WHAT'S THERE TO DO AROUND HERE?
Visiting? Got visitors? Looking for things to do
that don't require big bucks or pre-work? How about:
-packing a picnic cooler and
going beach-hopping in the Bay, first to Destiladeras, then to Punta de Mita's quiet beach
(well before the restaurants, down from the pink public health building). Do-able by bus.
Choose Destiladeras if only doing one.
-packing another cooler, or
using one of the beaches' many restaurants, and going beach-hopping on the Pacific coast,
first to Sayulita, then to San Francisco. Also do-able by bus.Choose "San
Pancho" if only doing one.
-renting surfboards in Bucerias
and going surfing at Sayulita. After you get the hang of it, join the big kids at Punta de
Mita and Punta de Burro.
-renting a horse on the
Bucerias beach and heading south to Mescales and the bird sanctuary/lagoon called Quelele.
You'll see hundreds of birds from treehouse viewing areas. The lagoon is prettiest at high
tide.
-driving into the mountains to
Las Palmas. Look for signs to Rancho Capomp where you can go for a horseback ride in the
sierra. On the way back, stop to eat at Restaurant El Guero Palancas. It's down next to
the only river nearby and serves good grilled crayfish.
-going whale-watching off Punta
de Mita. Get to the restaurant area early, i.e., by 9 a.m., and ask for space in a panga
(Mexican fishing boat). They try to fill a boat with six people and divide the cost per
head.
-taking a panga water taxi ride
to Quimixto or Yelapa (same boat; Yelapa is its last stop). Be at Puerto Vallarta's Los
Muertos beach for a 10:30 a.m. pickup and return about 5 p.m. Wear a swimsuit so you can
take a dip in the pool under the waterfall at both places. Quimixto is less developed and
has a bigger waterfall pool (try the restaurant set apart way down the beach). Yelapa is
funkier and has a couple of nice shops.
-driving along Rt. 200 above
Puerto Vallarta. The sea views are fantastic, especially from Le Kliff Restaurant, which
has a cold avocado worth stopping for.
-playing golf at Los Flamingos
Club de Golf or tennis at Nuevo Vallarta's Hotel Marval
-getting a day pass at Nuevo
Vallarta's Paradise Village spa and using the exercise machines, steam room, sauna, or
jacuzzi plus attending one of the exercise classes.
-going to the bullfights in
Puerto Vallarta on Wed. nights at 5 p.m. The matadors are often Spaniards on the winter
Mexico circuit, lured to PV by cruise line money. The fights are often good but don't go
if you plan on joining the bozos cheering for the bull.
-walking south on the Bucerias
beach for 50-60 min., passing Nuevo Vallarta's luxury villas and arriving at Etc
Restaurant. Their shrimp hamburgers and fajitas are worth the walk.
-taking a scenic three hour
drive on one of Mexico's swankest and most scenic autopistas to the town of Tequila for a
plant tour and tequila tasting. On the way up or back, stop to see or have a meal in the
cute little beach town Chacala.
-pigging out at one of the
Mexican fiestas/buffets. Wahoo's in San Pancho has a Friday Mexican with good food and all
drinks for a set price. The Sheraton's Sunday mariachi champagne brunch is the best music
and food combination in PV.
-if you have small boat access,
touring the canals of Nuevo Vallarta. You can idle in front of the dolphin tank and watch
the noon show of tricks. Snorkeling at the Marieta Islands off Punta de Mita can be fun;
snorkeling at Los Arcos off PV rarely is (too many boats murking up the water).
