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Really need help for puerto vallarta !!


PoohUnderstands
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Help, please! We are not beach or water people at all so Las Caletas is out.

 

Princess tours seem to be all water/beach oriented and the ones not........ boring.

 

Does anyone have any ideas what to do in PV? Or will this be a stay on the ship type port?

 

Thanks for any ideas.

 

Pooh

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Rthyms of the Nights is a nice excursion that if Princess is there in the evening is probably an option. It's actually on the same island as Las Caletas but it's a late afternoon/evening excursion. You take a ferry ride to Las Caletas and they have a very nice buffet dinner and the show is like an Aztec oriented Cirque de Soliel. You can look at trip advisor to see reviews etc.

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Puerto Vallarta is one of our favorite cities.

We are also not beach people but we like to explore.

Walk out of the port and take a taxi to the malecon/boardwalk.

It should be about $6-8 USA .

Then stroll along the oceanfront and explore the shops, the statues, see the local street entertainers etc.

Walk over the bridge to the beach area and walk out onto the interesting pier shaped like a sail. We often stop to have a margarita and chips at one of the beach restaurants. You can get more substantial food if you prefer.

 

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OMG...please do not spend your port day on the ship. We have a love affair with PV (after 12 winters living in the old town) and like promoting our fair city and great eating venues. So, if you are mobile (able to stroll 2-3 miles) and have a spirit of adventure, then get off your vessel and come walk through our city. Walk out of the port up to the main road (you will see Walmart and Sams across the street) and either take a bus (any bus with "Centro" on their windsheild) or grab a yellow taxi and come into Centro (town). Have a taxi drop you near McDonalds..,and if you take a bus you would want to get off when it gets into town (ask another passenger where to get off near McDonalds. This will put you on the northern part of the Malecon (the Seawall or our version of a boardwalk). From this point you just start to stroll (keeping the sea on your right). Browse the shops, stop for a drink, eat some food, soak up the atmosphere. When you get tired of walking...go sit on a bench or along the wall (on the seaside) and people watch. When you reach the Rio Cujale (the very small river) you will see a restaurant on your left called Oscars. Walk down the step and explore this island. You can then reverse course, go back up the stops and continue into the Old Town (Romantic District) where you can spent time browsing shops, drinking, eating (food in PV is great) and just enjoying yourself. Stop at the Sea Monkey (50 yards from the pedestrian bridge that takes you over the Rio Cujale) and sit at a beachfront (your feet will be in the sand) table where you can enjoy a $1 Margarita or beer (Pacifico or Corona) and perhaps a snack (the food is safe), Spend some time exploring this side of town because its just fun. Once you are tired you can simply grab a Yellow Taxi (negotiate a price before you go) and have them take you to the Cruise Marina...or just have them drop you at Sams.

 

Not everyone loves this city the way we do. Suffice it to say that we could spend our winters anywhere in the world, but DW and I have chosen PV. It can be hard to explain unless you catch the PV fever...but this city does get in one's blood. We don't have the best beaches, the highest class hotels, too many abandoned buildings and storefronts, and the new development/building projects is rapidly destroying some of what we love (but there is enough left). All I know is that when DW and I fly down to PV (for a few months) and our wheels touch the runway,,,we are both grinning and thinking "we are home." What more can we ask?

 

Hank

P.S, Should have mentioned that PV has one of the best winter climates in the world.

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Hank,

 

Duh, I figured out which one you meant! Sometimes I have brain freeze!!!!!! ;p

 

However, I see it would be better to go to Sam's and get a taxi. How much in pesos/dollars should I negogiate to pay to get to McDonalds (even though I am a tourist!)? Also will I be able to easily get a cab back to the ship from McDonald's or look elsewhere. Thanks.

 

Pooh

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If you like excitement then do the zipline, it is so beautiful and fun. Much more then just a zipline and guides are so nice. The equipment has redundent saftey features so all you have to do is enjoy the rainforest that surounds you. We will be doing it for our 4th time in January, it takes the whole day so pack some snacks.

 

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

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Agree that the Hotel Rosita is a good starting point (across the street from McDonalds). Not sure of the current taxi fares since there have been some increases, but I would be happy with 80 Pesos from outside the port to the Rosita. We are talking about the cost for an entire taxi. If you want to pay in dollars you will lose some money on the exchange. Drivers will sometimes say they have no change :) You can normally grab a taxi on the port side of the main road without having to cross over to Sams/Walmart. Just beware that the taxis that are permitted to pick up right at the Marina/port do usually charge more money which is why many walk out to the main road.

 

I should have also mentioned that PV now has Uber. We have not used them yet, but the prices are supposed to be even cheaper than the taxis.

 

Hank

Edited by Hlitner
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San Sebastian is a town the Spanish started in the 1600 to mine silver and is absolutely incredible the little Cathedral and all the stone houses. Google it to look at it but you can rent a car and drive up there on a paved Road east of PV

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We had a great time on a walking food tour with Vallarta Food Tours, just search them on your browser. Had a great tour for like $49 per person (or something like that), sampled numerous food and drinks, and got to be escorted on a walk around areas of old town we otherwise wouldn't have seen.

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Not sure why you'd need to walk so far outside of the port area to get a taxi?

We just walk to the corner where the gas station is and there are always taxis there.

For Sam's you'd have to cross a very busy road.

Why walk farther than necessary???

Just say malecon(mah-leh-cone) and everyone will know where you mean.

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San Sebastian is a town the Spanish started in the 1600 to mine silver and is absolutely incredible the little Cathedral and all the stone houses. Google it to look at it but you can rent a car and drive up there on a paved Road east of PV

 

If someone hasnot been to Puerto Vallarta before I certainly would NOT advise to rent a car and drive to/from San Sebastian! Traffic in Vallarta can be busy and cobnfusing. Better make a tour with one of the guides offering their services at the port.

Recently the road has been partly closed due to mudslides.

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If someone hasnot been to Puerto Vallarta before I certainly would NOT advise to rent a car and drive to/from San Sebastian! Traffic in Vallarta can be busy and cobnfusing. Better make a tour with one of the guides offering their services at the port.

Recently the road has been partly closed due to mudslides.

 

Puerto Vallarta is a Town of 200,000 people , not a big deal

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Puerto Vallarta is a Town of 200,000 people , not a big deal

 

But traffic often is crazy. Not just the way often a left turn has to be made, also the many topes (speedbumps), potholes and some crazy drivers. This apart from the police who like to make some money from tourists.

I know, we live in Vallarta each winter for 4 - 5 months since some years. Yes I drive our car there, but I know lots of snowbirds who donot.

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Thanks, guys, but you are advising someone that does not rent a car at any cruise locations. I am afraid I am of the opinion that when I am on vacation, I don't want to have to do any work at all let alone the work necessary no matter how easy to rent a car and return etc. If I am interested in that much specialized touring, I have been able to book a private tour that is either just my DH and me or maybe one other couple (whom I have usually "clicked" with on roll call! Grin). Then the tour driver does all the driving and delivers me right back to the ship. Cost is not a factor in this; I just like to be catered to when on vacation as I am doing all that when I am home to my family! Grin.

 

Pooh

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Take a taxi (not at the dock, see other posts) head to Old Town. Should be under $10 cab ride--you know you're getting close when the streets get really bumpy and the suspension is about to break. Navigate to Bar le Playa, and enjoy some amazing libations from Alex and company. Good cheap authentic food nearby, lots of trinket shopping, and the beach is a couple minute walk for people watching, more restaurants, and various other shopping. Today I'm wearing a shirt I bought at the bar! I posted pictures on Google Maps. Give yourself time to get back to the dock.

 

All in all? Go far from where everyone else from the ship will be, and you'll be rewarded.

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HIGHLY recommend doing a food tour via Vallarta Food Tours. http://vallartafoodtours.com We've done it twice and have NOT been disappointed.

 

Food is authentic and delicious. Guide is really informative and, for some of the tour, you get taken through the older part of town. Some neat shops to go back and peruse at.

 

There will still be time to stroll the Malecon after your belly is full. :D

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......

 

I should have also mentioned that PV now has Uber. We have not used them yet, but the prices are supposed to be even cheaper than the taxis.

 

Hank

 

 

 

We just used Uber in PV. Very quick and in a new car (it actually had seatbelts!) Do not know what the fare was because our friends paid. Though our taxi fare from Ley to Walmart was 80 Pesos.

 

We too have picked up PV Fever. Looking into booking an overnight cruise on Carnival.

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Did the Princess Mexican Riviera in 2016, doing it again in February. DO NOT book the Princess Malecon, Cathedral, Tiles and Tequila tour!! First stop was at a "tile" factory that was basically a ceramics shop. Conveniently it was next door to a leather goods store. Both of these were in an area off the beaten path that has nothing of interest to anyone who is not interested in shopping at these shops. We spent an hour there. After that, we went to the Cathedral for about 15 minutes, then the Malecon for 15-20 minutes. Then the tour guide announced that it was busy at the Tequila factory so we stopped at a jewelry shop for 45+ minutes. Again, this was in an area where there was nothing else to see. After a seemingly lengthy drive to get to the tequila distillery which upon the return trip, was about 10 minutes back to the ship, we finally got to have lunch at 2:30pm and some tequila.

 

I complained to the tour desk about the fact that this tour featured 2 additional "forced shopping" stops in addition to the tile factory one that was mentioned in the tour description. The shore services desk didn't really care that their tour guides are taking you hostage and forcing stops on your tour to businesses where presumably they are getting a commission. Having taken other tours thru a variety of cruise lines, this was the only time I have experienced such blatant attempts to get you to shop during your excursions.

 

As a result of this experience, I would say DO NOT BOOK EXCURSIONS THRU PRINCESS IN MEXICO. Book independent trips when you get ashore and tell your host that you do not want shopping stops, unless you are really interested in shopping. It is a waste of your time and the tour guides to take you to a shop where you have no interest in buying things.

 

I am doing this exact same cruise itinerary with Princess in February with family members and as a result of my past experiences, we WILL NOT book anything thru Princess since they showed zero interest in the fact that my previous excursions with them involved unadvertised stops for shopping that ended up being over half of the time on their excursion.

 

Puerto Vallarta is a great port call and as others have said, you will have a great time *IF* you remain in control of what you see. Based on my experiences I would say do not book any trips thru Princess unless you want to spend half your time shopping. I realize some may enjoy this, but I have no interest in shopping when I book a tour. Princess should advertise that you will be exploited by the tour guide on their tours unless they properly vet the company they subcontract their excursions to and understand what the tour guides are subjecting their passengers to.

 

This is the downside of Mexico, you are treated as an ATM for which the locals feel there is an unlimited source of revenue. Prepare to be exploited and/or ripped off at each port call. This is unfortunate because the Mexican people are really wonderful but like any culture, there are those who are more than willing to exploit the tourist for their gain.

Edited by dns65
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