Have you been to Puerto Vallarta?

Question

Have you been to Puerto Vallarta? What is fun to do, any recommendations on any activities or restaurants?

Answer 1

My best experience in Puerto Vallarta is when we asked a taxi driver to suggest a good restaurant. He took us downtown, then up a large hill, then through a small alley, then parked the taxi and told us to go up the staircase of what looked like the back of a 2-story house in a bad neighborhood. We were nervous, so he walked us inside the restaurant. It was called i Carumba. This place was incredible. It was on top of a mountain, overlooking the ocean, all outside with a panoramic view, and the food was spectacular. A place where the locals go, and my favorite in Puerto Vallarta. You can ask your hotel or any taxi driver about this place. When you are finished eating, they will get you a taxi to go wherever you want. Have a great time.

Answer 2

Shopping : No Name Boutique

Eating:  Archies Wok (thai), La dolce Vita (Italian), De Santons (international trendy), Cafe des Artists (world class incredible$$$), Las 8 Tostadas **** <awesome mariscos>

Party: De Santos, Obriens, La bodeguita del Medio (best mojito) plus many more.....

After January.... Whale watching tours... Humpbakcs,

Anytime--- Eco tourims--- Vallarta Adventure Co... try the Canopy tour.

Golf.  Great GOLF there are 6 or 7 awesome courses.

Sailing, Nuevo Vallarta marina at the Paradise Village

Surfing-  San Panchos, Sayulita, Punta Mita,

Scuba- Los Arcos, call Chicos dive shop

Bungie Jump- South of the city in Conchas Chinas... Girls jump topless get a free Jump

Cuban Cigars- No name Boutique

There are allways some big DJ parties... progressive, House, Psytrance....

Answer 3

I live in Puerto Vallarta.  I love it.  There's no place like it!

If you like fine restaurants, I recommend La Palapa- the best fine dining in PV.  The owner of the restaurant, Mr. Perez, sings on Tuesday nights, so if you happen to go that night, go a little early so you don't have a problem getting a seat in the lounge.  Food is really expensive but better than I've even had in Paris.  Cafe des Artistes is also phenomenal.  

If you want something more fun-  ZTai is located across from the Malecon (boardwalk) and is really cool inside.  It's sort of hidden-  you go through a doorway which opens into a really impressive asian themed courtyard complete with jungle trees and vines and sunken dining patios.  Oh and beds, enclosed with white linens for romantic lounging.

If you want to get wild-  The Zoo and Carlos OBrian's as well as any other place along the boardwalk are fun, but usually overcrowded with tourists and have pricey cover charges sometimes more than $20.00 pp.

When you get there, be sure and hit up your hotel concierge- they'll not only have the low-down on events, but they can often get you discounts for things you may want to do- like going to see Yelapa, the tiny fishing village that can only be reached by water taxi for nearly an hour (really cool!) or yachting, fishing excursions, etc.

The pirate ship is a popular attraction.  Ask around for discounts before buying your tickets tho-  there's always discounts ;)  

If you want to shop where the locals shop, go to Pitillal.  It's located about 15 minutes inland, and is basically a "china town" layout of shops surrounding a beautiful cement and awning park, just across from an impressive cathedral (remember to bring your camera.)    Beware of buying dvd's there-  cheap but make sure they test them while you watch or the quality could be so bad it won't be worth the dollar you paid.

Buying souvenirs-  always cut the price in half or less and never pay what they're offering initially.  Your best shot however, is to ask a local to haggle for you.  For example, if you know a waiter at one of the restaurants or whatnot, they can often pick the item up for a third of what you would pay.  For example, my gf (who is American) wanted a silver necklace really bad-  the man started at $80 and she eventually got him down to 45 or so.  When he wouldn't go any lower, she had me go-  I came back with the necklace, the matching earrings and bracelet for $18 total.

If you're planning a long stay, you consider a long term rental.  Hotels start at around 70 a night, but even a nice, furnished apt or condo a few blocks from the beach starts at $500 a month-  so it might even be cheaper to rent a place for the month's asking price rather than a hotel for 10 days.

Taxis-  try and ask for the destination and price in spanish.  It will cost you less.

Tip generously if you can.   Waiters make 40 pesos (less than 4 dollars a day) and have to tip out to everyone at the restaurant, from the manager to the cleaning crew to the ppl in the kitchen to the hostess, to the cashier.  Also, don't forget to tip the bagging kids at the grocery store.  A lot of tourists don't know they work only for tips.  

Oh, and don't be offended when they count the tip in front of you.  They don't know Americans consider this rude.  ;)

Hope that helps!  Enjoy your trip!

Answer 4

The only problem with P.V. is that there is so much to do,  you will hardly have time to just sit and relax by the pool.  Downtown has so many great restaurants, just  follow your nose. Same with the Marina. Snorkeling at the Marietas Islands is fun, also canopy tours (I think there are 3 now) jungle trips, shopping, horseback riding to a jungle waterfall. We will be there for our 7th trip in 3 weeks. Can't wait.

Answer 5

I have been to Puerto Vallarta, but only for about 15 minutes. I'm don't really know Mexico. But, you might find something!

Answer 6

Yes, but it was15 years ago.  Watch out for those drinks with the umbrellas that you drink out of a halved pineapple,  I ended up sick as a dog & from a day trip up a mountain road & having lunch in a restaurant that served this drink with my lunch as young men dived from cliffs above the restaurant's patio into a small pool.  I spent the rest of the day between bed & the john after taking all kinds of stomach medicine, then practically crawled to the fiesta that night with my travel companion. I barely ate any of the food, didn't have the strength to dance & couldn't stay awake, so ended up back at my hotel in bed within 2 hours of leaving the room.

I sure would have foregone the day trip to better enjoy the evening fiesta with music & dancing, if I would have known I was going to get sick.

Also, if you get a burger at a McDonalds, or something like that, be sure to check the roll for mold before you bite into the burger.  Expiration dates on dairy & bread products are not well tended to - at least not years ago when I was there.