Puerto Vallarta Insider

Cold 12 Peso Beers at Happy Hour.

Here is a list of places and services that most tourists will never find.
They all are really good value or in some way unique. Watch for updates.
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Budget Lodging

You can find a nice clean and safe room in Puerto Vallarta at Budget Hotels.

Hotel Belmar, Family Owned, the first economical hotel to have on-line reservations. Newly remodeled. WiFi, TV / AC available. From 280 pesos a night. Insurgents #161, tel01-800 581-0483 (Mexico). Web Site and MAP

Apartments and Houses

Also available are some apartments and houses for rent direct by the owners at very good rates, see the Vacation Rentals page.

Real Estate

Property prices continue to rise here in Puerto Vallarta but there are still some areas where you can beat the market. My 'Property' page is an of-shoot of the original 'Classifieds' because it was getting too large, and contains property for sale that may not be listed by Real Estate companies.

Cyber Cafés

We sure have a lot of them for a small place like PV, and the service can vary a lot. Best of the bunch is now Cafe.com on Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo on the south side. You will see one on nearly every block with many offering high speed from 10 pesos an hour.

Coffee Cafés

Many have asked, "Where can I get a good cuppa Joe?".
Well you did come to the right place. See the guide HERE.

Bars & Restaurants

First, let me confess to being a pretty fair chef. So I don't eat out as often as others might but, of the places I've eaten, I recommend the following:

Machis Bar.B.Q.	Lazaro Cardenas # 452, upstairs on the corner of Jacarandas. Tel. 222-9327 Entrees from 75 pesos, Sandwiches from 45 pesos. Map. Ask for Enrique.	16 peso beers. Plus 16 peso hamburgers from 12-5pm. Closed Sundays in the Summer. The new local hangout, with these prices! Web Site E-Mail
Que Pasa	Aquiles Serdan #625, just off the corner of L. Cardenas. Map Web Site Open Mon-Sat 4pm - 2am, Sun. 11am -2am. The Travelling Band Tue at 8pm. 8 Ball Tournament Wed 7pm No Talent Night, Open Mike- Fri-5-8pm Adriana Sat. 8pm	"A Bar Of Our Own" is what the locals say. Where the locals go. Menu includes - Filet Mignon & Salad - 90 pesos -every night 'cept Sun. Happy Hour 12-2am - 2x1& 12 peso Beer Pool Table Free WiFi. Calls to the USA and Canada.
Johnny's Diner	Basilio Badillo # 336. Map. American Style "Retro" Diner Open 7 am - 3 pm Closed Tuesdays. Closed for the Summer	Traditional Diner menu with thick ham steaks, thick cut bacon, steak & eggs, chops, pancakes and all the fixings, plus some Mexican dishes.
El Arrayán	Voted best Mexican food in Vallarta Lifestyles magazine. Allende #344 on the corner of Miramar. Tel. 222-7195. Dinner only, 6 - 11 pm. Closed Tuesday. Map Los Frijoleros play every Sat. Ask for Carmen Go to the Web Site	Pure traditional food of Mexico. For those looking for the real Mexican cuisine. Wonderful flavors from fresh ingredients only. Vegetarian menu available and children welcome, even a diaper changing area. Traditional Chile en Nogada - 185 pesos Chile Relleno de Jaiba - 175 pesos
Asaderos's Grill	All You Can Eat Grill 115 pesos, plus a full menu. Basilio Badillo #223 Map Tel. 222-1955 Happy Hour 3 pm to 5 pm, 2x1 Cocktails. Ask for Pat or Jada. Go to the Web Site	A busy open grill restaurant serving ribs,steak, chicken and sausage, as All You Can Eat. Now with a full menu including appetizers, salads, fish, shrimp, surf & turf and Alaskan King Crab Legs when available! Plus a children's menu.
La Palapa	One of the best restaurants in town and the best one on the beach. Los Muertos Beach at Pulpito #103. Map. tel. 222-5225 Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. The owner Alberto Perez entertains with song and guitar. Go to the Web Site	This restaurant has been renowned for excellent food since 1957. Famous for it's romantic candlelight dinner on the sand. La Palapa also participates in Puerto Vallarta's annual Gourmet Festival. Sesame crusted lamb chops, mashed potato and chives with tropical chutney -285 pesos
Vista Grill	Gourmet cuisine with one of the best views in Vallarta . Pulpito #377 in Alta Vista. Map. tel. 222-3570 5:30 t0 11:30 pm. Go to the Web Site.	Originally built as Sr. Chico's by Alberto's elder brother, he has continued Chico's dream and expanded on it. Herb marinated Tuna, Artichoke, Eggplant and Proscuitto, Potato Leek rillet with a rosemary, thyme sauce - $220
Tikul	The latest restaurant by Alberto Perez . Paseo de la Marina #113, close to the lighthouse. Map. tel. 209-2010 5:30 t0 11:30 pm. Go to the Web Site.	Now the Marina has an exceptional restaurant with the same quality as La Palapa and the Vista Grill. Singapore pepper rubbed duck breast, creamy au-gratin, fig syrup, foie gras essence, shoe string potatoes - $198
Quimixto	Tacos and other Mexican delicacies in this air-conditioned restaurant. Basilio Badillo #370, just east of Insurgentes. Map. Go to the Web Site.	Taco's from 10 pesos Surf Tacos from 55 pesos. Now with WiFi
Captain Ron's	V. Carranza #276, between I. Vallarta and Pino Suarez. Ask for Ron or Jenine. Open 10am to 2am. . Map Go to the Web Site	Great bar for visitors to find locals and the odd fugitive. all day 20 pesos Nat. drinks, FREE pool table, 4 sports screens and good tavern food. 10 peso beers from 5-7pm
Mariscos Polo	Francisco Madero # 376, around the corner from Cine Bahia. Tel. 113-0364 Noon - 10pm. Closed Tuesdays. Closed Sundays in May, June & July. Map. Go to the Web Site	Excellent Seafood, one of the best in Vallarta. Defiantly the best on the south side. Ask for Polo, Who else?
Hangout	New Bar with pool and good prices. Dutch Owned F. Madero # 259, near the corner of I. Vallarta. Tel. 044-322-118-2776.	Open every day. Mon - Lady's Night, FREE drinks 9-11pm. Wed 2x1 tequilas, Fri & Sat. 2x1 martinis. Sun. Pool tournament. Every Day 2x1 Heineken 35 pesos.
Hacienda Alemana	Basilio Badillo # 378, just east of Insurgentes. Map. Tel. 222-2071 Web Site	Best German food in Mexico ! Open for Lunch and dinner. Famous for the Oktoberfest, held on the first Fri & Sat of Nov. (no chance of rain then)
El Colera	Lázaro Cárdenas #542, just before Camachin and the Municipal Market. Tel. 223-0769 Map	A very reasonable seafood restaurant. The best Aguachile de Camarones I've had. Excelent food in the newly expanded location.
Encanto	Aquiles Serdan #518. 222-5785 Open 5-11pm. Ask for Piano.	Coconut Shrimp in Mango Sauce, Crab Cakes, Mussels, Red Snapper in Banana Leaf. Full Bar.
Joe Jack's Fish Shack	Basilio Badillo # 212. Tel. 222-2099 Entrees from 65 - 140 pesos, Full Bar Open from 12 noon to 11 pm + Best Fish & Chips in town. Ask for Joe or David	David, my old buddy from Cactus, and Joe Jack (it's his real name), have opened a new seafood and steak place on restaurant row. It's busy all the time, reservations recommended. Nice wine list as well.
Cuates y Cuetes	On the beach at Los Muertos, right next to the pier, see Map. Open for breakfast. 222-9511 Happy Hour 5 - 7 pm (in the winter) - 6 - 8 pm in the summer) at sunset. Live music after Happy Hour.	This Beach Bar/Restaurant has been around since 1993. A favorite hang-out spot for the local gringos. Now has a great WEB CAM (sometimes it works)
La Ronda	Aquiles Serdan #372. Just east of Insurgentes. Closed Mondays. Usual hours 1PM to 12AM, sometimes! Sebastian, Vicki and Benjiman.	Mexican / International, a favorite with the locals. Entrees from 40 to 100 pesos. Great food!!
La Tia Catrina	New and definitely a hit! Mexican with a flair. Sort of Tapas style, most dishes less than 60 pesos. Guinness available. Daily Specials	F. Madero # 202, corner of Pino Suarez. Open 5 pm Closes around 11pm. Closed Sun.
Fonda "La Esperanza"	421 Madero, Mornings only, closed Sunday.	Basic breakfast - 22 pesos !
Gaby	Hidalgo & Mina, a lovely little restaurant.	Comida Corrida from 30 pesos
El Barril	Guerrero #225, Upstairs on the corner of Juarez. Low prices and a nice feeling. Few, if any, tourists. Mon-Fri. 1pm - 2am 223-2155	New - extra room with another balcony. Locals Bar. 11 peso beers at Happy Hour 2-4pm & 15 pesos cocktails!
Cafe Roma	Encino # 287, 2nd floor. 222-7378. Thin crust pizza. Beer 15 pesos Open noon to 9pm. Map	Pool table, real big screen TV, satellite and cable for sports. Free WiFi. Calls to the USA and Canada.
Tony's Please	Lazaro Cardenas # 446, near Jacarandas. Open 5:30 -11pm, closed Sundays. Ask for 'Tonio.	Great seafood, chicken, fish, meat dishes at a low price and don't forget the frog's legs.. Full bar. Now run buy the son of the original Tony, who is still there every night.
Ofe's Shack	F. Madero #366.half a block inland from Insurgentes.8AM to 4PM (sometimes later) 7 days a week - again sometimes Ask for Ofelia or Keila perfect English spoken	Ofelia's great Mexican home cooking. Breakfast 18-30 pesos Lunch including Fish filet 45 pesos Burger 25 pesos
Archie's Wok	F. Rodriguez #130. 222-0411 Closed Sundays. D'Rachael performs on harp and flute, thu-Sat from 7:30 to 10:30pm.	Asian Food, the best in town. Founded by John Huston's Chef, Archie and continued by his wife Cynthia and daughter Kyoki.
Langostinos	On Los Muertos Beach, corner of Manuel Dieguez. Dine under the palapa or on the beach. Map. 222-0894	Continental/Mexican cuisine. Sunset Happy Hour at Langostinos is from 7 - 9 pm in the summer 5 - 7pm in the winter, 2x well drinks for 38 pesos ($3.40).
Bonsai	Municipal Market in Colonia Palmar de Aramara, which is inland from Sam's, on the left as you head for Pitillal. Map. Tel. 293-3971 food to go, call 40 min. before pickup. Now open on the 2nd floor of the Flea Market downtown!	Japanese Tappan Bar 'Bonsai', serves, Yakimeshi, Yakitori, Kushi Age,Tappanyaki and Sushi. very good prices, 24 - 65 pesos for a lot of food.
J & B ("Hota ee Bay")	Blvd. F. Ascencio at Plaza Pelicanos Wed-Sat 224-4616 Map. Also now at F. Madero #176, 1/2 block from the beach. Every Day. 223-3609	The place for Salsa Dancing! Doesn't get going till about 11pm. Lessons available.

For the Taco Stand Guide see PV Street Food Guide

Other Select Restaurants

Shopping

It's truly amazing the variety of stores we have here in Puerto Vallarta. Here are some of the best kept secrets. If you mention my name there's no knowing what might happen. Go to the Shopping Page