Good morning. Thanks for the assist. I am going July 8-15, 2023.
I only get “Follow” or “Ignore “ when I click on the name or picture. I am interested on 1) nearby beaches, 2) casual and tasty restaurants, 2) outdoor activities (snorkel, ATV tours, local sights), 3) local/artisan markets, 4) local “Mercados” - with local breads, fruits, vegetables, etc. thank you.
Ah ... perhaps when your 'newbie' status changes you'll see the 'start conversation' option!
The Lindo Mar has a section of beach that is virtually private. Not too many people walk the beach in that area, and there are rocks on either side that define a nice little section. The couple of vendors who come down will set up shop on one of the rocks - if you want to shop you can go over to them. The restaurant at the property, La Playita, has a decent enough menu ... but it hasn't been changed in several years so I'm getting tired of it. Happy hour is worth it - but the margaritas are VERY strong, and don't taste it. Other good restaurants in town are Archie's Wok (asian fusion), Tuna Azul (seafood), Cuates y Cuetes (Méxican), and Café des Artistes (very upscale - not casual). I also like the rotisserie chicken at both el Pechugón and Pollo Feliz.
Cuates y Cuetes has beach seating, and a webcam on their website that I connect to when I need a Puerto Vallarta fix. It's a good option for people watching for a couple of hours.
There's a pirate ship tour, Rhythms of the Night (like a mini cirque du solei with a buffet dinner), zip lining, and my favorite - skydiving with Skydive Vallarta. The concierge has a lot of options - stop by their desk off the 7th floor lobby. There's also the zoo, and the botanical gardens. The buses to both stop just down from the Lindo Mar.
The mercado (fruits/veg/meat) is the Mercado Emiliano Zapata, and the one with tourist trinkets/arts/crafts is the Mercado Río Cuale. What you don't find at the mercado río cuale you might find in the shops on the isla río cuale.
Going at that time of the year you'll encounter some of the restaurants popular with tourists from Canada/USA closed for the 'low' season. The ones I mentioned will all be open though - as will everything not directly in a 'tourist' area. If I were you I'd either take the Vallarta Eats tour, or I'd pay a cab driver a few pesos to take you to five of his/her favorite taco stands.
Enjoy your trip!