Long Weekend in Puerto Vallarta

We had a nice, relaxing, long weekend in Puerto Vallarta without the kids. We stayed at a nice hotel, and walked around a lot. The Westin has the best pool area. The hotel was great.

Quick Tips:

Take a day trip around the area. There are horseback trips, remote hiking trips, etc. Spend time in the downtown area, it is very quaint. Watch out for the aggressive taxi cab drivers at the airport. Bargain with them. We didn't know what to expect on our first trip, and we got taken for a ride. They charged us around USD from the airport to the hotel. When you leave the hotel they have flat rates for the taxi's, and it was around to get back to the airport.

Best Way To Get Around:

City bus and walking.

Overall, a very nice hotel. We stayed for 4 nights, and loved the hotel. It was away from the downtown area, but that was only a short ride away by city bus. The pool area is to die for! Top notch! Nice swim up bar, and separate pools for kids and adults. We spent a lot of time there. The rooms were clean and very comfortable, as you would expect from the Westin. We were disappointed by the beachs throughout the area. We ended up taking a day trip over to a secluded beach across the bay. It was all-inclusive and worth it. I had my Corona moment there. We paid approx $40 each for the day. From the hotel, you are within walking distance to the Marina. There are shops and good restaurants there. If we went back, we would definitely stay there again.

We took an excursion from our hotel to an all-inclusive private beach area across the bay. They started pouring drinks when you boarded the large boat to ferry you over to the other side of the bay. The trip was about 30 to 45 minutes and there were around 40 people on board. Once over on the beach, they provided all the water gear you needed: snorkels, kayaks, a swim platform, lounge chairs, etc. They also served a fantastic buffet lunch, alcohol (beer, wine, and mixed drinks) included. It was the best beach area around. It cost around $40 per person. I do not know if they provide a discount for kids or if they are even allowed.

If you are not afraid of heights, try this. My wife and I were walking around the downtown area and I noticed a boat bobbing in the surf with a line extending up the beach to a local sleeping under a beach umbrella. I yelled down to him and asked him what it cost, and he replied that it was $30. I never planned on or dreamed of doing this. This was a spur-of-the-moment thing. As I approached him, he whistled down to the boat and within 5 minutes I was airborne. The only instructions I received included how to steer clear of the power lines when landing back on the beach and how to take a running start to get going. It was a blast looking around. I loved it. The ride lasted for 30 minutes at around 400 feet above the water. My wife, well, that's another story. She got real nervous up there, had a little panic attack, and has been "nervous" about heights since. Like I said, I loved it and thought it was one of the coolest things I have ever done. Just don't look at the tiny 3/8-inch tattered rope attached to you and the boat.