Puerto Vallarta from 1pm to 8 pm

[TN Engineer]

We are going to be in Puerto Vallarta in December from 1PM to 8PM. I have never been to Puerto Vallarta and am slightly concerned since we are going to be there later in the day, sunset is going to be around 5:19PM. I really don't want to do an excursion through the ship but I want to make sure we feel safe. We are in our mid twenties and wouldn't mind doing the beach and some drinks or something more adventurous but don't want to have to worry about running out of day light. Thanks!

[swedish weave]

Originally Posted by TN Engineer

We are going to be in Puerto Vallarta in December from 1PM to 8PM. I have never been to Puerto Vallarta and am slightly concerned since we are going to be there later in the day, sunset is going to be around 5:19PM. I really don't want to do an excursion through the ship but I want to make sure we feel safe. We are in our mid twenties and wouldn't mind doing the beach and some drinks or something more adventurous but don't want to have to worry about running out of day light. Thanks!

Many of the vendors at the dock will offer you a city tour for a reasonable price. You could also take a taxi or bus to the malecon and walk along the waterfront. It is a pretty place with statues, shops, and is safe.

My favorite place to have a drink and watch the sunset is the Sea Monkey. Margaritas or beer cost one dollar or you can get a flavored margarita for two dollars. DW's favorite is their Blue Hawaii !!! It is located on the malecon South of the Rio Cuale and they have tables in the sand on the beach. Taxis are available to take you back to the dock, or you could use the city bus (white and blue) .

[CL-JW]

PV is very safe, We have spent a number of weeks down there plus day trips from cruises. December is high season so there will be a lot of tourist and activities going on. Go to the Malecon and walk around from there over to the Old Town south of the river. There are great bars, restaurants,art galleries all along that area. The locals are friendly and helpful. Taxi's are plentiful to take you back to the ship from this area.

You will have a great time. We can't wait to get back down there.

[Keith1010]

You certainly have various options. You could visit the old town or you can walk around the area near the cruise ship terminal which includes a nice beach.

Like any city just be observant of your surroundings.

Keith

[MSN-Travelers]

Originally Posted by TN Engineer

We are going to be in Puerto Vallarta in December from 1PM to 8PM. I have never been to Puerto Vallarta and am slightly concerned since we are going to be there later in the day, sunset is going to be around 5:19PM. I really don't want to do an excursion through the ship but I want to make sure we feel safe. We are in our mid twenties and wouldn't mind doing the beach and some drinks or something more adventurous but don't want to have to worry about running out of day light. Thanks!

Sunset in Vallarta varies from 6:19 early in December to 6:32 on New Years Eve. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...&afl=-11&day=1

"Adventurous" is pretty generic. What does that mean to you? In any event, the city is pretty well lit after dark, especially the prime tourist areas along the beach. The Malecon, from the Hotel Rosita at the north end all along the waterfront to La Palapa restaurant on the south end of the Malecon extension, is alive with people.

Reference these maps to understand how the downtown and south side are laid out. http://vallartainfo.com/vallarta-downtown-map.html

If security is a concern for you, consider a day pass at the Playa Los Arcos hotel on the south side. It can be your base of operations for the afternoon/evening, allows you to see/do just about anything you want and know that you have a place close by after dark where you be able to get a taxi back to the port (taxi rates are clearly posted in the hotel lobby). Maybe go ziplining first and then head for the beach.

Like you, we were a little nervous on our first visit to the city. It didn't take long for us to realize what a wonderful destination Vallarta is and we will be back early November for the 14th time since 2000.

Enjoy!

[we're sailing away....]

Do a city tour ..

[Shalaylee]

PV is in the state a Jalisco which is where most all the Tequilla is made. It's fun to take the tequilla factory tour to see how the stuff is made. Most cruise lines offer the tour via the excursion desk and it's amazingly cheap - $40 on Carnival. After about the 12th shot its fun to see who on the tour is the worst drunk..

[dobiemom]

Last December the Oosterdam overnighted in PV. After a day of shopping and parasailing, my sis-in-law and I watched the sunset from the Zoo (I think), a bar on the Malecon with a great view. This was my first time seeing the sunset on a cruise and I wasn't on the ship! After a couple of drinks and more shopping, we took the city bus back to the ship. It was dark and we both had bags and I felt perfectly safe. DSinL has a timeshare in PV and has been there alot but never from a cruise ship. The bus took USD and gave us change in pesos. We had the best time in PV!

I have also done tours with Mazatlan Frank in PV (and Cabo in addition to Mazatlan), once with a partner and once with him. Very good. I hope he is still in business since the cruise ships don't go to Mazatlan - my favorite port - any longer. I plan on contacting him for my trip next year.

[wavygal]

I just posted a similar question. Someone noted that the Church of Guadalupe has a big festival and the city will be packed. Dec 2-5. So be prepared for that if you are traveling those days and want to your or do anything in that area of PV

[Ine]

Originally Posted by wavygal

I just posted a similar question. Someone noted that the Church of Guadalupe has a big festival and the city will be packed. Dec 2-5. So be prepared for that if you are traveling those days and want to your or do anything in that area of PV

The festivities around the church (at the end of the Malecon, close to old town) are from Dec. 1 till Dec. 12.
However mostly in the late afternoon and evening.
Buses, taxis and cars have to take a different route during those hours.

[TN Engineer]

Thanks so much for all the great information!! I feel much better now about being in Puerto Vallarta after dark. It is also good to know that there will be a festival while we are there. Celebrity does offer a Town, Tour and Tequila tour where they go to the tequila factory. I usually don't like to book excursions through the ship, has anyone had experience doing the tequila factory tour on your own? Do you think we could just take a cab there and then go to Malecon and the beach? I have heard great things about the Sea Monkey and would like to try it out as well. Thanks!

[TN Engineer]

Originally Posted by MSN-Travelers

Sunset in Vallarta varies from 6:19 early in December to 6:32 on New Years Eve. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...&afl=-11&day=1

"Adventurous" is pretty generic. What does that mean to you? In any event, the city is pretty well lit after dark, especially the prime tourist areas along the beach. The Malecon, from the Hotel Rosita at the north end all along the waterfront to La Palapa restaurant on the south end of the Malecon extension, is alive with people.

Reference these maps to understand how the downtown and south side are laid out. http://vallartainfo.com/vallarta-downtown-map.html

If security is a concern for you, consider a day pass at the Playa Los Arcos hotel on the south side. It can be your base of operations for the afternoon/evening, allows you to see/do just about anything you want and know that you have a place close by after dark where you be able to get a taxi back to the port (taxi rates are clearly posted in the hotel lobby). Maybe go ziplining first and then head for the beach.

Like you, we were a little nervous on our first visit to the city. It didn't take long for us to realize what a wonderful destination Vallarta is and we will be back early November for the 14th time since 2000.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the maps and great information! We are adventurous in that we are both fit and up for about anything. My DH isn't much on shopping and we usually like to go it on our own versus doing ships excursions as I find them to be more crowded. Thanks!