pulledporky

We've always taken a taxi from the port to Hotel Rosita and ventured out from there. Usually only making it El Burro just over the bridge. After reading Hank and Ine (and others) for several years talking about the bus. last week we gave it a go. It's not about the money, the taxi is only about $8, but more about the mini adventure. These are city buses: rough, jerky, hot when not moving, but lots of folks coming and going.

Walk out the terminal and out to the main road and there is a covered bus stop. Wait about 2 seconds and a bus will come by that says "Centro". There were three of us, I gave the driver $2 USD and told him we wanted to go to the flea market (at the river). No problem, grab a seat quick, learned all this from CC. Few blocks from the flea market he gave me a wave and we were off the bus. We walked across the suspension bridge, east a few blocks to Aguacate, down a few blocks to Mariscos Cisneros for a great lunch, then down Basilo Badillo to the beach. Fantastic route! Never been to this part of town but it will be our regular route at least for the next few visits.

Walked by a small hotel roughly across the street from Joe Jacks. Looked to have a very "jungly" interior court yard. Any regulars if you know the name I'd appreciate it.

By the time we got back to Hotel Rosita we were pretty "damp" so grabbed a taxi w/AC. He charged the tourist price of $10 but that's still a bargain.

Last week on the Miracle they had printed FT's just as always. Also had an "audio-version" on the TV, and a PDF version you could download from the free wi-fi access. Seems they had the bases covered.

Received beach bags last week on the Miracle. Don't really need them so asked the steward if we could trade, said he had to ask his supervisor. Next day there were two Tervis' in the room, AND the bags were still there.

Just off the Miracle, noticed most had a plexi glass covering. Don't remember seeing this last March. Also seemed like Park West had almost every wall covered - lot more than usual.

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The only cruise ships stopping there are Princess and HAL.

Kind of ironic.

The closest is HACIENDA DOÑA ENGRACIA. A couple of the cruise ships use them as an excursion destination.

 

 

Enjoy!

I believe this is the one we went to. Several tastings included. Not one for flavored tequilas but tried a peach flavored I thought would be good over ice cream - go figure. Also tried an anejo that tasted like an oak 2x4. It was so woody I thought it had to be artificial, or steeped in wood chips. They were hearding groups through about as fast as they could to get us to the "store".

Did the Jeep excursion w/Carnival, it included a taco lunch and margarita at the distillery (no alcohol served to the drivers at any of the stops).

I don't think there are any tequilla factories in Cabo, I don't know if there is any agricultural production of anything.

Went to a "boutique" distillery outside of PV. They claimed to make tequilla but never saw any actual production. More like a demonstration distillery for tourists.

A few ships are trying Mazatlan again...anyone here on any of those cruises...can you report what that port stop is like now?

 

Thank you, with fond memories of Mazatlan in the old days, wondering if it is worth going back???[/quote

 

The Pacifico is cold, the margaritas are wonderful and Letys and Victors on Stone Island are still amazing.

 

Mmmmmmm. Victors. Fresh coconut shrimp, ice cold Pacificos, and toes in the sand. You just can't beat that.

Favorite cabin is deck 4 aft. Right above the dining room and have NEVER heard a sound.

For the first day they will issue tender tickets. Usually they hand them out on the stage, mid lido deck. GET THERE EARLY. Sometimes they do this in the show lounge. Info will be in your Fun Times. Follow the rules, sometimes your whole party has to be there together.

Second day is usually no ticket required.

A short film hi-liting Vallarta:

 

 

Enjoy!

That was pretty cool. Thanks for the link!:)

So if I tip myself for pouring my own beer, I'd tip $5. The 14 oz beer costs about $4, so I'm making a profit on every beer. That's a pretty good deal. :D

I usually go to a major grocery store. Never seen samples there, but if you know what you want, probably your best price. According to their website, there is a Soriana in Coz. Website shows prices in pesos. They usually have a local store special; picked up a bunch of Cuervo Familia for like $12-14 bucks per litre in Puerto Vallarta. They had probably 15 cases and were pushing it pretty hard. Look in the gift box section also. Grabbed 4 bottles of Hornitos each with 2 tequila shot glasses for about $15/l.

Not big on flavored tequilas, but we did have some peach flavored at a distillery outside of Mazatlan, I thought it would be good poured over some ice cream.

Are Deck 4 aft cabins the ones with the covered deck and not much sun?

Yes, it does have a full overhang. And the railing is near vertical providing use of the entire balcony.

I thought you could order it from room service once you board.

You can. And no sales tax once in international waters.

Try this:

When you get off the ship they will shuttle you thru the dock area to a visitor center. Walk thru the center and you should see many pulmonia's lined up (google it - looks like a cross between a volkswagon "thing" and a golf cart.) Hire one to take you on a three hour tour around town, then drop you off at the water taxi to Stone Island (there are two water taxi spots, you want the one closest to the boat). Take the water taxi out to Stone Island (save your ticket - it's round trip). Walk down to Victors and order beers and coconut shrimp. When you're ready to go, go back to the water taxi dock, they will see you and come pick you up and take you back to their dock. It's about a 5 minute walk back to the visitor center.

It's been about 3 or 4 years since we've been there, but I think the pulmonia was about $20/hr, $50 for three hours. Find a driver that speaks pretty good English.

About two years ago we stopped in La Paz. They had free shuttles to take you to town or to the beach. Town was about a 15 minute ride to their bus terminal. Not a whole lot going on in La Paz. They have a malecon but nothing really on it. We enjoyed the morning walking down the beach then headed back. When we got to the port they had a flea market set up where we found a great taco stand right next to a two dollar beer stand.

La Paz is not a tourist destination, cruise ships are far and few between. Our shuttle "guide" said La Paz has the largest US population outside of the US - lot of retirees. We never saw them, but did see a lot of real estate offices. Go to google maps and use the street view. You can "drive" around town and see what it's like.

If I were going back and no ship excursions looked good, I'd take the bus to the beach. If that was a bust I'd go back to the port and take the next bus to town. At least see some beautiful desert. Busses run about every 10 minutes and they are (were) free.

If you golf you might look into that. We passed thru a beautiful desert course and literally saw one guy guy playing.

We had an aft cabin last March on our PC transit. Got up to the bow early (so I thought) and there were hundreds of people up there. Probably a dozen or so drug a lido chair up to sit on. After the first lock I went back to cabin and noticed the view from our aft balcony was the same (but backwards). Best advice already given: Move around. There's also a viewing area on shore. Get a picture of them taking a picture of you.

That doesn't look like cheesecake to me just a cake coloured blue.

That's what I was thinking. Maybe the frosting is cheesecake flavored. Does look good though.

Has anyone done one before, is it any good? We are looking to do one in Puerto Vallarta, there are just 2 of us will we be made to pair with another couple to share a vehicle or will we be able to explore alone.

 

cheers

We did this about 4 years ago. They will assign 4 to a jeep. Not a lot of exploring to do, it's follow the leader caravan style. They wind you thru town then up into the mountains on a dirt/gravel road. Stopped at a small town for a break, then back towards town where we stopped at a tequila "factory" for tastings and a few tacos. Then into town to Burros Bar (on the beach just south of the river in PV) . Hang out there for a few hours then back to the dock.

Drivers wear a wristband and will not be served any alcohol.

It's not "off-road-4-wheelin' " by any stretch. There is one river crossing, be careful, you may get your hair wet.

I'll be in Ensenada in 2 weeks and will have a taco for you.:D

"A" taco? Better make it three or four!!:)

Is the shuttle bus a service for the port or is it a regular commuter bus line with a fixed route? Fee?

Just for the cruise ships. When you get off the ship, there will be a large metal flea-market type building. Walk right thru it, out the back, there will be a line of shuttle busses, get on the first one. It's 2 or 3 bucks and they take you to their terminal. They will offer a discount tour to the blowhole (which is OK if you've never seen it, but you'll be there at night so I'd pass). I think the ticket is round trip, but we always walk back. As RoseF said, it's not very far once you know where you're going.

We usually head to Hussong's, get a couple of cheap margaritas, watch the bull fights on the TV then head next door to Tacos Lindos. Not uncommon to see a lot of the ships crew there getting their taco fix.

Thanks to Rosefloater and sadieN for your comments. Hope to make it there. Ship only in port for 5 hours 7 to midnight.

Plenty of time. Take the shuttle bus if you don't want to walk, it's only a couple of bucks. Go to google and type in tacos lindos ensenada, there are several photos. (I just looked, the photo with the cars in front is NOT tacos lindos, but there is image of the menu.)

Sit at the bar if you can, it faces the grill. Get a plate of tacos and a quesaburro. It's a cheesy-beany-meaty thing, kind of a cross between a quesadilla and a burrito. Wish I was there right now.

We decided to book with Claudia for her tour. Sounds like a great time!

Had a good time with Claudia last March. Good historical knowlege of the city. Kept us moving. Emerald "museum" was a little long, but hey, a free beer and wi-fi.

There's a photo above of the little shopping area at the port, when you get off the boat there are shuttle busses lined up to take you there, or you can walk if not too hot (there is also a duty free shop there with your favorite libation ;)). Also have wi-fi available if you need it.

Another favorite:

Order a burger without the meat. Move down the buffet and add several chicken strips. Makes a pretty good chicken sandwich (top with the honey mustard).

Great topic!

For an early lunch, go to the "Late Risers" breakfast grill and get a fried egg and a few pieces of bacon. Move over to the burger grill get a cheeseburger. Slide the egg and the bacon onto your cheeseburger - delish.

At the brunch, order the breakfast burrito, a side of sausage links and a side of squashed tater tots. Rough chop the sausage and potaotes. Unwrap burrito and put in sausage/potatoes with many splashes of tobasco, wrap it back up. Makes a pretty good breakfast burrito.