Useful Tips To Avoid Robbery and Rip-Offs in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
By: Susan Gerle I have spent many years traveling and living in Mexico, especially in Puerto Vallarta. Recently I stayed in an all-inclusive resort for the first time. It was also my first experience getting robbed. 99% of the staff at the resorts are as honest as I am. There is always the 1% though that can’t be trusted. I personally feel the reason for robbery in an all-inclusive resort is the huge monetary distance between the staff and the customers. Most servers and housekeepers are averaging $5 to $6 per day in wages in Puerto Vallarta. In order to feed their families, it requires extra income from some source. The honest ones work 2 and 3 jobs. The thieves find robbing vacationers an easier way to make extra. How to Avoid Being Robbed Use the...
Read MoreHow To Scoop A Lounge Chair And Other Challenges At All-Inclusive Resorts
By: Susan Gerle I am normally a budget traveler but recently I stayed at an all-inclusive 4 star hotel in Puerto Vallarta for the first time. It was quite an experience. Simple things became a challenge, which surprised me. I thought staying at an all-inclusive meant a stress-free holiday. The first one was getting to the hotel. I know the Puerto Vallarta airport well and usually walk out the door and get on a city bus or grab a cab. This time the hotel supplied transportation. We were one of the first couples off the plane, so we had to wait for everyone else. An hour later we finally got to the hotel, normally a 10-minute ride from the airport. Then we lined up to check into our room, another ½ hour wait. But no problem, even though it was late in the...
Read MorePuerto Vallarta vs Playa Del Carmen
By: Susan Gerle Is Mexico safe, especially places like Puerto Vallarta and Playa Del Carmen? I will say yes because I am here in Mexico on the Mayan Riviera right now as I write this article. In November I was in Puerto Vallarta. I have been traveling down to Mexico for years. I don’t worry what is said on the Internet or in the news because things happen all over the world every day. We just hear about it quicker now with the Internet. I do check travel advisories though and follow them. I’ve made comparisons between Playa Del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta because I love both areas. It’s really hard to choose between the two when I’m planning a hot getaway sometimes. Playa Del Carmen – high humidity, turquoise water, often warmer in January,...
Read MoreMayan Riviera vs. Mexico’s Pacific Coast
This travel debate was suggested by Globe Tales writer Susan Gerle. I’ve spent a lot of time in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico but I also have a soft spot for the Mayan Riviera. Since I will be in Puerto Morelos in February, let’s compare both coasts. View This Poll
Read MoreTravelling With Children in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
By: Susan Gerle A family vacation in Puerto Vallarta combines the flavor of the west coast of Mexico while offering a feeling of home. Hotels, restaurants, and beaches are clean, drinking water is safe, and community policing is present at all time. Any supplies you may need for your infant or child are readily available at the local grocery stores and “Farmacias.” If there is a medical emergency, the health care is excellent. Parents can relax and enjoy the time with their children in Puerto Vallarta, no matter what age they are. A good place to begin exploring the beautiful city is the Malecon, by taking a leisurely stroll along the waterfront of the gently curving Banderas Bay. Sand sculptures built each day capture the imagination of all ages, ranging...
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