I love this vacation experience despite the scams and bedbugs. First bedbugs can happen anywhere,it is how management handles it that we should ponder. After being chewed on for 3 nights I was convinced my bed had problems. My father in the other room had none...I looked like someones smorgasboard everywhere but my stomache.Managment refused to move us because the resort had no bugs. He showed me a certificate so stating. A doctor was offered to tell me my bug bites were not bites. The mashismo factor was in full play.We compromised on a bed switch and room cleaning over a room switch...that solved my problem but I hope we will hear from room 619 who got my bed...Also the entire resort was resprayed for roaches ect the next day for whatever that would solve.
The resort is wonderful with all its staff scrubbing and sweeping to avoid the noise of vacuum cleaners and blowers...We had a wonderful maid,no dishwasher..didn't need one. We felt like royalty.
Bring snorkel equipment great fish around the rock barriers...water cold bring wet suit if you have one in April...Great view... bring binoculars for viewing wild sea life and boats.
Our Appalachian dollars did not go far in tourist market which used a California dollar standard. Still good deals could be enjoyed. One was Venus massage 2 blk from Rizzos food market on Aquilles Serdan. Erika really enjoys her job and puts her heart into a good massage. Well worth the $30/hr charge for us poor Southerners. Resort prices doubled for inhouse massages. Rizzos food market on Constitution was where the Mexicans shopped at Mexican prices ..Avoid Walmart at California prices where tourist shop.
The best buys on "real authentic Mexican junk" ( as one vendor put it)was from vendors who came off beach at resort. Bargain like the devil on Wed night... they know you leave the next morning with your money. Think in terms of 30-35% of initial offers. One guy in Boca T would not give me back my $5 in change acting like I misnderstood his language in the offer. I made the mistake of giving a $20 tip for a $2 tip had to chalk it up to fuzzy headed jet lag on our first day. Made that cabby's day.
Finally the scam of the trip involved a nice little money exchange near the statute of the boy w/his catch. Please avoid this little street store front exchange,its not a bank. The sweet little lady counted out our change in front of us then reached over and got the coins before passing money through window. Both of us came up 200 pesos short when we counted our money at resort,where she had pawned off a bill from the bottom of the stack. Unusual for PV reputation as a tourist friendly town..
Now the good stuff. Waters clean and drinkable in PV. Violent crime is not present..its not allowed. Although,I believe tourist women alone is a mistake in any travel. The City has great romantic atmosphere and the street Mexicans appreciate your speaking in their tongue and working with them on their English. The tourist vendors and waiters expect you to buy thier affections,but the normal Mexicans are just happy you relate to them. One attractive middle age women had a very romantic sale exchange in the middle of the tourist market on the river island. Hated to see theem part. Fun to watch though.
Buses work well, cars rentals are foolish. If you must take a taxi.
I want to go back and hang out and not make mistakes that soured the trip,like eating partially cooked chicken at CarlosJr (Hardees)at the airport before taking off. That was a three day mistake I had to deal with when I came back home. Carlos/Hardees needs to work on its health standards.PV is pricey but also wonderful...Enjoy your trip