Puerto Vallarta - Travelling Downtown Independently November 2024

Surprised to see we are docked at berth number 2.  The NCL Bliss is at pier 3 and no ship is at 1.  Never have seen this before.

We wander off and walk to the terminal building.  There is also a small shuttle that transports guests for free, but it is only an 8 min walk. 

We refuse to walk the gauntlet of shops in the terminal.  So just as you are about to enter the duty free shop we head straight as if we are walking to the flea market.  Then we just walk along the street to the main drag to catch a bus.

It is busy at the stop.  It is very hot!  We are already tired.  When a taxi driver offers a ride and quotes us the right amount of $10 to the malecon we are in.  Now you can take the bus.  It is only 19 pesos.  But we are glad we took a taxi.

We stroll along the malecon.  It is nice to walk,  it is crazy busy.  Lots of people are on vacation due to Thanksgiving week.

After a few blocks we have had our fill of the crowds and we walk inland three blocks and then turn right and enjoy the quieter streets.

We pass the cathedral with all the tours getting ready to go in.  We pass.  We are on a mission, but not a religous mission.  

Our friend at home, Kim, use to live here.  She had her son here.  She told us the address and we thought, why not seek it out.  Up a hill, then up a staircase, then up another hill. And just pass Casa Kimberly, the iconic home of Elizabeth Taylor that Richard Burton bought her.  Then up more stairs.  Here it is!  Cool.

We stroll back down into town on a different street and cross Gringo Gulch in the Romantic Zone.  We do a bit of shopping, picking up 2 more glasses to match the ones we bought a few years ago.  And I got a cute pair of earrings.

Back into El Centro We spot some whales not far from the shore so we sit and enjoy the scene,  until a family stands right in front of us to watch too!  Why they stood right in front I have no idea.  There was tons of space.  Didn't help we are feeling grumpy.  Remember, little sleep, and we are hot.  So we stand up and start walking.

We decide to take a taxi back to the Walmart.  $10 again, woot woot, normally I am always frustrated with the taxis trying to scam the cruisers.  Maybe they are turning over a new leaf.

We walk into Walmart, along with a ton of crew.  We need to pick up some items.  Conditioner, moisturizer, sunscreen, soda, 2 bags of chips, Bernie is craving them.  And a few Xmas treats, oh and a bottle of wine and a six pack of Pacifico.  We have had no issue bringing on a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer.

We decide to venture to one of our favorite taco stands,  it is just up the street to the right of the Sam Club.  There is a market there, and the taco stand is on the south west corner.  I don't know the name but a lot of crew go there,  it isn't fancy.  Stools, narrow tables and a bag of napkins hangs from above.  

4 tacos, a Pepsi and a beer for 165 pesos.  We gave them 200 and so for $10 US we are stuffed.