Puerto Vallarta R&R￿

This property is in Nuevo Vallarta ,which is quite a distance from downtown. We chose it for that reason, and because it is on the beach. A 20-minute taxi ride will get you into town easily, or for the more adventurous, you can ride the bus with the locals for the equivalent of $0.10. It's more time consuming but much more colorful, and it runs every hour and stops right across the street from the resort.

Because we visited during value season in June, this all-inclusive property was a steal for what we received. Drinks flowed all day from three outdoor bars, plus there was a stocked bar in your room to make your own. There are several restaurants, including three buffets, one grill, and one specialty restaurant that requires reservations (get in line early to reserve). The food was good, but after 4 days or so, we started going into town for some meals to get a bit of variety. (There are excellent seafood restaurants on the Malecon that are very reasonable.)

There are lots of activities at this property, and I'm sure you can find something to your liking on their schedule, but we chose to read by the pool (a luxury we rarely have at home). Besides, with never-ending pina coladas, cervezas, and sunshine, why would you want to leave the pool deck? In the evening, the staff puts on a show, which is usually lame but entertaining nonetheless. Then the disco opens for late-night fun.

The rooms were very clean and comfortable, but the noise in the hallways was a real problem. (Due to the marble floors, everything echoed, so late-night revelers and early rising families sounded like they were at your door). The service was good for the most part and outstanding at the front desk on the several occasions when we needed assistance.

Overall, if you're used to the lap of luxury, five-star, and people fussing over you, this is not for you. However, if you expect quality, cleanliness, and affordability and like lots of choices but can go it alone as well, the Riu Jalisco would meet and probably exceed your expectations. Oh, and if you're coming with children, be forewarned that there are two pools and kids are only allowed in one. In that way, folks who are vacationing without children have their own space to enjoy away from the youngsters.

We took the canopy tour with Vallarta Adventures, and it was definitely the highlight of our trip. We met at their office near the marina at our designated start time, and because we arrived a bit early, we enjoyed coffee in their little palapa snack bar until our guide was ready for us. We met up with the other folks who had signed up for the tour and proceeded to board a big, open off-road vehicle with roll bars and no seat belts.

The trip to the mountainous rain-forest region took nearly an hour, and everyone was extremely quiet, wondering what they'd gotten themselves into. The truck made its way through dusty villages and winding, rutted roads until we reached the staging area. When we arrived, we stored our personal belongings and got into our harnesses and helmets while being instructed on safety considerations. Then off we went, hiking a short distance to the first platform. We had several guides who helped us, encouraged us, and entertained us throughout the day. Each participant was snapped into the zipline that would take us from the platform we were standing on to the next platform several hundred yards away. Oh, did I mention that the platforms are all above the treeline, in what is called the canopy? And that we're zipping through the air 10 to 30 feet above the rain forest floor using our hand as our brake? Yeah, it was awesome, scary at first, but after two or three zips, you start to relax and enjoy the views. I say that because that was my experience. However, my partner had some trust issues and forgot to follow directions. She ended up coming in too fast on one tree and body slammed it. It shook her up, but the guides caught her and she was fine, finishing all 10 platforms and repelling down at the end with everyone else. By the way, there were kids in our group (the youngest was 8) as well as a gentleman in his 30s with a developmental delay, and they all did a terrific job and seemed to have fun. That's why I said it's all about trust and following directions.

After the excursion was over, we headed back to town in the same truck, but the funny thing was that this time we hardly noticed the long, boring trip because we were all so busy talking about the experience with one another. We had bonded with people who we didn't know several hours earlier. They became a part of our experience. We arrived back at the office and went our own way, but it was definitely a memorable time in each of our lives.

Here's the particulars if you're interested: Vallarta Adventures Canopy Tour--I believe we paid $65 per person, but if you book on their website (www.vallarta-adventures.com) ahead of time, they'll discount it 10%. Also, expect to pony up a tip for the guides to share and money for a video of your adventure if you choose. Have fun!

If you are familiar with Mexico, you know that you can go to any zocalo (the town square) in any town in Mexico on a Sunday night and find the locals eating, dancing, and enjoying one another. Puerto Vallarta is no different. Their zocalo is near the Malecon overlooking Banderas Bay. We took a taxi from our hotel about 20 minutes away to come down and check out the local flavor, and we weren't disappointed. There were mariachis, folks dancing, a mime and a magician performing for the crowds, and vendors selling balloons, spicy nuts, meat on a stick, and every kind of Mexican trinket you can think of. And though we were outsiders, we didn't feel that way among the throngs of families with small children and young Mexican couples. It's simple and lovely, and a great place to people-watch, far different from the touristy bars and discos and expensive hotels and shops around town.

So, if you're looking for something authentic and inexpensive to do on a Sunday evening in Puerto Vallarta (or any other town in Mexico), spend an evening with the locals and learn something about them and their culture. That's why you travel, right?