Great Guacamole in Puerto Vallarta & Mazatlan

[mrav8tr]

My husband and I aren't looking to do much at the ports on our upcoming Mexican Riviera cruise early December. Thought we would look for recommendations to places close to the ports that have Great Guacamole & Chips, Beer & Bloody Marys! Something easily accessible from the ship in both Puerto Vallarta & Mazatlan. Thanks for any recommendations.

[gtaylor]

My husband and I aren't looking to do much at the ports on our upcoming Mexican Riviera cruise early December. Thought we would look for recommendations to places close to the ports that have Great Guacamole & Chips, Beer & Bloody Marys! Something easily accessible from the ship in both Puerto Vallarta & Mazatlan. Thanks for any recommendations.

 

In Puerto Vallarta, perhaps forego the Guacamole, but catch a city bus for less than $1 US each into town and visit the southern end of the Malecon and the Cheeky Monkey, or walk a little farther, over the bridge, to the feet in the sand

and enjoy either's Sweet Salsa and Chips and share a 9 Layer Salad (take a photo).

 

Beers and Margaritas are $1 and more expensive drinks bump up to $2. Didn't notice Bloody Mary's.

 

Free WiFi, too.

 

gary

[Ine]

In the same area in old town Puerto Vallarta, on the beach of los muertos you will find Blue Shrimp restaurant. More upscale, a bit more expensive. But they make great guacamole right at your table.

If you donot want to take the bus (great experience mind you) a yellow cab from the highway will cost you around Pesos 80,-/100,-

The cabs at the cruiseterminal charge per prson and are more expensive.

[riffatsea]

If you walk outside the port area to take a taxi it will cost about $8USA . Sometimes you can bargain and get the ride for $6ish. It depends .Definitely go to the malecon(boardwalk) and stroll along go over the small humpback bridge to Los Muertos beach where the new pier is located. It is just beautiful!

I had a great mango Margarita at the Sea Monkey restaurant there but you can look at menus and decide.

Sea Monkey also has nice bathrooms!

[mrav8tr]

Well, it sounds like we might venture out a bit more than normal. Thanks for the input!

[tjcletsgo]

I've been to Mexico probably 15 times and have never had anything other than yummy guacamole anywhere :D

 

Janie

[bobnsofi]

$8 each way to take a taxi to Casa Isabel in PV at 5pm local time (typically 4pm ships time). 2/1 drinks and the most beautiful view and ambiance.

 

In Old Town, same distance as most of the other places suggested

 

the sunset and ambiance is amazing

 

the ship ports behind the high rises in the distant upper center of pic

[bobnsofi]

Mazatlan - your best bet for a nice spot CLOSE, CLOSE, CLOSE to the cruise pier is the small waterfront Cafe south of the pier, and right next to the Stone Island Ferry (ferry is in lower left of map below)

 

You asked for CLOSE, CLOSE, CLOSE. Guac is not a Mexican Staple and will cost about $5. It is all the same, nice, fresh, and a small serving with just a few chips

 

It is still a 1/4 mile walk out of the pier, plenty of taxis to take you there

[bobnsofi]

Should ad again, Guacamole is not a typical Mexican Dish, it is made for us gringos, in small servings for $5, kind of a rip off. They do not serve it like we are used to, in a large bowl with bottomless chips. They serve a small scoop with a few chips

 

Better to dip chips in salsa, and have some garlic shrimp and rice, or look at the menu, and ask what is good, and look around at what others are eating. Mexican beer is the !!! BEST !!!. Bloody Mary's are a Gringo Drink. BEER & MARG's are your best bet

[TM]

I would also highly recommend the Cheeky Monkey in Mazatlan. Great views of the Malecon and the ocean sitting on the 2nd or 3rd floors. Drinks/beers are cheap and the food is excellent.

[bobnsofi]

I would also highly recommend the Cheeky Monkey

 

 

The Cheeky Monkey and the Oceano are next door to each other on the Malacon in PV. $1 Beers and great prices. We prefer the Oceano. $6 taxi ride each way from the cruise pier

 

Here is a video we did from the Oceano. You can see Cheeky Monkey sign next door, near the end of the short video.

 

 

Below is a short video we did at happy hour at Casa Isabella in PV, a bit classier ambiance ($8 taxi ride to cruise pier each way)

.

.

walk outside the cruise terminal for the yellow Nissan taxi's. The white taxi's inside the cruise terminal charge $$$

Edited September 16, 2014 by bobnsofi

[gtaylor]

I would also highly recommend the Cheeky Monkey in Mazatlan. Great views of the Malecon and the ocean sitting on the 2nd or 3rd floors. Drinks/beers are cheap and the food is excellent.

 

As far as I know, the Cheeky Monkey is only in Puerto Vallarta, but that location is excellent, as is the nearby Sea Monkey.

 

gary

[Seaing ports]

Our cruise has changed a port and we will now go to Mazatlan. When we were there before, they told us that there is no way to walk from the port to anyplace in town. Is this true? We really prefer to walk and see sights. Any suggestions is appreciated.

[bobnsofi]

Our cruise has changed a port and we will now go to Mazatlan. When we were there before, they told us that there is no way to walk from the port to anyplace in town. Is this true? We really prefer to walk and see sights. Any suggestions is appreciated.

 

It is a distant walk to see the great (and nearest) downtown area. Some do it. Most don't. If you walk out of the port, you can charter an open air dune buggy style taxi for $15/hr. That is what we usually do.

 

[tonopah1kid]

We haven't been to Mazatlan for a couple of years, since HAL quit going there, I've read that the Authorities made quite a few "positive changes" to make it more attractive to tourist.

 

You were required to take a shuttle trolly from the ship to the Terminal Exit from the Port. Took a little bit of time coming and going, plus working your way thru the Mall in the Terminal. Plenty of choices from Taxis, going out to the Street will find Pulmonarias (open-air) VW taxis which will take you to the Golden Zone or Downtown for less than 10 pesos. It's quite a long ride to the Golden Zone, probably 5-7 miles, alot along the Malecon which is very beautiful. The exhaust from these VW,s can be quite nauseating!

 

With a little Map skill, you can walk to Old Downtown and to Las Olas blvd and the extensive Malecon, including the Cliff Divers. One way would probably be about 1 mile. But getting a Taxi back to the Pier from Downtown could be a little tricky, not very far and only worth a couple of dollars fare. Walking either way requires a zig-zag route, the streets are orientated kinda NE-SW and the Terminal is mostly due east. So to kept the distance reasonable, you walk NE and Then SE, etc.

 

As far as safety, we've spent a week in MZT and have been there at least 4 times with HAL. During Daylight there is no threat, people are polite and curious, but not a problem!

 

The old Downtown is very beautiful and exciting, just be aware of your surroundings!

[tonopah1kid]

Opps, I misspoke the VW Taxi fares, they would be about $5 to $8 USD, depending on number of people....

 

Probably about $3.00-$5.00 per person from Downtown back to Ship!

[Seaing ports]

We haven't been to Mazatlan for a couple of years, since HAL quit going there, I've read that the Authorities made quite a few "positive changes" to make it more attractive to tourist.

 

You were required to take a shuttle trolly from the ship to the Terminal Exit from the Port. Took a little bit of time coming and going, plus working your way thru the Mall in the Terminal. Plenty of choices from Taxis, going out to the Street will find Pulmonarias (open-air) VW taxis which will take you to the Golden Zone or Downtown for less than 10 pesos. It's quite a long ride to the Golden Zone, probably 5-7 miles, alot along the Malecon which is very beautiful. The exhaust from these VW,s can be quite nauseating!

 

With a little Map skill, you can walk to Old Downtown and to Las Olas blvd and the extensive Malecon, including the Cliff Divers. One way would probably be about 1 mile. But getting a Taxi back to the Pier from Downtown could be a little tricky, not very far and only worth a couple of dollars fare. Walking either way requires a zig-zag route, the streets are orientated kinda NE-SW and the Terminal is mostly due east. So to kept the distance reasonable, you walk NE and Then SE, etc.

 

As far as safety, we've spent a week in MZT and have been there at least 4 times with HAL. During Daylight there is no threat, people are polite and curious, but not a problem!

 

The old Downtown is very beautiful and exciting, just be aware of your surroundings!

 

WOW!!! Thank you...you are a great "travel guide". That is great information and I appreciate your taking the time to share.