Hola! Buenos dias amigos.
Returning refreshed from a quick trip to Mexico I thought I'd write a couple of lines about my brief experience in Puerto Vallarta. We stayed at an all inclusive 4 1/2 star resort which is probably the best way to stay in a Mexican resort town. The food was great and plentiful, the drink even more plentiful and included. The hotel had it's own beach which was great, fine sand and mild waves. Getting out of the hotel and even back in was like crossing through checkpoint charlie in the 70's. I guess they have had some issues with bandits robbing bus loads of tourists and they try to keep the vendors away from the hotel where they can bother the visitors. My hotel (Dreams Puerto Vallarta) with its secluded beach and strong security meant that we were only bugged by the hotel approved vendors, but there were more than enough of them selling everything from blankets to silver, carved animals to para-sailing rides (I have to admit to trying the para-sailing). We did take a trip into down town 'old town' Puerto Vallarta where every step is echoed with calls for 'buy this', 'buy that' ''try my tequila' and 'eat here'. This cajoling soon becomes a background murmur and it ceases to be an irritant. Harder to take is the look of abject disappointment if you stop to look and don't buy, followed by 'why you no buy?' ''please signor I have babies to buy food for' etc. There are a few beggars about but at least they have their hands out and you have no doubt about their mission. It looks to be a rough place and I don't think I'd be venturing out at night into the down town core unless I had a couple of tough friends with me. The best bet is to stay on the resort hotels (and there are an awful lot of them) and maybe trip from one resort to another via sanctioned travel if you need to. It can be a relaxing holiday if you want it to be but there seem to be many areas where you could come a cropper if you don't have your wits about you.
Would I go back? Yes, no doubt but I would stick to the all inclusive resorts and just lie back and enjoy the sun, food and drink but not necessarily in that order.
