Mexico Vacation Travels Pictures, Reviews, & Deals» Puerto Vallarta

Things To Know About Puerto Vallarta: Location, Location, Location

Rachel — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:58:44 +0000

Puerto Vallarta is a thriving expat community, which is most probably why a lot of tourists here feel right at home. There are plenty of Canadians, Americans and even Europeans who have settled here and have infused the life of the locals like their own.

Forget about the sterotype that you see in movies and television about Mexico being quite provincial and small, or even impoverished. The truth is Puerto Vallarta is actually an upscale area.

The Hotel Zone, for instance, is almost similar in ambiance and atmosphere as the ones you see in California. The center of the city, in fact, hardly shows any sign of danger or desolation. This isn’t like New Jersey, where slums are seen within a block from a posh hotel.

All around, the area is a pleasant, middle-class community with a lot of expats living here for many years, with their kids and family. That’s not saying there are no desolated areas in this part of Mexico, however. Because there are quite a few, yet well-managed environments.

If you’re in the market to not just visiting Puerto Vallarta on short trips, but to actually find a house you can come to for vacations, the city center has reasonable rates.

Things To Know About Puerto Vallarta: Nightlife

Rachel — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:46:17 +0000

Puerto Vallarta has a vibrant nightlife with lots of parties, singing, drinking and dancing. There’s always something for everyone to enjoy. In fact, Puerta Vallarta has one of the best and most authentic nightlife spots here in Mexio.

At the Hotel Zone, visitors will find that there are numerous dance clubs and bars that, more often than not, is almost always filled with tourists. This is especially during the times between November and March, when visitors from everywhere arrive the most.

The city center is where the most active and bustling nightlife scenes are, where the clubs actually do well blending in what’s popular among the locals and nationals, with what is also a hit with tourists and guests. The city center also has a novelty gift shop, as well as a couple of tourist spots. If you don’t prefer going to clubs and bars during the night, then you can spend it shopping or looking for gifts to bring home to family and friends.

For the most part, nightlife is filled with Mexican or Spanish language music, which can be a new sound for tourists, or frustrating, if they cannot relate to it. But in plenty of cases, the tourists seem to blend in, get jiggy with the sound, and have a great time.

Prices at these clubs are offered at fairly reasonable rates, and the crowd is a mix of fashionable and trendy people, proving that in Puerto Vallarta, the fun never stops at the beach!

Things To Know About Puerto Vallarta: Beaches

Rachel — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:33:56 +0000

Puerto Vallarta has a gorgeous beach coast and there are about forty beaches you can find in the area, all offering different pleasures. The beaches are perfect for doing all sorts of water activitis including snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, jet skiing or wind surfing.

The most visited spots are the beaches found in Los Muertos, located in the Old Town and during weekends and holidays, this can be incredibly filled with people.

The northern part of Puerto Vallarta have more beaches that are suited for surfing and some of these are secluded and less populated.

One thing you should take note of when booking at a beach resort is that the downtown beaches are basicallys smaller. The Hotel Zone does offer a lot of wonderful beaches, but it’s best to check where you are booking your accommodation from. The downtown central area do not have beaches nearby at all, so if you have booked your stay here, be prepared to shell out extra for cab fares if you would like to go to the beach. Otherwise, if you only intend to get a tan working, your best bet is to stay in the hotel and enjoy the pool.

The water on the beach is actually cold, all year round, in spite the fact that this is a gorgeous tropical island, which is why you will find that most hotels also have pools with warm water even when the beach is a walking distance.

Things To Know About Puerto Vallarta: The Romantic Zone

Rachel — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:24:40 +0000

In Puerto Vallarta, there is such an area called the Romantic Zone. What really is this place? Is it really “romantic”?

The “Romantic Zone” or Zona Romantica is actually a strip of hotels in Puerto Vallarta, where couples and lovers spend a few days to rendezvous. This is just a small section of the center of the city, located at the River
Cuale and is part of the Old Town of the island. Unlike the northern area, buildings and sights here are not updated, but there’s actually a nostalgic feel to it.

The Romantic Zone has a few family friendly hotels though, so you can actually bring your kids to this district, if you’re comfortable. The Romantic Zone also has a few hotels that gay couples frequent.

There are also plenty of shops and bars, as well as restaurants in the area, so this is also a place for pairs to go on dates. Be prepared to see nothing extra ordinary about the establishments though, at least nothing that stands out compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta.

Best Places To Visit in Mexico: Puerto Vallarta

Rachel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:43:49 +0000

Puerto Vallarta is located by the Sierra Madre mountain ranges and boasts of a spectacular beach that spans 40 miles. The site provides a gorgeous backdrop for many possible outdoor activities you can do with your frineds and family. This place is for someone who enjoys basking in the sun and soaking the vibrant and refreshing air of nature. People have always been attracted to this place because of this.

Many artists have known to frequent Puerto Vallarta for inspiration and to help unleash their creativity. In fact, the island is known as a cultural mecca, where art and music is thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re looking for an ideal tropical getaway, then this is the perfect place to be.

Always with the right kind of weather, Puerto Vallarta has some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Visiting here would mean getting busy with doing all sorts of activities like swimming, horsebackriding, whale watching, going to the spa and even to the malls. It’s the kind of busy that helps relieve you of stress — busy yet fun!

In the evenings, Puerto Vallarta also offers a tempting nightlife filled with sights and sounds and even scents. There’s plenty of singing, music, and dancing, and the food served at restaurants is filling and flavorful.

The main square is also a fascination for visitors to this place, because time and again, you will find kids practicing their traditional dances or couples doing salsa, all for the purpose of having fun and in the process, entertaining the tourists.

There is always something to do in Puerto Vallarta. Going here is a vacation truly worth documenting!

Mexico Wedding Venue: Crown Paradise

Rachel — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:07:52 +0000

Dreaming of a beach wedding? There’s no better place to hold it than in the beaches of Mexico.

You can have your dream wedding at the Crown Paradise, located in Puerto Vallarta. The hotel offers numerous wedding packages that would suit anyone’s requirements. All they ask is that couples prepare the legal documents first (such as the passport and birth certificate), and get their blood tests, and the hotel will take care of the rest of the wedding preparations .

Choose from three kinds of wedding packages: crystal, gold and platinum.

The Crystal Package offers a ceremony that will take place inside the hotel, with a red carpeted walkway. Music will be provided via CD and wine for the wedding toast will also be given. This is ideal if you’re going to have a wedding with ten or less guests. As part of the package, bride and groom can upgrade to a jacuzzi room for one night and avail of a discount form the spa. They will also be given breakfast in bed the morning of their wedding, and provided with priority dinner reservations at the hotel’s restaurant. This package, however, does not include the minister or justice who will be officiating the wedding.

The Gold package is a lot similar to the Crystal package, however, the wedding can take place at the hotel’s Gazebo site. A wedding cake good for 10 people will also be given, and the couple can avail of the services of a wedding coordinator to see through the arrangements.

The Platinum package includes all of the preparation and people needed to hold a small, but meaningful wedding. The hotel will even take care of making sure the legal documents and blood tests are submitted and filed. The Platinum package is generally ideal for 25 guests or less.

Contact Crown Paradise to get more details on these offers.

Where To Eat: Joe Jack’s Fish Shack

Rachel — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:48:37 +0000

Joe Jack’s Fish Stack is the place to go if you enjoy seafood. Plenty of patrons flock to this place because they serve the best tasting fish and chips, mahi mahi and garlic shrimp, accompanied with beer. Joe Jack has a cozy rooftop terrace which can accommodate large groups, and all day long, classic rock and lively music are blasting on the speakers. This place is constantly full of people out to have a good time or relax with good food and a beer bottle.

First time guests will enjoy coming here and may want to go back for more. The food served is superb, with the fish cooked fresh and served larged and really yummy tasting.

Located in Puerto Vallarta, just a few blocks form the Posada De Roger Hotel, Joe Jack’s Fish Stack is accessible and convenient. When we were here, there were a lot of older men, who probably are retirees and are having fun with the food and the beer. But there are also younger ones dining and drinking or enjoying the music (which incidentally isn’t current but so very 80′s).

The service is excellent and prompt. This restaurant is quite in the middle when it comes to the price — it isn’t really cheap as there are other more affordable dining places, and it’s not also expensive. But for its ambience, as well as the fresh food and drinks, this really is a must visit when you come to Puerto Vallarta.

Where To Stay in Mexico: Majahuitas

Rachel — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:02:47 +0000

The Majahuitas is located in a very secluded part near Puerto Vallarta. So secluded that it is only accessible via a boat ride. But once you get here, the Majahutias is nothing like you’ve ever been to before as the place is a wonderful paradise with its own, private pristine beach.

Once you’re here, prepare to be really out of reach and commune with nature, as there is socket for television, gadgets, and not even a hair dryer. This is as laidback and as basic as it can get. Going here would have to mean that you’re really winding down and leaving anything remotely convenient from city-living.

But, that’s not to say you won’t have a lovely time here or would find it very difficult to relax. The hotel has a full service staff to attend to your every needs.

The Majahuitas is the perfect site for those who enjoy snorkeling, diving, kayaking and doing all sorts of water activities. It’s also a perfect place for romantics who would like to celebrate their anniversary.

The place has eight casistas each with a view of the beach. The rooms are comfortable and breezy, even without the comforts of airconditioning and there are mosquito nets draped over the beds, so that you will not get bitten by bugs, mosquitoes and the like, as you sleep. The rooms are rustic and ventilation is provided by an oascillating fan.

Dinner at the communal area is served via candelight, which is really romantic and breakfast offers a table of fresh fruits, perfect for those who want to eat healthy.

Aside from swimming, guests can go hiking or use the facilities at the gym. They can also get a massage at a nearby tent with the river in the background.

This is truly a relaxing place to behold.

Verana Hotels

Rachel — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:22:27 +0000

The Verana is a really intimate retreat that’s almost close to the jungle. It has a lovely view of Mexico’s Banderas Bay and it’s located quite far off Puerto Vallarta, some 50-minutes away at least, by taxi. The hotel is located a top a hill, and may really take effort to get there. But once you’re already in the site, you can’t help but be in awe.

There are eight houses in this place, surrounded by lush greenery and gorgeous landscape.

This place has been developed by Heinz Legler for his wife and was initially a boutique hotel that has evolved into a sanctuary for those who love nature.

You will love the hillside tea area where there’s a hammock for you to lounge around and enjoy the view. The hotel offers an open air spa, as well as a spring water pool. There’s also a yoga hut, which makes relaxation even better as the place is so conducive for becoming one with nature.

With restaurants far from the place, your only choice is to eat in-house but that’s a good thing because food they serve is really palatable.

The place is totally secluded with mostly open-air construction. Anywhere in your bedroom, you can’t help but enjoy the view. Actually, the view is present anywhere in the hotel, it really is just so pleasant.

The staff is accommodating and they are locals, they know the jungle all too well.

This place is perfect for honeymooners or those who would like to have an intimate wedding.

Being here is like camping in the lap of luxury and style and roughing it has never sound so appealing if you’re actually roughing it in this kind of place.

Puerto Vallarta: Hotel Posada De Roger

Rachel — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 07:03:08 +0000

The Hotel Posada de Roger is situated by near Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone. It’s the area for honeymooners and lovers and it’s also close to sites like the La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe and Plaza Principal.

The hotel features its very own restaurant which only serves breakfast and lunch. You can, however, eat at other establishments outside the vicinity for dinner. The place is very accessible to more restaurants. However, having its own breakfast and lunch choices makes it convenient.

This is a budget friendly restaurant with a multi-lingual staff. It’s rate is perfect for those who are on this trip with limited resources, or groups of friends who want to save on accommodation and yet feel very comfortable while here.

Hotel Posada De Roger has its own pool facilities outdoor, for when you want to relax and soak in the water, if the beach is too crowded. Even so, the beach is actually just a walk away. Having this place to stay just so near it though offers another convenience.

The hotel has 47 rooms for guests, each come with exterior corridors and balconies, it’s really perfect for groups staying over. The rooms are rather small though, but there’s plenty of room for two big beds, which is what’s really important. Internet is complimentary and the bathrooms come with toiletries that are also free. The room has phones and television and is always well-kept.

Staff service is commendable. For a three star hotel, this place is already sufficient for your short vacation here in Puerto Vallarta.