FlyerTalk Forums - Going to Vallarta!

This past weekend after many days of research and playing around with different destinations ranging from Aruba to Tahitti to Mazatlan I have settled on Puerto Vallarta. My family wil be going for 11 nights from SFO. I found ticekts through Cheap Carribbean.com on AA for $421 leaving SFO connecting through Dallas and arriving around 3PM.

We booked a room at the Paradise Village Resort(Marina View) until my father was able to find and negociate a $220 a night Condo located at the Marina Residences. We are saving $800 dollars than staying at the Paradise Village Resort. Plus this 2 bedroom 2 bath condo has a view of the Marina and the Ocean, a Jacuzzi in the Master Bathroom plust another Bathroom. And even better we can use the Paradise Village Resort and Spa for $1.50 per person per day considering it can cost $20-30 resort fee.

I like the PVR since it has a large pool,nice fitness center,free tennis kyaks and it's own private beach and marina. Plus the Condos are located in a gated area. There is even a shopping mall located within the resort and more stors accross the street. Also the restaurants are good and it's 15 minutes from PVR Airport and 20 to downtown.

Now I have queastions for my fellow FT'ers what are some nice small towns that are close by without a hard drive which has culture? Any nice places to visit in Downtown Puerto Vallarta such as museums,historic sights? Any good places to eat? Are the roads into the Sierra Mountains very curvy or gentle as I don't like winding roads?

Can I expect the temperature of the ocean in December to be as wearm as Hawaii? What is the water temperature in December? Also what is the high/low is it 70-80 in the day and 70 at night?

How are the gas stations? Is there Costco?

Do you pa y for the Expressway running up and down the coast or is it free? If you have to pay how much?

Is the area safe such as in no warnings? From what I've read it's one of the safer places. I know to be extra careful at night.

I also found a Full Size Dollar Car for $30 a day without a/c but hope to get a free upgrade. Anyone here has an extra Dollar Certificate for a Free Car CLass Upgrade?

Thanks again for your help any other suggestions are most appreciative.