Dear TripAdvisor, I am doing a review of my visit to Puerto Vallarta in December 2012. By the way, I used the TripAdvisor luggage tag you sent me. I love it and apparently someone else did too---it was swiped at the airport in Puerto Vallarta. Could you send me a replacement luggage tag? I would appreciate it very much if you did and send it to my address. Thanks.

My review:
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in early December is a place teeming with people and it seems all roads lead to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. For 9 days leading up to the feastday itself on December 12, all kinds of street fare appear on the scene, one huge fiesta. You get to hobnob with the locals, joyous crowds. All kinds of processions take place each and every evening leading up to December 12. Hotels, businesses, private citizens, etc. all go when scheduled to participate. It is a festival of lights, sounds (Mariachi bands), dancing (Aztec costumed dancers) and just glorious fun. There is also piety seen on the faces of devotees as they go into the church where the processions culminate. And on the eve of the feast day itself at the stroke of midnight, they have mananitas, a religious serenade. However, if your idea of a vacation is quietness and solitude, early December in Puerto Vallarta is not the place to be.
As with all fiestas there is a lot of street food like Pastores, finger food which cost about $1 dollar each, consisting of meat from a hot skewered rack placed on tacos where you can add spicy condiments, cucumbers and the like. Surprisingly flavorful. There is also the dessert that appears only during this fiesta and at no other time, the choco flan a two-layered dessert -- delicate blending of chocolate cake on the bottom with light flan on top. About $2.50 a slice, wonderful and sliced generously enough for two people to share.
At the Sheraton Buganvillas timeshare we stayed in, the jacuzzi and pool are great. The weather is warm and enticing. Their timeshare units are comfortable with panoramic vistas of the ocean. Sunset is a time for artists to paint the vermillon skies. Absolutely entrancing. Best of all Sheraton is in the heart of town. Easy access to bus or taxis and the natives are friendly. I'd go back at same time each year, in a heart beat.

Stayed here 2 days and hated to leave. Close to the city and all there is to see and do in PV. Wonderful restaurants and had a beautiful room on the 23rd floor with direct ocean view. Staff was excellent and Arnulfo in the SPG lounge was wonderful.

We had such a wonderful time at the Buganvillas. Our suite was so perfect, I could move in permanently. We had the most incredible ocean view from our room and could listen to the waves at night. The people that work there are so incredible. They do everything to accommodate you and make your stay special. Jesus, the General Manager, was so helpful and accommodating with my booking and stay. He sincerely cares about his guests. Mariela, also was so accommodating and helpful prior to our arrival in PV---she helped us with our airport transfers and got us an exceptional, beautiful suite. We could not be happier. The grounds and pools are beautiful. And the visiting Iguanas, poolside, are so much fun to see and watch. The waiters by the pool actually get to know you and take great care of you----they are always available when you want to place an order. Additionally, it's close enough to walk to town, which is really nice. I really can't say enough about this stay! (except I want to move in permanently)

Pros, The rooms are comfortable and clean with some very spectacular ocean views. The staff is amazing with the exception of one rude poolside waiter. The club level provides and adequate breakfast buffet in a nice setting.
Cons, You will get approached by timeshare sales people. They claim to have free wifi, but you can only get it in the lobby, not your room. The beach at the Sheraton is very rocky. Don't buy any side tours from the Sheraton. They charge extra for the same tours available anywhere. We found out we had paid an extra $15 per person for one trip we took. It feels very dishonest. One evening the bar music was very very loud. I guess they don't mind keeping guests awake to entertain the 3 people who were actually at the bar.
All in all it is ok, but I just expected more from a Sheraton.