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Recommended Reviews - Puerto Vallarta
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Boyfriend and I came to Puerto Vallarta over the 4th of July weekend holiday. Weather was hot, humid and rainy as we came around monsoon season but loved it all. After it rains it became cool the following day. Sunsets are so beautiful like pink cotton candy. We saw vehicle that you don't see in the Las Vegas such as a car company called BYD. Also, they have their own amusement park that is supposed to be luxury and have Cirque du soleil shows too called Vidanta. Not sure if it was fully open or not. For our stay we stayed at a hotel on the beach with view of Bandares Bay near the Marina Vallarta. We did two tours from the hotel which we visited the nearby towns of San Sebastian del Oeste and visit one of the beach towns Sayulita. I recommend wearing linen, lightweight, breathable fabrics. For our trip it was safe, and the people are super passionate and friendly.
How much fun, food and sun can one have in Puerto Vallarta? That's up to you. There are so many restaurants and side places to eat it would take you years to enjoy every one. Food from tacos, of course, to seafood, pizza even Chinese. Things to see and do will also you much time. Churches, art shops, plazas, beaches, beautiful architecture enjoying the holidays always so much going on. Even two weeks isn't enough time. Have fun
2-14-23 A good place to visit on valentines Day. Why: *Coming into the harbor is picturesque * Not run down as other tourist hubs *Our guide for the day's name was Santa; she and our bus driver got us to our destination safely and well informed *We got to taste many varieties of tequila; I held out to taste mango, almond and chocolate instead of the varying amber shades appearing darker with age ranging in price from $50-100 USD. *this tour was only $49 USD but covered the marina, old town, silver shop with fire opals and lunch and fiesta at Rio Bendito ranch. Our tour lasted 5 hours & 45 minutes so besides that I got a wonderful foot massage, $10 USD for 10 minutes on the pier waiting for the ok to board the tour bus of 33 passengers.
Came through for a week-long visit to celebrate Hubbers' big 5-0! It is what it is: a really beautiful city to visit which is why it's populated by so many MANY tourists. It felt like visitors/tourists outnumbered locals almost 2:1. But that didn't really take away from the experience. There still remains a sense of culture once you get out of the tourist spots. A block away from the city's main streets are cobblestone roads that speaks volumes of the culture and history: how long have these streets been here withstanding decades if not centuries of abuse from people and nature alike. There's the simple but very famous Guadalupe church and flea markets behind the Malecon. Plenty of choices for food and happy hour for very kind of budget. There's always the touristy stuff to do on the shores (banana boat, jet skiing, paragliding, etc.) We even got the chance to get out of the city center and discovered small and very local distilleries (Tequilera El Baston del Rey) and eateries (La Cascada - located next to a small river, really cool!) There are also the familiar American spots like Walmart and Sam's as well as fast food eateries like KFC, Subway and Starbucks. There are also shopping malls and casinos, if that's your thing... but we made it a point to avoid all these spots: local is the way to go! We were fortunate enough to stay at a hotel with staff who gave us tons of tips on the how to's to avoid being scammed out of anything, so we didn't have that kind of experience. Although there are tons of solicitors pretty much everywhere (I mean... it IS tourist magnet, everyone's got their own hustle) most accept a simple and polite "no thanks" response. (I will admit some got too aggressive, so they were dealt with appropriately.) But overall, the people we encountered are friendly and welcoming. I understand why so many ex-pats retire here. A week wasn't long enough for discoveries. There remains so much more to be seen! Although there are other places to visit before coming back, Hubbers and I wouldn't mind a second run in this gorgeous paradise!
We came to Puerto Vallarta for a few reasons. 1. To escape the cold weather (average temperatures during December in PV is around 85 F). It is also the best time to visit, no rain and much cooler with lower humidity. So if you're a snowbird from Chicago, NYC or from Canada or any parts of the snowy world, PV is a great option. 2. It was our first vacation in two years due to covid, and we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary somewhere special but also being mindful with low covid, and doing research, PV checked off all on our list as THE destination. 3. We read and watch on YouTube that PV locals and expats are one of the most friendliest people in the world. Most speak English, but knowing some Spanish really helps especially when you are going to take Taxi all over PV and beyond. 4. We both worked very long hours and we wanted a place, close to the beach to decompress, no technology, just a few paperback books to cuddle with, right on the sandy beach and hear the ocean waves. Of course, we did stay half the time at a resort where full bar was offered so that was the icing on our cake. If you're looking to travel close by from the US, in a budget or luxury, Puerto Vallarta has so much to offer. The food is amazing especially when you branch away from the tourist location. I recommend eating around the area of Cinco de Deciembre where many expats and locals live. This is the area where we found the best place to eat, mostly locals and the food was really good and very inexpensive. Best of all, the weather all year long in PV is always around in the 80s. Great way to soak in some sunshine and downtime. Cheers!
Come on local Puerto Vallarta government, with all the money you get every year, fix the streets.... Poor taxi drivers that have to spend money to fix their cars ; still see a lot of poverty around, sad .., all these big companies opening business but not improving local infrastructure.... Puerto Vallarta is beautiful because of their people, they want jobs ( good paying jobs ) hope it happens someday....
The city of Puerto Vallarta is really a great historical place to relax and enjoy. Filled with old businesses, brick streets and turn of the century homes this city is an amazing opportunity to enjoy festivities, cultural and fine dining at some of the local restaurants in the area. A nice stroll along the walkway overlooking the ocean with street vendors selling their precious items certainly makes for an amazing eventful day. Sit down by the Puerto Vallarta sign and enjoy the boats venturing by and an occasional speed boat flying by. It is a city of modern and new and preserved history and a gentle look into the past. Modern hotels along the beach minutes away from the airport yet close enough to the city. Explore the rides, boating, zip lines and many different adventures. Yes, we had a great time and enjoyment beyond belief.
A great city to visit, with tons of good restaurants and outdoor activities. We spent a lot of time simply strolling the city and its different areas. In Zona Romantica there seems to be a large ex-pat community whereas el Centro region is more locals, although that area is also popular with tourists. Weather is mild, for us it was 82 every day in December. Airport is modern and clean. The tourist infrastructure is strong. Street sellers are not as pushy as in other parts of Mexico.
This was our 4th trip to Puerto Vallarta and we just love it. Although it is rapidly developing, there are plenty of controls on the progress to keep it still being a very unique place. One of the things we love about this place is how safe and clean it is. Their economy is based on tourism and they do everything possible to protect it. This last trip, I felt more comfortable and at ease then I do back home here in Waikiki, Hawaii where it is also a tourist based economy, but no where as clean or as safe as it is in Puerto Vallarta. Don't worry about drinking the water or eating the food. We have never had a problem there. If you do for what ever reason, there is excellent medical services there if needed. Prices aren't as cheap as you may expect, but still cheaper then in the states. When it comes to food, what you get is much better quality as everything is freshly made and locally sourced. If you don't want Mexican food, there is plenty of western fare to find, but why would you since you can get that all back home. Eat like a local! Accommodations are abundant and range in all prices, but I really recommend renting a managed condo. PVRPV.com is a great company that offers a large inventory of different accommodations to rent and is full service. We have never been disappointed with them. Go an enjoy this casual vacation spot. Relax and escape into the culture. It's a great place to visit if you just want to slow down and take it easy, but don't worry, there are plenty of active activities to keep you moving if you aren't the chill type.
RIP OFF TAXIS...Picked up at cruise port & driven less than 2 miles...taxi driver demanded $25.00 US. Ubered back same distance for less than $3 US. Beautiful city soured by rip off taxi driver. I should have called the policidad and let them settle up with this theif. Ask how much up front, every time. Scumbags here take advantage of Americanos.
Loved it. Places like this is very familiar to me so I feel like coming home although it's my first visit. The weather was perfect warm with a light breeze. The kind people I met, the food especially seafood was worth the trip and I enjoyed experiencing some historic places and learning about the history was a lot better then being in the cold rain. Really enjoyed my time here and wouldn't mind coming back. Mel M Yelp 26:1 read more
8 months ago
Puerto Vallarta as a cruise port. Much nicer than the purely tourism based cabo San Lucas. Lots of industry, tequila, and other business that don't rely on tourist dollars for survival. I've been here before and look forward to returning in the future. read more
4 months ago
My All Favorite Taco Stand! The cooks here are super friendly. The meat is very tender and tasty! Fresh! Seating, yes. Parking, yes. Shade, yes! Please Enjoy! Gracias! read more
Boyfriend and I came to Puerto Vallarta over the 4th of July weekend holiday. Weather was hot, humid and rainy as we came around monsoon season but loved it all. After it rains it became cool the following day. Sunsets are so beautiful like pink cotton candy. We saw vehicle that you don't see in the Las Vegas such as a car company called BYD. Also, they have their own amusement park that is supposed to be luxury and have Cirque du soleil shows too called Vidanta. Not sure if it was fully open or not. For our stay we stayed at a hotel on the beach with view of Bandares Bay near the Marina Vallarta. We did two tours from the hotel which we visited the nearby towns of San Sebastian del Oeste and visit one of the beach towns Sayulita. I recommend wearing linen, lightweight, breathable fabrics. For our trip it was safe, and the people are super passionate and friendly. read more
7 months ago
How much fun, food and sun can one have in Puerto Vallarta? That's up to you. There are so many restaurants and side places to eat it would take you years to enjoy every one. Food from tacos, of course, to seafood, pizza even Chinese. Things to see and do will also you much time. Churches, art shops, plazas, beaches, beautiful architecture enjoying the holidays always so much going on. Even two weeks isn't enough time. Have fun read more
2-14-23 A good place to visit on valentines Day. Why: *Coming into the harbor is picturesque * Not run down as other tourist hubs *Our guide for the day's name was Santa; she and our bus driver got us to our destination safely and well informed *We got to taste many varieties of tequila; I held out to taste mango, almond and chocolate instead of the varying amber shades appearing darker with age ranging in price from $50-100 USD. *this tour was only $49 USD but covered the marina, old town, silver shop with fire opals and lunch and fiesta at Rio Bendito ranch. Our tour lasted 5 hours & 45 minutes so besides that I got a wonderful foot massage, $10 USD for 10 minutes on the pier waiting for the ok to board the tour bus of 33 passengers. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Came through for a week-long visit to celebrate Hubbers' big 5-0! It is what it is: a really beautiful city to visit which is why it's populated by so many MANY tourists. It felt like visitors/tourists outnumbered locals almost 2:1. But that didn't really take away from the experience. There still remains a sense of culture once you get out of the tourist spots. A block away from the city's main streets are cobblestone roads that speaks volumes of the culture and history: how long have these streets been here withstanding decades if not centuries of abuse from people and nature alike. There's the simple but very famous Guadalupe church and flea markets behind the Malecon. Plenty of choices for food and happy hour for very kind of budget. There's always the touristy stuff to do on the shores (banana boat, jet skiing, paragliding, etc.) We even got the chance to get out of the city center and discovered small and very local distilleries (Tequilera El Baston del Rey) and eateries (La Cascada - located next to a small river, really cool!) There are also the familiar American spots like Walmart and Sam's as well as fast food eateries like KFC, Subway and Starbucks. There are also shopping malls and casinos, if that's your thing... but we made it a point to avoid all these spots: local is the way to go! We were fortunate enough to stay at a hotel with staff who gave us tons of tips on the how to's to avoid being scammed out of anything, so we didn't have that kind of experience. Although there are tons of solicitors pretty much everywhere (I mean... it IS tourist magnet, everyone's got their own hustle) most accept a simple and polite "no thanks" response. (I will admit some got too aggressive, so they were dealt with appropriately.) But overall, the people we encountered are friendly and welcoming. I understand why so many ex-pats retire here. A week wasn't long enough for discoveries. There remains so much more to be seen! Although there are other places to visit before coming back, Hubbers and I wouldn't mind a second run in this gorgeous paradise! read more
We came to Puerto Vallarta for a few reasons. 1. To escape the cold weather (average temperatures during December in PV is around 85 F). It is also the best time to visit, no rain and much cooler with lower humidity. So if you're a snowbird from Chicago, NYC or from Canada or any parts of the snowy world, PV is a great option. 2. It was our first vacation in two years due to covid, and we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary somewhere special but also being mindful with low covid, and doing research, PV checked off all on our list as THE destination. 3. We read and watch on YouTube that PV locals and expats are one of the most friendliest people in the world. Most speak English, but knowing some Spanish really helps especially when you are going to take Taxi all over PV and beyond. 4. We both worked very long hours and we wanted a place, close to the beach to decompress, no technology, just a few paperback books to cuddle with, right on the sandy beach and hear the ocean waves. Of course, we did stay half the time at a resort where full bar was offered so that was the icing on our cake. If you're looking to travel close by from the US, in a budget or luxury, Puerto Vallarta has so much to offer. The food is amazing especially when you branch away from the tourist location. I recommend eating around the area of Cinco de Deciembre where many expats and locals live. This is the area where we found the best place to eat, mostly locals and the food was really good and very inexpensive. Best of all, the weather all year long in PV is always around in the 80s. Great way to soak in some sunshine and downtime. Cheers! read more
2 years ago
Come on local Puerto Vallarta government, with all the money you get every year, fix the streets.... Poor taxi drivers that have to spend money to fix their cars ; still see a lot of poverty around, sad .., all these big companies opening business but not improving local infrastructure.... Puerto Vallarta is beautiful because of their people, they want jobs ( good paying jobs ) hope it happens someday.... read more
The city of Puerto Vallarta is really a great historical place to relax and enjoy. Filled with old businesses, brick streets and turn of the century homes this city is an amazing opportunity to enjoy festivities, cultural and fine dining at some of the local restaurants in the area. A nice stroll along the walkway overlooking the ocean with street vendors selling their precious items certainly makes for an amazing eventful day. Sit down by the Puerto Vallarta sign and enjoy the boats venturing by and an occasional speed boat flying by. It is a city of modern and new and preserved history and a gentle look into the past. Modern hotels along the beach minutes away from the airport yet close enough to the city. Explore the rides, boating, zip lines and many different adventures. Yes, we had a great time and enjoyment beyond belief. read more
7 years ago
A great city to visit, with tons of good restaurants and outdoor activities. We spent a lot of time simply strolling the city and its different areas. In Zona Romantica there seems to be a large ex-pat community whereas el Centro region is more locals, although that area is also popular with tourists. Weather is mild, for us it was 82 every day in December. Airport is modern and clean. The tourist infrastructure is strong. Street sellers are not as pushy as in other parts of Mexico. read more
6 years ago
This was our 4th trip to Puerto Vallarta and we just love it. Although it is rapidly developing, there are plenty of controls on the progress to keep it still being a very unique place. One of the things we love about this place is how safe and clean it is. Their economy is based on tourism and they do everything possible to protect it. This last trip, I felt more comfortable and at ease then I do back home here in Waikiki, Hawaii where it is also a tourist based economy, but no where as clean or as safe as it is in Puerto Vallarta. Don't worry about drinking the water or eating the food. We have never had a problem there. If you do for what ever reason, there is excellent medical services there if needed. Prices aren't as cheap as you may expect, but still cheaper then in the states. When it comes to food, what you get is much better quality as everything is freshly made and locally sourced. If you don't want Mexican food, there is plenty of western fare to find, but why would you since you can get that all back home. Eat like a local! Accommodations are abundant and range in all prices, but I really recommend renting a managed condo. PVRPV.com is a great company that offers a large inventory of different accommodations to rent and is full service. We have never been disappointed with them. Go an enjoy this casual vacation spot. Relax and escape into the culture. It's a great place to visit if you just want to slow down and take it easy, but don't worry, there are plenty of active activities to keep you moving if you aren't the chill type. read more
5 years ago
RIP OFF TAXIS...Picked up at cruise port & driven less than 2 miles...taxi driver demanded $25.00 US. Ubered back same distance for less than $3 US. Beautiful city soured by rip off taxi driver. I should have called the policidad and let them settle up with this theif. Ask how much up front, every time. Scumbags here take advantage of Americanos. read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
My favorite place to be to relax and decompress from life and its stresses great history and amazing views read more
6 years ago
5 years ago
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