Andre and Wendy: Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta

January 27 - Feb 1, 2025

73,500 Steps walked

We started our Mexican adventures with a 4 night stay in Puerto Vallarta. Friends Gilles, John and Jenni, their wiener dog, were there for the month of January so we spent a lot of time with them. We took a cab from the airport just for ease, Uber would definitively be cheaper but they are still not allowed to pick up at the airport in PV so it is a pain to walk to where they could be you up if you don't have WIFI set up yet.

We have booked a tiny AIRBNB for our first 3 nights which is about a 5 minute walk to where Gilles and John are staying. It worked fine for us, we had no window to outside, just to the hallway, but we really only slept here. We book inside cabins on cruises, so this was even an upgrade to that.

Started off with meeting Gilles and John at Margarita Grill Bar for a great Mango Margarita. The bar is just below their condo, which we would learn also means lots of noise until the bar closes. There is also lots of construction going on behind their condo which adds to the noise, too bad it is a great spot and a nice condo, but the noise definitely spoils it. So loud that Gilles and John will not be staying here again next year, they are going to try a smaller town next to PV.

Gilles made supper for us the next 2 nights at their condo. We spent the afternoons at a beach bar. It happens to be Bear Week, a week that many gay men come to party, and especially in the Romantico part of PV where we are staying which is very gay friendly, so many many men populated the city.

Andre and I walked each morning, a fantastic malecon here along the beach for long walks. One morning we walked up the Hill of the Cross. This involved some steep hills and lots of steps. There are homes near the top, you would be in great shape if you did this walk every day. We are 4 days now since the walk and my calves are still reminding me of it.

Off to say goodbye to Gilles and John as they fly out the day before us, then we move as our plans were changed and we are staying one extra day in PV and flying to Mexico City the next day. We were supposed to be in this area for another 5 days but our friend Heather who we were going to visit had a family emergency and had to fly home. It actually worked out well moving to the hotel, we were able to leave our luggage there while we spent the afternoon at the beach. A huge upgrade from our AIRBNB, a balcony, lots of window, a separate full kitchen with a table and chairs. Too bad we are only here for 1 night. On check out day we went for our walk then packed up and spent the afternoon at the rooftop pool reading.

Uber to the airport for less than half the price of our taxi into town when we arrived. An exciting ride as our driver kept opening the door to check on what we assume was a flat tire. Crazy traffic just outside the airport. Like many others we jumped out of the car and walked the rest of the way. Carry on luggage only so straight to security, here you don't take liquids or computers out of your bags so security is much quicker than many places.

We decided to volunteer our luggage at gate check since we were not assigned seats together, and were not even in the same zone for boarding. I knew I would struggle to lift my luggage. When I checked our bags I asked about sitting together, nothing at the back of the plane so they moved us up together to row 7. Flight delays and we left 2 hours later than we were scheduled, so that meant airport supper, over $20 for 2 pieces of pizza and a water, urgh. Next stop Mexico City after a 1.5 hour flight.

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Since I am behind on doing the blogs the pictures will be done in 3 post including this one and may not be from the actual date of the blog.

This one will include time with our friend John & Gilles followed by the beach pictures