NUEVO VALLARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Where to Eat - Click here for price key

The following restaurants are in Nuevo Vallarta. There are many other good restaurants north in Bucerías and south in the Marina Vallarta area.

Claudio's Meson Bay ($$, Prol. Benito Juárez 100, near Los Tigres golf club, tel. 322/297-6037) is another version of the popular beachfront restaurant in Bucerías. Marimba musicians sometimes play during the lunch or dinner hour.

After years at their successful Pitillal location, Florentino Carvajal and his family opened Tino's ($$--$$$, entrance road to Nuevo Vallarta, Km 1.2, Las Jarretaderas, tel. 322/297-0221), overlooking the Amecas River. It's a family-friendly location, popular with local people, and specializing in seafood.

La Porteña ($$$$, Blvd. Nayarit Poniente 250, by El Tigre golf course, tel. 322/297-4950) serves steaks and Argentine dishes. Closed Monday.

Guests from Sea Garden Hotel rave about the new Tapas Quixote ($$$--$$$$, Ave. 16 de Septiembre at Paseo de la Marina, tel. 322/297-5455), overlooking the marina near the Mayan Village and Paradise Village hotels. Open 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner.

Stuff to Do/ Shopping

It is easy to arrange fishing or bay cruises at Nuevo Vallarta's own Paradise Village Marina, Marina Vallarta,, or through the

Sociedad Corral del Risco, in Punta de Mita. For excursions and outdoor adventures, Vallarta Adventures (Paseo de las Palmas 39, Nuevo Vallarta, Tel 322/297-1212, www.vallarta-adventures.com) offers some of the most dependable tours in the area as well as a zip line canopy tour through the trees.

For tailor-made or off-the-rack men's resort wear in linen or cotton, visit Ruly's (Tel 322/297-1724) at the south end of Nuevo Vallarta in the Paradise Plaza mall.

The closest cinema is the new 12-plex at Liverpool Mall (Ave. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2920, Marina Vallarta, Tel 322/226-2200), which also has sit-down restaurants, a food court, and plenty of high-end shopping.

North of Nuevo Vallarta in Bucerías, the Mercado de Artesanías is a typical maze of vendors selling knickknacks, T-shirts, shell necklaces, and other good souvenirs. You can walk to Bucerías unobstructed along the beach, although it's several miles.

Just north of Bucerías, in the fishing town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Hikuri (Calle Coral 66, Tel 329/295-5071) sells lovely, symbolic yarn paintings by the Huichol Indians as well as prayer sticks with owl or hawk feathers, and crosses to ward off the evil eye as well as beaded bowls, jewelry and decorative items, and T-shirts with Huichol designs.

Also in La Cruz, Philo's (Calle Delfin 15, Tel 329/295-5068, www.philosbar.com) has live rock or blues most nights in high season, as well as Spanish classes twice a week. See their website for details.

Golf

Los Flamingos Country Club (Carr. 200 Km. 145, tel. 329/296-5006, www.flamingosgolf.com.mx) charges around $140 in high season for 18 holes. It was renovated in 2008.

El Tigre (Paseo Cocoteros 18, tel. 322/297-0773, www.eltigregolf.com) has lots of water features and charges about the same as Los Flamingos. Currently being redone, Mayan Palace (Paseo de las Moras s/n, Fraccionamiento Naútico Turístico, tel. 322/226-4000) is a Jack Nicklaus course.

Getting Around

Central Camionera (Puerto Vallarta Km 9, Mojoneras, across from Puerto Vallarta's airport) is the central bus station for the area. Long distance bus lines serving the region include TAP (tel. 322/290-0119) and ETN (tel. 322/290-0997). For transportation between Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and points north like Punta de Mita and Sayulita, use the inexpensive gray ATM buses that run along main highways.

Tourist Information

Nuevo Vallarta Tourism Office is on the main road, Paseo de los Cocoteros, at Blvd. Nuevo Vallarta (between the Marival and Gran Velas hotels), tells. 322/297-1006 or 322/297-0180.

Where to Stay Click here for price key

Nuevo Vallarta

Grand Mayan Wyndham Resort ($$$$, tel. 877/999-3223 US/Canada reservations)

• Profile: A Wyndham Alliance Resort, the Grand Mayan offers lavish amenities in an ambiance of "seaside allure and outdoor adventure." Each room has its own private Jacuzzi. Two restaurants and a wine bar. 499 guest rooms and suites.
• Recreational facilities: 5,000 square-foot wave pool with a flume slide, kids' club with indoor and outdoor activities, lazy river pool, spa, fitness center and 18-hole championship golf course.

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort ($$$$, tel. 877/398-2784 US reservations, 322/226-8000 local; www.grandvelas.com)

• Profile: As a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this beachfront hotel redefines the all-inclusive experience. There are five restaurants---three of which (French, Italian and Mexican cuisine) are recipients of the AAA Four Diamond Award and feature a la carte menus. Its conference center accommodates up to 600 people for a meeting or 800 for a reception. 267 guest suites.
• Recreational facilities: Full-service spa, boutique, beauty salon, tennis courts, water sports equipment, two pools, gym, outdoor Jacuzzi.

Paradise Village Resort ($$$$, tel. 322/226-6770, www.paradisevillage.com)

• Profile: At the south end of Nuevo Vallarta by the Paradise Plaza mall, this timeshare and hotel property is popular with golfers who play the adjacent El Tigre Golf Course. Another feature of the resort is the Paradise Village Marina, with bay excursions and game fishing. Nine restaurants offer everything from seafood to Italian food, and there are five bars. Deluxe conference center and meeting rooms. 700 guest suites.
• Recreational facilities: El Tigre golf course, excellent day spa, pool, deep sea fishing, shopping.

Sea Garden (http://www.seagarden.com.mx/sea-garden/nuevo-vallarta/)

• Profile: The Sea Garden advertises affordable rates "without sacrificing the element of contemporary comfort." Each room (396 square feet) has an ocean view; family suites measure 705 square feet. Guests can use the amenities of the neighboring Mayan Palace, although additional charges may apply. 180 guest rooms.
• Recreational Facilities: Swimming pool, entertainment center, and golf course.

Vallarta Palace ($$$$, www.palaceresorts.com)

• Profile: Rooms have marble bath with tub, Farouk® bath amenities, and digital safe large enough for a laptop. Spacious conference and meeting spaces are available, including the 6,300 square-foot Nayarit Ballroom. Four restaurants, a snack bar and three bars. 348 guest rooms.
• Recreational facilities: Two swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, water sports, gym, tennis court, day spa, beauty salon and children's club.

Flamingos (north end of Nuevo Vallarta)

Hotel Riu Vallarta ($$$$, http://www.riu.com)

• Profile: Opened in 2006 on the north end of Nuevo Vallarta, near Bucerías. Four restaurants and five bars, including a swim-up bar. Two meeting rooms. 550 guest rooms.
• Recreational facilites: Kid's club, two swimming pools, spa, gym, hair salon, and a nightclub.

Villa La Estancia ($$$$, tel. 877/845-5247 US/Canada, 01800/823-4488 Mexico; www.villagroupresorts.com)

• Profile: This seaside resort is home to Tatewari Day Spa. Two restaurants, including one featuring Kobe and Angus beef. Guests can also employ the services of a private chef for in-villa dining. Conference center equipped with the latest technology. 245 spacious guest suites.
• Recreational facilities: Bi-level pool with waterfall and swim-up bar, Tatewari Spa, babysitting, adjacent golf course, and kids' club.