My trip report for the two weeks of January 23 thru February 5, 2002
Where I’m coming from: The beach is OK except for the sand. Everything that Man has created is a blight on the earth. Most Americans should be neither Seen nor Heard, and required to pass an Empathy test before leaving their Country. Tourists should realize they are a $ sign, not a sign.
I always travel with my Oregon Scientific Atomic Clock to maintain a precise schedule.
I took with me four months of research - about 150 pages – that I copied primarily from the Bulletin Boards of: Bzy1, PV.net and AOL. I also bought a Palm and had a 100 Restaurant database, a database of 30 Budget Hotels, a USD to MXN converter, English to Spanish dictionary, a dozen memos that I had copied from the BB’s, PV bus routes and schedules, and a daily Expense record. After day two, I left the Palm at the Hotel! Now I must admit that I had a lot of the info in personal memory and I departed the plane with more book knowledge than anyone else, but I found that I didn’t have the same taste as most of the restaurant reviewers, the USD to MXN conversion didn’t require a mental giant, and my opinion of three star Hotels differs from reports.
The best place to convert USD to MXN – it doesn’t matter! The Peso for my two weeks was 8.9 to 9.1. For $100 USD that spread is $2 USD. What does matter is that you understand what you are doing. I could have gotten 8.5 at some bars and 9.4 with some purchases – but I didn’t. Took the conversion off my Palm.
I (Carol and me) spent the first 8 days at the Hotel Rosita right at the Northern edge of the Malecon. I booked on the Internet and chiseled them out of a room rate of $2865 for eight nights, pool view and a fan. The grounds are spectacular, the room was spotless, two king size beds and where all the action is. BUT the kitchen was right below me and I could feel the bass from Carlos Obrien till 4A then the kitchen started breakfast at 4:30A. A WEEK later I booked my Millionaire Brother at the same Hotel with an ocean view at $728/day and his comment was that all he could hear was a gentle ocean sloshing. Different strokes!
The MALECON is a religious happening. Sunday’s are special. AND the most beautiful women I have ever seen grouped stroll in their finest. I do not have the vocabulary to describe my personal Malecon experience.
We spent the first four days North of the River and fell in love with Mexico. We spent the next four days South of the River and REALLY fell in love with Mexico. The next six days at the Flamingo in the Marina. Three different worlds! Next time I don’t need to go North.
Restaurants every other doorway. And World Class eating available. Drank local water, ate all the lettuce I had on my plate, threw caution to the wind and NEVER had a pain. All restaurants had a menu in view on the sidewalk BUT don’t miss the drink prices before ordering! Margarita costs keep me primarily on a beer diet.
Pipi’s brought us cold food, the noise level was 140DB, service was terrible and the Margaritas were $60 each. Wouldn’t go back.
Trio’s was overpriced, the customers snooty, BUT delicious. Wouldn’t go back.
Blue Shrimp’s prices were penciled in at $860/K. And the owner was outside hawking customers. Not for me.
Tony’s (new name is ‘La Choza’-Papa Tony’s kid is running the business and of course a name change is the first priority) out of Mismaloya is WONDERFUL. Get off the bus and cross the street and head downhill away from the ocean and ask at the first restaurant how to get to Tony’s. BUT don’t follow the Internet advice on pricing. It ain’t all you can eat for $50! We got real happy after four Margaritas and two beers and I ordered three entrees. Final bill, with tip was $688. Best Shrimp, Meat, Fish combo I had on the entire trip but Carol didn’t like the change from two $500 bills. Go there but use some brain.
Red Cabbage is the best – IMHO.
Memo’s is another great eatery but Breakfast was not anything special. The Chili Rellenos at dinner for $40 were wonderful.
Tangaroa is a good fish spot. And not many White Faces.
There’s a place across from Los Arcos – upstairs – with a hawker outside – that has the best of all Mexican combinations for $80 – superb view - but I can’t remember the name. It’s at the bend in the Malecon.
Chico’s $90 fishplate is a real bargain. Even the Time-Share dude was a gentleman and I encouraged his company during lunch. Must go spot!
Burro Bar is a sunset spot. Did drinks only and happy hour takes out the sting. Gotta do it! If you want to get primed before Happy Hour, just South of the Burro Bar – on the street – is an outside drinkery with a four-beer bucket for $35.
San Lucas has darn good value Mexican food. Upstairs at Cardenas/Insurgentes. I’d go again.
The restaurants in the Marina are spendy. There is a spot where I spent too much time: Bobo’s for beer, sandwich and a surly Italian American that grows on you and will give away the house if you let him. The only reason to venture North of the River for me. Ask for Anthony and tell him to put the first beer on my tab – from the guy who brought his dozen relatives to Mexico.
Where I’m coming from: The beach is OK except for the sand. Everything that Man has created is a blight on the earth. Most Americans should be neither Seen nor Heard, and required to pass an Empathy test before leaving their Country. Tourists should realize they are a $ sign, not a sign.
I always travel with my Oregon Scientific Atomic Clock to maintain a precise schedule.
I took with me four months of research - about 150 pages – that I copied primarily from the Bulletin Boards of: Bzy1, PV.net and AOL. I also bought a Palm and had a 100 Restaurant database, a database of 30 Budget Hotels, a USD to MXN converter, English to Spanish dictionary, a dozen memos that I had copied from the BB’s, PV bus routes and schedules, and a daily Expense record. After day two, I left the Palm at the Hotel! Now I must admit that I had a lot of the info in personal memory and I departed the plane with more book knowledge than anyone else, but I found that I didn’t have the same taste as most of the restaurant reviewers, the USD to MXN conversion didn’t require a mental giant, and my opinion of three star Hotels differs from reports.
The best place to convert USD to MXN – it doesn’t matter! The Peso for my two weeks was 8.9 to 9.1. For $100 USD that spread is $2 USD. What does matter is that you understand what you are doing. I could have gotten 8.5 at some bars and 9.4 with some purchases – but I didn’t. Took the conversion off my Palm.
I (Carol and me) spent the first 8 days at the Hotel Rosita right at the Northern edge of the Malecon. I booked on the Internet and chiseled them out of a room rate of $2865 for eight nights, pool view and a fan. The grounds are spectacular, the room was spotless, two king size beds and where all the action is. BUT the kitchen was right below me and I could feel the bass from Carlos Obrien till 4A then the kitchen started breakfast at 4:30A. A WEEK later I booked my Millionaire Brother at the same Hotel with an ocean view at $728/day and his comment was that all he could hear was a gentle ocean sloshing. Different strokes!
The MALECON is a religious happening. Sunday’s are special. AND the most beautiful women I have ever seen grouped stroll in their finest. I do not have the vocabulary to describe my personal Malecon experience.
We spent the first four days North of the River and fell in love with Mexico. We spent the next four days South of the River and REALLY fell in love with Mexico. The next six days at the Flamingo in the Marina. Three different worlds! Next time I don’t need to go North.
Restaurants every other doorway. And World Class eating available. Drank local water, ate all the lettuce I had on my plate, threw caution to the wind and NEVER had a pain. All restaurants had a menu in view on the sidewalk BUT don’t miss the drink prices before ordering! Margarita costs keep me primarily on a beer diet.
Pipi’s brought us cold food, the noise level was 140DB, service was terrible and the Margaritas were $60 each. Wouldn’t go back.
Trio’s was overpriced, the customers snooty, BUT delicious. Wouldn’t go back.
Blue Shrimp’s prices were penciled in at $860/K. And the owner was outside hawking customers. Not for me.
Tony’s (new name is ‘La Choza’-Papa Tony’s kid is running the business and of course a name change is the first priority) out of Mismaloya is WONDERFUL. Get off the bus and cross the street and head downhill away from the ocean and ask at the first restaurant how to get to Tony’s. BUT don’t follow the Internet advice on pricing. It ain’t all you can eat for $50! We got real happy after four Margaritas and two beers and I ordered three entrees. Final bill, with tip was $688. Best Shrimp, Meat, Fish combo I had on the entire trip but Carol didn’t like the change from two $500 bills. Go there but use some brain.
Red Cabbage is the best – IMHO.
Memo’s is another great eatery but Breakfast was not anything special. The Chili Rellenos at dinner for $40 were wonderful.
Tangaroa is a good fish spot. And not many White Faces.
There’s a place across from Los Arcos – upstairs – with a hawker outside – that has the best of all Mexican combinations for $80 – superb view - but I can’t remember the name. It’s at the bend in the Malecon.
Chico’s $90 fishplate is a real bargain. Even the Time-Share dude was a gentleman and I encouraged his company during lunch. Must go spot!
Burro Bar is a sunset spot. Did drinks only and happy hour takes out the sting. Gotta do it! If you want to get primed before Happy Hour, just South of the Burro Bar – on the street – is an outside drinkery with a four-beer bucket for $35.
San Lucas has darn good value Mexican food. Upstairs at Cardenas/Insurgentes. I’d go again.
The restaurants in the Marina are spendy. There is a spot where I spent too much time: Bobo’s for beer, sandwich and a surly Italian American that grows on you and will give away the house if you let him. The only reason to venture North of the River for me. Ask for Anthony and tell him to put the first beer on my tab – from the guy who brought his dozen relatives to Mexico.