Puerto Vallarta - Malecon - The title of this sculpture is Nostalgia - shows a loving couple sitting side by side on a granite bench (joined by a Mexican tourist lady) - Krista photo
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1. Fabulous sunsets, the superb combination of sea and mountain
2. Excellent food, gigantic choice of restaurant in the Olas Altas area
3. Plenty of cultural attractions, activities, tours in the connection of the Old Mexico-feeling
4. Zona Romántica or Old Vallarta (Viejo Vallarta) is nicely animated, not as excessively touristy as we expected
5. The well-kept, trendy Malecón (a promenade) with ingenious open-air art installations
Krista photo
6. Flamingo Beach and some other attractive beaches, like Destiladeras Beach and Playa las Gemelas
7. Locals are very agreeable, and we were surprised how restrained is their behavior - not any sign of aggressivity
8. One of our top experiences: the visit of Sayulita!!!! A must-see
9. Watch in some evenings a considerable number of minuscule baby sea turtles making their way out into the bay (not necessarily spontaneously, but who care?)
10. Our favorite haunt for seafood: 8 Tostadas Altamar in the Zona Hotelera (Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2)
1. US mass culture and consumption hedonism are increasingly spreading across, though not yet on the rate of Cancun.
2. If you don't speak any Spanish, you may encounter some communication problems in the not-touristy areas.
3. On the Pacific coast the water is not so crystall clear as on the Caribbean side - many of the beaches of Puerto Vallarta are unappealing, overcrowded, littered
4. Some housing estates are miserable.
5.Low frequency of mass transportation
6. Initial difficulties in getting adapted to the road system (driving into the main roads from their service roads and vice versa)
7. Waiters are not showing particular happiness to serve you
8. The beach at El Centro is unkempt, ugly
Krista photo
9. Avoid Playa Los Muertos on weekends
Sunday crowd with unpleasant locals - Krista photo
