Puerto Vallarta
If you are thinking about visiting Puerto Vallarta we have some things to share about our our trip to Puerto Vallarta. This was our first time visiting and we would defiantly go back. a flight from LA be there in a few hours and spend a nice weekend there.
Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta are divided by a river. Nuevo Vallarta is just north of the airport and home to Punta Mita, Sayulita and San Fransisco (San Pancho) Sayulita is a beach town, with great shops, places to eat, cobblestone streets and palm trees cascading palm trees and the many places to eat it’s a great day trip or 2 night stay. Just about 7 miles north of that you come to San Pancho (San Francisco) which was our absolute favorite even more that Sayulita. The crowds were not there, the beach was open and nice and the hotels and restaurants were charming. We would definately go back!!
Urban Hike: We took a a city hike through the town of Puerto Vallarta and wound through the streets to the very tippy top of the PV which came to the cross. There were a bazillion stair and it was sticky hot, but a nice surprise at the top was a snack shop! The view was amazing and the way there and back the views of the homes and flowers were so awesome. You will want to bring water for your urban hike and many tiny stores are tucked in these neighborhoods that you can pick up some inexpensive snacks. We met a lady from the US that had moved there 20 years ago and now was about 78, she told us about the culture, places to eat etc. I have to say, everywhere we went people were so nice and friendly and everyone was smiling. Well maybe not the donkey and his owner who were taking rocks up a hill to build a foundation!
The most beautiful church, The Church of our Lady of Guadalupe was absolutely stunning situated in the center of town. The bell could be heard ringing the town at the top of the hour. Please see my painting at Pink Church Download . When I saw this church and my photograph of it, I had to try my hand at painting it. I love how it turned out let me know what you think.
Walking through the streets of Puerto Vallarta you come across beautiful homes with the architecture and flowers, many with ocean and city views along cobble stone streets.Hotels: We stayed at a hotel resort which is what got us there with our RCI points but we really aren’t resort people and they tend to all look very similar and have similar food. If never quite looks like the website and you don’t always get what you book! Welcome toe Mexico.. I’ll post about at a later time. Taking in the culture and city as much as possible is our idea of fun so the resort pool is nice for about a day or two but then we are ready to move on. We decided to ditch the hotel for a couple of days and book a condo with roof top pool in the heart of Puerto Vallarta. BEST decision ever and for the price was so much more economical than the fancy tourist trap resort.
Step out from the elevator into an open rooftop pool overlooking the the ocean and the city of Puerto Vallarta Mexico
This Condo located in the Romantico Zone was steps to restaurants and blocks from the ocean. Sunsets were amazing!! Getting Around: We felt very comfortable in the Taxi’s and Ubers and they were readily available. Our resort required us to take their Taxi out of the property but Uber’s could drop off. The Taxi driver’s from the Hotels are more than happy to wait if you do want them to stick around as a long trip to one of these beaches is better for them to get a paid ride back. We did the trick when we got off the airplane to walk around the airport across the skywalk to the other side where you can order an Uber. There were several drivers there that would have taken us, but in Mexico I like to stick to the Uber App and or taxi services.
Food: The food was amazing everywhere we went. In the Romantic zone when you see a line out the door at opening, you try it! We also had great meals at the beach front restaurants. Most the food and drinks in these towns were not super expensive and exploring the culture and food of Mexico is always so fun.
We were in PV for 7 days (2 in the central city). The next time if we go back we will stay at the San Pancho and explore some of the other areas that were recommended by the locals. We loved intermixing with the people and culture and overall it was a fantastic trip.
Courtney Spears- Finding Somewhere Travel and Photography
