Food - Beer - Tequila - Cigars - Tours - Car/Scooter Rental - Transport |
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Food |
These are just examples, see The Insider for other restaurants with good value and the full restaurant list here. And don't forget the Taco Stands, see - Street Food |
Gaby's Comida Corrida |
Beer |
At the market and depositos you will pay, for most
brands (National) about 7 pesos +2.5 pesos for the bottle - we recycle
- bring
back an empty bottle and pay just pesos. Some places will charge you
from7.5
to 8 pesos (+ empty bottle) if it's cold from the fridge. At a wholesale
'deposito' a case (20) of Pacifico is 105 pesos + a case of empties,
keep your receipt for the case and return the empty bottles when you
are leaving. At bars you will pay from $1.00 to $5 Depending where you
are. See The
Insider for cheap places. At the current exchange rates of about 12 pesos to the dollar, you can get beer at some of the bars I recommend for about $US 1.00. Some examples:- Que Pasa - Aquiles Sedan # 625, just off the corner of L. Cardenas. Map Web Site. Beer 12 pesos, 20 peso cocktails at Happy Hour 6pm - 8pm & 11:30 pm to closing. El Barrill - Guerrero #225, Upstairs on the corner of Juarez. Low prices and a nice feeling. Few, if any, tourists. Mon-Fri. 1pm - 2am. Happy Hour 2-4pm. Mandela - on the Malecón. - Beer 50 pesos Or 2 for 90 pesos at 'Happy Hour' |
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Cocktails |
A big difference in prices, depending
on where you are. The same cocktail in one of the bars on the Malecón
that costs you 4-5 dollars, can be half that price at a bar on the south
side
- Que?Pasa for example - stronger too. Happy Hours abound, but some places don't have a unhappy hour - even at 2 for 1 the cost is high, again the south side is the place to be. Harry's Bar has a 2-10pm Happy Hour, 2 for 1 cocktails & 17 peso beers, on Thursdays from 10pm, Ladies pay just 30 pesos and drink all night, Guys pay a 50 peso cover, includes one beer. |
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Tipping |
The local custom is to not tip taxi drivers, unless they go out of their way with service, just driving from A to B is what the fare is. Unfortunately many foreign visitors import their culture when visiting. This has created a problem with the locals here when they really need a taxi, like going to a hospital or important appointment. The taxis, too many for the town, so very competitive, will not stop for a local, because a tourist may be around the corner and they know they will tip. |
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Other Drinks |
Puerto Vallarta is in the state of Jalisco which happens to be the birthplace of Tequila. Once a drink looked down upon by middle class Mexicans (drinkers in the USA consume far more than in Mexico), it has now gained in popularity. In part due to the production of a much higher quality product, there is now on the market a Tequila in a crystal bottle for $1,000.00 US. A very successful marketing campaign, but without the necessary forethought to increase the planting of Agave, caused a shortage of the raw material and prices have gone up and up. Now, of course, everyone is growing this valuable plant and in about 8-10 years, when all the plants become mature, there will be a glut on the market and prices will take a dive. We have in Puerto Vallarta now a combination bar/coffee bar/store that specializes in these high quality Tequilas and they offer you a FREE taste from a selection of about 30 different brands. Their selection for sale is even greater and ranges in price from $5.00 to $500.00 a bottle. Also available are a large collection of very nice books on all aspects of the Mexican culture. Casa de Tequila on Morelos. There is one other unique beverage associated with the area around Vallarta, this is 'Raicilla' a local moonshine made from a relative to the Agave Azul from which Tequila is made. This is the Agave Lechuguilla which only grows in our area of Jalisco. Raicilla is now available legally for the first time, unfortunately at a reduced alcohol level, about 40%, the illegal (untaxed) version is usually way up above 80%. Warning!, this drink has been compared to a cross between a local anesthetic and rocket fuel. See Raicilla. |
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Cigars |
You will find many stores selling 'Cuban' cigars, but beware they may not be what they seem. Many are seconds or rejects smuggled out of Havana or made somewhere else in Central America and dressed up with a Cuban label. Below is an explanation by my friend Alejandro, 'el patron' of La Bodeguita del Medio - an authentic branch of the famous watering hole of 'Papa' Hemingway in Havana. La Bodeguita del Medio serves excellent Cuban food and drinks - try the Mojitos (Papa's favorite drink), live Cuban music and also has a cigar shop with the genuine article.
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Yours truly and Alejandro at
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Tours |
How about Free?
For a Few Dollars More.
For a Real Adventure,
Get Great Discounts.
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Rentals |
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Car
Scooter/ATV
Mountain Bike
Jet ski
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