PV Shopping and Walking (drinking too)?

[woj027]

Hey all, Heading to PV for spring break (end of March 2020) and am looking to find out some info about traveling into PV itself.

While we will be staying at Vidanta, we will want to get out of there on occasion. We did this last year and missed out on quite a bit, we got dropped off up near a McDonalds, but didn't walk far before heading uphill to visit a church, eat lunch nearby then head home (no real game plan for the day)
This year we hope to walk more and were told to get all the way down to the "pier" to see the shops and restaurants.

Is there a best part of PV to go to? Our goal will be to window shop, but also want to eat lunch and have some drinks, window shop some more, have a few drinks while the kids play in the sand, then have a few more drinks then head home after a full day in PV.

Any suggestions on day of week? Is there a best day to go?
When do shops open? How early can we get there and start shopping? 10AM in the states is usual store opening time.
Any good place to get dropped off to start this adventure?
Any must go to stops in PV?
Is this area of PV the best place to go? is there some other part of town, or another town close by that would provide all the above but be better? we are late 40's early 50's couples with children under 11.
I know there is no way we will see everything in one day, we are just trying to maximize our one visit, yet still have a relaxing visit.

 

[easyrider]

We always take new visitors to the PV Malecon area a couple of hours before sunset. We start and end at the north end of the Malecon. There are shops and restaurants on the Malecon but everyone likes to shop the flea market along the river which is next to the bridge. After shopping the flea market we pop out near the Cathedral and have a look. From the Cathedral its time to head two blocks back to the Malecon for sunset. After sunset there are many people strolling around and we usually take in a taco dinner on the beach in Old Town which is a short walk south of the river. There is a pier on the south side of the bridge that we usually walk down. After the tacos we usually head down the Malecon again and watch the Pirate ship and fireworks from the area of the Malecon in front of the Cathedral. Don't miss the flying Houchul show. Its a white pole on the Malecon where the Houchul natives are tied to the pole on their ankle as they spin down. This takes about 5 hours and seems like fun for all age groups.

Bill

 

[Eric B]

Wednesday evenings there is an Art Walk in PV where a number of art galleries are open and have beer/wine. I forget what the actual time is, but there are generally flyers around listing the locations and hours. They're generally inland a few blocks from the Malecon. El Patron near the soccer fields is a good bet for dinner. Best ice cream is at Nieve Artisanal de Oaxaca at 1110 Av. Mexico.

Thursday evening is the market at Marina Vallarta. There are a few good spots for dinner there, too; if you're a foodie try Tintoque in Plaza Neptuno.

If you have absolutely no plans and want a guided walking tour there are several taco tours we've done. They cost a bit more than you would spend on the tacos yourself if you knew where to go to start out with, but that's why you'd be doing it. We like Vallarta Eats; they have a friends and family discount code for 5 or 10% off "PVeats".

As far as where to get dropped off, it would really depend on how you're getting down there. If you're taking a taxi, have them drop you off near the north end of the Malecon to start walking around. If you're hiking out and taking the ATM bus down, just get off at the station and walk from there.

 

[Passepartout]

Where to be dropped off- The Malecon. Kiddos can play in the sand nearby, and the nearby park has benches and market stalls on Saturday. You can wander along the beach-side walkway with tons of restaurants down as far as the Pier (a sail-like structure) Or, you can take the water taxi from Nuevo to the pier (cost unknown)

Shops open about 10

I found this area (known as the Romantic Zone) to be the most attractive part of PV. The Marina and Hotel zone were 'meh' to me. nothing but malls and chain fast food joints and big hotels- might as well be in San Diego. Upscale dining isn't my thing, give me a great mom-n-pop joint with grandma's recipes anytime.

Jim

 

[woj027]

Thanks to everyone for all the great insights. I know we can’t do all of these things in one day, will do our best


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[bjones9942]

Here are some of the things I would recommend. Good for all ages, but some require a bit of walking (or falling!) ...

I took a food tour with Vallarta Eats during one of my first trips to Puerto Vallarta - well worth it. The guide, Memo, has since started his own tour group - Vallarta 101 (https://www.vallarta101.com/ ). If you do a food tour, do it early in your trip so you can return to the places you liked!

I'm especially fond of Skydive Vallarta (https://skydivevallarta.mx/en/index.php ). You'll have the most amazing views of the area from 10,000 feet! And they land you on the nice, soft, beach! If you've never been skydiving this is a great place for your first jump. And if you do skydive, the views of the area are well worth the visit to this drop zone. I enjoy the last jump of the day as it's closest to sunset and, in my opinion, the prettiest. They let many kids jump here ... I think 11 would be fine, not sure how young yours go though.

Rhythms of the Night is a nice dinner show. A little pricey, but people seem to really enjoy it. Think Cirque du Soleil meets jungle dinner theatre. It's a definite do-at-least-once event. https://www.vallarta-adventures.com/en/tour/rhythms-of-the-night .

Pirate ship - I haven't done this as people say it's a party ship, but if that's what you're looking for I hear it's a lot of fun. From what I gather, the early run is more for families, and the late run is for the party crowd. Not sure which website is the right one

Zoo - I like it. They have some rescue animals here and the conditions are very spare, so you'll see posts from people that assumed they were mistreating the animals - they aren't. But they do need the money they collect from ticket sales, and from the fee for holding the baby cats and monkeys. https://www.puertovallarta.net/what_to_do/vallarta-zoo .

Botanical Gardens - Yes, the bus takes 45+ minutes to get there. Think of it as part of the fun, or hire private transportation. Grounds are beautiful and the restaurant has good food. Be sure to use plenty of bug repellant! No-see-ums ate my ankle as I ate my lunch! https://www.vbgardens.org/ .

Cuates y Cuetes is the beach restaurant I give my business to. Food and service are good and they have a webcam that I can look at when I'm missing Puerto Vallarta (http://www.cuatesycuetes.com/ ). They're just to the North of the Los Muertos pier. Up that street from the pier is Archie's Wok - this is my go-to place for dinner. Consistently excellent food at a reasonable price. Their fried calamari is the best I've ever eaten. https://archieswok.com/ .

 

[woj027]

Here are some of the things I would recommend. Good for all ages, but some require a bit of walking (or falling!) ...

I took a food tour with Vallarta Eats during one of my first trips to Puerto Vallarta - well worth it. The guide, Memo, has since started his own tour group - Vallarta 101 (https://www.vallarta101.com/ ). If you do a food tour, do it early in your trip so you can return to the places you liked!

I'm especially fond of Skydive Vallarta (https://skydivevallarta.mx/en/index.php ). You'll have the most amazing views of the area from 10,000 feet! And they land you on the nice, soft, beach! If you've never been skydiving this is a great place for your first jump. And if you do skydive, the views of the area are well worth the visit to this drop zone. I enjoy the last jump of the day as it's closest to sunset and, in my opinion, the prettiest. They let many kids jump here ... I think 11 would be fine, not sure how young yours go though.

Rhythms of the Night is a nice dinner show. A little pricey, but people seem to really enjoy it. Think Cirque du Soleil meets jungle dinner theatre. It's a definite do-at-least-once event. https://www.vallarta-adventures.com/en/tour/rhythms-of-the-night .

Pirate ship - I haven't done this as people say it's a party ship, but if that's what you're looking for I hear it's a lot of fun. From what I gather, the early run is more for families, and the late run is for the party crowd. Not sure which website is the right one

Zoo - I like it. They have some rescue animals here and the conditions are very spare, so you'll see posts from people that assumed they were mistreating the animals - they aren't. But they do need the money they collect from ticket sales, and from the fee for holding the baby cats and monkeys. https://www.puertovallarta.net/what_to_do/vallarta-zoo .

Botanical Gardens - Yes, the bus takes 45+ minutes to get there. Think of it as part of the fun, or hire private transportation. Grounds are beautiful and the restaurant has good food. Be sure to use plenty of bug repellant! No-see-ums ate my ankle as I ate my lunch! https://www.vbgardens.org/ .

Cuates y Cuetes is the beach restaurant I give my business to. Food and service are good and they have a webcam that I can look at when I'm missing Puerto Vallarta (http://www.cuatesycuetes.com/ ). They're just to the North of the Los Muertos pier. Up that street from the pier is Archie's Wok - this is my go-to place for dinner. Consistently excellent food at a reasonable price. Their fried calamari is the best I've ever eaten. https://archieswok.com/ .

WOW! Thanks for putting all the time and information into your response!


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[Passepartout]

The aforementioned Pier at PVs Romantic Zone.

Note the family groups with musicians on the sand at the root of the pier. The Cuates y Cuetes joint is just the other side of the pier walkway. We actually preferred Langostino's next door. There is walkway alongside the beach North to the Malacon & Rio Cuale mouth into the bay. Good shops/bars/eateries just inland. Lower prices too than with your toes in the sand. This photo was from our balcony at Hotel San Marino, 6th floor N. corner. I'd also consider Hotel Los Arcos at lower cost and with kitchenettes.

 

[pittle]

Thanks for the info on Cuates y Cuetes! We have rented a VRBO condo on the north side of Blue Chairs for one week next year because my brother wanted to stay downtown instead of the Buganvilias. This is a short walk! I have been compiling a list of places to check out close to our condo. This one looks perfect!

 

[SciTchr]

Pittle, sent you a pm.