Trip Report - Puerto Vallarta Feb - Mar 2008

[MartyC]

This is my first attempt at a trip report, so please bear with me. I have to apologize to the foodies in the group right up front. There are only a few food pics and even less memory of what we ate.

We go to PV every year and meet up with my wife’s sister and her boy friend who go there from the Peg (that’s Winnipeg) every winter for 7 – 8 weeks. They both retired early from Manitoba Hydro, lucky buggers. Makes for a pretty affordable vacation as they already have accommodations and we mooch off of them. Thank goodness the sisters get along!!! This year there was a family emergency and the sister in law and boyfriend had to return early, so we were on our own.

We flew Delta out of Vancouver through Salt Lake City. I usually find good fares by flying on US airlines with stops in the States, but it does make for a long day of travelling. Believe it or not, it’s hard to get a direct, reasonably priced, commercial flight from Vancouver to anywhere in Mexico. Anyway, through immigration without a hitch, got a green light and off to run the gamut of time share salesmen and find our transportation to the hotel.

Our first leg - Vancouver - Salt Lake City.


On with the story. As I said, we had to find last minute accommodation for about 5 nights, one two night stay and one three night stay a few days later. I found a room at a place called Hotel Eloisa in the romantic zone, which is the area of PV that we usually stay in.
Hotel Eloisa
The hotel is about a half block from the beach and a bar called Burros. The room for our first two night stay was very basic, on the inside of the hotel with no a/c, no natural light and a ceiling fan that must have been spinning at about 10,000 rpm. To top it off, my reservation was in the name of Martin Morales. I thanked the desk clerk for my Spanish name, asked them to correct their records for our next stay four days later, and Tina (that’s my wife) and I began to relax and enjoy our vacation.
Senior Morales checking in.
Our room for the first stay at the Eloisa
One very nice thing about the hotel is the rooftop deck and pool. Some of you who are familiar with PV will notice all the construction. A lot of new condos being built. Maybe that’s good and maybe it isn’t. Here are some photos from the roof deck.





It’s off to Cuates y Cuetes, a favorite beach bar, for our first happy hour and beautiful Mexican sunset.



The fist of many beautiful PV sunsets.

It’s a short day as we were up and at the airport very early. Off to bed to prepare for what promises to be an intentional boring and restful two weeks.

[MN Annie]

a PV trip report

As much as I love the PDC area, I really need to get back to PV. I look forward to the rest of your report.

[MartyC]

Originally Posted by MN Annie

a PV trip report

As much as I love the PDC area, I really need to get back to PV. I look forward to the rest of your report.

I have to agree. PDC is a really great area and I love to go there but PV has a charm all it's own. The mountains, jungles and rivers are beautiful. We often say, if you could transport the scenery from the Pacific side of Mexico and combine it with the water and sand from the Riviera Maya, it would be near perfect.

[MN Annie]

Have you been to Yelapa?

[MartyC]

Originally Posted by MN Annie

Have you been to Yelapa?

Yes. Last year we went to Yelapa and ventured up off of the beach into the Pueblo. About three years ago now they finally got electricity. Next time we want to spend even more time up the hill. Here is a shot from last year showing the beach taken from the village.


sorry about that. I can't seem to get the picture rotated, but you get the idea.

[Rissask]

Looking forward to the rest, Marty..er, I mean Senor Morales.
The last time we were there was too long ago, ten days in Sayulita summer 2006. Good ole PV.

[jevans]

Originally Posted by MartyC

On with the story. As I said, we had to find last minute accommodation for about 5 nights, one two night stay and one three night stay a few days later. I found a room at a place called Hotel Eloisa in the romantic zone, which is the area of PV that we usually stay in.
Hotel Eloisa
The hotel is about a half block from the beach and a bar called Burros. The room for our first two night stay was very basic, on the inside of the hotel with no a/c, no natural light and a ceiling fan that must have been spinning at about 10,000 rpm. To top it off, my reservation was in the name of Martin Morales. I thanked the desk clerk for my Spanish name, asked them to correct their records for our next stay four days later, and Tina (that’s my wife) and I began to relax and enjoy our vacation.

i used to rent a room in the Hotel Eloisa back in 1989 by the week. What a great hotel. I'll see if I can find some pictures. It doesn't look like it's changed much.

[Buggirl]

Great report! Looking forward to more.......

[MartyC]

Day two promises to be warm and sunny. After breakfast at a new restaurant, it’s off to El Pirata, The Puerto Vallarta version. We spent the day reading , soaking up the sun and staying hydrated with the assistance of Corona Extra. The waves were pretty large this year. A friend of ours was thrown around by the surf so violently that he separated his shoulder and had to wear a sling for most of his vacation.

El Pirata sign and dining area

El Pirata kitchen

We had breakfast here.

Gotta love the fresh squeezed OJ.
I have heard that there are over 900 restaurants and bars in Puerto Vallarta and nearly half of them change hands every year. (that can be ownership or management) I don't know if the numbers are correct but it sounds pretty good.

This evening we thought we would try Burros for happy hour. We ended up staying for dinner and watching another beautiful Mexican sunset. After dinner we were off for a walk on the Malecon. It is Saturday night so there is a show going on in the main town square. Lots of people around both locals and tourists. Tomorrow is our first of 4 moves. We will be staying at the condo complex we usually stay at for three nights. Can’t wait.

Burros Bar

This stuff always looks so good in the Mexican sun.



Flowers growing on a new parkade built last year along the Malecon.

This vendor did a good job of posing for the picture and then thought he could sign us up for a time share presentation.

Crowd gathering to watch the show near the town square on Saturday night.

Vendors on the Malecon.

Saturday night traffic on the streets along the Malecon.

[btodd]

Lovin' your report.............great photos!! Haven't been to PV since the early 1990's...............your pics are making me want to go back!

[MN Annie]

Since you started this thread, I have done almost nothing but dream about a trip back to the PV area.

[jamesblonde]

We got married in PV at sunset. Nothing compares to a PV sunset. Loving the report and pictures.

[nascarduck3]

Great pics and report so far ! We love PV....stayed at the "Samba Vallarta" in Nuevo Vallarta when we were there. The sunsets were truly amazing there....but i sure don't miss the time share hacks . Guess Playa will always be our fav even over Montego Bay

[MartyC]

Originally Posted by nascarduck3

Great pics and report so far ! We love PV....stayed at the "Samba Vallarta" in Nuevo Vallarta when we were there. The sunsets were truly amazing there....but i sure don't miss the time share hacks . Guess Playa will always be our fav even over Montego Bay

Time share hacks. What a great description. They are popping up everywhere. They have the locals softening you up in retaurants, T-shirt shops and along the streets now. You can't get away from it. For me, it's the worst thing about PV, although there are some who will gladly give up a day of vacation to get the goodies that they offer.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by MartyC

Time share hacks. What a great description. They are popping up everywhere. They have the locals softening you up in retaurants, T-shirt shops and along the streets now. You can't get away from it. For me, it's the worst thing about PV, although there are some who will gladly give up a day of vacation to get the goodies that they offer.

Keep it coming Marty.

Have you ever gone up north to some of the smaller resort towns up there...Sayulita, San Pancho, Crux de Huanacastle, La Penita, Rincon de Guayabitos?



No time share hacks there. Rincon is supposed to be like 'PV was 20 years ago'. Sorta like Isla Mujeres is to Cancun. I think next time we will head there.