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Single Woman Traveler
Sleepin' Single in a Double Bed
 Many women have found the fastest way to lose a friend is to either sell her a car or go on vacation together. Others have learned over time and from previous not so wonderful vacations with friends that if you truly want to get what you want, you have to do it yourself.How safe is it? Besides being the World's Friendliest City, (Conde Nast Magazine Readers Choice Awards 2002) Puerto Vallarta is also very safe. Crime is extremely low, and while it pays to take precautions by not flashing large amounts of money, or drinking alcohol to where you lose good judgment, the average person will probably not have any problems. Tourist police are abundant, and the local police are easily accessible, you can call 060 from any phone or you may notice the police driving around keeping an eye on things (they keep their lights flashing, so they are easy to spot at a distance, which can also be a bit daunting when you are driving and see cherries behind you!) While crime can happen anywhere, especially in a city of over 300,000 people, chances are you'll never experience a negative moment. Why am I so expensive?  Single travelers are usually at a disadvantage because hotels implement a "single traveler supplement". Single travelers find most hotels post rates based on double occupancy, so when they go to reserve a room, they are usually charged the same amount per room as if they were two people.Some hotels have a lower rate for one person, but never expect to get a room for half price just because you are all alone. Many All Inclusive hotels have lower rates, but usually the difference is minimal. When it comes down to it, just remember, even though you'll pay a bit more, you have the bathroom all to yourself! So, when it comes to travel, it is usually true; two can sleep cheaper than one. Best bets for single women  The Hotel Eloisa is an excellent choice for a single woman. The hotel is located right off Los Muertos Beach in one of the most popular areas of Vallarta, Zona Romantica and Olas Altas. This area is extremely popular with single travelers for its close proximity to everything that makes a vacation complete, plus this is a highly populated single traveler area. The Hotel Eloisa is close to everything, from coffee shops and restaurants to shopping and nightlife, and they have rooms for single travelers at a savings. Another excellent choice for a single woman traveler is Suites Emperador, located right on the beach, as well as the Hotel Tropicana. Both offer special pricing for single occupancy and the area cannot be beat for meeting people as well as finding quiet places to relax. If you aren't thrilled with the prospect of sitting alone at a restaurant meal after meal, the San Marino Plaza Hotel has single rates for their All Inclusive clients, and, often times there are other single travelers to mingle with. Plus, the rates are excellent; giving singles the option of going out for a meal or two or three. What if I bore myself to tears?  If you dream about traveling alone, you probably are self entertaining. None the less, it's probably a good idea to pack a couple of books and magazines for the pool and beach. Marsha, a single traveler from Chicago and an avid photographer always packs her cameras. While she usually stays at The Villa del Palmar, she normally wanders around the Zona Romantica framing her subjects along the way. "I once stayed at Casa Amorita, a B&B on Matamoros and Iturbide in downtown. That was nice as I was sharing breakfast each day with a group of people who eagerly talked about their adventures in Vallarta and shared information about tours, restaurants, and such" Marsha explained.Other single travelers take advantage of finding Spanish helpers, so pack a Spanish dictionary/phrasebook and strike up a conversation.  Of course, you should always take advantage of the alone time and make it healthy as well. If you are a member of Curves for Women, a franchised workout facility, make a note and ask your Curves representative for a travel pass. Curves for Women has a gym in Vallarta at 146 Pulpito, where you can work out for free as long as you bring your Curve's card or travel pass.If a good massage is right up your alley, Metamorfosis Massage, on Francisca Rodriguez and Olas Altas is a great place remove stress and feel great. A one and a quarter hour professional massage in a variety of styles is 400 pesos. They also have an acupuncturist on site for the same price.  And, since you will probably be wearing sandals, a good pedicure and manicure is not to be missed. Sebastian Salon on Venustiano Carranza # 202 can fix you up from head to toe. They carry the largest selection of professional haircare products and make-up, and have some of the best stylists in Vallarta. If you don't get enough sun while on vacation, they can add highlights to your locks before you head back home. Speaking of sandals, Vallarta does not lack in shoe stores! Viva on Basilio Badillo has an incredible selection of imported and custom made Espadrilles and other fancy sandals, hats, totes, and jewelry you won't find anywhere else.  Women of all sizes and shapes should check out CousArt on Olas Altas #246. Brigitte Coussard is a fabulous clothing designer, plus she stocks her store with one of a kind dresses, pants, and slinky tops. If you need something a little longer, a little shorter or a little different, she can alter her items to be perfect for you. Good places to meet and greet Even though you've traveled alone doesn't mean you cannot meet new friends. Coffee shops make great meeting places. Coffee shops like Café San Angel, Santa Barbara, A Page in the Sun, and PVCAFE.com, all located on Olas Altas, have sidewalk seating, great coffee and plenty of people chatting about everything under the sun. Another way to meet people is to take a tour. You may not always meet single travelers, but you will meet plenty of people who are thrilled to be enjoying the fun in the sun. Boat trips are great for interaction and meeting others. The Bloodhound is an incredible sailboat offering an excellent itinerary, wonderful food and gracious staff. Another great choice is the Geronimo, a gorgeous catamaran that heads to the north end of the bay. Plenty of activities to keep you busy, from kayaking to snorkeling, plus some of the best guacamole and succulent grilled chicken for lunch. The Dancer is a huge boat that holds hundreds of happy travelers so you'll have plenty of people to meet, and they have sun loungers, so if you just want to catch some rays you have that option, or, you can go to the main level and join in on the contests and disco dancing. Plus the staff is very accommodating to singles, and will probably have you dancing in no time.  Something to remember is that people tend to be more outgoing when on vacation.They are more laid back and relaxed. They've set aside work and the daily grind, so striking up a conversation is as simple as asking "Where are you from?" Are you sure? No one can guarantee you will have a wonderful solo vacation, but Puerto Vallarta makes an excellent stepping stone. One of the joys of traveling solo is that you get to set your own agenda and your own hours. There is no need to compromise. When asked why she travels to Puerto Vallarta, Marsha explained, "I feel totally at ease and at home in Puerto Vallarta and would have no qualms about recommending it as an excellent place to go for any single woman who enjoys traveling. It has everything you could want - beaches, shops and boutiques, fabulous restaurants of every variety and ethnicity, mountains, jungles, quaint colonial charm and modern conveniences. Best of all, it has lots of sunshine, tropical temperatures, an almost constant breeze off the bay and the friendliest people you will find anywhere on earth. It's a big city, yet it seems like a small town. You don't need a car to get around. Buses go just about everywhere in and outside of town. You can get by without speaking Spanish, but it will enhance your trip even more if you do, or at least give it a try whenever possible."~Marsha |
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