3 Days in Vallarta with kids

Description:

The little sister of Las Palomas, Las Palomas Doradas, offers another version of the excellently prepared food and ambience. Located within the Marina, and surrounded by the yachts, the essence of the place is totally different from its downtown counterpart. The seafood, with a touch of French flavor, and a wonderful selection of desserts, make this terrace restaurant an excellent choice.

Description:

Step upon the beautiful Prince of Whales, Open Air Expeditions' specially designed and equipped whale watching vessel, for an unforgettable learning experience and a whale of a good time. The whale-watching season (from early December through March) drives thousands of visitors each year onto the water. It seems everyone wants to get an up close look at the humpback whales who call the Banderas Bay home every winter. Open Air Expeditions' whale watching tour has earned the respect of the governing bodies that protect marine life for their unerring compliance with laws, as well as for operating the only U.S. Coast Guard-certified whale watching craft in Puerto Vallarta. Your experienced crew will include bi-lingual marine biologists who will teach you about the life and behaviors of the majestic sea mammals who come to the deep waters of Puerto Vallarta each year to mate and calve. If you prefer, Open Expeditions can also arrange dolphin encounters. All tours are designed for small groups and you should plan for up to four hours at sea. Each tour includes fruit, bottled water and snacks

Description:

Kids of all ages love the thrill of going fast and driving in a race. Fun for all and no previous experience necessary! The thousand meter track, featuring super go karts with the ability of braving up to 60 miles per hour, will make the "older" kids' adrenaline rush. And for the smaller "Go Karters," the two hundred meter track with baby karts is sure to be a dynamic hit. So when the sun gets to be too much, cool off with a fast trip around the track!

Our Local Expert Says:

The service at Paradise Burger is friendly, with and English speaking staff, and usually you will get your picture taken in hopes you will buy it posted on the front of a Corona bottle. Aside from the frills, the burgers are the best in town. If you have room the cheese fries are sinful and everyone will love them.

Description:

Traditional juicy cheeseburgers are the specialty at this casual, American restaurant. Originally founded in Hawaii, the restaurant has made a niche for itself by providing American food in tropical locales. At this location, the eatery also serves a gringo-friendly array of Mexican-style specialties. More sophisticated palates will enjoy the Hawaiian style mahi-mahi and Coconut Breaded Shrimp that are also available. Oceanfront views and nightly live music complement the burgers.

Our Local Expert Says:

Casual and fun dining.

Description:

If you love seafood, you'll love "8 Tostadas." Seafood haters on the other hand, should skip this restaurant as they won't find much to nosh on. You'll find a variety of fresh seafood dishes from ceviche to crab enchiladas. It's a casual family restaurant and it closes early (6pm) so make sure you leave enough time to dine if you're going for dinner.

Description:

This casual garden cafe offers inexpensive, traditionally prepared German dishes including Schnitzel Holstein, served with a fried egg and sausages. Several other tasty Schnitzel and German specialties, such as Bratwursts, add flavor-filled options to the menu. The constantly changing selection of German music playing in the background makes a perfect backdrop for trying one of the many varieties of German and Mexican beers. The dress code is casual, but don't push it; beachwear is not permitted.

Our Local Expert Says:

After highway 200 twists up into the mountain foothills you will find Chico's Paradise along a wonderful jungle river. The restaurant is built on a great swimming hole, so bring your bathing suits and towels. There is also a 30 minute loop hike through the jungle, the waiters will show you the road. Chico's is best known for their seafood.

Description:

Located about thirty minutes from downtown Vallarta, the trip to Chico's takes you through the Sierra Madre Mountains, arriving at a jungle paradise, with a beautiful river with natural pools in which you can relax and enjoy the day. The restaurant has an excellent view of the river and mountains, and the traditional Mexican food, including guacamole, ceviche and spicy shrimp, will make everyone happy.

Description:

Pipis is a popular restaurant in the El Centro part of Puerto Vallarta. They are known for their fajitas and for preparing guacamole tableside. The location is within walking distance to the Malecon, back a few streets from the water. While the view isn't much to look at, there's plenty of people watching if you get a table by the windows.

The menu has a variety of Mexican favorites and there's a full bar. The margaritas are delicious and a good value.

Our Local Expert Says:

The best time to go is on a warm evening to swim and watch the sunset and nightly pirate ship fireworks; you cannot beat bobbing in the waves and watching the sun disappear below the horizon.

Description:

Spreading out at the foot of the Conchas China, a neighborhood often referred to as the Beverly Hills of Puerto Vallarta, is one of the most dramatic beaches adorning Banderas Bay. Conchas Chinas is a fifteen-minute cab ride from Puerto Vallarta's "old town", just enough distance to keep away the thundering crowds and the beach vendors who follow them. A jungle of tropical plants and ancient trees embraces the beach and the beach is home to a variety of bird species. The solitude, the natural beauty of the jungle, the aqua sky and the clear, sparkling sea, makes Playa Conchas Chinas a perfect spot for a romantic picnic, or a long afternoon with a good book and a bottle of wine. Unlike the long stretch of sand and gentle surf at other Puerto Vallarta beaches, Conchas Chinas is a jigsaw puzzle of white sand patches separated by looming rock formations and intriguing tide pools full of teeming marine life.

Our Local Expert Says:

During the rainy season the waterfalls are spectacular and swimming holes are abundant. Remember to bring your insect repellent, the jungle is dense behind the small beach town and mosquitoes and no-see-ems come out in full force during the night.

Description:

If you want to get an idea of what Puerto Vallarta was like in the distant past, you can hop a water taxi at Boca de Tomatlan or from the Fisherman's Pier in Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa and find out. Yelapa is only accessible by boat and only in the last few years was it connected to the local power grid. There are no cars, no massive hotel complexes or large groups of tourists here.

If you are staying for the day, hop the taxi in the morning. You can take a hike or horseback ride up to the waterfall, eat at one of few beachfront palapa-style restaurants and then spend the day sunning and swimming in the gentle waters of the cove (albeit among the fishing boats that tie up there). There are a few shops and vendors if you want to take home a souvenir and there are a few hotels/guesthouses too if you want to spend the night. The one thing you cannot miss is a giant slice of pie from the roving pie ladies of Yelapa. It's the best you've ever had.

Description:

Mismaloya deserves the credit (although some say they deserve the blame) for the tourism boom in Puerto Vallarta. In 1963, John Huston chose this almost inaccessible, deserted beach as the set for his award winning film, The Night of the Iguana. The movie made Vallarta famous, but the set, sadly, was soon forgotten. However, Mismaloya is still worth the 6-mile drive from downtown. Not only is it a sweet little beach perfect for chilling out, it has a killer view of the famous Los Arcos sea rocks (a favorite destination for snorkelers and scuba divers). If you want to go to Los Arcos, there are plenty of boats available for hire. But before you board a boat and get too far away from the mango margaritas, consider snorkeling right off the beach where the crystal clear water is teeming with gaily painted tropical fish. There are also plenty of good restaurants competing for your business, many of them offering beach chairs and umbrellas.

Description:

A visit to the Cuale Waterfalls may not be for everyone, as you need to be a nature lover willing to trek for about four hours to get there. Those making the trek will be rewarded with a dip in the pools that have formed below the beautiful waterfalls. Those who do not wish to walk can enjoy the adventure on horseback. The ride takes you through some of the most beautiful Sierra Madre scenery, with views of some serene and untouched beaches along the way. Guided tours are available.

Description:

Puerto Vallarta, rapidly emerging as one of the finest art centers in Mexico, is home to scores of acclaimed local and international artists who display their work locally and worldwide. Each year dozens of these artists open their home and studio doors to tours so art lovers can have the unique experience of seeing an artist hard at work. During the tour, the artists encourage visitors to ask questions about their work and allow you to experience, first hand, the artistic process and methods that goes into each piece. Some of the artists conduct classes in their studios, on a very limited basis. The four-hour guided tours typically include three to five studio visits. The artists for each tour vary but rest assured that they are hand-chosen and organized by your knowledgeable guide, Garry Thompson, owner of the Galeria Pacifica. Garry an avid art enthusiast, and likes nothing more than sharing his passion for art and knowledge of the artists you will meet. The Artists Studio tours are available only on Mondays and run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Reservations are required as space is limited.

Our Local Expert Says:

An excellent day or overnight trip. You will feel transported back in time. Pick up some local organic Nayarit coffee from the coffee roaster there.

Description:

Just a short two hour drive from Puerto Vallarta lies San Sebastian, a tiny mountain village dating back to the 17th century, when it was a prosperous silver mining town. The mines closed over one hundred years ago, but the town retains its colonial heritage and provides visitors an opportunity to experience the traditional ways of living and working in a remote Mexican village. San Sebastian remains largely unspoiled because until recently it was nearly impossible to get there on roads that were treacherous at best, and little more than donkey trails and washed out bridges at worst. In 2004 a modern highway was completed, linking San Sebastian to the Pacific coast of Mexico. Today San Sebastian is one of the most popular day trips from Puerto Vallarta. If you don't want to drive, there are many tours that will get you there safely, including a light plane excursion. As an emerging tourist destination, you will find hotels built in old haciendas, on-going festivals, great restaurants, a town square and, of course, the obligatory church for you to explore.