Be in the “Now”

Now that I’ve decided that Puerto Vallarta would be where I would go and vacation in Mexico, my next task was to figure out our flights and where to stay.   Being that this is my first Mexico visit and not knowing Puerto Vallarta, I had to first decide which part of the city I would like find a place to stay.   Getting there and booking our flights was the easy part so I did that first.

I wanted a straight flight from Denver to Puerto Vallarta and found out that United and Southwest Airlines were the only ones that have straight flights from Denver to Puerto Vallarta on Saturdays.  Other days would mean connecting somewhere.  I opted to go on a United Flight leaving Saturday morning from Denver and returning mid-afternoon the following Saturday.  Now that I have our flights booked, I went back to trying to figure out our accommodations.

I started searching for resorts online, asking around and going through my time share directory to see if using my timeshare would be a good option.

I already knew from my initial research that Puerto Vallarta is located at the Pacific Coast, approximately 190 miles from Guadalajara, at the Western side of the State of Jalisco.  My further research revealed the following Puerto Vallarta areas and what they offer:

Downtown and Old Vallarta

This is where the action is in Puerto Vallarta, with the largest concentration of restaurants and nightclubs. If you want a vibrant nightlife and lots of culinary options, you probably want to stay in or near Downtown. This is generally the most affordable area and condos and B&Bs are particularly popular. You will also find everything from budget to luxury but the resorts are generally smaller and more intimate than in other areas of the city.

South Zone

The south is a narrow strip of land against the steep banks of the Sierra Madre Mountains. There are only a few hotels here but the lush tropical foliage from the mountains makes for beautiful scenery and outstanding views of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay. The area would appeal to those who want to be close to the activity in Downtown but have a quiet refuge from the noisy nightlife.  You will probably have to drive to Downtown unless you are fit enough to climb steep walkways in tropical humidity.

Hotel Zone

This area is located between the airport and downtown, close to the cruise-ship terminal and opposite several large malls. The street side isn’t very attractive but the beaches are beautiful and you will have a prime spot for some beautiful sunsets. The area is easy walking distance to Downtown and there is plenty of entertainment at the nearby malls. The Hotel Zone has lots of high-rise hotels and most offer all the amenities you might need and do all inclusive deals.

Marina Vallarta

As you would expect, Marina Vallarta is set on an attractive marina lined by chic boutiques and cafes. It isn’t the cheapest area to stay but it is a popular choice for couples or families who want to be out of the center and a little more secluded. Downtown is only a short taxi ride or longer bus ride if you do want to take advantage of activities in the main area. The beaches here tend to be rocky so most of the action is centered on the swimming pools and there is a golf course available.

Nuevo Vallarta

Located in the adjacent state of Nayarit, Nuevo Vallarta is all about the all-inclusive resorts, huge swimming pools and golf courses. It’s a half hour drive from Puerto Vallarta but is ideal if you want luxurious resorts and plenty of sunbeds to soak up the sunshine. It’s not the place to come however, if you want a taste of authentic Mexico.

I debated between finding a resort located in the Hotel Zone or stay in Nuevo Vallarta.  Since I wanted a taste of authentic Mexico, I opted to find a resort in the Hotel Zone.

Now that I’ve narrowed down the area, I went back to searching for a place.  I went through reviews from Trip Advisor and read reviews on line on various places.  I looked through a lot of resort and room photos online.  I know I wanted an all-inclusive deal so I can have a worry free time in Mexico.  I also knew I wanted to venture out so I was also looking for day excursions and activities to do outside the resort.

After a lot of time online I picked the Now Amber Resorts.  Now Amber is an AAA four diamond resort located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta on the west coast of Mexico.  It is five minutes away from the famous boardwalk, downtown, Vallarta Viejo and the shores of Rio Cuale.

I went to the Now Amber website and called the number so I can speak with someone who can assist me in booking our first Mexican vacation!   Now Amber is one of the many Now Resorts & Spas located in Mexico and the Caribbean which is also part of the AMResorts.  AMResorts is a collection of luxury resort destinations, each with its own unique personality.  I spoke to Alan Lewis, a Travel Specialist for AMResorts, who was very helpful and got me on my way to making our Mexico trip happen.