Driving from Puerto Vallarta to Barra de Navidad

We are considering renting a car to drive to Barra de Navidad (and back). Is the drive a safe one? Can anyone recommend a good car rental agency?

Would it be better to hire a car and driver?

Thanks.

best info is to rent from dollar on line and then go with your confirmation number.
as low as 12.95 a day...search the threads earlier on for this information

I have driven from P.V. to Barra many times. For just one day I would rent a taxi/driver. Simpler, more relaxing and you can enjoy a cervesa on the way back if your so inclined. Last December while driving to Barra I was stopped for speeding out in the open country with no other traffic around. Federaly had a hand held radar gun. I acted very sorry and remorseful, he just gave me a verbal warning and a shake of the finger!!! mort

We too were stopped by federallies on this road, a regular roadblock, looking for drugs, I assume. They were very professional and we never felt threatened but if you are a first timer to the country it might be a bit of a rattling experience to be stopped by a bunch of kids with automatic rifles out in the middle of nowhere, The jefe did speak very good english, and we were quickly on our way.
We did not go all the way to Barra......how far is this drive, and how long does it take, driving the speed limit?

You could also consider taking a first-class bus: http://www.costalegre.ca/Busing_PV.htm

Honeybee, It sounds like you were stopped by the Mexican military, who are mainly looking for guns and drugs. The drug problem is well known, but they also want to keep illegal firearms from reaching the rebels in the southern part of Mexico.