cap'n chunk

Any news about what might happen to your stop at Ensenada on Sunday with Tropical Storm Hilary on the way?

Thank you for the update. I have some immediate family members on the cruise it's very nice to know what's happening.

Prayers to all the locals on Maui the situation is heartbreaking.

Great maps thanks. Can you provide an approximate distance/time required to get from 1-5?

 

 

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Conservatively probably about 20-30 minutes at a leisurely pace depending on how quickly you can get on a boat. No more than a mile of total walking.

Google maps says it is 700m (~0.4 miles) from the cruise terminal to the water taxi pier. Probably about the same distance from where you get off the boat at stone island to Lety's Restaurant if you walk along the beach.

Posted this in another thread, but thought I would post it here too. I made 2 versions of a tiny little map to print out:

We just got back from Mazatlan on the Carnival Miracle, and walked to Stone Island from the cruise terminal. It was very easy. We did go to Lety's restaurant. The waiter there offered us a number of activities they could supply (banana boat, ATV rental, Kayak...). We rented kayaks from them (200 pesos per kayak for more than 2 hours). They kept our personal belongings safe for us while we were out kayaking. After kayaking we enjoyed some very delicious cheap margaritas.

I would highly reccomend it. To help people out I made 2 versions of a tiny little map to print out:

No problem. So this prompts me to ask a question. Did you go to Boca so you could have lunch at the Ocean Grill? If so, were you pleased? Most are quite happy.

 

Hank

I went to Boca so we could hike to Playa Las Animas. Had an amazing time walking through the jungle and across some of the beautiful secluded beaches.

I had heard about Ocean Grill and very much wanted to go there, but sadly they were closed. It looks like they close during the rainy season and open back up again in November.

So, the driver either took advantage of you.....or something was lost in the translation (more likely). The fare, as its been for a couple of years, is still 7.5 Pesos per person or 15 for two :). There is a slightly higher fare (8 Pesos) if you are taking the bus south of PV to a place like Mismaloya or Boca de Tomatlan.

 

Keep in mind that 1 Peso is about 6 cents....so its not all that relevant. Most of the local bus drivers will take $1 US for two persons...if you do not have Pesos. But, that is because they are nice people (we love the Mexicans...which is one reason why we live in PV every winter). . We have expected a bus fare increase because the Mexican government took off fuel price controls last winter. But an increase needs government approval and any kind of increase places a real hardship on the locals who use the bus system on a daily basis...and hence the government is very slow to grant fare increases.

 

Hank

My mistake, the bus we took was to Boca de Tomtlan. Your information would explain why he charged us 8 pesos each

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I would add that I did talk to one of the guys hawking tours/excursions at Playa Los Muertos he said they could take us to to Las Animas from there on a boat and pick us up at a set time later in the afternoon. I did not get a price though. I'm sure it's more expensive but easier than taking the bus all the way out to Boca.

Another random thing I will add is if you are looking to take some Mescal or Tequila home with you, there is a very good liquor store called "Vinos America" right down the street from where you catch the bus to Boca de Tomatlan. They have an unbeatable selection and very reasonable prices.

We did the exact same hike last week on our cruise. It was absolutely beautiful I loved all the little beaches along the way. From Las Animas back to Boca we paid 50 pesos per person one way for a water taxi. But in researching it beforehand It seems the price varies a lot. Maybe it helped that we were on the boat with a bunch of locals.

My only regret was the restaurant we chose as Las Animas. The food was terrible and they ripped us off in typical tourist fashion. I'm trying to find it with google to figure out the name: I think it was called Ohana beach club. It was farther west down the beach than most of the other restaurants.

Here is a picture I took while on our hike:

Any update on current pricing? Some bus drivers accept US $ still, & how much? Thanks

We were there last week. I just asked the driver how much for two people and was told 16 pesos. I did not try to pay with dollars nor did I see anyone else paying with dollars.

We are on the Miracle to Cabo, Mazatlan, and PV embaking next weekend. Puerto Vallarta, the closest port to the earthquake, is reportedly not impacted: https://www.vallartadaily.com/news/puerto-vallarta/puerto-vallarta-earthquake-mexico/

Mexico is a large county of 127 million people. They have a very large military and a large federal government. Even with the earthquake and Hurricane Katia any aid or rescue efforts are not going to affect security operations in tourist areas. Local police from tourist areas are not going to be deployed to other parts of the country.

NCL offers shore excursion credit as an option for their free at sea promotion.

I buy powdered coconut water. I have never taken it on a cruise though. It tastes just like the stuff in a carton when you mix it with water. Although I never use it like that I just add it to smoothies, or mix a few teaspoons in with my morning coffee.

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Boy I'm kind of shocked at the mixed opinions on this, I appreciate them though the more I know the closer I get to a decision . I was aware of the issues with booze in mexico but figured if I bought anything out of a sealed bottle I should be safe?

I respect everyone's opinion. But there is a reason you get people saying a place "feels scary", without any people saying something bad actually happened to them there.

The whole "tainted booze" thing is way overblown. It was recently in the news because it was one small group of criminals running the scam around Cancun, where it mostly showed up at some of the all inclusive resorts. This is thousands of miles away from Ensenada until you hear about anything happening like that in Ensenada, Tijuana, or closer places I would not worry about it. Thousands of American tourists drink in Ensenada every week if it was a problem you would hear about it.

If you really want to be extra safe stick to ordering well known brands of foreign liquor (Bacardi, jack Daniels, etc...) and avoid Tequila. Reports of tainted alcohol in Cancun was all Tequila. Tequila is the most popular liquor, the markup is high and it is made in Mexico so the counterfeiters have access to used bottles or fake bottles to refill with their fake product. It would be much more difficult for them to get something like fake jack Daniels bottles, and it would be harder for them to sell.

watch a movie

To expand on that bring an iPad or tablet loaded with a few seasons of a good TV show, and a pair of headphones

Make it a goal to eat every single item at the buffet and keep a list.

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Not too sure where it's taking you. The tourist area is pretty much across Big Head Plaza/Big Flag and up one block. Can see the ship from any street heading towards the water.

Oh yeah you're right you can walk to the closest part of the tourist area in about 10 minutes.

I meant it's specifically a 25 minute walk from the boat to the places that you go on Carnival's bar hopping excursion (Papas n beer, Hussongs)

Since you are going solo, I understand why you want to take the excursion to meet people.

I just looked at the excursion details. It looks like they take you to Hussongs, Papa's 'n Beer, and Ryerson 51. Those are all right next to each other. You can save yourself $30+ by just going down there yourself and walking from bar to bar.

I'd also recommend the wine tasting excursion. That area has some really good wine, and wine tasting is always a good way to meet new friends.

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Shuttle costs $3 round trip, can walk it in 10 minutes.

Google maps says it's more like a 25 minute walk.

Instead of the crowded shuttle we just walked out to the street in front of the cruise port, then took an Uber which is less than $3 each way. Much more comfortable and convenient.