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Great Taste

by Vallarta Online Staff | published: 4/8/2005

For years we have been bringing the best hotels, accommodations and tours to our clients. In the meantime, we actually go out and see these places for ourselves. Since we live here, it only makes sense that we tour the town and keep abreast of everything.

Charter a boat for a day of fishing and fun.

Sometimes we become cowboys and cowgirls on one of the many horseback rides; we've gone out to sea and reeled in the big fish on the Charter Fishing Boats and we've traipsed through the hidden parts of Vallarta on the Sierra Madre Tour. We've bounced on beds at boutique hotels, swam in a couple of infinity pools, tried the buffets at hotel restaurants, and we've sampled a few adult beverages, just to test the tequila, of course.

We want to make sure that everything we have to offer is
"tried, tested, and true".

Your opinion counts

Our clients write us daily to tell us their experiences, give us their opinions and even a few complaints, which we try to solve, pronto! We love to hear what people think, it makes our jobs easier in the end, and makes for better vacations for you, our clients.

In our accommodations section, each hotel, condo or rental has a section for people to rate their stay as well as leave comments. You can also post your comments and reviews for restaurants and bars you have visited.

Clients are always asking for advice and opinions on everything! Needless to say after looking through countless emails, accommodations reviews and spending a few hours with my coworkers discussing our favorites, we are compelled to share some of our findings.

The big list

The southside is home to two our favorite places to stay, the Camino Real and Playa Fiesta.

Everyone agrees that the Marriott and Villa Premiere lead the pack in the Gran Tourismo rating. They are constantly consistent, luxurious and an experience you will not forget. Villa del Palmar, and Los Tules, all score high marks with our clients. All located in the hotel zone, they are smack in the middle of everything, so location is an added bonus as well.

For All Inclusive the Velas Vallarta, and Las Palmas have definite fans and repeat visitors. The new Dreams Resort (formerly the Camino Real) offers a bracelet free luxury all inclusive on the breathtaking south side of the bay.

In the budget category, two hotels exceed expectations and are an incredible value, the Sun Suites Hotel with immaculate rooms and grounds and Puerto de Luna which is a great value for the price, especially for budget minded families.

For extraordinary accommodations, boutique hotels are the best choice for romantic getaways or a wonderful place to relax without a "cookie cutter" feel. By far, the favorite choice is Casa Isabel with its stunning views, wonderfully appointed condos, and superior service.

If you are looking for accommodations outside of Vallarta there are some fabulous options in Bucerias. The Star Bay Suites offers guests one, two, and three bedroom suites, all with balconies or terraces with ocean views. . All units have a kitchenette, fully equipped. Hands down for get-away boutique hotel is Villa Bella, in La Cruz. This property is comprised of small houses, with a beautiful pool. If that is not enough, delicious breakfasts are included.

Fun in the Sun

While accommodations take up the largest chunk of your budget; you still need to have fun on your vacation. There are plenty of tours that don't break the bank and give you a lot of value for your money. The Wild Snorkeling tour is a great choice as they limit the amount of people going out, so you have less bodies and more room to see the fish. Highly recommended if some people want to scuba dive and others only want to snorkel.

High Seas Fun

We've dipped out toes in a few infinity pools, we have to make sure the water is just right!

For over-all favorite tours, the Rhythm's of the Night tour is fantastic for romance, combining a sunset sail with a romantic dinner and a pre-Hispanic show. Caletas by Day is worth every penny as John Huston's former private property is one of the most gorgeous places to spend the day. For fun and adventure, the Marigalante is every buccaneers dream boat, and the Geronimo! is the best way to see the north end of the bay. If you want to sail away, the Kon Tiki will take you to paradise in the pristine beaches of Majahuitas.

Keeping Entertained

Of all the things available for $1.00 or less in Puerto Vallarta, we have to say the number one favorite is the four peso and fifty centavo roller coaster ride through the city. Just wait on almost any street corner and flag down a local bus. The destinations are listed on the windshield and you can almost go from one end of the bay to the other for about $2.00.

The area around the church, plaza and malecon have hundreds of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars.

The all-around favorite things that cost a little more than a dollar, but worth every centavo are sunset dinners on Los Muertos Beach at any of the renowned restaurants, rounds of golf at the world famous El Tigre, and shopping at the Mercado's on the Rio Cuale Island.

Of course, some of the best things in life are free, so when you visit Puerto Vallarta, reserve Sunday evenings for hanging out on the Malecón and enjoying the sunset and carnival-like-atmosphere that goes on late into the night. You can window shop all over Vallarta, or walk the streets in search of hidden treasures.

When you need energy, there are somewhere between 600 to 900 bars and restaurants around the bay. From incredibly inexpensive eats to five star culinary delights. Undoubtedly, there are thousands of things to do in Puerto Vallarta, and something to appeal to everyone.

A gorgeous pool area and beach, perfect for fun in the sun and total relaxation.