Questions about Riu Jalisco

Lorianna · Post by **Lorianna** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:53 pm

Okay, 1st timer here. I have a few questions. Never been to PV before although we have been to Cozumel & Cancun. We are booked with Riu Jalisco from 3/21-26. I understand that it is 20 some miles from Puerto Vallarta. There will be 8 of us, our family of 6 and another couple. What is the best way to go to PV considering the size of our group? Our daughters ages 23 and 21 want to go clubbing but I don't know if I feel comfortable with them going that far away. What are your thoughts on this?

Also, we are thinking of doing a canopy tour. Which one is the best? What are the major differences in them? Do any of them leave near the RJ so we don't have to pay to go into PV? Daughter #2 wants to parasail. Where can she do that and how much? Thanks for any suggestions!

condor · Post by **condor** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:32 am

Lorianna wrote:Okay, 1st timer here. I have a few questions. Never been to PV before although we have been to Cozumel & Cancun. We are booked with Riu Jalisco from 3/21-26. I understand that it is 20 some miles from Puerto Vallarta. There will be 8 of us, our family of 6 and another couple. What is the best way to go to PV considering the size of our group?

During the day we like taking the bus into town about $1.00 US. The only problem is it doesn't go all the way down to the Malecon. It also hasn't always ended at the same place. Some times it is only a short 4 block walk other times a lot longer. You can get off across the street from the WalMart cross the street then take a local bus into downtown. It would work the same going back. Check with your Bell Captian they can give you the best advice. Cab's cost around $20 one way with 4 max per cab which can be crowded. You should be able to get a van sized cab into town not sure the price, but may not be as easy to find one heading back.

Our daughters ages 23 and 21 want to go clubbing but I don't know if I feel comfortable with them going that far away. What are your thoughts on this?

If they use thier heads It's very safe. Your resort may offer a trip into town one or two nights a week with entertainment staff as escorts (Extra charge for transportation) Best way to go for Newbies. Check with the entertainment staff when you get there. There is a disco next door at the Marival and another about 2 miles south in the Mall by the Paradise Village, so there are other options, but may not be what they are looking for.

Also, we are thinking of doing a canopy tour. Which one is the best? What are the major differences in them? Do any of them leave near the RJ so we don't have to pay to go into PV? Daughter #2 wants to parasail. Where can she do that and how much? Thanks for any suggestions!

We have never been on one but understand all are eqaully fun. One is north of town and I think operated by Vallarta Adventures with an office about 2 miles from you right in Nuevo. The others I think are south of town, not sure who operates them. There are four different ones advertised in the Tours & activities section of this site and all can be booked through this site. Also if you click on the search link just above the forum on this page & type canopy tour in the keyword field you will find earlier post about them. #2 should be able to parasail from the beach in front of your hotel or one near you, there are several up and down the beach in Nuevo. Any other questions just ask or PM me and I'll help if I can.

Condor

ChristieB199 · Post by **ChristieB199** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:44 am

Hola!

I also have a trip booked at this hotel April 13th-20th and I am very excited! I have been lurking this site for about a week now and finally decided to join. At first I could not decide which part of Mexico I wanted to visit but after searching and reading numerous posts from this board, that is what did it!

I hope you do not mind but I also have a few questions.

Is whale watching definitely over at the end of March? This looks like something I would very much like to do but it seems like I may be a few weeks late.

Is there a shuttle from the Riu Jalisco that goes all the way into town? For a fee or free? If yes, is it only on scheduled days/nights?

There are a few activities that I would like to schedule, if a shuttle is not available...would I be wrong to think that it would be very time consuming to take a bus in the early AM(how long is the bus ride, we would have to be at most activities by 8:45, most of them start at 9am)? Is there a good amount of traffic in the AM? Do you think that it would be ok to take a cab in the AM and bus in the evening?

I know that this may seem weird but I was wondering if there is a place in the town where we would be able to keep belongings of ours while we were on our adventures? Lockers anywhere?

Is there a public place where we can pay to freshen up or shower? The reason in asking this would be....so we can go on our snorkeling or boat trip for the day, come back to shore, get ready to go out for a night in town without having to go all the way back to our hotel.

I have heard numerous different stories about the quality of food at the Riu Jalisco, some of the stories actually have me kind of questioning the trip. There is more than one person that have stated that the food is more on the warm side? I have to wonder what that is about and if it is true, I wonder if I would be able to make a plate and request that it be heated up? Or is this type of customer service not heard of at this hotel?

I know that people probably ask this a trillion times on this board. I am thinking about scheduling two-three days of being in the actual town part to do different things. Any tips or must/do festivities that one must do while in PV?

I appreciate your time in advance and I apologize for the lengthy thread! I look forward to my first time in PV and hopefully many more to come!

Thanks,
Christie

Lorianna · Post by **Lorianna** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:49 pm

condor...thanks so much for your info...I'm so glad I found this forum...Hugs for the help!

palapa_gal · Post by **palapa_gal** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:24 pm

Christie, I will try to answer some of your questions.

Is whale watching definitely over at the end of March? This looks like something I would very much like to do but it seems like I may be a few weeks late.

Yes, the official whale watching season ends March 31st. You could still see whales in the bay but they can not be approached legally.

There are a few activities that I would like to schedule, if a shuttle is not available...would I be wrong to think that it would be very time consuming to take a bus in the early AM(how long is the bus ride, we would have to be at most activities by 8:45, most of them start at 9am)? Is there a good amount of traffic in the AM? Do you think that it would be ok to take a cab in the AM and bus in the evening?

A bus from there would take about 30 mins. I would think. I think the buses would be quite crowded at that time of the morning as most people that work in PV do not live directly in the city. They come in from little towns to the north, south and east. If you are going on a boat cruise I would still take the bus in as you will only need to take the one bus (get off across from Wal-mart) to the Maritime Terminal where you will catch the boat. Buses stop running around 10:30pm so time will be the factor in weither you will take a cab or a bus in the evenings.

know that this may seem weird but I was wondering if there is a place in the town where we would be able to keep belongings of ours while we were on our adventures? Lockers anywhere?

No, there are no public lockers that I am aware of.

Is there a public place where we can pay to freshen up or shower? The reason in asking this would be....so we can go on our snorkeling or boat trip for the day, come back to shore, get ready to go out for a night in town without having to go all the way back to our hotel.

Not sure if there are any baños within the city that have showers. I know I have seen one in Bucerias but that won't help you. Sorry, we'll miss you by one week otherwise I would have said that you could come look me up and use my bathroom.

I know that people probably ask this a trillion times on this board. I am thinking about scheduling two-three days of being in the actual town part to do different things. Any tips or must/do festivities that one must do while in PV?

One absolute must do is the Malécon on Sunday from late afternoon well into night. Also, take one day just to explore the south side and then find a beach bar pull up a chair and watch the sunset. One good spot for this would be Cuates y Cuetes. Unfortunately the webcam seems to be stuck at the moment. There are many other beach bars so once you have finshed exploring just head for the beach and pick a spot.

Hope this helps some and if you have any more questions just ask away.

Sorry I couldn't help on the resort questions as I've never stayed there and know absolutely nothing about it.

ChristieB199 · Post by **ChristieB199** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:07 pm

palapa_gal, Thanks for your help!

Anyone else that would like to chime in, please feel free.

I am still looking for a public place to shower....as palapa_gal would call it baños with a shower?

Thanks!
Christie

ChristieB199 · Post by **ChristieB199** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:28 pm

Also is there a boat that will take you to Marieta Islands or Los Caletas without taking a tour.

What if you would like to just take a boat over there yourself and walk around and explore the beauty yourself?

Thanks

dougy · Post by **dougy** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:49 pm

Veranos is the best for zipping through the trees. ANd of course canyons. I am (was) scared of heights until I wne ton this tour. The people running the place are fantastic. Lots of fun, really make you feel safe. And this is with a 420 foot cable over a canyon. I have talked to others and they all agree Veranos is the best.

Lorianna · Post by **Lorianna** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:47 pm

Dougy...What all is included in the Veranos canopy tour? Do you have any inside tips? How does one get there, by bus or van? Lorianna

dougy · Post by **dougy** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:35 pm

There office is right downtown PV, they take you in an open bus, the driver is a wildman, he must be getting ready for the Indy 500. but very interesting and scenic drive. 30 minute triip by bus. This was a blast

travelbug_jp · Post by **travelbug_jp** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:45 pm

We went on the El Eden canopy tour out by Mismaloya and it was way better than the first one we went on a few years ago, sorry, can't remember which one

This one has some extremely long, high and fast zip lines, double safety harness etc. We felt completely safe and the guides were so much fun. This is the one that is located where the predator movie was filmed. That had no significance to me but the kids were thrilled about it.

Joyce

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