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Puerto Vallarta taxis/Uber

Passepartout

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Maybe this info is here someplace, but I'm too lazy to look for it.

The PV taxi cartel has airport transport sewed up. My DW was trying to line up transport to a resort for an upcoming trip, and found it for $38 U.S.! For under 5 miles! We know about the 'walk across the bridge- pick up a taxi/Uber' deal. She is somewhat mobility challenged. Is this really do-able with rolling luggage? Are there steps up the bridge or a ramp. Seems to me on a previous trip we decided that it wasn't worth the hassle. Was I wrong? We know all about the airport timeshare body snatcher game, so no need to instruct about that. TIA

Jim
 
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Eric B

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Is she going north or south? When we are going from the airport to Buganvilias (south) we just head out of the terminal with our rolling luggage and walk past the taxis to the left to the bus stop and catch a bus towards Centro. They stop very near the Sheraton, so that makes it a great way to get there for 20 or 30 pesos. IIRC, you don't have to cross the bridge to do that. I've seen taxis dropping people off at that bus stop, too.
 

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Maybe this info is here someplace, but I'm too lazy to look for it.

The PV taxi cartel has airport transport sewed up. My DW was trying to line up transport to a resort for an upcoming trip, and found it for $38 U.S.! For under 5 miles! We know about the 'walk across the bridge- pick up a taxi/Uber' deal. She is somewhat mobility challenged. Is this really do-able with rolling luggage? Are there steps up the bridge or a ramp. Seems to me on a previous trip we decided that it wasn't worth the hassle. Was I wrong? We know all about the airport timeshare body snatcher game, so no need to instruct about that. TIA

Jim

You are right about the taxi issue and Uber being discouraged. I do Uber everywhere there because the cost calculation is reasonable (unlike the taxi driver who tries to assess how much he can get from you.

What I have done is walk (no stairs) straight south just past the airport and the Federal Police station and then book Uber. I think the last time I went from the airport to old town it was 6 bucks converted. The app tells the driver where you Are.

I have a personal decision not to bring my REGULAR smartphone BUT have a phone with only Uber and google only. I use prepay. Is that cheating?


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Passepartout

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What I have done is walk (no stairs) straight south just past the airport and the Federal Police station and then book Uber. I think the last time I went from the airport to old town it was 6 bucks converted. The app tells the driver where you Are.

I have a personal decision not to bring my REGULAR smartphone BUT have a phone with only Uber and google only. I use prepay. Is that cheating?
Thanks. Not a bad idea about leaving the 'regular' phone at home. I just bought a new one and changed to T-Mobile mostly for the int'l use. But I have a few old unlocked GSM phones laying around gathering dust. Maybe they have a prepaid SIM to slip into one of those for that purpose.
 

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I’m trying to remember the little place on the beach that serves the best shrimp and fish on a stick in PV and dirt cheap.

I can tell you how to get there. Walk South on the Melecon. You will pass City Hall and the bridge across the river. Go past the condo right past the bridge. Look on the right side (the beach side) and you will see a small place on the beach grilling fish. They have plastic chairs on the beach with umbrellas. Awesome place.


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Fredflintstone

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Thanks. Not a bad idea about leaving the 'regular' phone at home. I just bought a new one and changed to T-Mobile mostly for the int'l use. But I have a few old unlocked GSM phones laying around gathering dust. Maybe they have a prepaid SIM to slip into one of those for that purpose.

Getting prepaid SIMs in Mexico are cheap. When I land, clear Customs and then go thru as a Gladiator to those timeshare dudes passing off as trying to be helpful, I go to the main doors located East and there are lots of prepay dealers. I always have a paper clip so I can open my SIM slot and I’m away.

I have bought a México prepay on EBay too. That way, I am ready to go.

Yup, I’m a cheater. I do use a smartphone even though it’s only for Uber and directions. I’m so weak.
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Passepartout

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Excellent. Sounds like it's within a couple blocks of our digs. We're hoteling it this trip in the Zona Romantica South of the river. We'll move to a full-on resort the second week. I had it booked then saw a deal on hotel/air that basically made 5 extra days free for the price of airfare.
 

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There are no stairs over the bridge - just a ramp - but my rolling bag does seem heavier about 2/3 the way up! Then on the way down you have to really hold on to it to keep your bag from pushing you down faster than you are comfortable with. We hiked over the bridge with our bags and ate at Tacon de Marlin in November. We can eat and have a couple of beers before snagging the taxi. Total cost is about the same as the $38 you are talking about.

The Buganvilias does have a $15 shuttle (not PP, but for 1-3 people) that they offer. Our friends took that in November. Maybe some of the other resorts do the same.
 
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Fredflintstone

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Excellent. Sounds like it's within a couple blocks of our digs. We're hoteling it this trip in the Zona Romantica South of the river. We'll move to a full-on resort the second week. I had it booked then saw a deal on hotel/air that basically made 5 extra days free for the price of airfare.

Definitely spend a day in Pittital. It’s the Mexican side of town and not far from you. The prices are excellent for all kinds of things. If the Missus wants a pedicure or manicure, that’s the cheapest place and they do great work.

Tell Uber to drop you off at the Church. I included the details below. Then, walk around. The little restaurants are cheap and good.

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Fredflintstone

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There are no stairs over the bridge - just a ramp - but my rolling bag does seem heavier about 2/3 the way up! Then on the way down you have to really hold on to it to keep your bag from pushing you down faster than you are comfortable with. We hiked over the bridge with our bags and ate at Tacon de Marlin in November. We can eat and have a couple of beers before snagging the taxi. Total cost is about the same as the $35 you are talking about.

The Buganvilias does have a $15 shuttle (not PP, but for 1-3 people) that they offer. Our friends took that in November. Maybe some of the other resorts do the same.

Personally, I have found UBER much cheaper but you have to get picked up a bit past the airport.


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x3 skier

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Info on taxis @ PVR.


Last May I got a deal on a Collectivo thru Viator for around $20 US Round Trip
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Oh yeah. In the hotel zone, I always walk on the east side (not the hotel side) of the strip. That way, I avoid all those timeshare/sales booths. It works like a charm. So, walk across from the Sheraton side.


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On thing I haven’t tried but someone recommended is to book Uber ahead and they will met you in the Airport parking lot. I have not tried that before but will test it out next time I go.


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Passepartout

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Oh yeah. In the hotel zone, I always walk on the east side (not the hotel side) of the strip. That way, I avoid all those timeshare/sales booths. It works like a charm. So, walk across from the Sheraton side.
Yep. The first digs is in the Hotel Zone- close-ish to the airport, then we move down into the Zona Romantica S. of the R.Cuale. I figure walking across the pedestrian bridge will buy my first margie. or Pacifico.
 

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We like to try a new place every year or so. We are doing a 2-bed 2-bath VRBO next year our first week in PV. It is beachfront in the Romantica Zone ( 4 blocks south of La Palapa) - down by Blue Chairs ). My brother loves to roam around in the Malecon area and so we thought we would try it. We will stay at Buganvilias the following 2 weeks.

By 2022, we will do a couple of weeks at a Mayan World resort and Buganvilias. Mayan World will be free for us, so it will be NV or PV Marina. We have nicer digs at NV, but double the weeks at the Marina.
 

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Paula just signed us up for 'Cooking with Rosie' class/meal while we are in PV. The reviews are good. Any TUGgers do this or similar there? We've done hands-on cooking in Thailand and Morocco. We love Mexican food and are both pretty good cooks so this sounded like fun. Red Snapper Zarandeado, Vallarta style ceviche on homemade tostadas, shrimp appitizers & of course flan & tequila.
 

Eric B

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Paula just signed us up for 'Cooking with Rosie' class/meal while we are in PV. The reviews are good. Any TUGgers do this or similar there? We've done hands-on cooking in Thailand and Morocco. We love Mexican food and are both pretty good cooks so this sounded like fun. Red Snapper Zarandeado, Vallarta style ceviche on homemade tostadas, shrimp appitizers & of course flan & tequila.

Did a similar one in Playa del Carmen last year and has a great time. Around PV we've done a few of the Vallarta Eats tours (tacos, beer, etc.). Haven't tried a cooking one yet, though.
 

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Like @Eric B., I have been to various food tours in PV which were good, I haven’t done a main meal cooking class there.

BUT

I have done cooking classes at Chocomuseo. It’s a Chocolate place that teaches you the history of chocolate and offers various cooking with Chocolate classes. If you are into chocolate cooking, this place is for you.




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Also, don’t forget a day in Sayulita. Great restaurants, beaches and great people.

You can go there by Public bus and save a ton. I think it was 3 bucks each way as I recall. The bus stops at the PV Walmart near the Marina.




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Anyone know of a panga for hire that can take my family of 4 whale watching? I'll be there next week and don't want to to pay a tour company $100 or more per person.
 

pittle

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Also, don’t forget a day in Sayulita. Great restaurants, beaches and great people.

You can go there by Public bus and save a ton. I think it was 3 bucks each way as I recall. The bus stops at the PV Walmart near the Marina.




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When we stay at the Buganvilias, we catch the bus at the terminal. It is across the street and a couple of blocks south along the soccer field. When you get to the baseball field, it is about 1 block to your right. You watch for the bus with the name of where you want to go and are the first ones on it.

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Ok, I’m really missing something. What’s the deal with “not” taking a smart phone to NV? We’ve always taken our phones to RM without issue. Have international plan through Verizon. You all have me concerned something not so good will happen to our phones, or us..


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Passepartout

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Ok, I’m really missing something. What’s the deal with “not” taking a smart phone to NV? We’ve always taken our phones to RM without issue. Have international plan through Verizon. You all have me concerned something not so good will happen to our phones, or us..
My wife asks the same question. My only answer is that using a local SIM with a 'throwaway' phone just saves the chance of loss or theft of your 'regular' phone. Many of us have apps that just aren't needed when on vacation. Having a low cost, low value phone still assures you can use it locally for stuff like maps and reservations etc. Not all of us have international plans and don't want a surprise charge from our carrier. My last carrier (At&T) had an int'l plan, but it cost $10/day to use- even if it was just reading a text. Far better to have a cheap (or old) phone and a $10 SIM.
 

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Ok, thanks. We aren’t too adventurous. Just mostly hang out at the resort. Verizon includes the international plan in our business account. No charge for using it. I was imagining a scenario where all the data was electronically stolen from a phone as you walk out of the airport. Yikes..


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pittle

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Our T-Mobile and old AT&T plans have included unlimited Mexico calls, text, & data, so we do not worry about the charges. I keep my phone in the room mostly or in a zipped pocket of my beachbag when down at the pool. Hubs wears Cargo shorts so his phone is in one of the front pockets, so it is pretty safe when we do go out. We feel safe in PV.
 
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