Puerto Vallarta for less: charm and bargains in a Mexican beach town—if you know where to go

Sunset, April, 2005 by Lisa Taggart

Rio Tuito Hike to waterfall Free

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Domingo's Lunch under the palapa $13.97

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Chelly's Pies Bliss on the beach $3.56

Restaurant Row Browsing the shops Free

Mariscos Polo Seafood dinner $30.51

DAY 3

Cafe Catedral Breakfast of eggs and a latte $14.10

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Stroll along Rio Cuale Practicing bartering Free

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Casa Kimberley Tour of Elizabeth Taylor's digs, including tip $18.63

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Esquina de los Caprichos Hilltop lunch $13.84

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TOTAL $334.94

RELATED ARTICLE: Plan your trip

Puerto Vallarta is 1,200 miles south of Los Angeles on the Pacific Ocean. Prices are listed in U.S. dollars; visit www.xe.com/ucc for conversion rates to the Mexican peso. Use the international prefix 011-52 when dialing from the U.S., except with 800 numbers. For area information, contact the Mexico Tourism Board (www.visitmexico.com or 800/446-3942). Two other websites, www.vallartainfo.com and www.visitpuertovallarta.com, are helpful.

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Lodging

Hotel Rosita. From $49.901 Paseo Diaz Ordaz; www.hotelrosita.com or 322/223-2000.

Molino de Agua Hotel. From $78.130 Ignacio L. Vallarta; www.molinodeagua.com or 322/222-1957.

Playa Los Arcos Worldclass Beach Resort. From $67. 380 Olas Altas; www.playalosarcos.com or 800/648-2403.

Dining

Cafe Catedral. $; closed Sun. 315 Basilio Badillo; 322/223-0318.

Cuates y Cuetes. $$. 101 Francisca Rodriguez (at Los Muertos Beach); 322/223-2724.

Daiquiri Dick's. $$; closed Tue. 314 Olas Altas; 322/222-0566.

Domingo's. On the beach in Yelapa.

Esquina de los Caprichos. $. 402 Esquina Miramar; 322/294-8319.

Mariscos Polo. $. 376-B Francisco I. Madero; 322/113-0364.

Restaurante Barcelona Tapas. $$. Calle Matamoros at Calle 31 de Octubre; 322/222-0510.

Activities and shops

Boat ride to Yelapa. Several boats depart daily; ask for a schedule at the pier. $8 one way. End of Calle Rodriguez.

Casa Kimberley. Closed Sun; About $9. 445 Calle Zaragoza; 322/222-1336.

Indigo. 241 Basilio Badillo; 322/223-0107.

Lucy's Cucu Cabana & Zoo. Closed Sun. 295 Basilio Badillo; 322/222-1220.

Ponciana. 252-A Basilio Badillo; 322/222-2988.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. On Calle Hidalgo.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KERRICK JAMES