexico City, is it a safe and pleasant drive? I am planning to end up in Punta de Mita. Plane tix to Puerto Vallarta are too expensive, cheap to Mexico City (but seems too long of a drive), and reasonable to Guadalajara. Would appreciate any feedback on the trip. Thanks! Laura [%sig%]

It's a toll freeway from either DF or Guad out to the coast hyway 200 near Tepic. From Tepic to Vallarta it's all narrow 2 lane ... but in good shape. The drive from DF (Mex City) was about 10 hours and I assume Guad is about half of that .. maybe 4. I would not drive it at night ... and I wouldn't drive it at all if I could take the bus. Rent a car in PV if you really need one.

If you go to the website it describes the rooms, you can email them for long term rates. It is very clean, the location is perfect for walking around Vallarta, not to mention the restaurant has excellent German food.

It is quite illegal to show hockey games in public places in Mexico, it cuts into their football revenues.

Just kidding, plenty of places with satellite in Vallarta. Not sure where you are staying, but on the south side I recommend El Torito on IL Vallarta or Steve's Club on Basilio Badillo. El Torito has great ribs and chicken, Steve is a Canadian ex-pat and serves great burgers and sandwiches.

Spolmak: Have stayed at the Villa Del Mar twice. Room was 210 pesos per night. Not very quiet. Clean enough. Not really secure. But OK for the price. Bar right around the corner. Pam

I don't think she works their anymore.Just email to attention of front desk.

clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com

Hi, My husband and I are heading there on March 15. It is our first time staying in PV. Hopefully it will be great. We are from st. Louis. Maybe we'll see you there!

Has anyone been on the tours recently? I am thinking of doing the Dolphins & Snorkeling that goes out to the Marieta Islands, but trying to find some 'honest' feedback on this tour company and the tour as a whole.

also - I'll be staying at the Melia with a couple of other Texas women and we were wondering if the Melia is as nice as they say it is.

speedbump

Some of the things I"ve read states that this resort caters to little kids - I am going with some friends and my son (16 yr old w/a few of his friends) - none of us want to stay at a resort with bratty screaming little kids running around the pool area or restaurants. If you've stayed at the Melia, please be honest and let me know if this is a 'kid' hangout hotel. I may have time to cancel our reservations without losing much money as this greatly concerns me!

I'd bring a umbrella if you think you'll need one - there is none on the beach but there lots of shacks at the beach club Have fun

Well well - Paul, it seems you are da man! I am booking next week w/a travel agency for a Worry Free Vacation Tour package - which for myself and my son it will be $1044 for 4 days 3 nights (air is 680.00 damn). Anyway - I know that when you book through one of these you dont' get a decent chice of a room, however - I'm checking this resort out for an Executive Retreat for our hospital's yearly physician and board of directors event. SO, with that said, is there anyone (management) I need to ask for at the hotel to arrange to have a decent room? thanks....

Hi I am coming to Puerto Vallarta on the 24th of March and I and staying at the Decameron Los Cocos. I would really like to see how this hotel looks before I go and book vacation. If you could E-mail me some pictures that would be great. Thank-you.

war_child24@hotmail.com

Hi could you please tell me the cost of this condo you stayed at and how far it would be to walk to the malacon.

Thanks

Has anyone stayed here recently, if so would appreciate feed-back. thanks

Hi, Do you have a web page for this place or an e-mail so I can get more info. (prices, ect.) Does it have seperate bedrooms, kitchens. Thanks.

Hello, We have stayed at the El Pes. and it is a very clean, secure place. It was brand new when we stayed there. The restaurant/bar was not finished, but last year 2003 Feb. we went to see it and it was all done. It is a quiet place great location to walk anywhere. It is on the beach but the beach in that area is rocky so we walked to other locations or the pool and veiw is great just as well.If you have any other questions let me know. Hope you have a great time.

Debbie

hey thanks a lot for writing me back and giving me some info. i am really excited to go now, but one more question is there stuff for teenagers to do around the hotel or is it most around down town PV? And are us girls going to be the only teenagers there?

For pictures check out: http://members2.boardhost.com/jamiefromalta/ Click on Pictures of Rincon de Guayabitos at the top of the page.

I'd be pretty suspicious of an offer made in January for a job to start in October. If you think about it, why would they keep a job open that long? Or if someone is planning on leaving, why would they hire you now? I would suspect that this is a vague offer of a timeshare job, which may or may not materialize. A man we know went to PV and had a job offer to be assistant manager of a resort. They told him , sure, go back to Canada, sell your house and come on down. Well, he did that. They said "oh we didnt expect you to be here this soon" and had no job for him. So he looked around and took a job selling timeshare at another resort. Based on that, not direct personal experience, I would be very wary!!

Hotel Villa del Mar - Fco I. Madero 440. Tel: 2-0785. 49 rooms in two wings upstairs from street level lobby, some with kitchens and/or plant-filled balconies. Check room first since not are all the same. Patio on roof with view of town. From bulletin board: It's not too touristy and has great prices.

I just went ongoggle and typed in budget hotels in PV and found this. Pam

ditto on Mercedes Feirrerra's email address- hurry we're leaving 3/13/04! Merci- Where'd you get your pesos exchanged?

In reply to your comment, Sue, this job was offered by my parent's real good friend that is from Canada. I am going to PV in May to get trained in what she wants me to do. I've been going to PV for quite a while and staying at this particular resort; actually, we own a part of this resort. Yeah, anyone should be wary of anything no matter which country you are in. Duh!!

we are planning a trip to PV for this November. As we've never been there before, we need some input as to where to stay. We'd like a nicer resort or hotel but something close to downtown as we enjoy the true flavor of Mexico and want to be able to walk to town. We are 48 yrs old and would like it relatively quiet without too many children and beachfront. Any good ideas would be appreciated.

I am going to be in PV in a few weeks and want to ship back some Mexican sinks. Does anyone have any info on where the two shops are. And have you done this before yourself? Thanks Pam

Thanks for the information Pam. I will try that.

To answer Cal H- The Hotel Posada de Roger has apartments for longer term stays and you can go to www.puerto-vallarta.com/posada or e-mail for information at pvroger@pvnet.com.mx.

1st time in PV and found The Oasis right on the beach. Excellent: food, beer, service and view. The waiter even said sorry that there were clouds at sunset. Will be back for sure on our return to BC.......

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Hi, My family and I are off next week to the Jalisco. A few questions. What is the Jaliscos' "drinking age" if any? Also, was there a lot of kids in their late teens? Just curious, Any reply would be appreciated.

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I did'nt see bartenders ever ask for ID and saw some 16 year olds getting served.Their were quite a few kids and teens when we were there.

OK One is Mundo de Azulejos, V. Carranza # 374, 222-2675 http://www.talavera-tile.com info@talavera-tile.com

There are also plenty of sinks available at the market.... There is also a plumbing shop on the main drag by the Plaza Las Glorias, that has lots of neat plumbing stuff. The quality of some of the enamel at the market is ??able. I would stick with Talavera or the Plumbing shop.

I am wanting info. on this hotel too. We will be there beginning on 3/14/04.

Thanks Jerry, Also, I looked into emailing the resort and Mercedes doesn't work there. I believe the new girl taking care of all of our requests name is Ana.

Hi there was in PV in Dec 03, stayed @ Castiilo, Hotel Ana Liz and Hotel Azteca and Castillo was very dirty not been cleaned for long time, Ana Liz was great so was Azteca.... All on the same "calle" Madero. All under 270 pesos for 2 people.

Any snorkeling along the resort?

I guess some of you might be surprised that in other parts of our beloved Mexico, they announce by those wonderful V W's with the megaphone horns on them that the city will be putting out poison that night. Then in the morning the city comes along and scoops all the unkept dogs and other's.

Bon appetite! And what's this about Mama T?

Which Puerto Vallarta is he in????? The bus is 4 pesos about 50 cdn cents.

With money you can do anything........

you do need help don't you??? It's too eaaasy in PV...let your fingers do the walking

Yes i rented a car from National rent a car and ordered it on the net. a cheap car for 16.95 a day. It turned out to be a 2004Vw Jetta with only 3000 kms on it Went to Manzinillo (Cuyatalan) Picked the car up @ the Marriot or something like that. Watch out though as they tried to get me for an airport dropoff fee and tried to disguise it as a tax. But a super deal... don't forget your gold or Plat card to cover your insurance costs

Hi, We're planning a trip there in October. We went to Riviera Maya 2 years ago and loved it!! We swam with dolphines, it wasan awsome expierence, a bit costly, but veery nice. I've heard very nice things about the new PV. Our travel agent sugested Riu Jalisco, is that where you are staying? Let me know, i hope you have a nice time, We're traveling with 2 children, so hopefully it will be accomidating to them as well. Have a safe trip Diana

I am an 18 year old Canadian citizen looking for resort work from Nov. 04- April 05. I was wondering if anyone knows how to go about finding a resort job down there or has any contacts that may help me in my search. Thanks, Jessica

Depends on why you are going to Barra. Bus is quick and cheap, car give you the chance for side trips. If you decide to drive down things to watch for. 1> I would stay away from AVIS I have gotten taken several times by them, on gas and insurance. 2> Make sure that the insurance is quoted in the price, see #1 and remember there is like a 25% sales tax that is also on the insurance. 3> The cars are returned with the amount of gas they LEFT with, which can be anywhere from empty to full. Any more just goes to the company. 4> Getting around and out of PV. If you are not used to the traffic you can QUICKLY end up as road fodder. 5> Topes. They can be big and will tear the bottom of your car, so watch your speed and the signs. 6> The Tequila plantations 7> LaManzillo beach is wonderful 8> Tennicatica has 3 great beaches the far right (north) has a small reef that is good for snorkeling. 9> Melaque = Americans, Barra = Canadian. Last time down, market in Barra on Tuesday and Melaque on Wednesday (may have changed). 10> The local markets early in the morning. 10> Check the threads for all of them

Hi Theresa, We'll be travelling to PV with our 2 year old daughter. We're staying in the Romantic Zone. We would love to hear about your trip and any activities you did with your 2 year old. Have Fun! [%sig%]

do they seriously check for id if your 17 how do they know?

I have never seen anyone that could see over the bar or had pesos carded. I guess if they escorted you out you could just go next door....

Check out this article in Salon about development headed Pizota's way. http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/03/11/banderas_one/index.html (Use the day pass option if you're not a subscriber)

Hey RAP! Thanks for the information on the article! I could not get to the full article because when I clicked on free day pass it said 'forbidden'. That's o.k. The summary of the article was interesting. I hope that this does not create a domino effect and hope that it does not grow into something bigger! Wow! Thanks again for the info!

Does anyone know how I would go about horseback riding on the beach near the Holiday Inn. I know there is someone who sells horseback rides at sunset on the beach in front of Holiday Inn. Any experience with this and insight?? Thanks!

is there any good FEMALE strip clubs!!

I have been to the RDC a few years back and had a wonderful time. Unfortunately it is the furthest resort from PV. Taxi are always available and the Mexican people are very helpful and friendly. I would be cautious about taking a taxi anywhere in PV as I said, the Mexican people are very nice and tourism is their lively hood. My wife and I (me 32, her 29) just returned from a smaller resort down the beach from RDC. As for things to to for teenagers, or older people like us who still like to party, i guess the answer would be "no". The RDC does have a rather large disco however it it always empty. The RDC is not a party atmosphere however you can make the best of it. Most of the pub crawl tours stop at all of the hot spots in PV and is very convenient. I cannot remember what building we stayed in but it was very nice, the food was great and the drinks were flowing all day long. Hope you enjoy.

My wife and I are going to RD just after Easter 4-15, and from what I read that the food is good, but not great, the drinks can be strong to OK, the pub crawl is good to do, there is no snorkleing(unless you pay $20), stay out of building 1, and the weather is warm w/T-storms in the evening. Is there anything I missed? Is there any horseback tours, or any other activties I might have fun with while I am hung over and contiplating drinking ever again! We also want to take a day trip to PV, any sites to see, and were can I get a couple of bottles of booze to take back with me? With all the above what is the downside for a person from Wisconsin, that will be freezing his tush off otherwise!! Lloyd

Go to <http://vallarta-info.com/puertovallarta2.html> and scroll to the bottom of the page.

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Hi I was wondering how I could contact the the hotel to request for an good room like the ones I have been reading about. I tryed the clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com. It doesn't seem to work. I am leaving March 26 2004 and would love a great room and some information on where to snorkel. My friend and I are going age 22 and 28 and would love to know about the shopping, nightlife and any other tips you think I would need to know about. Thank You Beth

i just got back from there 2 weeks ago.it was the best time of my life!the hotel is very nice. everyone there is very friendly and there is always activities going on around there,i would definitley go back there anytime.

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how can we find out rental information?

thanks for the info on canto del sol. any suggestions on how about getting a room overlooking the pool? have heard that some rooms look on a construction site and are very noisy

the club hotel Riu is far from Downtown, and Puerto Vallarta, in fact is is Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, well , not so far but you need to take a bus or taxi to get there... mmm the Riu is all inclusive cause there is on certain way isolated. But is a great hotel, far of the overcrowded puerto vallarta, is a perfect spot for relax. But maybe "too" relaxing for young peeps who looks for wild nightlife.

I got back a week ago from PV. I also stayed at Los Cocos. I am sorry to hear some of you had an awful time there. It seems not everything was up to everyone's standards. I went there and completely enjoyed it. I was in Cancun and I can honestly say that the beaches we nicer there but that's about it. I went to Los Cocos worried having read the harsh reviews. The food wasn't bad wasn't the best and at times the rooms were all that great. But I still had an amazing time. The staff is awesome, everyone was really welcoming and friendly. I met alot of locals who now I talk to over email. Had alot of fun on the beach which the staff. All of which who are very friendly, very fun people to hang out with. Everything was cleaned or being cleaned every five minutes. The bartenders were awesome. All in all the staff made any problem the hotel had not a factor. I had an amazing time and I am looking forward to going back and staying at los cocos pretty soon. I miss it already.

My Web Site is for Condominiums Girasol Sur exclusively .. I don't rent anywhere else .. My URL is: http://www.vallarta-condos.com

We have a Friend who is a Marine Biologist .. He does very interesting Whale watching tours .. Here is his information: Ocean Friendly Basillio Badillo 142 altos Tel/Fax (322) 222-3706 Cel. 044(322)294-0386 http://www.oceanfriendly.com

Hey Christopher; Go to vallarta-info.com and click on 'Vacation Rentals for all Budgets'. There it will give you pictures of the places, how many it accomodates and the prices. My family (5 of us) rented a place over Christmas this year and were so pleased with it. The person renting to us was overly accomodating, so easy to work with (via e-mail) and the price was outstanding. We rented a beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bath 4 blocks from Los Muertos in a great neighborhood with a terrace and a palapa sun patio for $75.00 a night!!! I am extremely impressed!! Good Luck! -Jill

We returned from our trip 3/9 and did have a chance to go whale watching through Ecotours. Our guide was very informative and we had a great time. They are licensed. We ended up seeing 5 whales, some rays and dolphins as well. I would hightly recommend them.

Theresa: Were you the one that stayed at Pelicanos?? If so, was it section one or two? How did you like it? -Jill

My wife and I are going to La penita April 20th - 27th for some mission work, and considering hotel options. My wife works for a US Airline and we were wondering if you had special rates for airline employees. Can you please let us know what the rate would be for the two of us for 7 nights at your hotel? Thank you, Brent

It is an approx. 45 minute drive to PV. A taxi will cost you about $60.00 cdn one way. We took the bus in 2002 for 54 pesos (approx. $8.00 cdn) one way per person. The bus leaves from the town of La Penita which is 5 minute drive from the hotel. The bus will drop you off at the bus terminal in PV and you can take a taxi to downtown. The hotel/tour company did offer an escorted bus shopping trip into PV for 250 pesos per person. This operated once per week. If you are only going for 1 week I probably would not bother going to PV. Shopping is available in Guayabitos and La Penita. You will find the usual tourist stuff and at a better price in Guayabitos and La Penita than in PV. Local market day in La Penita was Thursday when we were there January, 2003.

Beware of Advantage Rent A Car in PV. I got ripped off big time in November 2003. National Rent A Car is the same Franchisee in PV and uses the same practices. First the employees are paid poorly (200.00 US a month) but are given an additional commission of 2% of the rental agreement plus anything else they can "pad" your rental contract with. In my case they charged me extra days I did not use. They also billed me $150.00 US for a "stolen" rear view mirror that has a manufactures retail selling price of less that $40.00. Advantage also rented the vehicle to me in US dollars then changed the rental agreement to pesos at a very poor exchange rate after I returned the vehicle. They took an imprint of my Credit Card when I rented the car to waive a deposit and made these additional unauthorized charges to it after I returned the vehicle and left. Billing for "stolen" items such as spare tires and mirrors is the most common scam. They get petty thiefs to steal items from their own vehicles while on rental and then buy the parts back for a fraction of the cost and bill the customer way over actual cost. Rental vehicles in Mexico are labeled with the rental agencies name so the vehicles are not hard to pick out. I was not aware of this until I got taken. After this happened to me I searched on the internet and found travel sites that show that this is going on all the time in Mexico. Still fighting with Visa over the charges as Advantage Rent A Car had my Credit Card imprint that they filled in after I had left. The vehicle was rented Downtown and returned at the airport so I could not recover the imprint before I flew out. Beware and Be Careful!! [%sig%]

I was wondering if anyone knew where to catch a bus to go to Manzanillo and how much it costs. Also, has anyone stayed at the hotel 'Marino Dorado'?

Hi Jill, The central bus station, called "Central Camionera" in Puerto Vallarta is located about 3km north of the airport. It is just off the main highway (called Mexico 200). It is located behind the big Modelo/Corona Beer building.

I think the ETN, Primera Plus and Elite are the first class bus lines that go from PV to Manzanillo. The Primera Plus site ( http://www.primeraplus.com.mx/ ) lists the cost for this trip at 100 pesos one-way or 200 pesos round-trip: a little less than $10 and $20 USD, respectively. The first class busses are the way to go because they are modern, have air-conditioning, serve lunches, have on-board restrooms, sometimes have movies and don't stop for passengers in every little city you pass along the route. I know that you can buy tickets at the bus terminal, but I also think there are various locations around town that sell tickets also.

I have driven through Manzanillo, but have never stayed overnight. So, I don't know much about the hotels there, except than there is an ultra-deluxe resort there that I saw on the Travel Channel. The tourist area is along the coast, on the north end of town. As you drive into the city, the coast transforms into a commercial shipping port.

Sorry, I gave the children's ticket prices above. The adult prices are double what I stated in the first message: 200 pesos one-way and 400 pesos round-trip.

Hey! Thanks Matt! That info. is really great! Anything else you can ever think of would be great. We will be attempting to do this venture to Manzanillo in February 2005. Any tips on what restaurants are good, etc... shopping, beaches!! Thanks a whole lot, Matt! --Jill

Hi we are staying at Decameron Los Cocos in a couple of weeks, I was wondering how long it takes to get into the city of PV, by bus? or taxi? Is there tours that can be set up by the hotel, that leave right from the hotel? Thank you for your time!! Lisa B.C.

My wife and I are interested in a house for a couple of weeks starting 29th March 2004. Is their anybody with something to rent? Please email and we can hook up, Thanks, Christopher

My husband & I will be traveling to PV in April to explore relocating there. We woud love to meet up with some expats & chat to learn more about the reality of it. Is there an expat group or certain cafe where we may connect. Possiblye an expat bullentin board for the PV area. Any help would be appreciated since my searches have not been that productive.

My husband & I will be traveling to PV in April to explore relocating there. We would love to connect with some expats to learn more about the reality of it. Is there an expat group there, a cafe where they go or a bullentin board. Any help would be appreciated.

Jill, Good memory, yes we are the ones that stayed at Pelicanos. We usually use a time share (the newer white building by large pool that they added a swim up bar to last year), yet this year we traded our week to use it at another place later this year. So we still wanted to go and we booked an all-inclusive special through Funjet and stayed way out at Viva Wyndham Vallarta in Punta de Mita. Although it was nice, the beaches were great, and we got to explore places we've never been to (Playa el Anclote, Bucerias), we still missed Pelicanos and being downtown as mcuh as usual. I like a smaller resort, and the pools at Pelicanos?Glorias are great. Next year we'll be back at Pelicanos as usual. I can't wait already.

How is the resort for a family with two young children ages 3 and 6...? Are there childrens pools and any activites or playgrounds? Also access to huts at the beach and is the beach gentle for children? We are thinking of going this Easter holiday for a week. Many thanks

Theresa: Sounds like you like Mexico as much as I. That's great that you tried something new. I know Puta de Mita is a beautiful and the sand and water is great!! When do you come to Pelicanos next year? Shar, the program director at Pelicanos, talked to me about working at Pelicanos so I am going to go down for good in October to hopefully work there. I am heading there in May-two months-to get trained and find an apartment or what ever to live in. We will only be there a week, but at least we're able to go I guess. It should be interesting; hope to see you when you come to Pelicanos next time!! My name is Jill Mustard, probably be mainly working in section 2 (Las Glorias) and I am from South Dakota, USA. I can already smell the ocean and hear the whistles from the parasail guides...aaahhh...Pelicanos here I come!!! --Jill

I'd ask that question on the Todovallarta board too. There, Brenda (bzy1, owner of board), JRinPV, Montyjam (reads the board but doesn't contribute much now) and several others are expats living there. http://pub69.ezboard.com/btodopuertovallarta

Tom has an excellent suggestion. Also, the members of that bulletin board get together, in Puerto Vallarta, almost every Friday, around sunset, for the happy hour at a small bayside bar called "Cuates y Cuetes". The bar is next to the fishing pier on the southside of Puerto Vallarta, so it's not that difficult to locate. http://www.vallarta-info.com/south.html Usually, some of the members wear buttons to identify themselves to others. This year's buttons are about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and look like this: http://www.vallartainfo.com/2004button.jpg

What is the currency in Puerto Vallarta?

Hello, I'm looking to find people that can help me in trying to establish a native ceremonial center (teocalli). I'm a native of Mexico living in the US and know a little bit about the sacred sweat lodge and other ceremonies for healing and cleansing. I'm currently looking in the surrounding areas of vallarta (san pancho, banderas, sayulita ...) and I would like to find people who know these areas well. I'm looking for good size land close to the ocean (see http://www.move2sayulita.com/properties/ALSPO.htm for an example) If you or anyone you know can help me find land for this it would be much appreciated. I'm looking at flying there in the next month (April). I would like to see if anyone can share a place to stay for about a week for me and my dad.

You may send me a message at ixtlacuautli-tomzap@yahoo.com or reply to this message.

Thank you A Ho Ometeotl

Puerto Vallarta is in Mexico and the currency in Mexico is the peso.

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On the south side there is a bar/restaurant called Viva Mexico, at 2pm serves up free bar food which attracts groups of ex-pats trying to stretch their retirement funds. They are quite a wealth of information regarding buying a place, getting your paperwork in order, contacts, etc. I know there is a group that meets regularly on Wednesdays (bbq ribs day), and in actuality the food is quite good.

It is on Aquiles Serdan, the first left after going over the south bound bridge, up about eight blocks after the street turns a bit to the right following the river.

"It is a good idea to take lots of ones for tipping the maid, bartenders, waiters, etc." This was true some years ago before the new pesos were issued. It used to be like 1200 pesos to the USD and could fluctuated a hundred or more pesos depending on the market. Locals would hoard the dollars until the exchange was at a premium and cash them then. Now it only ranges up and down around one peso, which just makes it an extra chore for them to wait in the notoriously long, slow lines at the banks to deposit or exchange them.

I am not saying do not tip the help, please tip as generously as you can afford, but tip in pesos. It is easy, if you want to tip a US dollar, give them 10 pesos, $2US is 20 pesos and so on.

My husband and I will be staying in the Nuevo Vallarta area. Is it safe to rent a car and ride around? I want to see the whole area, the city, Mismolia and wherever. If so, any ideas on where I should go to rent a car or jeep. Thanks. Jane [%sig%]

Hello- I am going to Riu in May for our Honeymoon-this will be a first time traveling- hopefully I pick a great resort. Can anyone suggest any Fun things to do? or the great drinks to try! :)

Hello- I am going to Riu in May for our Honeymoon-this will be a first time traveling- hopefully I pick a great resort. Can anyone suggest any Fun things to do? or the great drinks to try! :)

Hello- I am going to Riu in May for our Honeymoon-this will be a first time traveling- hopefully I pick a great resort. Can anyone suggest any Fun things to do? or the great drinks to try! : >

what is an ex-pat?

"Ex-pat" is short for "expatriate". The word is used to describe someone who has left their native country to permanently live in another country. In the particular case of this message thread, it is an American or Canadian who permanently resides in the Puerto Vallarta area.

Oops!, I should add British citizens to the ex-pat list also, or "JRinPV" will flame me!

There's a list of rental car agencies here: http://www.puertovallarta.net/fast_facts/car_rentals.php After the frustration of trying to find a parking place in Downtown PV, you may decide to return the rental car and use taxis or the city buses instead.

The city buses are plentiful and are very inexpensive. They will get you all around the area. I have my own car in PV, so I am embarrased to say that I have never invested the time to learn the bus routes.

Well, I spent half my life in the US, so no flame 'matt'

Try bananamamas and cocolocos

Hi Jerry, I also would appreciate it if you could email me Ms. Fierrerra's email address. We leave April 14th and I am out of my skin excited. Thanks for your help.

Tammydan888 wrote: > Try bananamamas and cocolocos

Hi Caroline, I had friends who were there in January - we are going in April. US dollars is always your best bet.

Hi Jerry, Hi again Jerry - I also forgot my email - it is schwarzbauer@wmep.org. You are a popular guy for sharing that tip! Tammy

she does not work there anymore.simply address to front desk. clubhotel.jalisco@riu.com they were not as good second time around getting us rooms we asked for.I think they put everyone in an outside facing room to start and the loudest complainers(like myself) get moved to a nicer room the next day.Don't take no for an answer, my sister who just returned on monday got upgraded to a junior suite after staying one night in a room facing outside and musty smelling.She had a great time,you'll love it.

British subjects

"US dollars is always your best bet." Wrong !

Hello. I am going to PV and staying at RuiJalisco June 2-9th. I was wondering about the drinking age. Im 17 and my b-day is june 10th. My boyfriend is 21 so there wont really be a problem? right? I can save about 100 dollars if i go 2-9th or spend the 100 and be 18yrs old on the 16th-23rd? what do you think they'll say at the resort? thanks

We are going to PV on Wednesday the 31 of March for a week, I would really like it if you could send some pics of this place. I have been reading a lot of negative things on this hotel and only some nice reviews. We were in PV in 2002 and stayed at the Holiday Inn AI we really enjoyed that hotel. Do you know if it is comparable. Thank you Mary

Agree w/ JR, that's old advice. He lives there, he oughtta know.

The Canadian Dollar is at it's highest level in many years - so for Canucks why would you want to take US $'s and have your money stepped on twice. Last week in PV Casio de Cambio's were giving 7.75 pesos for Cnd. $. The banks are not the places to change $'s, there are too many hassles and too much valuable vacation time spent standing in line. Casio de Cambios are on every corner and are quick and easy. Yes the ATM's give the best rate BUT some will only take 4 digit pins and some are 5 digit and if you have ever had the experience of the machine eating your card - not fun ! Travellers Cheques for me. Thats my view.

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never saw a bartender ask for id and saw some 16 yr olds drinking

Dog's camera crew's video tapes are still alive and well in Puerto Vallarta as well. Two videos. One shows leaving Hawaii and arriving in PV meeting a young woman at the airport. It also shows Dog and his boys planning the capture at their hotel. The other shows the capture and handcuffing of Luster and a rejoicing Dog Chapman a few minutes later .

Went to several bars with bands while I was there and these two I considered the best. Both places had great bands and the drink prices were alot more reasonable than Roxies and Cheeseburger. Viejo Vallarta which is on the Malecon a little south of the zoo and such and Cactus which is like a block north of Senore Frogs Have fun! I did!

Just returned from the Riu Jalisco. Was lovely--was worried a little about the rooms prior to going as previous posts complained about sewage and mildew smell--did not find this to be a problem. Didn't need to use the air freshener it was suggested we bring. The rooms were very nice--clean. Common areas were very nice. Always plenty of chairs at beach and we seemed to be able to find chairs at pool too without saving them ahead. Less plentiful there but always some available (and this was spring break week). Had room 6172 as someone suggested--very nice view. All in all a lovely resort. Did look at some properties when in Puerto Vallarta proper--might do this next time and maybe skip the all inclusive. Looked like some great places to eat and the variety would be nice. Food at Riu was adequate--and good, but not exciting. Did do the Brazilian restaraunt last night--definitely recommend that. It is fun--more of an event than the buffets.

Can anybody suggest a good AI resort in Playa de Carmen that compares to the Melia Resort in PV? We had a fantastic time at the Melia last year and we're about to plan for next January. We're looking for a resort that offers the same activities such as sand volleyball, archery, air rifle shooting etc. We have no kids, 40 something and not ready to bed-in right after the evening meal.

ya im planning on moving to mexico after i graduate and i was just wondering what kind of job opportunities there are for me...

i am thinking about moving to just outside of p.v. next september and i was also just wondering what kind of job opportunities there are for young people.

Yes, safe and easy. The insurance can be high tho. We rent a basic VW bug from Dollar for $11.99 a day plus the $17 in insurance, but you are fully covered. Go to www.dollar.com.

Just back from one week stay with our kids (12 & 5) and had a great time. Stayed on 3rd floor of Grand side w/partial oceanview, could not have asked for a better room - very clean and comfortable.

Food was excellent - especially during the day at the two outdoor snack bars. Pools were great and we enjoyed the swim up bar. Ocean was lovely - lots of smooth sand to walk on and equipment to have fun with. A la cartes were very good, but service a bit slow - email ahead to make reservations before you leave (especially for the outdoor La Bamba steakhouse - try for sunset around 7 pm).

The animation staff was excellent organizing activities during the day and putting on wonderful shows at night. Kids club staff also great and our youngest really enjoyed himself there.

We visited Bucerias (about 12 km away) by taxi for some shopping (make sure to barter) and even took the bus into Puerto Vallarta for a visit there....very interesting. Weather was great all week and we were very sad to leave Nothing really bad to report - our only two complaints were no kids menus in the a la cartes and no true designated "non smoking" areas in the restaurants so you may need to switch tables if this bothers you.

Have fun! Froufie Ottawa, Canada

My wife and I were in Puerto Vallarta from 3/17/04 to 3/25/04. We stayed at the Buenaventura. Overall, it was a great trip. Over the week we were there, we probably got asked about 15 times if we wanted to tour the Mayan Palace as part of a timeshare sales presentation. We finally gave in on the last day we were there to do it. We were running low on cash and we were promised 1,500 pesos (roughly $140 U.S.) for completing a 90 minute tour. The man who got us to sign up was a nice man who managed La Salsa resteraunt near the Buenaventura. Our flight back to Phoenix was scheduled to leave at about 2:30 p.m. on the day we toured the Mayan Palace. We thought we would have plenty of time to do the 90 minute tour considering we arrived at the Mayan Palace at 9:00 a.m. sharp. Well, guess what, we would have missed our plane if it had not been delayed by more than an hour. It took us about 3 and 1/2 hours to get out of the Mayan palace with our promisied cash. When we realized we were going to be late for our plane, I told the salesman we had to go and I stood up from the table in which the saleman was giving us his pitch. He called his manager over and the manager tried to sell us a cheaper package. When I told him we had to go again, he told me to sit down or we would not receive our prize. Eventually, he became pissed and told us to go. A nice looking lady from the Mayan palace quickly came over and told us to follow her outside to complete an exit interview. I told her we did not have time. She said it would just take a minute. She seemed concerned that we had a bad experience touring the timeshare. That quickly changed though when she started trying to sell us the product. With our blood about boiling and my wife about to hyperventilate, I said we have to go!!! I said where do we get our prize. The woman, who was acting very pissed, told us to walk about half a mile to a small room inside of one their timeshare buildings to get our prize. As we walked away, my wife started crying because she knew we were going to be late for our plane. She said, "I hate this place. It is not worth the money!" We found the little room where people got their gifts and we told the man at the room that we had just finished our tour and were here to pick up our money. He started making telephone calls to his managers and I figured this could also take forever as well. I told him I was feeling very sick and that I would leave my wife to get the cash while I went to the bathroom. He said it was OK for my wife to pick up the prize. I wasn't really sick but I drove away in may rental car about 10 miles in heavy traffic to check out of our hotel and get our bags. I left my wife because I wanted to get the money after this terrible experience even if it took another 30 minutes for them to hand over the cash. I sped through town to our hotel to check out as fast as possible. Sweat was dripping from my head knowing there was only 1 hour and 20 minute before our flight left. I checked out and made it back to the Mayan palcace without getting a speedig ticket. My wife was waiting with the cash they had given her. They had, in fact, given her about 25 Mexican bills that were werth 50 pesos each. It was quite the wad of Mexican cash. They shorted us about 250 pessos becasue they said it had to be reserved for the man who brought us to sign up for the tour (the La Salsa resteraount manager.) As my wife got in the car, she told me she was so afraid we were goiing to miss our plane she ran about 1 1/2 miles to the entrance of the Mayan Palace to meet me on my way back fromt the hotel to save time. When she got there, she realized there might be multiple entrances to the resort and she flagged down a a Taxi to bring her back to the area where I had left her. She paid the taxi 50 pesos for the short drive of the money we were given. We enentually laughed at the mad scramble we had put ourselves through to exit the Mayan palace with our prize and still make our plane. As it turns out, we got to the airport 50 minutes before our plane was scheduled to leave. We would have surely missed it had it not been delayed by more than an hour after we got to the airport. We converted the Pesos from the time share for more than $100 U.S. and used it to buy grocerys when we got back to Arizona. Looking back, we laugh about this timeshare experience. It was actually our 5th tour of timeshares and each one was hilarous. This one was the funniest, though. All timeshare salesman look like there faces are made out ot plastic. They are some kind of strange breed of person and I don't know how to describe them. Have a good day. PV is great if you learn how to deal with the timeshare presence. Oh, yea, we also got a nice free breakfast at the Mayan palace. We ate it with our salesperson during the presentation.

I'd like to take this opportunity to warn all future visitors to Puerto Vallarta, that they be aware of the time share installation at the airport. This has been built onto the exit from Customs in a way that makes it look Official, for instance people waiting for passengers are not allowed in it, it has an automatic sliding glass door. The room has counters around it with people in quasi uniforms, others with badges, looking official, will herd arriving passengers from Customs right to one of the counters. So when arriving, put your head down and don't stop for anyone after going through Customs, or be more creative in showing your displeasure in this attempt to deceive.

If you can't speak good Spanish, there are no opportunities.

As for parking. We always park at Walmart and take the bus downtown, saves alot of headaches.

I've been wanting to travel to PV as I've never been there, but these timeshare stories make me want to go elsewhere. They are a huge turnoff to me and would be enough to ruin my vacation, too.

Manzanillo is sounding better and better.................................

In the 20+ plus years we have been visiting PV, we have attended quite a few of these presentations. Usually because we have become acquainted with the salesman and just want to help him out. The in-house presenters have gotten ruder and bolder over the years, and the deals have gotten more ridiculous. The last one, after we had refused the the deal at Paradise Village, offered to sell us a time-share at the then Plaza Los Glorias for $1600. No weeks, just gave you the "privilege" to rent a room! I laughed in their face and told them I could have a room there anytime I wanted for a lot less than that. We have found the fastest way to get rid of the salesman on the street is to just tell them we live there. Some of them recognize us, which makes it easier.

Ixtapa had as many or more of the timeshares when we were there a few years ago.

"but these timeshare stories make me want to go elsewhere." We go to Vallarta twice a year, and we just smile and joke with the OPCs, the majority of them are really nice folks just trying to make a living. The place has so much to offer that the slight annoyance of the time share thing is much outweighed by the good.

Please do yourself a favor and visit Vallarta. Now you know that people on the streets telling you "Hey those are really nice shoes." are OPCs, just smile and say no gracias and be on your way to a wonderful time.

desparate to find clean/comfortable accomodations for this friday night and again on the 8th. @ people that want to rest/eat and sleep before busing to Melaque saturday. I have emailed 6 different places, no one has replied. Can anyone help out. We would prefer something under 40.00u.s. per night.

Try Hotel Posada Lily...you can take the bus up the street in the morning south of the Rio Cuale.. It's on Basilio Badillo, near the beach.. email lily@pvnet.com.mx. Clean, Cheap, I've stayed there a couple of times... don't know about how well they use their email, but I've never had a problem getting a room by just showing up.

thanks, trying it now

WOW..................all i can say my vacation was awsome of course not like cancun but what awsome. It was my first time at the hotel just came back went march 19-27. The hotel was beautiful, the rooms werent the biggest but good size and everything was clean. The food wasnt the best but for a hotel was very satisfied. The beach was the only thing that could of been better, was expecting more but had so much fun that meant ****. Everything from the workers to the service was excellent and would recommend it to anyone. Goin to town wasnt the best idea was about 15-20 minutes cab ride and 12-15 dollars each way but didnt need a reason to go more than twice everything i needed was in the hotel clubs drinks food stores and everything else and if you go tell them the mafiosos from chicago say whatsup all the workers know. and at the bar you have to have at least one popper.......or four

Posada de Roger in Old Town.

Hello. Last year I depended heavily on message boards to get a lot of information on our trip to Playa del Carmen. This year, we're going with a bigger group of people, and I need some help again, please. There are 11 of us going: Two men in their 40's, three women in their 40's, one woman in her late 20's and five teenagers, two boys and three girls (14-16). We've pretty much narrowed-down the choices to Riu Jalisco or Melia. The reviews for both places seem really good. There seems to be more for the teens at Melia. From what I can tell, Melia is in Puerta Vallarta and Riu Jalisco is in Nuevo Vallarta. Having been to NV before, it was a little bit of a pain to ride the bus or a cab any time you wanted to go into town. But the water seemed better in NV. Can someone who has possibly been to both please provide input ASAP as to which they would recommend? We are trying to get this booked, and the responsibility is falling back on me to pick one. I need help! Thanks very much!

Woo Hoo, we leave in 9 days, I can't wait to lay on the beach and sip a corona. Anyone else going to be there. I am getting excited. Yee Haw

Help, I'm looking too, except I'll be there Weds. 4-14-21. Rio Cuale is full. Frankfurt wasn't, but My daughter and I want to be as close to the beach as possible for the around $45.00 US. (close meaning 1-2 blocks) any suggestions? And we want to stay on the south side. Thanks, Gina

Last year I visited Melaque the week prior to Easter. It was fun and crazy being at the beach with all the Mejicano's. How does PV Compare? My 18 year old daughter and I will be there from 4-14/-21. She is so excited, and I wonder how crazy it will be. And I am still trying to find the inexpensive hotel on the Southside which is close to the beach, clean and safe. All comments appreciated. She is a definite no to Rogers. I think Yazmin sounds good, and I'm still trying to reach Posada Lily. Mexico here I come. It has been 10 years since I've been in PV. We had camped at Punta de Mita back then for 10 days. I know it's all different. Ciao, Gina P.S. I love this place on the web.

Is there any internet access? I like to bring my laptop where ever I go as I like to have access to everyone by way of emails, etc....

Thanks BILL

Answering e-mails here is not a high priority thing, like answering a ringing telephone, it can take a while.

THEIR IS INTERNET AVAILABLE IN MAIN LOBBY.15 MIN FOR 3 USD

Friday april 2 flight, reduced to 116.87 and 215.00 tax! Skyservice 0700 arrive 11:20 a.m.

The Playa Los Arcos is a couple of stars above the other budget hotels and usually has some free night deals. Go to www.playalosarcos.com for rates and availability of the 3 different hotels. The main hotel is right on the beach, lots of action, tourists and residents. The other 2 locations are across the street from the beach but have cheaper rates.

hello there, I just found this site by chance, and am happy for all of the tips. Does anyone have any recommendations for taking a boat out to any of these places. Which dive shop/company?

No boat is needed at Tenacatita, after arriving at the beach where the palapa restaurants are just follow the road over the hill to the point. Melaque also has good snorkeling, at the far NW point, and it's a lot easier to get to than Tenacatita. Follow the malacon and where it quits head down the trail to the point. Swim out to the gap for the best stuff.

Take colloidal silver. It is an antibiotic, non toxic, no side effects, good for any stomach bacteria and sore throat coming on...Acidophulus can be digested in your stomach if it doesnt go thru quick enough, so should be specially encapsulated. DOES not stop bacterial infection from say cut fruit washed in dirty water....

Colloidal silver? Acidopholus? Apple cider enemas? Man, caveat emptor....

Seems like a nice location, nice rooms...wonder about the staff... If the Marriott staff and Management occupied this beautiful resort it would be a numeral (10) ten star resort... The beautiful Hawaiian setting and the awesome rooms make this resort... When the service staff vend the tude it will come together as the best!

I wont be at the getaway club, but I'll be in P.V. come the 2nd. I can't wait myself. I leave today.

The intestinal probs I had when I returned to the states do not detract from the Joy I had in visiting Mexico...Several permanent residents of Puerto Vallarta who are American bred explained it like this...I miss the US...I'll send a card... Once you go you will never come back whole...There is no other place to be.

Yes, Acidipholus is helathy for the body. Eat lots of "good"yougurt too. But while there, squirt lots of line on your fruit, eat garlic, and if you get sick drink radish juice and find the homepathic Dr. and get some Arsenicum. Why do people turn so fast to antibiotics? It defeats anything good the yougurt did in building good intestinal flora and fauna. This page is getting strange! ciao

I was looking at job ops in Vallarta and found that knowing spanish was not necassary but was a plus - I know I've seen job ops on the Vallarta Adventures website. May be a place to start. Good luck!

Man these timeshare stories .....there was a survey done of 3000 people at the airport and an overwhelming number (92%) complained about the timeshare opc"s and many said that this would be there last visit to Pvr. Many people will tell you that you should relax its just Mexico its part of the expirience to them I say Bull.... The tourists visiting Mexico should not be subjected to this and treated like walking dollar signs , the Puerto Vallarta Airport is a bloody joke , no where else in Mexico are you FORCED to run a gauntlet of lying opc"s just to find a cab or your tour operator.We have been to PVR 6 times after last years run through the OPC"S and the opc"s in restauraubts , grocery stores etc etc etc we decided to try Ixtapa this year . What a difference , never saw a timeshare opc at the airport and never ran into a single one .puerto Vallarta has become overrun with the parasites , as fo being part of the Mexico expirience ,I dont know about anyone else but it takes me a long time to save for my trips and I work very hard at my job , I dont do this to be harrassed by a bunch of lying ass......! I have taken my tourist dollars elsewhere , where I can relax and shop and eat without being subjected to these idiots.

We will be going to the Grand Marival and I was wondering if you had the email address for the resort. i have heard from several posts about making dinner reservations in advance, but have been unable to find the email address. Thank you in advance.

Not at Carlos O'Brians, Collage, Christine, or Zoo, but a few younger high school kids got carded at Senor Frogs.

I got back yesterday from Pto. Vallarta, and no, the drinking age is crap. I'm 18, but girls from my school were in the clubs drinking who were 15 and looked 12. Senor Frog's is the only club who even claims to card. You can get drinks at your hotel must likely without a problem too.

Need to rent a 8 passenger van, April 18- 24. Any suggestions?

You will have now problem drinking at this place. I just returned and saw alot of kids drinking. I loved the hotel!!!

CAN I MAKE MY RESERVATIONS AT THE RESTURANTS BEFORE WE GO ON THE TRIP? [%sig%]

NO ONLY THE DAY OF;BEFORE 7:30 AM TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE

Are there many people there form the ages of 18-21?

The Royal DeCameron is a great resort for it's price range. If you want luxury, you have to spend some money.

I know one with a driver for $35US an hour. E-mail me if you're interested. Saludos, JR The Insider's Guide to Vallarta http://vallartainfo.com

Have they renovated Christine's recently and where can I find pictures of the new club?

Has Christine's Disco been renovated recently and where can I find pictures/information on the changes?

PEOPLE WERE MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 23-35 WHEN WE WERE THERE.

I think that if you go to the web page for the hotel in which it is in you could maybe find some pics and info. The name of the hotel is 'Krystal'.

If you said no to Posada de Roger, then you should be aware the Yazmin and Posada Lily have a lower star rating. All 3 are clean and cheap, but the plus about Posada de Roger is the rooftop pool, A/C and excellent restaurant downstairs (El Tucan). It's only about a 5 min walk to the beach.

Semana Santa is nuttier than Semana Pascua, have a friend who just posted some pictures of the Los Muertos beach area (packed). If you don't like crowds, not a good time to go.

talk about lessons learned. my wife and i rented a studio at velas velarta from some friends for a couple of months. my wifes parents decided to visit and booked a studio for 5 days and wanted to stay longer. but they were so hastled by the velas timeshare people they wanted to depart early. imagine here is a couple 75 plus years old and they get hastled to buy timeshare at velas? so we booked them in for a couple of weeks at the marriot for $65 a night with an ocean view including breakfast. nearly half of what velas was charging for a studio. wonder why velas is soooo slow on the uptake. next year somewhere beyond the timeshare touts.

I am going to Puerto Vallarta in two weeks. I am staying in Nuevo Vallarta at the Viva Wyndham and looking for detailed info. on horseback riding like where, how long, cost etc........ also looking for some tips on where to go and what to do. I have learned that we will be a ways from town but how long??? Best mode of transportation???? I am looking to mainly relax but have a few days of fun activities. We will be there for a week. Please give any recommendations possible. Thanks!!

I'm curious where the 5 digit pin ATM's are that you used, because I've used ATM's the last 6 years there (save last trip) and never run across one that wasn't a 4 digit required pin anywhere in town.

Just an FYI in case you weren't sure: horseback riding on the beaches in Jalisco is not allowed. The guys near the Pelicanos/Holiday Inn are transient at best, and I wouldn't use them to rent horses. But that's just me.

Nuevo is in Nayarit, and they are, I understand, more lax about allowing it. Personally I'd rather book one of the tropical forest horseback rides, they look like a lot of fun. Easier on the horses than shifting beach sand too.

I'm looking for an AI resort beackfront resort in PV area that has good tennis courts. I stayed at the RIU last year and the 2 tennis courts were in very poor condition and looked like something out of WWII. Any suggestions?

Try the Sierra or the Sheraton.

Quote:"...the 2 tennis courts ...looked like something out of WWII" Hi all, I think I was there on that same day. The "Big 3" from Potsdam: Churchill, Truman and Stalin, were challenging "Team Axis": Hitler, Hirohito and Mussolini in conference play. Here's a shot of the victors resting alongside the tennis courts :-) http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/514/mcms.html Have a Good Day.

Hi, I'm looking for the hotel Piedra Blanca with a trailor park next door. This place is north of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, a small fishing villiage. Any number or email or fax number would be appreciated. Thanks ! Susan & Garr Perry

Canto del Sol: Nice, clean hotel.I don't know how to get a pool view (we had one) but, staff very attentive (slip your bar waiter a fiver a day & EXTRA PRIMO GOOD SERVICE !!!!!! & Leave a dollar (u.s.) a day on your pillow for the maid.Food good except PECES snack bar , dont know what's in 'dem burgers!!.But from the pictures i took there, a friend said that we sure picked a swank place.I just wonder where he stayed.If you like i can e-mail you some pics.

ENJOY!!!!! DA CRABBYMAN

http://www.ontheroadin.com/pacificcoast/pacificsouth/piedrablanca.htm

has anyone stayed here that can give me some info on this area north of PV? We have an opportunity to rent a newer villa/condo unit and we were wondering if the buses from PV run this far north and what there is to do up here.

Buses do run out there from PV, but probably only during the day. I would estimate about an hour bus ride each way. And there's really nothing to do at Punta Mita except hang out at El Anclote beach. You can hire a panga (small boa