Puerto Vallarta attracts all kinds of visitors because it offers a wide range of distractions; honestly, if you can’t find something that suits your fancy, you’re not trying. At first glance, the city might seem to cater to Party People, who come to town primarily to enjoy the action at Los Muertos beach and long nights spent clubbing. There is much more to this place than stereotypical tourist pursuits, though, and when you find a gem, you’ll never want to leave your Puerto Vallarta vacation rental.

Puerto Vallarta the Way the Locals Like It
For example, you can sign on with a big tour operator and spend a day snorkeling in the clear waters of Banderas Bay in the company of strangers – perfectly nice people, but strangers nonetheless. Or, you can contact Reinhard Dressler and reserve a place on one of his boutique eco-snorkeling expeditions for your family and friends. He lets folks know up front that he’s not running a party barge; on the contrary, this is serious snorkeling, with good equipment and lessons for beginners.

Or think about this one as another example: you need to make a shopping excursion to pick up groceries for this evening’s gourmet dinner at your Puerto Vallarta vacation rental. Sure, you can take your plastic money and cruise the crowded aisles at Costco or Wal-Mart, shopping for those very special things . . . that you can pick up at home. As an alternative, why not pick up your supplies from a few of the small, public markets in town. For instance, in the early morning hours, pay a visit to the fish market (it’s really just a stall) next to Rizo’s Grocery at 136 Constitucion to pick out fresh seafood; they sell some of the best fresh shrimp in town.

And then there’s the “romantic sunset cruise” issue. Yes, you can reserve a spot for yourself and your dearly beloved on one of the large, modern craft operated by one of the area’s large, commercial vendors. It may be hard to tell before you embark, however, whether you’ve set yourself up for a night spent in the company of the aforementioned Party People on an infamous “booze cruise,” or if your romantic evening will include a herd of other people’s children. As an alternative, find a safe and attractive private boat to charter; ask the captain to take you out on the bay and leave you and your amour in peace to enjoy the sunset and each other’s company.