I would like to take my 22 and 26 yr old son to Puerto Vallarta in March 2013. This would be the first time for all three of us. Currently available in RCI is Bugavilias Vacation Club or Mayan Palace Puerto Vallarta for the week my youngest son is on break. I chose Puerto over Nuevo because from what I have researched we would like to be in town. Any recommendations for either resort? thanx, Dawn
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Puerto Vallarta which resort?
- Thread starter bccash63
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The Sheraton Bunanvillas has a bigger pool than the PV Mayan Palace. The reviews for Bungavillas on tripadvisor are not that great. Some relatives were there last year and thought it was just ok.
Both resorts are too far away from the Malecon for a short walk to the night clubs and definitly too far away from old PV.
You might consider what activities your wanting to do. With two guys in there 20's I think Cabo is better suited.
Both resorts are too far away from the Malecon for a short walk to the night clubs and definitly too far away from old PV.
You might consider what activities your wanting to do. With two guys in there 20's I think Cabo is better suited.
But it's easy to take the bus system to downtown. Inexpensive and can be fun in it's own way. Take a cab back if you're out on the town after 11 pm.
Edited to say we've been at both the Mayan Palace and Westin Regina next to the Marina. We really like the locations (they're next door to each other and right across the street to the bus stop and the Marina). We did take the bus out to NV to check it out, but our personal preference is still at the Marina and closer to town. And they had some decent restaurants in the Marina when we were there if you didn't want to venture far.
It is so easy to hop the bus to wherever.
Edited to say we've been at both the Mayan Palace and Westin Regina next to the Marina. We really like the locations (they're next door to each other and right across the street to the bus stop and the Marina). We did take the bus out to NV to check it out, but our personal preference is still at the Marina and closer to town. And they had some decent restaurants in the Marina when we were there if you didn't want to venture far.
It is so easy to hop the bus to wherever.
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Not actually stayed at either place but I avoid anything associated with the Mayan properties because of they are the most obnoxious time share sharks I have experienced. :annoyed:
Cheers
Cheers
The Sheraton is an easy walk into town and the nightclubs. It is also a cheap cab ride back late at night, if needed. With young people, I would definitely choose that one. The Mayan is in the marina and buses stop running there after 10pm.
Are you looking at a 1BR? The sleeping arrangements at the Buganvilias may be problematic. There are two hard sofas in the living room which can be used for sleeping. My son and his friend did it, but it is not the most comfortable.
Tropical lady
newbie
reconsider.....
I know you stated your reasons for Puerto Vallarta over Nuevo, but just a few points to consider. The Nuevo Mayan Palace or Grand Mayan (even better) both offer a large expanse of pools, activities, and beach. If at GM, you also have the lazy river! Going into PV for the day is not that bad by bus or taxi. In addition, the marina area (2 block walk) just up the street has great restaurants and water taxis over to Puerto Vallarta....a fun way to go. Bucerias, a town just north by taxi would be interesting and north of that is a great surfing area. The concierge have great tours, boat trips, etc available.
All timeshares have sales presentations, so that is not a reason to not go to a resort....simply just don't go to the presentation!
Good luck...the Vallarta area is fantastic!!
I know you stated your reasons for Puerto Vallarta over Nuevo, but just a few points to consider. The Nuevo Mayan Palace or Grand Mayan (even better) both offer a large expanse of pools, activities, and beach. If at GM, you also have the lazy river! Going into PV for the day is not that bad by bus or taxi. In addition, the marina area (2 block walk) just up the street has great restaurants and water taxis over to Puerto Vallarta....a fun way to go. Bucerias, a town just north by taxi would be interesting and north of that is a great surfing area. The concierge have great tours, boat trips, etc available.
All timeshares have sales presentations, so that is not a reason to not go to a resort....simply just don't go to the presentation!
Good luck...the Vallarta area is fantastic!!
I'd personally take the Sheraton over the MP. We walked from the malecon to the Sheraton and it wasn't too bad at all...I'm guessing maybe 10 minutes.
If you want to hop on a bus, they're going by the Sheraton constantly and are only about 6 pesos down to the south side.
And as for staying in Nuevo, the Grand Mayan is like being at Disneyland. Great location for checking out Bucerias and Sayulita, but it's awful if you want to spend a lot of time in PV. We'll never do it again.
If you want to hop on a bus, they're going by the Sheraton constantly and are only about 6 pesos down to the south side.
And as for staying in Nuevo, the Grand Mayan is like being at Disneyland. Great location for checking out Bucerias and Sayulita, but it's awful if you want to spend a lot of time in PV. We'll never do it again.
I would also choose the Sheraton for a more genuine 'Mexican' experience. Has some charm- for a big hotel- is closer to town. Is not a manufactured destination resort. The young people should be thrilled for the invitation. I would be.
Jim
Jim
Buganvilias is closest timeshare toMalecon
Of all the timeshares in Vallarta, I don't think there is one closer to the Malecon than Buganvilias, except for WIVC Casa de la Playa which is hard to get into.
Yep, I just double-checked my PV streetmap...take the trade to Buganvilias if you want a more convenient sightseeing base.
Of all the timeshares in Vallarta, I don't think there is one closer to the Malecon than Buganvilias, except for WIVC Casa de la Playa which is hard to get into.
Yep, I just double-checked my PV streetmap...take the trade to Buganvilias if you want a more convenient sightseeing base.
capjak
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I agree with Tropical Lady. Stay at Grand Mayan in Nuevo and take a taxi in and out of town. Visit Bucerios as they have great restraunts and local activities as well as a outdoor bar that has live bands playing US classic Rock.
And of course be careful.......being out late at night and partaking too much can spell trouble sometimes....and bad things do happen to good people....
And of course be careful.......being out late at night and partaking too much can spell trouble sometimes....and bad things do happen to good people....
T_R_Oglodyte
TUG Lifetime Member
While I haven't stayed at Bouganvillas, I think it's easy to say that either one would be fine for your purposes. You can't make a bad choice between the two.
We usually stay in the Marina - been at Mayan Palace twice. We prefer that to Nuevo (where we've also stayed) because it's easy to get into town. Bus service in Puerto Vallarta is very good. We take the bus out to old town PV, Boca, Mismaloya, Bucerias, etc. Next trip we're taking the bus to Sayulita.
As for Mayan sales pitches, we just don't sign up for them.
We usually stay in the Marina - been at Mayan Palace twice. We prefer that to Nuevo (where we've also stayed) because it's easy to get into town. Bus service in Puerto Vallarta is very good. We take the bus out to old town PV, Boca, Mismaloya, Bucerias, etc. Next trip we're taking the bus to Sayulita.
As for Mayan sales pitches, we just don't sign up for them.
I stayed at the Sheraton Bouganvilias AND the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta in January 2012. We much preferred the location of the Sheraton Bouganvilias. I can't wait to go back to PV, and both my husband and I have no desire to go to Nuevo again. It is just too far away from the fun!
The Sheraton has lovely pools and grounds. it's close proximity to the Malecon and the fact that you can catch the bus right in front of the resort tip the scales for me.
The Sheraton has lovely pools and grounds. it's close proximity to the Malecon and the fact that you can catch the bus right in front of the resort tip the scales for me.
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Buganvilias is a great choice. We own at both Mayan Palace and Buganvilias. We are taking our grown kids & their spouses with us for Thanksgiving this year and they reqested the Buganvilas because of the location.
You can catch a bus across from the Buganvilias and take it to Walmart. At the Walmart/Sam's parking lot, you can take a bus to Bucerias. Th total cost is about $1.50 each way. You get off the bus just after it goes down the dirt road by the bridge in Bucerias. Cross the highway and walk towards the ocean. There are a lot of fun restaurants there. On you bus trip back, you can ride all the way to the Mega that is about 2 blocks from the Buganvilias.
The walk to the Malecon and Old town is easier now that they have expanded the sidewalks and the Malecon starts at McDonald's.
You can catch a bus across from the Buganvilias and take it to Walmart. At the Walmart/Sam's parking lot, you can take a bus to Bucerias. Th total cost is about $1.50 each way. You get off the bus just after it goes down the dirt road by the bridge in Bucerias. Cross the highway and walk towards the ocean. There are a lot of fun restaurants there. On you bus trip back, you can ride all the way to the Mega that is about 2 blocks from the Buganvilias.
The walk to the Malecon and Old town is easier now that they have expanded the sidewalks and the Malecon starts at McDonald's.
hobkjoe
newbie
Buganvilias Resort
The Buganvilias Resort is on the main road leading into town. It is certainly within walking distance to the malecon and the clubs. The buses stop very close to the resort. The pools are nice. The beach is not like Cancun, but the views are great. The food is great if you know where to go.
I was trying to advise people to stop at the Costco and have a great hot dog and soft drink. Instead of relish on the hot dog, they serve jalapenos. It is tremendous. Then get a re-fill of your cola and get a sample of rum or other alcoholic beverage.
The Buganvilias Resort is on the main road leading into town. It is certainly within walking distance to the malecon and the clubs. The buses stop very close to the resort. The pools are nice. The beach is not like Cancun, but the views are great. The food is great if you know where to go.
I was trying to advise people to stop at the Costco and have a great hot dog and soft drink. Instead of relish on the hot dog, they serve jalapenos. It is tremendous. Then get a re-fill of your cola and get a sample of rum or other alcoholic beverage.
PStreet1
TUG Lifetime Member
We've stayed at the Grand Mayan in Neuvo Vallarta, and we've stayed at the Marina. For us, there's no comparison. We'll never stay at the Grand Mayan again because it's too far from Puerto Vallarta. We love Puerto Vallarta with its cobblestone streets, cute shops, great restaurants, and the list goes on. Check out the trip advisor forum on Puerto Vallarta; you'll get truly great restaurant recomendations, tips for using the bus, etc. They are Puerto Vallarta regulars and people who live there, and they do have insider information to pass along. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g150793-i46-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html The forum is also searchable.
This link isn't current; it's a permanent guide and it has some good ideas, but in my opinion, the forum is a better source--http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g150793-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast-Vacations.html
This link isn't current; it's a permanent guide and it has some good ideas, but in my opinion, the forum is a better source--http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g150793-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast-Vacations.html
T_R_Oglodyte
TUG Lifetime Member
WWSS - "What Would Sally Say?"
:ignore: I remember the comment about how the Grand Mayans were so nice because staying there was just like being in the US, and if you left the resort people spoke Spanish instead of English and the food aromas were different and sometimes you would see people begging for money and terrible things such as that.
PStreet1
TUG Lifetime Member
I remember it, too--and, in my opinion, in many ways she's right about staying at the Grand Mayan; you might as well be staying at a big Vegas hotel (except, of course, for the lack of an ocean). I do wonder why people bother to leave the U.S. when all they want is a nice resort, preferably all-inclusive, but I'm glad they do: Mexico can use the money.
WWSS - "What Would Sally Say?"
I was just thinking about how quiet it's been around the BBS since she went away. Not that I exactly miss her, but it has been quiet on the Mexico front.
And on another similar vein, It's been asked why fly to Spain to hang out at the Costa Del Sol when the beaches are about the same and if you don't leave the resort, you may as well be in Mexico or the Caribbean, or for that matter much of coastal USA. Of course we spend a lot more time out in the community interacting with the locals, but there are folks who just stay in their resort, using the resort's shuttle and insulating themselves from anything too 'foreign.'
Diff'rent strokes......
Jim
PStreet1
TUG Lifetime Member
Yep, "different strokes." Thank goodness vacations don't have to be one size fits all. A woman born in 1870 told me, a long time ago, that she knew an old man who said, "It's a good thing all men don't have the same taste in women or every man would be after my wife." I always liked the fact that he assumed his wife would be the ideal. I suppose it's the same with vacations.
I stayed at the Sheraton Bouganvillias last January and would recommend it based on it's location to town and wonderful pool. The outdoor landscaping is incredible and your views from the balcony will be wonderful as well. We spent the following week in Nuevo (Grand Mayan) and really wanted to go back to the "feel" of being in Puerto Vallarta. Nuevo had us feeling like we were back in the U.S.
I think the Sheraton is a great choice since it is the closet hotel in the hotel zone to centro. You can walk a mile and be right in the Malecon area, or take the bus (which is a lot of fun) for seven pesos to the Malecon or Romantic Zone. Get out and walk around with your sons, there are so many shops to visit, restaurants to try, things to see. This is what Puerto Vallarta is all about.
I think the Sheraton is a great choice since it is the closet hotel in the hotel zone to centro. You can walk a mile and be right in the Malecon area, or take the bus (which is a lot of fun) for seven pesos to the Malecon or Romantic Zone. Get out and walk around with your sons, there are so many shops to visit, restaurants to try, things to see. This is what Puerto Vallarta is all about.
Sheraton Buganvilias hands down! You won't be disappointed. You will be minutes away from all the action. The grounds and pool are wonderful. Buses stop in front of the hotel. You can walk to Mega the grocery store in 5 to 7 minutes, there is a running track across the street. Buses to Sayulita require a transfer but cost around 20 pesos each way. The beach there is rocky but we spend all of our time in the pool anyway. Love the hot tub on the timeshare side. We will be there 3/2013 and always go back annually. The Buganvilias is my home away from home.:whoopie: