Only had to wait about 5 minutes and the bus came along. Cost was 13 pesos ($1.02) each for the 32 km (20 mile) bus ride.
32 km bus ride into town.
The bus ride took about an hour. Then, we got off near the northern start of the malecon and looked for the second bus we were supposed to take to the "romantic zone" where my cousin Darl and his wife Cindy have a rented apartment for the month. But we couldn't see what we thought was the right bus, so we decided we could probably walk. It was a pretty long walk, probably about 45 minutes. I had told Darl we would probably get there around noon, and sure enough we arrived at about 5 minutes before noon!
Walking along the malecon in Puerto Vallarta.
You almost wouldn't think you're in Mexico here. Many tourists, and everybody speaking English. It's okay just to say that we've been here, but Puerto Vallarta is definitely not our thing. Almost everything advertised in dollars. Very expensive part of Mexico. There's a bunch of restaurants and bars on the malecon advertising $1 beers, as if it's some kind of deal and many people think it is without realizing that is pretty much what a beer costs in a restaurant in the real Mexico anyhow.
This guy spends his days balancing rocks for donations.
It's actually totally amazing!
View from Darl and Cindy's balcony.
Visited with Darl and Cindy for the afternoon, and three hours went by very quickly. We wanted to get back before dark and we walked all the way back to where we thought we could catch the bus, but two of them went by without stopping. We asked a taxi driver and realized that we had to be at "Los Glorias" to catch the bus which was only another five minute walk. It was sort of funny when we got on the bus, the driver kind of questioned us because no tourists ever take a local bus to Valle de Banderas. He wanted to make sure we were getting on the right bus!
The church in the old part of town.
We enjoyed our day, but probably won't make an effort to go back into the city unless it's to catch a bus to San Sebastien, a town about 60 kms inland that we want to visit. That'll be a story for another day! Spent a total of $4.08 yesterday for our visit to Puerto Vallarta.
Sounds like a wonderful day of exploring. Love riding on the Mexican buses, very reasonable and and experience.
ReplyDeleteLike you said once you have seen the real Mexico, the touristy places turn you off.
Also nice that you got to visit your cousin.
$4 f0r an hours bus ride, what a deal. you are right, when you get used to the other Mexico you can go somewhere in the states to be in a tourist area. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..
ReplyDeleteNot our kind of place either. Nice for a day but not as a long-time destination. It does look beautiful though.
ReplyDeleteI love the balancing rocks. I tried to do that once...guess I don't posses that gene..
I guess somebody has to balance the rocks. I've never considered it as a career choice. I didn't think to ask my guidance counsellor back in High School, so maybe I missed out? No way of knowing for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the map by the way, helps for the Gringos among us.
1 hour to go 20 miles? Maybe you could have ridden your bikes in about the same amount of time?
ReplyDeleteSounds like PV is turning into SMA.
I was in PV back in 1982. My how it's changed.
You're going to love san sebastian del oeste in sure been there it's a fantastic place,and yes Vallarta is a an expensive place even for gringos but can`t say it's not worthit.keep on rolling.
ReplyDelete$4.00!!! You mean you didn't give the rock balancing kid a donation!!
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