puffpuff

We are heading to HCC Nuevo Vallarta soon. Any tips on where to buy groceries, how to get around ( we will not have a car) safely, and special hole in the wall places is appreciated.

LTTravel

I would recommend that you get a car. There are several distinct communities in "Puerto Vallarta" PV is in the middle of the Bay of Banderas which extends quite a bit both north and south. Punta Mita is at the north end of the bay. There are several small towns as you come around south. Nuevo Vallarta is a large new development area you approach first. Then comes the Marina, the newer part of Puerto Vallarta, then old Puerto Vallarta and then the south side. The distance from the southern tip to the northern tip is probably about 50 or so miles, maybe more. They all have their different flavors. You can do it without a car, but if you want to explore at all, a car is essential. You can go up to Salyulita for a small Mexican surfing town with a few hole in the wall places, a Canopy tour is there. There are many other activities with Vallarta Adventures where they can take you but if you want the other more local places, you will need to get there by car.
Nuevo Vallarta is probably about midway from the Walmart by the airport and a Mega which is further north for groceries. There are some smaller shops near the Villa la Estancia, but I don't recall anything significant unless something was built recently. It will cost you quite a bit in cab fare to get back and forth.

tripTX

The Nuevo Vallarta condo is beautiful. When we were there in January, there were only 10-12 other guests at the resort. There are two huge pools, and we had them completely to ourselves the whole week. Same with the hot tubs at sunset. They overlook the sandy beach and are a perfect spot to watch the sun go down. There was always at least one of the three completely empty (usually two or three of them) at this time.

The downside then was that the third phase of Villa La Estancia was still under construction in January. (Probably why we had the whole place to ourselves!) No work was done on the weekends, but Monday to Friday construction was going on between 8am and 5pm (with an hour break for lunch). If we were on the beach, the noise wasn't bad -- the sound of the waves covered it up. Hopefully they've finished most of the big work by now.

For groceries, there is a small market/deli at the Villa del Palmar next door. It's handy to grab a last-minute item, but it's expensive and limited in its selection. Just across the highway (about 3 mins in a taxi) is a Mega grocery store. We were really impressed with its selection. It compares favorable to most US grocery chains. Just ask for a taxi downstairs. When you're leaving the store with all your groceries, there are usually taxis waiting outside to take you back. If not, ask one of the cashiers inside to call one for you. We paid $5 to take us and all our purchases back (I think we overpaid - we didn't bargain - but we were new to all this). We made the mistake of thinking we'd enjoy a nice walk over to the store and just taxi back. It took us about 20 mins to walk because you have to go over a highway bridge and walk along the highway (without much of a shoulder) for part of the way. Get your exercise with walks on the beach and take a taxi to the Mega store!

We didn't have a car either. It worked out fine, but you are a bit isolated out there. Just north of the property is a small town called Bucerias. It actually has a good assortment of interesting restaurants. You can take a 10-15 minute walk on the beach to get down there or take a quick cab ride. We really wanted a quiet, lazy vacation that week, so we didn't do many other activities. However, the Villa del Palmar next door will help you plan outings (boat trips, sunset cruises, etc).

Hope this helps -- Enjoy your trip!

tripTX

We stayed a couple nights in the old center of Puerto Vallarta before checking into Villa La Estancia. I think we paid $23 for the cab ride from downtown to the property when we were going to check in. It was probably a 25 minute ride that day (on a weekend -- I hear the traffic can double the time)

LTTravel

Roundtrip from the airport to the residence, a couple of trips downtown, a couple of trips to the super market. A couple of trips here and there. You've paid for your rental. I know alot of people prefer not to drive in Mexico and avoid the car rental headache and prefer to relax and have the advantage of cab rides. If you will hang around the residence mostly and want to relax and are just going to make a few trips then you don't need a car. But if you like to explore, then renting a car is the way to go. I, and my wife, personally, can't stand getting cabs and cab drivers. We have had a few bad experiences.

pwrshift

Is this part of Mexico as unsafe as it seems? Several posts I've read hear and elsewhere indicate safety can be a problem in this part of Mexico.

It certainly looks like a very nice but quite large resort. Does anyone know how many units there are as in prime season when you might find it quite busy ... perhaps even fighting over lounge chairs like at timeshares perhaps? Where in the complex is the HCC unit?

LTTravel

I've been to PV several times and never felt unsafe. Nuevo Vallarta is a new area and here isn't as much there so it is safe. Just like anyplace else you have to be careful. There are parts of NYC I would feel less safe than there.
The units at Villa la Estancia are two and three bedroom units but they can be split with a lockoff. I don't know how many units there are but they are not high volume. Also there are full ownership units and fractionals. I don't think that they are fully occupied most times though many owners put up there units for rent or in the rental pool.

The parts of Mexico that there have been several reports about are northern Baja because of its proximity to Tijuana
I've had problems with cab drivers in the states more than in Mexico

texdoc

This area seemed extremely safe to me. The resort and it's sister time-share resort are set back in an area that has a private entrance where workers and guest have to go through a security stop. The beach is remote enough that it seemed quiet and safe (and even had fewer Mexican "vendors" than most other beach locations). The rooms have both a lockable gate and front door for double protection once you are there.

TarheelTraveler

I agree with texdoc that the area seems very safe. Before going, I was a little nervous having heard stories about other parts of Mexico. We were pleasantly surprised with both the security and ease of driving in the area.

3DH

When we were in the PV area, we rented through Gecko Rental Cars in the town of Bucerias... they will cover the cost of a cab ride to their location, and will drive you back to the airport at the end of your trip. They were great to work with, and we were able to rent a larger vehicle (Suburban) for less than the cost of a much smaller car with one of the large agencies.

Their rates include collision insurance and taxes, as well.

__________________
"Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!

DCTraveler

This is regarding safety in Mexico. I have been to Cabo many times and always felt safe. I was at the Private Escapes home in Punta Mita (a bit further north of Nuero Vallarta), where there is a comparably High Country Club home as well (actually I think the HCC is probably a bit better -- an extra bedroom and a private pool). We safe there and it was very uncrowded. There was a security guard at the passage from the community oceanfront pool to the beach. I never thought it was truly for security, but to keep the local Mexicans on the adjacent public beach from coming in the pool or using the private beach chairs and also to keep them from pestering guests about buying silver, braiding hard, etc. Unfortunately, I did hear later from another PE member that on their trip to Punta Mita the home was broken into while they were there (I think actually in the house, but no one was hurt). I think anywhere you are you need to be conscious of petty theft, security your doors, etc. What I think you do NOT get in the Cabo and Vallarta areas is violent or personal crimes -- the kidnapping, hijackings, etc., are just over the border of the US near Tijuana, and of course are rampant in Mexico City. Also, I felt perfectly comfortable driving in the Vallarta area. As an FYI -- in over 4 years of trips with destination clubs I have NEVER had anything taken by housekeeping or anyone at the resorts, only things returned that were inadvertently forgotten.

DCTraveler

I forgot to answer about the grocery part of your question. In Puerto Vallarta/Punta Mita and also in Cabo there is a wonderful section of their grocery stores that many people miss -- the pastry/bread section. It's funny, but it's actually similar to the same section in department stores in Japan. You get a cafeteria type tray with a paper liner. You go around to all of these baskets or shelves or cabinets and with the provided tongs put all of your scrumptuous freshly baked goodies on the tray -- muffins, cookies, pastries, donuts, rolls, etc. Then you get the in line for the pastry department cashier. They put everything in a paper bag, staple it closed and attach a ticket with how much you owe. Sometimes you pay there, but usually you just put it in your basket and continue shopping and then pay at the main cash register. The biggest problem you will have is NOT opening it and beginning to eat immediately -- they are fabulous and inexpensive. Going to get the fresh pastries and breads at least every other day is reason enough to get a car in those locations.

DC_FAN

Has anyone done a Jungle/Excursion trip from Nuevo? Are they worth it, or should we just lay low and have umbrella drinks by the pool or beach?

We are heading there Saturday and my wife is dead set on doing something adventuresome. I am all for it, but just want to pick the best "bang for the buck in terms of enjoyment, relaxation, and wow factor". I could care less about the cost as we will definitely spend more at the spa and the expensive on-site market.

Any positive experiences or things to definitely avoid?"


Any good or bad experiences with local trip providers?

Thanks to all for sharing!

Whitesand

If you get up to Punta Mita, the Punta Mita expedition people are great. We went snorkeling with them and they took our family privately with a guide and a boat driver. We saw huge boats packed with 60+ people coming from Vallarta Adventures--Punta Mita expeditions is very personal...and not any more expensive.

We enjoyed the Vallarta Adventures zip line tour. Very fun--kids an dadults both loved it-

star1000

We did the Canopy tour and it was amazing. The longest cable is a 1/4 mile long and 500 feet over a river canyone. Great sights and really fun and easy. After the trip you get time to relax at the bar/restaurant and swim in the river. It was me, my wife and our 11 and 7 year old. It was fantastic. We did it with Los Veranos, which had a great set up. They will pick you up at a stop in NV or you can meet at their office.

We also did a great horseback tour. Five hours through the mountains. Lots of fun, but my rear hurt for a while after that.