We started with two nights at the Westin Puerto Vallarta
It had fancy beach cabanas, but you had to pay $100 a day for them...
We decided to sit by the pool instead
Dan read, and I napped
Nearby in Marina Vallarta, a kind of sad little marina/ shopping area
Enjoying wonderful Mexican cuisine at El Arrayan
La Paroquia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, the Cathedral in downtown Puerto Vallarta
Enjoying a sunset stroll on the Malecon
Sculptures are all along the Malecon. This one, In Search of Reason, by Sergio Bustamente.
In downtown Puerto Vallarta
Puppies guarding their home from their balcony!
Our anniversary dinner at Cafe Des Artistes
They placed rose petals on our table in celebration of our special day...I made the design :)
In downton Puerto Vallarta
We happened to be in PV during a major art festival: Arte Contemporaneo
Back along the Malecon
Another sculpture: La Nostalgia, by Ramiz Barquet
After two nights, we moved to the InterContinental Presidente, about 15 minutes south of the city
The view from our room was incredible.
On the beach in front of the InterContinental
The view of the pool and beach from our room
In the pool at the InterContinental
Dan learned how to play tennis!
We took a daytrip, starting with taking the bus to Boca de Tomatlan and trying to find a water taxi.
We enjoyed a tasty Mexican breakfast on the beach in Boca, while we waited for our 11am water taxi.
On our water taxi, speeding by the beach of Quimixto
We passed the famous (and heavily promoted) pirate ship...they seem to think a lot of people want to go on a pirate adventure?!
Our destination for the day, the quaint fishing village of Yelapa
On the beach in Yelapa, where only ~100 Mexican families live -- and can access only by boat
A number of tourists visit each day, and relax at one of Yelapa's beach restaurants
We decided to attempt a hike to the (supposedly) nearby waterfalls
After 2 hours, we never found the waterfalls -- but enjoyed views of the valley
We passed a number of humble homes, this was our favorite: horse, shack, satellite dish?!
Finally back at the beach, cooling off in the ocean...
...and enjoying lunch at Chico's!
Enjoying dinner at Cafe de Olla, more fantastic Mexican food
We went in search of tequila, but Mama Lucia was closed...
...so we ended up next door at Sr. Tequila instead...
On the beach in Mismaloya, where the 1963 film "The Night of the Iguana" was filmed (Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton)
The view of downtown PV from back at the InterContinental
On the bridge to the Isla Rio Cuale, in downtown Puerto Vallarta
On Isla Rio Cuale
Playa Olas Altas, on the southern edge of the city of Puerto Vallarta
Our final dinner at Daquiri Dick's
The best sunset of our whole trip
Enjoying the Pescado Vallarta...how am I supposed to eat this thing?
Final sunset, end to a great trip.
