A Little About Puerto Vallarta:

The city's whitewashed walls and terra-cotta-tiled roofs are nestled along Banderas Bay, with the ornate crown of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe serving as a focal point. The lush, green foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains make for a beautiful and dramatic backdrop. The streets are of traditional cobblestone and the malecon is dotted with sculptures by various artists.

Grab a coconut ice cream cone and stroll down the boardwalk looking at statues with a backdrop of Banderas Bay and a tropical sunset.

Vallarta (or "PV," as it's often called) has retained a cultured grace that's rare in heavily touristed areas. Artists, architects and chefs flourish in this rarified climate of tropical creativity. The restaurants, galleries and shops are some of the best in the country, drawing talent from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Italy, Switzerland and all over the United States.

There is an abundance of nightlife ranging from all-night dance clubs to relaxing jazz bars. The restaurants are varied and range from traditional Mexican and seafood dishes to ellaborate formal dinners. It would be a crime not to try some of the wonderful seafood dishes available in P.V. or a flaming Mexican coffee with dessert. There are several breakfast and pancake houses in the old part of town - the best banana pancake and fresh fruit breakfast can be found for around $5.

The beaches are very beautiful south of town - provided a tropical storm has not just blown through. The sand is a light beige and the water is a clear emerald green - great for water sports, swimming or just lying around on the sand. October is usually warm in the low 80s with some humidity and very little rain - perfect beach weather. A drive through the jungle would not be complete without a stop at Chico's paradise, a restaurant/hideaway in the mountains above Mismaloya Bay. The tropical palms and bird calls in the jungle, give you the feeling you are a million miles from civilization.

All in all, P.V. is a great place for a wedding - beautiful, relaxing and welcoming.

Information

DINERO, PRICES, Etc.

Deals can still be found in Mexico, you just have to look around and bargain for them. Some established stores and galleries will not bargain, so keep that in mind. Street and beach vendors will usually bargain with you, so have fun with it.

Currently, the exchange rate is about 9 to 10 pesos to the dollar, however, most transactions can be done in American dollars or with a credit card or travelers checks. I believe there may be ATMs that will work with some U.S. banks, so you can probably get cash from one of these ATMs or through the bank itself.

Also, you can use Casa de Cambios (Exchange houses) however they usually charge you a percentage on the transaction. It is cheaper and you generally get a better exchange rate when you exchange money or travelers checks at a bank. There is a good bank near the bridge in Old Vallarta – near Restaurante del Puente. Hotels will generally rip you off when it comes to an exchange rate – I’d suggest holding off exchanging dollars until you can get to a bank or Casa de Cambio.

If you bring cash, you might want to make sure your bills are in $20 denominations primarily – smaller shops and restaurants won’t take $50s or $100s because of counterfeiting and lack of change.

There are many different types of restaurants in P.V. so you can spend as little as $5 per meal or as much as $75 per meal – it is up to you. Take advantage of free margarita vouchers that are given out on the street to entice customers – some places actually give you a decent drink.

LANGUAGE

It’s always good to know a few phrases in Spanish like, Where’s the bathroom, please, thank you and One more beer... However, don’t be surprised if the locals speak better English than you! Most people in P.V. speak English, so not to worry....

WATER

Most restaurants and Hotels use clean water – they are used to tourists and they will generally prepare food and ice that is made with purified water.

The tap water in your room will not be purified, so be careful when showering and use bottled water to brush your teeth. Being careless in the shower is how most people pick up “Aztec Two Step” as it is so charmingly called ;)

If you go to a restaurant or bar that you are unsure about, you can ask for purified ice or no ice to be on the safe side. Anything you eat from a street vendor or less touristy restaurant has probably been washed in regular tap water, so be aware. A couple of good things to know in Spanish: Hielo purificado – Purified ice, Agua Purificado – Purified water, No Hielo – No Ice.

Local Customs

Siesta
Siesta is from 2:00PM to 4:00PM and you will find some businesses (not bars & restaurants) closed during those hours, but they will stay open after siesta till 8:00 or 9:00PM. Siesta is becoming far less common in town.
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Sunday Evening

After sundown on Sunday families, groups of boys and separate groups of girls, dressed in their best, will promenade up and down the Malecon (sea front walk), the groups of young people will be making eyes at each other as they pass. This is also a time for families to get dressed up and go meet their friends, sit , chat and watch others walk by. There will be vendors selling anything from roasted corn on the cob to brightly coloured windmills and balloons. There is also, on weekend nights, usually some event going on at the small amphitheater at the end of the Malecon by the three arches, Teatro de Los Arcos.

Street Kids
You are certain to be occasionally pestered by young children selling 'chiclets' and other things, but unless you really want chiclets, don't feel obligated to buy things from them. Most of these kids are being exploited by their parents or some other adults nearby. There are Vallarta support programs for children in need. Please help by refraining from buying things from them. You will be helping them to stay off the streets and away from exploitation.