It seems odd to be writing a trip report right now as our city, state and much of the country are mostly shut down and everyone is staying home in order to avoid spreading and contracting the dreaded Covid-19. I am going to go ahead and complete the post anyway as we will want to look back at it while researching future trips. Because someday, things will return to normal and for a little while while I write this, I'll feel normal, if just for a little bit. So, hopefully, a few friends and family will enjoy the photos and get a little escape from life as we did.
We flew on Alaska Airlines from MSP to SEA and then SEA to PVR. It made for a long travel day, but we used American Airlines miles and we ended up having a row of 3 seats to ourselves on both legs, so the flights were actually quite enjoyable. And service on Alaska was pleasant and efficient. We were very impressed.
Once we landed on Puerto Vallarta we made it through customs and immigration rather quickly, got a taxi and headed for the Hotel Tropicana. Our room was on the side of the building along the side street. They said they could move us the next day however, so we unpacked a few things, changed clothes and headed to La Palapa for drinks
We ended up going to Daiquiri Dicks for dinner. The food and service were both fine. No reservations necessary. After dinner we called it a night and went back to the hotel.
Sunday morning we headed to what is probably our favorite breakfast spot Coco's Kitchen.
After breakfast we walked around town and ran a few errands, made a massage appointments at Venus moon southside spa and headed back for the massages.
Los Muertos Brewing for lunch
We moved rooms, to a beachfront room in the south tower on the 6th floor. It was a decent room with a tiny bathroom, but good enough. After that sat by Tropicana pool for the afternoon.
After the pool we got cleaned up and went on a little happy hour crawl for drinks at Los Otros Blondie's, Twisted Palms and No se nada.
We had made reservations at Cafe de artistes for our anniversary
The food was all beautiful and the service was excellent. It was expensive, but certainly the most upscale place we visited all week.
We stopped at Bar La Playa for one more drink and headed back to hotel.
Monday we had breakfast at Johnny's diner. The hashbrowns were great again.
We sat by the pool at the Tropicana for the day.
lunch at Coco Tropical
After the pool we stopped at Monzon Brewing for a beer. We met Scott and Rena for drinks at Kelly's Pour Favor and headed to Twisted Palms, hoping it was not too packed for Monday's Martini Madness. We got spot right at the bar though- I think were lucky.
After making plans for the next day with Scott and Rena we went to Archie's Wok for dinner. We had a pretty short wait for a table as it was on the later side for dinner.
we shared a couple items
After dinner we went back to hotel and called it a day.
Tuesday we had Pancake House for breakfast.
We met Scott and Rena at the bus stop and took bus and then water taxi to Las Animas to hang out on the beach for the day. Very pretty beach and much quieter than Los Muertos beach. very few vendors and a few boats dropped off tour groups for awhile.
snacks on the beach at Las Animas
We took the bus back to town and headed back to the hotel to shower and change. We decided on dinner at 116 Pulpito. It was fairly early so we found open spots at the bar.
The food was excellent and they take a lot of time to carefully prepare all of the drinks and the food seems to be the same. We were impressed and look forward to going back. Food and service were both great.
We walked around for awhile. The scourge of puppets has invaded Mexico as well. LOL!
Stopped at Blind Tiger for a drink
I had to order the fancy smoked pineapple drink, of course! It was amazing!
After drinks we realized we walked a ton that day and were tired so we took a taxi back to hotel and headed to bed.
Wednesday we went to breakfast at Mi Cafe.
It was very good once more.
We walked back toward the beach, saw a fun sombrero house, had massages at Venus Moon, and sat by the pool at the Tropicana for the rest of the day.
We decided on lunch at Swell Beach club. Tasty!
Evening drinks at Di Vino Dante, Qulture, Pinocho's, and Cafe Roma.
Qulture drinks
We tried the new Poblano's Mexican Kitchen for dinner.
eek, bad photo of John's shrimps!
The service at Poblano's was great, it was pretty empty, and the food was fine, if a little on the expensive side for what it was. We went back to hotel after Poblano's and called it a day.
breakfast at Serrano's Meat House, bagel sandwiches were quite good
hearts on Malecon to promote tourism in Jalisco
During breakfast we decided to do the hike to the cross. Probably should have worn better shoes!
It took about 30 minutes up, steps were scary as heck, great views though and 30 minutes down.
donkeys reside along the road on the way to the cross
lunch at Joe Jack's
We walked around, tried to take bus to El Rio, but it was packed, so we got a taxi instead and saw Trez Quartoz. It was packed, so we just grabbed an open table and made some new friends by the end of the day.
We stopped at Twisted Palms after El Rio.
We went to Las Gueras tacos for dinner. Very affordable, fast service and great tacos.
After tacos we went back to the hotel for bedtime after long day of running around!
Friday we went back to Coco's Kitchen for breakfast.
After breakfast, John got a massage, and I sat on beach in front of Tropicana, with him joining me later.
We went to Derby City Burgers for lunch
La Chachalaca bar for happy hour
Cuates y Cuetes for sunset on beach
We had reservation for Merida Grill dinner on Valentine's day.
It was Yucatan style Mexican food, so it was a little different than the usual for Puerto Vallarta.
La Romantica for Churros for dessert
churro ice cream sandwich
We tried the new Casa Nicole for breakfast then shopped the Old Town Farmers market for awhile.
We sat on beach n front of the Tropicana for the day. I'd say this was the most interesting sight I saw that day. LOL!
lunch at Daiquiri Dick's
We made a couple happy hours stops including the Skybar at Pinnacle and the Swedes. Drinks are Skybar are not great, but the views are fantastic.
We walked to No Se Nada for dinner reservations
No Se Nada was solid as aways. Still highly recommend it!
We had a nightcap at Twisted Palms
We had made reservations for Sunday brunch at Hacienda San Angel some time ago.
The food was plentiful and good quality. I think we liked the Iguana Restaurant brunch a little better however. (We tried that one a couple years ago I think.)
very pretty views
I think we sat by the pool at the hotel for the afternoon and then stopped for churros, by the church. We also stopped at Pinocho's for happy hour.
churro guy
We had reservations at Bravo's for dinner. It was very good once more.
sorry for the bad photo!
All Access for a drink and then back to hotel for the night
Monday we went to Coco's Kitchen for our last visit of the trip.
We had made reservations at El Dorado beach club earlier in the week. We people watched all day basically. After the beach, we got ready and did some shopping, and ended up at Nacho Daddy for some trivia.
Casa Isabel for dinner
I had to have Sexy Coffee at least once. And Casa Isabel delivered. : )
After dinner we grabbed a taxi to Twisted Palms for drinks for Martini Monday.
Tuesday, Mi Cafe breakfast
one last pic from the balcony
Before we left we walked, shopped, packed, and grabbed a taxi to the airport. The flight home was OK, on time and everything. No issues.
We had a wonderful trip to Puerto Vallarta. Hopefully, things go OK down there in the near future and we can return one day.
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