Puerta Vallarta? Has anyone gone over there? Is it really Beautiful?

Question

Me and my mother are planning on going to Puerta Vallarta on either Christmas break or New Years. But she says we're only staying maybe for about 3 days, because it's very expensive, espeacially hotels. But I mean it's over the holidays I'm sure there must be special prices or packpages going on. So if any one can give me a good website that can give me information that be great! OH and has anyone been there, I've never been there before and since it's winter when we're going. Not sure how the weather will be. My mom said since its basically a beach over there it'll be hot. So feel free to share some of your stories with me I'd love to hear them, or maybe some good resaturants that you went to and enjoyed or places to visit. Thanks.

Answer 1

I went there when I was in the Navy. We ported there in December and it was warm (80s & 90s).

When I was there it was pretty cheap, but that was 11 years ago. It was one of my favorite port calls and still is one of my favorite places.

We drank beer on the beach during the day & went clubbing at night. The people were friendly, the food was excellent, and the night life was outstanding.

Answer 2

I've visited Puerto Vallarta many times, and love it. It's always warm... mid 80's most of the year. Sun worshipping is the main past-time, but there is also an active nightlife and plenty of additional daytime activities including shopping (bargains galore!), day excursions (land and sea), diving, parasailing, swimming with the dolphins, canopy tours (zip lining through the jungle!), dune buggy and ATV tours, horseback riding, etc. Really, you name it... they have it.

This site shows it's exact location in the state of Jalisco, Mexico... it's located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico's mainland, just below the tip of Cabo San Lucas on the Baja Peninsula.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Vall...

This site has it all... all the activities, etc:

http://www.visitpuertovallarta.com/

Here's an all-inclusive holiday package deal offering "4th night free":

http://www.velasvallarta.com/html/puerto...

Enjoy... it's a wonderful getaway! If you can take a cruise-- even better. Cruise ships depart San Diego, CA for the Mexican Riviera several times a week-- you can stop at Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Ixtapa, La Paz, Cabo...etc etc!

Answer 3

Your mother needs to educate herself about PV. The prices for hotels, food, packages are OK for the holiday season [the most expensive time of the year] but it is not just a beach which is hot. I live here 1/2 year. The winter finds temps extremely comfortable with humidity under check and some nights can get a wee bit chilly esp. if sitting outdoors up in the mountains. My first trip was 1979. Sure a lot has changed since then, many parts very favorable like paved sidewalks and better lighting and bathrooms. It is a world class destination with property values increasing. People have discovered this little slice of paradise and are coming here to retire at a slower pace and price than US, Can, Eur. Go with an open mind. If you mother is dead set against it, go elsewhre so you have a fun stress-free time.

grb

Answer 4

It IS a very beautiful place..... my favorite beach destination (and we have A LOT in Mexico).

I agree with everything that Juan said...... you can find all kind of lodging and restaurants, expensive and cheap, it depends on your budget and what YOU consider "cheap"...... but for americans it's usually very cheap to come down here because they have USD's, which are worth $10-11 mexican pesos each, so they can afford to buy a lot with their money. Of course there are 5 star hotels that are VERY expensive as they would be in USA or anywhere else, but there are others much more affordable (especially closer to downtown, and still on the beach). I stayed at a place called Buenaventura Hotel & Beach or something like that and it was great, had all inclusive program (at a very good price as it was low season), was right on the beach, service was good..... Also, as Juan said, it's holidays so it will be CROWDED and therefore the prices will be higher and the space limited, so you'd better make your reservations ASAP..... P. Vallarta is one of our cheapest beach destinations in fact, if you go to Cabo or Cancun you'll spend a lot more $$, so I guess this is a good place to go if you're on a limited budget and I'm sure you'll enjoy it....... oh and the weather will be very nice!!! Good luck!

Answer 5

When I was in Puerto Vallarta I had a blast!  You will too.  It's incredibly clean, the people are friendly and there is so much to do.  Make sure you go to the flea market downtown - so much fun.

Answer 6

The Christmas/New Year break is a time of the year that Mexican, Canadian and US travelers will all be looking for warm places to vacation and Puerto Vallarta is certainly one of those places. Also, it is not the time of the year that hotels need a "deal" to attract business.

The weather should not be a concern for you. It does rain during those months but it is usually in the afternoon and seldom lasts for very long. See the link at the bottom of the page for typical temps in Dec.& Jan.

There are hotels in P.V. in every price range and having no idea of what your mother or you consider expensive or if you have a certain area or beach that you might prefer to be close to (Puerto Vallarta has over 25 miles of beaches) Not knowing some of these details/preferences makes it difficult to recommend anything.....  You probably do need to secure some reservations though as soon as possible to be safe. If you want to email me with some more specific information I will try to help you find what you want. I have been travelling in Mexico and Central America for years and Puerto Vallarta is still one of my favorite places.If I don't hear from you,I hope you and your mom have a memorable trip.

http://vallartainfo.com/

http://www.visitpuertovallarta.com/

Answer 7

we went last summer and it was beautiful. we stayed at the golden crown resort. i will admit the water was not that pretty because our section was in the bay area. i was thinking prior to going we were going to have the turquise colored water like you find in cancun. overall all, PV is a very pretty place. it is very old fashioned which is cool. oh yeah, the only downfall to be honest where the peddlers on the beach. they got annoying. we really didnt eat out since our package was all-inclusive and had lots of resturants at our resort. but they do have a lot to offer from american type (hooters, hard rock and etc) to authentic mexican resturants. everyone is very friendly there and you will have a great time!!!!

i am courious though on the part where you said your mom told you it was expensive. the hotels are really fairly cheap there. is it your airfare that is causing the price to be expensive?

Answer 8

I live in Puerto Vallarta and I think is a paradise and I really love to share it, just if you take care of it! xD and believe me is NOT cheap, but neither too expensive, of course you will need to find out the right place to eat (good and cheap) we have all kind of restaurants, you can find something like a buffet for 75 pesos (8 dlls), eat in "fondas" (traditional mexican restaurants) for 6 dlls of you can have a marvelous dinner for lotsss $$$$$$

For hotels you can look online for specials, I'm sure you can find something and if you stay more than 3 nights is cheaper!

the weather is nice during the day, at nite will be chilli (for you, for me is cold! xD)  

there are sooo many places to have fun here.. night life is crazy sometimes but really nice.  

if you are coming and need more help, feel free to send an email [e-mail]

here you will find some interesting things

www.vallartaonline.com