First time to PV/Nuevo Vallarta

Hi all!
I am just looking for any advice etc for my trip to PV (actually staying in Nuevo Vallarta at the Villa Del Plamar Flamingos).

Has anyone stayed here?

Is it best to exchange a few dollars here in the US first for a bus or taxi to the hotel? Or should/could I exchange at the airport a few dollars? Just looking for the best logical way to do this. I never even thought of converting my dollars over to pesos until I got on the forum so MUCHOS GRACIAS to you all that talked about it!

From reading the posts it seems bus is pretty easy to navigate and cheap. Is it possible to go from the airport to my hotel via bus, or would it be faster to take a taxi. Not sure about renting a car if I plan on being on the beach most of the time.

Although I do want to potch and wander through downtown PV as well.

Wsa thinking about the small island tours but from some reads I dont think I will be happy with it. Going to look for some hiking to do without a \"guide\" showing me...map yes, personal guide no. :)

Any thoughts and advice is much appreciated and I cant wait to get there!!! :D

Thanks for the information so far I really appreciate it and it helps!

I did think the same about the bus situation from the airport to the hotel and luggage and people so will probably opt for a taxi. Thanks for telling me to cross the bridge first to get one instead of right out of the airport!

Like the fact that dollars for the taxi is ok as well! :D I have read the Cambios in the airport give decent rates on the currency exchange, think I will check with my works credit union and Bank of America to exchange some before I go just to have on hand.

I have been reading also that places in Nuevo dont rent chairs to sit on the beach...does everyone go to Walmart or the Mega and buy them then? I have heard to bring my own soft pillow too, LOL will definitely do that.

Anything else anyone can think of bringing besudes my camera my swimsuit let me know. We get in at 3 or 4 in the afternoon Wed and leave the following Monday, I want to make sure to see things as well as have it be relaxing!

Are Las Caletas and the Marietas Islands worth going to and seeing. I read some negative comments about how its so scheduled about when you can and cant do things...cant I just take a water taxi there and do my own thing?

Is the Los Murietas beach where I read to get a water taxi close to Nuevo Vallarta?

I am so excited to go!

You will get Mexican currency from a Mexican ATM - remember the exchange rate when you withdraw - $20 US is around $240 pesos .

OMG it just keeps getting better! Thanks Smitty! and thanks for not laughing at that question, LOL!

Laura,
Just remember when you take the money out of the ATM you are taking it out in pesos and not dollars, so if you entered $100.00 you would only get the equivalent of a little over $10.00 US, depending on the exchange rate that day. If you wanted the equivalent of $100 US you will have to put in $1000.00. I still use the 10 to 1 just for the ease of doing it in my head. $1.00 US = 10 pesos, now that it is 13 or 14 something $1.00 US equals $1.30/1.40 something in pesos.

Just wanted to warn you, you should have seen the look on my face the first time I tired to take $100.00 out and I got 100 pesos. :o Then I went :roll: well stupid how do you feel! :D

OMG thank you for that I can jsut see us out drinking and getting a bill thinking holy buckets we drank more than we thought...that is funny I can justsee that expression everyone has the first time without being informed of it!

I think I will still be stumped at converting and remembering how much to take out of the atm, guess more is better right!

Has anyone done any of the deep sea fishing tours? My bf wants to try that while I want to do the whale watching and the Las Caletas Island.

Ten more days till we depart...I think we are already hooked and planning to come back next year!