Cheap or free things to do in Puerto Vallarta?

Question

We will be visiting in Febuary

Answer 1

Take a bus to Boca de Tomatlin --south of the city...about 1/2 trip 55 pesos (about 55 cents)...when you get to Boca...take a water taxi to Yelapa...it's about 1/2 trip over the ocean with beautiful scenery for about $6 return...Yelapa is accessible only by boat so there are no roads there...just a beautiful beach with a couple of restaurants on it...a trail leads up to a waterfall behind the beach...lots of movie stars, etc have stayed there....they only got electricity in about 2005 so there is nothing like a bank machine..take all the cash you'll need...to get the bus to Boca de Tomatlan...just flag one down in Zona Romantica...the bus stops aren't always marked but if you see people standing on a corner chances are it is a bus stop...in any case the drivers will stop if you just flag them down.....Yelapa is paradise...a hard place to leave at the end of the day....

Answer 2

I second everything garyrbeck1 said, with these additions:

He said: "Check out Isla [island] where stands and food are available."  I say on the Isla have a comida corrida (big lunch for little price) and take a siesta afterward.

And check out a Mexican supermarket (Gigante Supermercado).  They're similar to our supermarkets, but at the same time they're different.

Take lots of pictures.  Buy plenty of film here before you leave.

Answer 3

Walk! Take a hike along the malecón and view the bay, the view, the music, art and new sculptures, have a snack on Playa Los Muertos, south of Rio Cuale.

Take a bus trip south on highway 200 past Boca and head toward El Tuito [that is what the bus must say] 20 pesos. Gorgeous cliffside drive, then inland and get off at the Botanical Gardens 950 peso fee at gate but deduct from your food/bev bill]. Orchids, agave, birds, cacti, zinnias, gorgeous!

Or take a Mismaloya bus and stroll the beach and eat a snack there.

Head north by city bus [5 pesos], transfer at WalMart to ATM and go to La Cruz, Bucerías, Punta de Mita, Sayulita for lots of fun. No night buses.

Check out Isla [island] where stands and food are available. Plus a nearby flea market, cheap trinkets and fun.

Take a tour of Liz Taylor's home Casa Kimberley

Go to the church Guadalupe downtown. Right across the street on the corner is a small tourist office for maps, card, info for the taking. Great place to pick up ideas and read once back in your rooms.

Take in a sunset on the beach and sip while you await the green flash. CyC is a popular spot.

Carry bottled water with you and sun screen. Dress lightly and wear casual clothes and sandals.

Horseback riding into jungles not cheap nor are the canopy tours or oat rides, but spend a few pesos when you can!

Gary

San Francisco, CA./Puerto Vallarta, JAL.

"We had the dust of Mexico on our shoes and the love of Mexico in our hearts..."