This year we planned our annual trip Mexico to spend one week in “old town” Puerto Vallarta, and one week at our timeshare at the Puerto Vallarta Marina. This was the first time staying for the full 14 days in Puerto Vallarta . Our goal for this trip was to get rest and relaxation, read a few books, and just enjoy the beauty of the area that we both love so much.We arrived in PV on Sunday February 5th.. After collecting our luggage we made our way to the Taxi stand and headed to Playa Los Arcos, which is right on the beach in the heart of old town Puerto Vallarta. We stayed the same place last year for several days and liked it enough to schedule this year before we left town.
The weather in PV was warm but threatening rain. Our first mission was to get settled in our room which was on the 3rd floor, with a balcony overlooking the pool area, and the entrance walkway overlooking the street. Our room had a king size bed, large TV, table and chairs, and a side chair. We didn’t have a fridge however we had ice available. There was a shower but no tub which was fine. We stayed in the same room last year and loved the location. I had forgotten how hard the mattress on the bed was. Next year we may have to see if we can get a room with a more comfortable mattress. Additionally, something to remember next year is that there are only a few 3 prong outlets in the room, and not very many 2 prong ones. Not near enough with the all the electronics these days. The front desk gave us one 3 prong extension but with both of our laptops, phones, Kindles, cameras, etc we needed to take turns charging things. Also, the proximity of the existing outlets made it difficult to use the outlet and the lamp by the side of the bed. So, note for next year: bring 3 prong adapters and a small extension cord. Additionally, although they don’t advertise WiFi in the room, only the lobby, it did work most of the time in the room (although a little slow).After settling in I headed for the pool and Doug stayed in the room to work for awhile. The pool was warm and it felt good to swim. Something that is important to me and I look forward to on any vacation we take.
That evening we had dinner at Burro’s Bar which is on the beach. We have been there many times and the food is good. We were a little surprised at the prices this year. The peso value is down so merchants have raised prices to make up the difference. Our total meal was over 470 peso’s which was close to $35 in USD. Although not a lot, for a bar on the beach we thought it was a little high. We both had Mexican plates – nothing fancy.
That evening there was a beautiful sunset. There were clouds in the sky but no rain. In the morning we took a walk, got breakfast at our all time favorite place for breakfast, Fredy Tucan’s. They have great food and although they are busy they get you in, make time for you but they are quick on service.As I mentioned, our goal this trip was the rest and relaxation. We have been there several times and although it is always fun to go back, we had no agenda, no real plans, etc. Instead I spent most of the days by the pool, reading and swimming. We ate at some of our favorite restaurants including Archie’s Wok, Joe Jack’s Fish Shack, Langostino’s. We decided against any of the traditional tours or Fiesta’s. By Friday the weather had turned to rain although it was still warm. We took a walk every morning then came back and spent the afternoons at the hotel. Back out for dinner in the evening. Another place that we talked about going was Andale’s which is a fun bar across from our hotel. We have always gone there at least once during our stay. Didn’t make it this time. The weather put a damper on our mood, and I was starting to get a sore throat and respiratory problem about Thursday so I was more than happy to just hang out at the hotel or by the pool.
Saturday morning it was raining quite hard. We walked over to Paradise Community Center where they were having a “Saturday Market”. It was quite crowded with everyone coming in to get out of the rain. We didn’t end up buying anything although they had fresh bakery items, handmade artifacts, etc. They also have a couple permanent restaurants in the center that are open every day. We left there and stopped for coffee at the Coffee Cup. The weather was miserable, and our moods were not much better! Once we got back to the hotel I decided to go to the beach and sit and read under one of the umbrellas. The waves were big and fun to watch. After about an hour the hotel staff came and took down the umbrellas because it started to become windy. Time to head in!
Sunday we got up and packed our things to move to the Mayan Palace at the Marina. Has it really been a week already?? Although it wasn’t raining it was overcast and muggy. Typically we get to our hotel, check in and have to wait several hours for a room. We usually take a trip over to Walmart to pick up things for snacks and breakfast. This time we decided to walk over to the Marina as we waited about an hour for our room.The Marina was not real busy and as we noticed last year there were several places that are no longer open and have not been replaced. Of course there were the time share guys always willing to rope you in. We have learned to just keep walking. I wasn’t feeling well, and the weather was muggy so we just walked over, took our time then walked back to the hotel. On our way back we stopped for pizza at Taco’s and Beer/Pizza and Beer which is across from our hotel. Once back, our room was ready so we headed up to it. We were on the 3rd floor and had a room with a slight view of the ocean.
I decided to head to the pool and I noticed right away that no one was in it, even though the weather was warm. Last year the pool was not heated because there was a part that was on order. Sounded a little fishy then and now once again it was not heated. As I mentioned earlier, I look forward to swimming at nearly every place we go so it was very disappointing. There are two pools that are not connected so how could both of them be “broken”? We heard different stories through the week why they were not working. We included it in our review at the end of the week also. It did solve the issue that we have had in the past of not being able to find a seat by the pool. Either there were not as many people at the resort while we were there, or fewer people were choosing to go to the pool area. I never had a problem getting a place to sit any time I went to the pool.Again our week was very laid back. Doug started having an issue with his computer which was quite stressful. We were able to find someone in the PV area that could speak English and was able to get it fixed. So 24 hours or so without Doug’s computer put a damper on his mood, but once he got it back it was working good and only cost about $70 US to fix.
We tried a new restaurant at the Marina called Las Mariachiles which was very good. They are the first restaurant when you enter the gate, next to Victor’s . And of course we went to Victor’s which is an all time favorite. It is a standing tradition and a busy place. Victor makes a point to greet everyone personally and there are always free tequila shots on the house. Victor will stop at your table and drink a shot with you. As we were waiting in line we watched him down at least 8 shots with different customers. How does he remain standing at the end of the night? It’s a fun place, the food is good and the location is good.
This year there was something new – the south gate to the Marina which is the one that we enter closes at 9pm which means leaving at the other end of the Marina and having to walk quite a bit further back to the hotel. A nice walk during the day but in the late evening when you’re tired, maybe full from dinner and had a few drinks, it’s a little too far. Apparently the reason they are closing the gate is the condo owners (one in particular) were complaining about the noise from the restaurants late into the evening. But 9pm, even on a weekday seems a little earlier. Even more so on Friday and Saturday nights.
Although we didn’t do any of the traditional tours we decided to go on a tour with a non-profit called Investours. Their basic concept is that they provide microfinance loans to small businesses in the greater PV area. Each business applies for the help and agrees to a repayment schedule. They are required to go through a finance class to give them some basic business information. It is a way to help people that are helping themselves. Investours is structured similar to KIVA,one of the original micro-financing non-profits. The “tour” cost about $50 US dollars for each of us and all the money goes to the businesses. The tour consisted of several of us visiting 3 businesses, having the opportunity to talk to the owners, listen to their plans and interact with them. Investours plans it so you will visit one person who is new to the process, another business that is being visited for the second time and a third business that is being visited for the third time. The money for the loan goes to the business that has had 3 visits. This gives the businesses exposure and an opportunity to share their story. We went to the town of Bucerias which is ½ hour north of PV. It is a small fishing village and although there are some resorts, it is a very economy poor area.Our first stop was to see Dona who owns a little storefront shop that is situated with all the other little shops in town. She sells beautiful hand woven shirts that she buys from some family members that have a factory in another part of Mexico. Additionally, she sells painted pottery and other things that all the shops sell. She works at the store every day until about noon, then she takes the shirts and walks the beach and sells the shirts to tourists on the beach. Her niece runs the store while she is walking the beach. Our second stop was at a paper goods shop owned by Lupita. She makes piñatas and sells party supplies. She is a single mother who used to work as a waitress. When she had the opportunity to open the business she remodeled the front part of her house and opened it up as a storefront. This opportunity is giving her more time with her daughter as now she is working out of her home. Our 3rd and final stop was at the home of Javier, a fisherman. Javier fishes every night and makes ceviche in the morning and sells it every day.
He has several regular customers, including restaurant owners. He is known in the area as the “Ceviche Man”. While he was sharing with us he brought out fresh shrimp and tuna Ceviche to try, as well as Lobster Bisque. We had a wonderful lunch and enjoyed hearing about his business. When he is not fishing he works construction, helping build houses.After we arrived at the Marina, I did not go back to town until the last day. Usually we go downtown at least 3 times during that week. On Saturday morning we got up and rode the bus downtown to go to the street market in old town. There were lots of vendors selling everything from jewelry to pickles, scarves, bread, etc. After the market we went to Joe Jacks for lunch. We had great Fish and Chips. We love that place…. Great food and great service.
Sunday the 19th – time to go home. The time went too fast, as always. However, this time I felt rested and ready to go home. It was such a different trip without some of the traditional things that we usually do, but on the other hand it was restful. We will always enjoy PV – might be back next year too.
