Puerto Vallarta Insider

Cold 10 Peso Beers at Happy Hour 5-7pm Mon - Sat.

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.
Quick Link to Restaurants/Bars, Coffee, Shopping, Hairstylist, Links.
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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:

Harry's Bar	Lázaro Cárdenas # 328. tel. 222-4024 Open 2pm - 4am Every Day. Happy Hours 2-5pm & 8-10pm Two Pool Tables. Free 9-11pm Site. Map.	An English Pub in Mexico. Music, Pool Tables, DARTS, Wi-Fi internet, Great Prices, Food. Big Screen Sports TV. Ladies Night Thusday! 10pm-1am Ladies all you can drink for 30 pesos.
Que Pasa	Aquiles Serdan #625, just off the corner of L. Cardenas. Weekly pool tournaments, Daily food specials. 223-4006 Map Web Site Open 11am -2am.	"A Bar Of Our Own" is what the locals say. Where the locals go. Happy Hour 5-7pm - 10 peso beers, 15 peso cocktails, Mon-Sat. Pool Table Free WiFi. Calls to the USA and Canada.
El Arrayán	Closed Till Sept 3rd Voted best Mexican food in Vallarta Lifestyles magazine. Allende #344 on the corner of Miramar. Tel. 222-7195. Dinner only, 5:30 - 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 125 pesos, plus a full menu. Basilio Badillo #223 Map Tel. 222-1955. Happy Hour 5-7 pm & Thirsty Thursdays, 18 pesos beers. 25 peso cocktails 10am to 5pm. Ask for Tom, Pat, Nicki 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, from 3pm to 11pm, including appetizers, salads, fish, shrimp, surf & turf. Includes a children's menu. Bar Menu from 10am Pool table. Also WiFi & FREE USA/CAN telephone.
Mariscos Polo	Francisco Madero # 376, around the corner from Cine Bahia. Cel. 322-113-0364 Noon - 10pm. Closed Tuesdays. Map. Go to the Web Site	CLOSED TILL AUG. 18th Excellent Seafood, one of the best in Vallarta. Defiantly the best on the south side. Ask for Polo, Who else?
Captain Don's	Honduras #126 1/2 block from the beach. 10am - 2am. National drinks 20 pesos All Day. 13 peso beers All Day & night. Pool Table. TVs. Map.	Fun & Busy bar, Low prices and many local gringos hangout here. Cell Phone for Don 322 109 3277.
Uncle Bubba's Pack Porch	Southern food in a patio setting. Open 7 days a week from 12pm to 10pm, and you can dine in or they can DELIVER. Basilio Badillo #429-B in Col. Emilio Zapata, 223-5754. Map Site	Louisiana Southern Fried Chicken w/Steak Fries, Spicy Cajun Popcorn Shrimp, Louisiana Hot Wings, Corn on the Cob, Glam Slice Watermelon, Cerveza, Soda, and a full bar with mixed drinks. Special Mon-Sat, 1-5pm ½ lb Burger w/fries & coleslaw 50 pesos. Corona & Pacifico $1.00US
Moro Paraiso	Up the river, Rio Cuale, a wonderful river side setting. Ask for the owner Javier. Map Web Site	Great food and very reasonable prices plus a full bar, including Raicilla ! This place is secret to most, because to reach it, you need: your own transport, bus and hike 1K rent horses in Paso Ancho.
Hangout	Neighborhood Bar. Sports TV, Pool Table and Juke Box. F. Madero #250. 322-118-2776 Map. Web Site.	Happy Hour 8pm - 9pm Monday - Ladies Drink for FREE 9-10pm. Wednesday 2x1 Tequila all day/night. Thursdays 12 peso beer 5-10pm. Friday & Saturday Martinis 2x1 all day/night. Sunday Pool Tournament 8pm.
Johnny's Diner	Basilio Badillo # 336. Map. American Style "Retro" Diner Open 8:30 am - 2 pm Closed Tuesdays. tel 222-5679	Traditional Diner menu with thick ham steaks, thick cut bacon, steak & eggs, chops, pancakes and all the fixings, plus some Mexican dishes. Free beverage with your meal and bottomless coffee cups.
Alaska's Diner	Lázaro Cárdenas # 515 close to the Central Market. Open 6pm to 12am Mondays 15 pesos beers. Happy Hour 5 - 7 pm Tue, Happy Hour all night & for Ladies on Thur, Ask for Roger	Fresh Fish, Thai Curries, Steaks, Chili Dogs, Shepherd's Pie, Mac & Cheese, with down to earth prices. A fully loaded Jukebox with classic Rock. Beer and Wine. Free WiFi and long distance Phone. Saturday Rock N Roll DVDs on the giant screen
Nacho Daddy	Closed from Aug 22 to Sept 30 TexMex food with pool and regular performances by Joe 'King' Carrasco. TV Sports Lounge. Basilio Badillo #180 223-0838 Map. Web Site	Very Reasonable Menu, 60 - 100 pesos Live Music Thursday to Saturday. Open 12pm-12am Closed Tuesdays Every Hour is Happy Hour.
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 Gringo Loco	Neighborhood Bar with Snacks. Fransico Madero # 403, at Aguacate. Happy Hour 4-7pm	25 peso National Cocktails, 15 peso Beers and snacks from 25 pesos. Nice patio at the rear and super clean bathrooms.
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.
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!!
Fonda "La Esperanza"	421 Madero, Mornings only, closed Sunday.	Basic breakfast - 22 pesos !
Gaby	Hidalgo & Mina, a lovely little restaurant.	Comida Corrida from 40 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. 12 peso beers at Happy Hour 2-4pm & 15 pesos cocktails!
Cafe Roma	Encino # 287, 2nd floor right next to the Flea Market. 222-7378. Great Thin Crust Pizza, Salads, Ribs & Pasta. Beer 15 pesos Open Mon-Sat 11am to 10pm. Map Web Site	The Cheers of Vallarta. Sr.Fox, his wife Cheryl and the rest of Family Roma know how to make you feel welcome. Live Music Jams and Karaoke, Satellite TV, Free WiFi and calls to the USA and Canada. Weather Station. Web Cam
Tony's Please	Lazaro Cardenas # 440, 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.
El Mole de Jovita	Basilio Badillo # 220, tel 223-3065. 8am to 11pm Ask for Sergio or Alex	Breakfast 30 pesos, lunch - Comida Corrida 50 pesos. Excellent !
Casa de Tandoor	CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER. Olas Altas #356 tel 223-3323 5pm to 10 pm	At last a really good Indian Restaurant. Two Tandoori Ovens, Fresh made Naan. Small, in between OXXO and Maximilian's, sidewalk tables plus take out. Less than 90 pesos.
Kokopelli Puerto Vallarta	Av Fco. Medina Ascencio. # 1978 Across frrom Plaza Pelicanos tel 293 6884	Bar and Dance Club Caribeño. Live Salsa The legend of this pre- Aztec casanova, flute playing, traveling salesman named Kokopelli has been preserved in images.
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 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.	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