Description: Our choice of shore tours for Puerto Vallarta was a self-guided walking tour. Taxis, shuttle buses, and tour guides were lined up as we got off the ship. The normal cost of a ride to the Old Town and shopping area called the Malecon is $2.00 per person.
Once there, the walking was quite difficult for one of our group. There are no handicapped ramps at cross streets and the drop off was quite steep. We were constantly bombarded by street vendors or shop owners standing in the open door of their store. Another aggressive group was the "time-share" representatives.
As we walked along the Malecon with the stores on one side and the coastline on the other, there were many interesting bronze statutes, some of which are completely indescribable. There were great photo opportunities along the seawall.
We found a small park where we could sit and watch people coming and going and enjoyed some fruit that we had brought with us from the ship. We then found a taxi with great driver who returned us to the dock. Cost of the taxi was $6.00 plus tip.
Shore tours available include drives along the coast, horseback riding, gold, diving and snorkeling, a bullfight demonstration and show, and beach club and tequila factory. The tours range from $24.00 to $125.00 per person.
The Princess publishes a bulletin on each port with information on restaurants and shops that are "recommended". This is useful information, especially if you plan on trying the local cuisine or purchasing expensive jewelery.
Puerto Vallarta goes back to the Toltecs and Mayas. It was discovered in 1541 and then was practically forgotten for the next 300 years. The bay was developed as a port to transport silver from the nearby mines. In the early 1900’s it was designated a municipality and remained a quiet fishing village. It received international attention when the Night of the Iguana was filmed nearby. When reporters, covering the scandal of Richard Burton and Liz Taylor (both stars in the movie), returned home they wrote about the natural beauty and serenity of the town and the rest is history.
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