Puerta Vallarta

Thinking of taking a mini-vacation there soon. Any recomondations? Is the
diving worth the effort of brining all my gear down with me?

Thanks,

Dave

"DGL" <dlitz2@cox.net> wrote in message
news:zciKb.17856$7D3.16161@fed1read02...
> Thinking of taking a mini-vacation there soon. Any recomondations? Is the
> diving worth the effort of brining all my gear down with me?


I would say "no", based on two efforts myself over the years. I didn't go
there on scuba vacations but did take in a couple dives each time and found
it wonting in both cases. I love the area but think it best suited for
relaxing in the sun and sand.

By the way....if going to this area think about avoiding Puerto Vallarta and
instead booking accommodations in Nuevo Vallarta (about a 20 minute drive
from PV). Better beach, less people, newer resorts etc etc. If you want the
night life of PV you can still get there quickly via cab fare of $15.00 US.
I like the Riu for a mid to upper level resort that runs like a top and
doesn't try to sell you a timeshare. Great pools, splendid beach and very
nice rooms. There are also another 3 or 4 resorts at NV.

Another note:
I had two credit cards burned during my last visit to the tune of about 8
grand. Of course I got all the charges reversed and got my money replaced in
my cash card account, but I won't use a credit type card in PV again. Both
my bank and AmEx told me PV has become a hotbed for waiters and store clerks
recording card numbers and selling them to others who actually *make*
another credit card and go out on quick buying binges.

I can't be sure of both places that burned my cards but I only used the AmEx
at Mickey's No Name Sports Bar. So I know they were the one's who got that
number and sold it. Get this though: the waiter took my card, disappeared,
came back, returned my AmEx and asked for a VISA or MC because they accept
take AmEx. That was the only time I used that AmEx on the whole trip. A week
after returning AmEx called to say some suspicious charges were showing up.

I guess one could say Mickey's doesn't take AmEx but they do indeed *take*
AmEx :^)

One recommendation - stay away from Chico's. They are the primary tourist
dive/snorkel operation in PV. Their dive master's are not safe and their
equipment is shabby. It's been awhile so I don't remember who the other
operators are. I believe that most of the operators dive out of Marina
Vallarta which is a short ride north from PV. There are only about 3 or 4 dive
spots in the Bay. Best time to dive PV, in my opinion, is the winter months as
the Bay of Banderous is full of Pacific manta's and humback whales. See what
you can do about getting with an operator that only will take divers as most
will take snorkelers and divers.

The diving is not as good as watching the average freshwater fishtank.

IMHO, of course...

On Mon, 5 Jan 2004 10:40:37 -0800, "DGL" <dlitz2@cox.net> wrote:

>Thinking of taking a mini-vacation there soon. Any recomondations? Is the
>diving worth the effort of brining all my gear down with me?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Dave
>

Bob C
rcantor@@attdaughtnet
remove the oblivious

It's been many years. I enjoyed the dive, but it was mediocre. The
visibility wasn't great.

Bring the snorkeling gear. Do a dive, rent the rest of the gear.

Now Cabo San Lucas on the other hand was terrific by comparison. Especially
seeing a large manta ray!


"Bob C." <r.cantor@sbcglobal.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:fq99001kej8gup14kkauliklqpi95m7tnk@4ax.com...
> The diving is not as good as watching the average freshwater fishtank.
>
> IMHO, of course...
>
> On Mon, 5 Jan 2004 10:40:37 -0800, "DGL" <dlitz2@cox.net> wrote:
>
> >Thinking of taking a mini-vacation there soon. Any recomondations? Is
the
> >diving worth the effort of brining all my gear down with me?
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >Dave
> >
>
> Bob C
> rcantor@@attdaughtnet
> remove the oblivious