Las Palmas By The Sea ~ March 11 – 25, 2006
Our fifth trip to Puerto Vallarta was much anticipated as it was just the two of us and it was for two glorious weeks to kick back and relax, soak up the sun and wiggle our toes in the sand.
Our plane was 45 minutes late leaving Edmonton due to the snowstorm and the need to de-ice. I was mentally prepared for a delay but hubby wasn’t so he was a little cantankerous; that’s always fun. It’s not so bad leaving late but it is when you’re stuck on the airplane waiting. We flew Air Transat but wished we had booked with West Jet for a little more ass and legroom. Our flight was excellent with hardly a bump. My good God is the Vallarta airport a zoo or what? Mid afternoon arrival and every time-share (oh, pardon me “vacation rental”) vulture and cabby were there to attempt to bilk me of my last nickel. I found the lighting poor and couldn’t read the name tag on the guy’s shirt that ‘nabbed’ us but once things got focused I could see Mayan Palace (need I say more) and when I grinned at the guy and prepared to redneck out on him he got the hint. Can you tell I was in need of a holiday! We finally located the area we needed to be in and got on our transfer bus and were on our way.
Las Palmas, in the hotel zone, is a short jaunt and we were settling into our room in a flash. Our room was on the third floor overlooking the activity pool with a bird’s eye view of the restaurant and of course the ocean. It was perfect. The surf was loud and it kind of freaked me out at night. We changed into our shorts and got rid of those wool socks; I felt naked. Typical 3 star hotel; clean but nothing fancy, rock-hard bed, resident gecko in our room (kind of cool during the day but when I thought about it at night I was totally freaked out). Our maid was an angel of mercy. After a few days she laid out a foam mattress topper for us – I couldn’t believe it; I guess it pays to tip the maid every day after all. She really looked after us – always had clean towels and extra towels and the floor was always mopped. The walls were paper-thin. You could actually hear the neighbor turn on the light, cough, sneeze, talk, laugh – you get the idea. There were macaws caged up by the one restaurant so we didn’t need an alarm clock, which I didn’t mind at all. I can’t say we were overly impressed with the accommodations. We did have a balcony, which was nice but there was no privacy wall. But, it’s just a place to sleep and dry the bathing suit so it was all good. Then we went down to scout the place out. Two words to describe: SPRING BREAK. The place was an absolute madhouse. We were hating it. Luckily there was an adult pool and believe me it got used! After the first week the spring breakers basically left and it was just your average tourist there and we were able to see how the hotel really runs - very smoothly and very friendly. They don’t bring in extra help just because the occupancy is higher. Towards the end of the second week the place was only half full and we got outstanding service!
Here’s what I enjoyed most about our hotel. Front desk staff were very efficient, spoke fluent english and were more than willing to go the extra mile to help us out. All the staff are friendly, helpful and make you feel very welcome. 5:00 p.m. is Mexican Tea Time almost every day and even though I don’t drink I really enjoyed this activity! Who would have thought that alcohol and whipped cream could be so good? I loved that our hotel was on the beach. We had our own personal group of salespeople to greet us every time we stepped out onto the sand. Some people find this aggravating but I love it. Where else can you be so relaxed and having fun at the same time as having silver, sandals, dresses, beads, carvings, masks, shades, t-shirts etc. etc. etc. brought over to you to check out? What’s not to love? I get a real charge out of all the vendors. I like to watch them interact with each other and with tourists. The hotel has beach activities staff and of course the jetski and parasail people are all part of a group of people to make sure we all have a great time. I think it’s cool when their families come down to have a picnic lunch with them on the beach while they work. One day the parasail guy brought his little girl with him for the day – she hung out in the roped off area with us vacationites. It’s just so laid-back and refreshing. It’s also wonderful that you can have an in depth conversation with some of these folks without the hassle of having to buy something. I’m finding every time we go back that more and more locals are speaking fluent english. The food was okay, excellent, weird, disgusting, good…you just never knew from one day to the next what to expect! We only had one dinner out so that says a lot. The hotel also books excursions so that was handy. Had a little store and if you are so inclined to use the internet on your holiday they had a couple computers upstairs. Go out the hotel to the end of the entrance and catch the bus to wherever! I loved the location. Close enough to everything (marina, airport, downtown). What I didn’t like was the rock hard bed but I can’t whine about it because all I had to do was go to Walmart and buy a foam topper but the maid took care of that for me. I didn’t like having to share my vacation with spring breakers but I can’t whine about that either because if I had done my research I would have known that Las Palmas promotes itself to this hardy bunch of loud seasoned drinkers. I didn’t like the time-share presentation people but I can’t really whine about that either because I went willingly. We really wanted to know how RCI works. Who the hell cares when you’re on vacation – read all about it on the internet when you get home; that “free” blanket only costs $5 – buy your own. Live and learn. We enjoyed this hotel and would recommend it to people looking for an affordable vacation. It really does have everything you need. One side is time-share (over the adult pool north side) and one side is regular units (over the activity pool south side). There are a couple of really nice rooms on the south side that face the ocean – those are the rooms to have if you want total privacy but it could get lonely. I should mention the shows – we only watched one and only because it was outside around the activity pool and we watched it from our balcony. It was a Mexican Fiesta show – very quaint, cute – remember it’s a small hotel but they did end the show with fireworks which was totally awesome. We’re early risers and were in our room by 9 or so every night. It’s kind of weird. We’re usually up til 11 at home but on vacation we may have seen 11 twice!
Went on two excursions. I recommend both. The first was the El Eden Canopy Tour. I’ve heard the Veronas is better and when we go back we’re doing it. I was totally terrified but I did it anyways and am so happy we did. It was well worth it to soar above the canopy and look way way down – very thrilling. Note that you’re not allowed to bring your stuff with you like a camera. They make you stow everything in a locker. They take a picture during the first zip line for $8 and also video the whole thing (not sure how much) but I wasn’t there to take pictures. At the end they had cold beer and water and even though I don’t drink I went for the beer because I felt I had earned it!!! Then off to the Tequila tasting place. Good to know how to drink it properly…the coffee flavored tequila is to die for. I wanted to buy some for $35 USD but then I don’t drink….(hee hee hee). Anyways the other excursion was the Las Caletas day tour. This was such a wonderful day. Vallarta Adventures entertained and educated us on the 1 ½ hour catameran drive out passing by the entire Vallarta coastline and Los Arcos. The meal on the beach was fresh and awesome (chicken, beans, potatoes, paella not to mention the deserts). You could snorkel, snorkel with the sea lion, kayak, chill on the beach, swim, jungle walk, spa, hammocks, do nothing, monkey, birds. Great adventure with kids but again not nearly long enough! It was only 45 minutes to get back. They always leave you wanting a little more and that’s what draws us back year after year.
We took the city bus several times (such brave souls). I dubbed the driver of bus #99 as Tony Stewart. Even ended up out at Ixtapa one afternoon in search of a restaurant called Mauricios, which is along the way to Ixtapa. That’s where the locals feast on shrimp we hear. We found it but it was closed on Monday! Oh well, next time.
We did a lot of relaxing by the pool and ocean, reading and napping this holiday. Two weeks isn’t long enough for lazy tourists like us to do everything we wanted to so I guess we’ll have to go back again! The flight home was a half hour early arriving, nice touch!
Our fifth trip to Puerto Vallarta was much anticipated as it was just the two of us and it was for two glorious weeks to kick back and relax, soak up the sun and wiggle our toes in the sand.
Our plane was 45 minutes late leaving Edmonton due to the snowstorm and the need to de-ice. I was mentally prepared for a delay but hubby wasn’t so he was a little cantankerous; that’s always fun. It’s not so bad leaving late but it is when you’re stuck on the airplane waiting. We flew Air Transat but wished we had booked with West Jet for a little more ass and legroom. Our flight was excellent with hardly a bump. My good God is the Vallarta airport a zoo or what? Mid afternoon arrival and every time-share (oh, pardon me “vacation rental”) vulture and cabby were there to attempt to bilk me of my last nickel. I found the lighting poor and couldn’t read the name tag on the guy’s shirt that ‘nabbed’ us but once things got focused I could see Mayan Palace (need I say more) and when I grinned at the guy and prepared to redneck out on him he got the hint. Can you tell I was in need of a holiday! We finally located the area we needed to be in and got on our transfer bus and were on our way.
Las Palmas, in the hotel zone, is a short jaunt and we were settling into our room in a flash. Our room was on the third floor overlooking the activity pool with a bird’s eye view of the restaurant and of course the ocean. It was perfect. The surf was loud and it kind of freaked me out at night. We changed into our shorts and got rid of those wool socks; I felt naked. Typical 3 star hotel; clean but nothing fancy, rock-hard bed, resident gecko in our room (kind of cool during the day but when I thought about it at night I was totally freaked out). Our maid was an angel of mercy. After a few days she laid out a foam mattress topper for us – I couldn’t believe it; I guess it pays to tip the maid every day after all. She really looked after us – always had clean towels and extra towels and the floor was always mopped. The walls were paper-thin. You could actually hear the neighbor turn on the light, cough, sneeze, talk, laugh – you get the idea. There were macaws caged up by the one restaurant so we didn’t need an alarm clock, which I didn’t mind at all. I can’t say we were overly impressed with the accommodations. We did have a balcony, which was nice but there was no privacy wall. But, it’s just a place to sleep and dry the bathing suit so it was all good. Then we went down to scout the place out. Two words to describe: SPRING BREAK. The place was an absolute madhouse. We were hating it. Luckily there was an adult pool and believe me it got used! After the first week the spring breakers basically left and it was just your average tourist there and we were able to see how the hotel really runs - very smoothly and very friendly. They don’t bring in extra help just because the occupancy is higher. Towards the end of the second week the place was only half full and we got outstanding service!
Here’s what I enjoyed most about our hotel. Front desk staff were very efficient, spoke fluent english and were more than willing to go the extra mile to help us out. All the staff are friendly, helpful and make you feel very welcome. 5:00 p.m. is Mexican Tea Time almost every day and even though I don’t drink I really enjoyed this activity! Who would have thought that alcohol and whipped cream could be so good? I loved that our hotel was on the beach. We had our own personal group of salespeople to greet us every time we stepped out onto the sand. Some people find this aggravating but I love it. Where else can you be so relaxed and having fun at the same time as having silver, sandals, dresses, beads, carvings, masks, shades, t-shirts etc. etc. etc. brought over to you to check out? What’s not to love? I get a real charge out of all the vendors. I like to watch them interact with each other and with tourists. The hotel has beach activities staff and of course the jetski and parasail people are all part of a group of people to make sure we all have a great time. I think it’s cool when their families come down to have a picnic lunch with them on the beach while they work. One day the parasail guy brought his little girl with him for the day – she hung out in the roped off area with us vacationites. It’s just so laid-back and refreshing. It’s also wonderful that you can have an in depth conversation with some of these folks without the hassle of having to buy something. I’m finding every time we go back that more and more locals are speaking fluent english. The food was okay, excellent, weird, disgusting, good…you just never knew from one day to the next what to expect! We only had one dinner out so that says a lot. The hotel also books excursions so that was handy. Had a little store and if you are so inclined to use the internet on your holiday they had a couple computers upstairs. Go out the hotel to the end of the entrance and catch the bus to wherever! I loved the location. Close enough to everything (marina, airport, downtown). What I didn’t like was the rock hard bed but I can’t whine about it because all I had to do was go to Walmart and buy a foam topper but the maid took care of that for me. I didn’t like having to share my vacation with spring breakers but I can’t whine about that either because if I had done my research I would have known that Las Palmas promotes itself to this hardy bunch of loud seasoned drinkers. I didn’t like the time-share presentation people but I can’t really whine about that either because I went willingly. We really wanted to know how RCI works. Who the hell cares when you’re on vacation – read all about it on the internet when you get home; that “free” blanket only costs $5 – buy your own. Live and learn. We enjoyed this hotel and would recommend it to people looking for an affordable vacation. It really does have everything you need. One side is time-share (over the adult pool north side) and one side is regular units (over the activity pool south side). There are a couple of really nice rooms on the south side that face the ocean – those are the rooms to have if you want total privacy but it could get lonely. I should mention the shows – we only watched one and only because it was outside around the activity pool and we watched it from our balcony. It was a Mexican Fiesta show – very quaint, cute – remember it’s a small hotel but they did end the show with fireworks which was totally awesome. We’re early risers and were in our room by 9 or so every night. It’s kind of weird. We’re usually up til 11 at home but on vacation we may have seen 11 twice!
Went on two excursions. I recommend both. The first was the El Eden Canopy Tour. I’ve heard the Veronas is better and when we go back we’re doing it. I was totally terrified but I did it anyways and am so happy we did. It was well worth it to soar above the canopy and look way way down – very thrilling. Note that you’re not allowed to bring your stuff with you like a camera. They make you stow everything in a locker. They take a picture during the first zip line for $8 and also video the whole thing (not sure how much) but I wasn’t there to take pictures. At the end they had cold beer and water and even though I don’t drink I went for the beer because I felt I had earned it!!! Then off to the Tequila tasting place. Good to know how to drink it properly…the coffee flavored tequila is to die for. I wanted to buy some for $35 USD but then I don’t drink….(hee hee hee). Anyways the other excursion was the Las Caletas day tour. This was such a wonderful day. Vallarta Adventures entertained and educated us on the 1 ½ hour catameran drive out passing by the entire Vallarta coastline and Los Arcos. The meal on the beach was fresh and awesome (chicken, beans, potatoes, paella not to mention the deserts). You could snorkel, snorkel with the sea lion, kayak, chill on the beach, swim, jungle walk, spa, hammocks, do nothing, monkey, birds. Great adventure with kids but again not nearly long enough! It was only 45 minutes to get back. They always leave you wanting a little more and that’s what draws us back year after year.
We took the city bus several times (such brave souls). I dubbed the driver of bus #99 as Tony Stewart. Even ended up out at Ixtapa one afternoon in search of a restaurant called Mauricios, which is along the way to Ixtapa. That’s where the locals feast on shrimp we hear. We found it but it was closed on Monday! Oh well, next time.
We did a lot of relaxing by the pool and ocean, reading and napping this holiday. Two weeks isn’t long enough for lazy tourists like us to do everything we wanted to so I guess we’ll have to go back again! The flight home was a half hour early arriving, nice touch!