Top 2 things to DO/AVOID in Puerto Vallarta?

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justmenow7

I went on a work trip which was mostly fun but had events, dinners, and bars all planned out for us.

For food:

Trio was very good, we had the 3rd floor all to our own group which had a raised balcony/platform that gave unique views of the downtown area; http://www.triopv.com/

But even better than Trio is Cafe' Des Artistes. Whatever you do, make sure you visit this place for dinner! The food was AWESOME, the decor was unbelievable. One of the persons in our group said their parents (who are world travelers) rate this as the best restaurant in the world. I thought that was a pretty bold statement until we finished dinner...lol; http://www.cafedesartistes.com/

Things to do:

besides laying at the pool...lol

we did some group snorkel cruise, I don't have a name or anyting but you can go to the marinia to sign up for these. The one we took was about an hour boat ride to some private cove. It included snorkeling but you could also kyak, go on a nature walk through the forest, and learn to make papaya at no extra charge. For an additonal charge at the cove, you could also go scuba diving or get a spa treatment. We were there for quite some time, about 5-6 hours. Lunch was also included. You could also lounge around on the beach. They had these hammocks set up all over the place, I almost fell asleep in one.

I know you said you're not really into the clubs/bars BUT:

La Bodeguita del Medio is a really cool place. It's a restaurant (didn't eat there) / salsa bar on like the main street. We ended up in that place every single night and made friends with the locals eventually. They had a live band and everyone was dancing. Oh did I mention that you can write anywhere on the walls, just ask for a marker from one of the bartenders or bring your own. There are so many messages from our group.

Have fun and hope that helps some!

TANYA

Hi
AVOID the timeshare people haha.
alots of things to do in pv.
Canopy, Horse back riding, Rhythms of the Night, Swim with the Dolphins.
Go to yelapa for the day.
HAVE FUN.

also check this website for tours, info, best beaches, etc.

http://www.thingstodoinvallarta.com/

TANGERBER

Take the Crucero SantamarÃa. You can snorkel, ride horses, eat pescado zarandeado, sing and dance. Do not drink alcohol you may get dizzy.

Janet C

Don't make calls from your hotel phone....very expensive. Buy phone cards at almost any store and use them in the public phones which are all over the place.

regina m

Well I have read the below messages and I couldnt help to respond to you even though I dont ususally post comments...

I am a travel agent and have traveled to PVR multiple times a year for about a decade now..

so a few things to know...

first off
puerto vallarta is a historical fishng town that sits in the bandaras bay....it is surrounded by mountains which are lush and tropical ...as a matter of fact "night of the Iguana" and "Preditor" were filmed there...
the mountains have alot to offer ...
there is a great resturant up there called "Chico's Paradise" and it is fantastic!! it is built into the side of a small cliff which has beautiful views of the jungle thats surrounds it and of a natural spring which runs right below it ...there are paths that you can go down and you can get into the spring below and it is really cool because it has a natural groove-like slide formed into the rock thats feeds down and creates a waterfall into another spring right which sits just below the first spring...also there are some little shops at Chico's Paradise that you can always find some good deals on suvineir type stuff because they are not in downtown PVR it is cheaper...you can make arrangements wherever you are staying for tansportation to chico's paradise or you can rent a jeep and drive there yourself

now..as far as renting a jeep...do not be intimidated by renting a vehicle...it is very difficult to get lost in puerto vallarta...just make a mental note of where the airport is and where it is in correllation of your hotel and if you think you dont know where you are just follow the airport signs... whoolah no longer lost ... also there really is only one main road that runs through town and leads into the mountains on one end and out of town the other end..so it is pretty simple...there are other streets but you could just stick with this one...there is only one road leading into the mountains so if you wanted to drive up to chico's paradise you could but keep in mind it is a mountain so i dont suggest drinking and be sure you go early enough that you back out of the mountains by the time the sun goes down because there are no street lights!!!
if you do rent a jeep you can also go the other direction and drive the coast on the other side which leads to a town named Punt De Minta...the drive is absolutely beautiful...there is a little town where you can eat right on the beach!! it is called the el dorado and you lliterrally have sand between your toes and you must order the seafood!!! if you order lobster which is cheap you will watch them walk out onto the peir and pick up a lobster..lol how's that for fresh.. seafood is so good in PVR because they catch it from the Pacific Ocean which is high in iodine so it makes their seafood very flavorable....they also come to your table and make the guacamole salad tableside...it makes for a nice half-day trip...again try to be back in PVR by night fall because coming from that direction is not any better because once again no street lights and some points you are driving right on the coast

also in the mountains there is rip-lines!!! coolest thing i have ever done ever ever ever...they bring up into the jungle and about the trees and you rig line trough the jungle...i was scared scared scared but i did it and loved it !!! and i make sure i do it everytime i go now..i cant even tell ya how doing just that one has impacted my life...it was freeing and liberating

there are nice golf courses there if thats your thing

there is a marina in downtown where you can take the ususal booze cruise trups...but they also have a dinner cruise which we always enjoy...also of course they also have days trips to snorkel and such as well ... you can get these tours arranged at the hotel you are staying at...if you do it yourself keep in mind there is also a marina in Nuevo Vallarta which is loacted at the Paradie Village Resort that has what i consider "higher" quailty boats and staff

PVR has a hard rock and a carlos & charlies but they also have some fantasic resturants...you chould check out a place called Ricardo's ...it is great...but really in PVR you will find that all the resturnats have chefs..not cooks but chefs so it is really hard to get a bad meal there really...also too dont be shy about eating from the little local tocarias...it is cheap and good and i have never once gotten sick

also too you will find in PVR is that are big on art...there are many galleries with some of the strangest art you can find..you difinetly want to spend some time going in and out of some of the galleries...even people who are not into that kinda thing loves doing this because of the uniqueness of the art...the city buys and commissions local artist and you will find their work displayed along the beaches in downtown...

there is a beatiful cathedral in downtown that is amazing

the sunsets are awesome!!!

off the coast of PVR is a little cluster of island called playa los arcos which you can go on a snorkle excursion out there

whatever you do dont take any horsebacking trips...they way cooler than they actually are!!! trust me on this

one more thing about renting a jeep...if you get pulle dover dont freak out and dont worry at all...it is nothing to be concerned about...alot of times they just want you to throw them a few bucks

Concierge

To avoid:

Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and such are 100% illegal here. To put it simply, jail is not pretty and that will be the first place you visit if you are caught using, buying, selling or soliciting drugs. Also remember that the law in Mexico is Napoleonic Law which means you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Not meant to scare you, but it is wise to know this before you ruin your vacation.

Time Shaere

Water:
Drink water only from bottled, is sold in every bar, restaurant and store. You will find bottled water just about everywhere you look. Most hotels either supply bottled water or have a purfied water filtration system on site.

Everythingeslse is just fun in Vallarta, go Horsebackriding with Rancho El Charro, visit the lighthouse in the Marina for Sunset, the fajitas at Pipis are the best in town, for dinner go to Trio, Cafe de Artistes, Coconuts and if you need more or info contact Vallarta Online (local phone 22 30082 )or look for a guid named Bay Vallarta
you can find both in front of the Sheraton hotel.
Enjoy you trip.

David R.

Two to do; Snorkel tour at Marietas Islands, stroll the malecon on sunday evening when the locals and tourists all mingle with craftsmen, artists, performers and food vendors.
Two to miss; Timeshare presentation, timeshare presentaton.
http://www.vallarta-adventures.com
http://www.puertovallarta.net

Ness

the Napoleonic Law is not valid in Mexico any more,

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