Just initial impressions- we have so much more to do and explore

Nuevo Vallarta is really nice, but not the Mexico we are used to, more of a Mexico theme park. And while that may be great for some folks, we have become used to the little chaos that “normal” Mexico offers and we do miss it a little bit.

So we rented a car for freedom.

Our first expedition was last night into Puerto Vallarta Centro district and it was eye opening to say the least. The cobbled streets were a change from the potholed streets of La Paz! Almost as jarring, but harder to judge the real bumps- and good luck in seeing the Topes (speed bumps)

Another change from La Paz- the incredible number of tourists. And that leads to the incredible number of vendors, tiendas, and restaurants. A very dynamic and lively place.

Better? No, I don’t think it’s any better, but it is different and nice in its own way- I think we will enjoy our time checking it out.

For our cruising friends that may follow- Paradise Village Marina is nice, a bit out of the way, but nice and you really don’t “need” to go anywhere. There is a slight amount of tidal current inside and the water is not perfectly clear, but not anything other than what you would expect in an estuary.

And yes- there are crocodiles here. We were sitting in the cockpit last night, and one was hunting about 50 feet behind us. That was a first for us.