Well here I am traveling again. This time I'm in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, but only for a short while, about 36 hours to be exact.  Flew down on a direct flight from Toronto about 5 hours and 2,500 miles of flying.
Commonly called Vallarta or PVR which incidentally is the airport code for this city.
Currency here is the Mexican peso and current exchange rates are approximately 10 pesos for the Canadian or American dollar. Plenty of ATM's available.

It was a mid morning arrival so I have most of the day to explore. Checked in to my hotel the Hola Vallarta, on the beach and located between the Fiesta Americana and the Holiday Inn.

Decided to be adventurous and took the local bus to Centro or the downtown area of PVR. Bus stop is located right outside the hotel, it's not identified but just look for people standing and waiting, they're waiting for the bus, you'll figure it out pretty quickly. Also make sure you look at the front windshield of the bus as this is where they paint on the route that particular bus takes. Look for Centro to go downtown and on the return look for Walmart, yes there is one here.
Bus ticket is 5 pesos or about 50 cents.
If you're lucky you may have musical entertainment onboard, no it's not a stereo system, it's a local musician trying to earn a few pesos.
Also don't expect comfort, seats are hard plastic, and most buses need new shock absorbers, but it's an experience and I suggest you try it.

You can also take taxis and they are relatively inexpensive. Taxi ride from my hotel would have cost me 40 pesos or about $4US vs 50 cents for the bus,

Finally made it downtown. Most of the streets are cobble stoned, so for the ladies reading this, leave the high heels back at the hotel and wear comfortable runners.

Started my walk up the Malecon at the bronze Seahorse which is like a meeting point on this boardwalk.
You'll see sculptures along the way, which will leave you thinking. Currently there is a sand sculpture on the beach alongside the Malecon of the Last Supper...pretty impressive. Check out the photos in the slide show.

Lot's of restaurants and bars to choose from on the Malecon and even the surrounding side streets. The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Hard Rock Cafe, Senor Frogs, Carlos O'Brien's,and plenty more, but to really experience these they tell me to try them in the evening for dinner, that's when Vallarta comes alive.

Souvenir shops are everywhere, and so are people trying to sell you tours, bit of annoyance sometimes.

If you're looking for typical Mexican food then try "La Fonda De Dona Raquel" small restaurant , nothing fancy and just off the Malecon around the corner from Carlos O'Brien's.

Spent the afternoon wandering the Malecon and back streets and paid a visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe a focal point of Vallarta.
Time for a little pick-me-up and Starbucks is just down the street in the central square.

Just a quick tip, if you plan to phone home buy yourself a phone card and make the calls from a public telephone. Hotels can charge up to $7 per minute if you call from your room and if you use your own cell phone then high roaming charges and a $5 per minute charge applies...ouch

You can buy a $10 phone card and get about 25 minutes of talk time to the US or Canada.

If you're looking for a cheap dinner and like tacos then you should try Pepe's Tacos.
This is your typical taqueria, they serve other items as well but the "Tacos al Pastor" are what you should try.
Made from pork meat that has been marinated and cooked on a vertical rotisserie, that has a pineapple on top.
The cook then cuts off pieces of meat places it on soft small round tortillas, garnishes it with cilantro, chopped onions and pineapple.
A selection of hot sauces is on your table, wash it down with a Corona or two and you've satisfied your hunger and are ready to party on.
I usually have 6 tacos and a beer.
One tip... don't sit too close to the front as this is where the meat is cooked and embers from the charcoal occasionally come flying in, needless to say this is not a place you need to dress up to go out for dinner.
Located across from the Pemex gas station and just down the street from the Buenaventura Hotel on the way to downtown.

Adios from Vallarta, will have another posting tomorrow and then it's back home.

Read about  Day 2 in Puerto Vallarta here