The Silver Traveler

Puerto Vallarta, Twice Over: Sun, Whales, Tequila, and a Few Good Lessons

We stayed at our timeshare to bring in the New Year, Vallarta Torre, and from the very first morning it reminded us why Puerto Vallarta keeps calling us back. Every day was sunny, with that dreamy band of fog sitting low on the horizon, and more than once we spotted whales breaching right from our balcony. Coffee in hand, whales in view—hard to beat.

Because the peso kept fluctuating during our stay, I made myself a little tip cheat sheet, and I’m so glad I did. Having 15% and 20% tip amounts written out in pesos (with rough U.S. dollar equivalents) took all the mental math out of the moment and made tipping easy and stress-free.

A Tequila Day to Remember

One of the highlights was a tequila tour and city tour, which we took with our two granddaughters—one 22 and the other 30. They both had a fantastic time, which made the day even sweeter.

The tour happened to fall on a Saturday, so while we could see the tequila machinery, no one was actively working. That turned it into more of a tequila tasting experience, and honestly, no complaints there. Lunch was outstanding—one of those meals you keep talking about afterward—and we also stopped at a coffee roaster that sold not just coffee, but gifts and beautiful blankets.

There were a few scenic stops along the bay for photos (and necessary potty breaks), and somewhere along the way I picked up a 1960s-style pullover jacket that will forever remind me of this trip.

The city tour portion included a stop on the Malecón. There wasn’t much discussion about the sculptures, but we did learn about the iconic arches, and our guide showed us how to tell whether a building was made of adobe or cement and steel—one of those small details that sticks with you. Best of all, the tour cost was super reasonable.

Home… and Then Right Back

After that first stay, we went home for about a week and a half—and then promptly returned for another ten glorious days of sun. We were more than ready to escape Seattle’s “rivers in the sky” weather.

Getting around was easy. We used taxis and Uber everywhere, both of which worked well. As a general guide:

• Minimum taxi fare from our resort to Costco or nearby areas: 70 pesos

• Downtown trips: about 120 pesos

• Resort to airport: 150 pesos
  (Expect to pay more going from the airport to your resort.)

  Costco Runs and Vanilla Finds

  We stopped at Costco for a case of water and just a few food items—mostly snacks like grapes, cheese, crackers, and tortillas. One fun find was Mexican vanilla under the Kirkland brand. It’s also sold in the U.S., but it’s cheaper in Mexico—and importantly, it’s true vanilla extract, not the imitation blends sometimes found in Mexico that can contain coumarin from tonka beans (which is banned in the U.S.). Read labels carefully.

  I also like Usumacinta Pure Amber Mexican Vanilla Extract, which I pick up whenever I can.

  Eating Our Way Through Vallarta

  We ate out a lot and had great luck using OpenTable for reservations. It worked beautifully—though it did give us one very funny moment.

  I made a reservation for five at La Vaca Argentina, where we were meeting family. They arrived a little late and told us they were waiting at the Italian restaurant next door. When they walked in, the hostess said, “Yes, I see your reservation,” and seated them. Eventually, everyone realized they were in the wrong restaurant—and no, I did not have a reservation there. Still makes me laugh.

  A few restaurant highlights:

  • La Traviata – Rooftop Italian with a lovely city and sunset view. Good pasta. Arrive about ten minutes before sunset.

  • La Vaca Argentina – Steakhouse with huge portions. Perfect for sharing.

  • PiPi’s – A Vallarta institution. Tableside guacamole, large portions, very American-style Mexican food… and super, super noisy. Make a reservation using Whatsapp.  They are not on Open Table On facebook here.

  • Pepe’s – Walk-up taco stand with a constant line and excellent tacos.

  Money & Language Cheat Tips

  In addition to my tipping card, I also recommend putting Spanish number translations on the back. A few helpful reminders:

  • Cien (100) becomes ciento for numbers 101–199

  • 1,000 is mil (never un mil)

  • 500 is quinientos (pronounced “keen-tee-entos”)

  Little things like this made everyday interactions much easier.

  A Medical Detour (and a Big Lesson)

  One unexpected detour: we spent a long day at a 24-hour medical clinic with our 20-year-old grandson. He’d been throwing up for four days. Thankfully, it wasn’t the flu or a bacterial infection. The doctor was excellent—hydration, IV fluids, blood work, nausea medication, and careful observation so he could safely fly home.

  Total cost? $550 U.S.

  That same day, a friend of our son paid $7,500 in Canada for a clinic visit involving stitches and concussion observation after a heli-skiing accident.

  Even if you’re young: get travel insurance. If you travel often, an annual plan is absolutely worth it.

  Pharmacy Know-How

  Pharmacies are everywhere in Mexico—on every corner and sometimes mid-block—but quality matters. It is possible to buy fake medication.

  We trusted both Costco and Farmacia Guadalajara, which will not sell prescription medication without a prescription (unlike some smaller corner pharmacies). That alone gave us peace of mind.

  Whale Watching with Chica Locca

  We also went whale watching in the bay with Chica Locca Tours, my go-to company. Booking through ChicaLoccaTours.com was easy, and I found better pricing there than through third-party sites.

  The boat was comfortable, not overcrowded, with upper and lower decks. Everyone was given a life jacket (a government requirement), and the crew was wonderful. Morning snacks, drinks, afternoon chips and guacamole—the beverages just kept coming.

• It was an incredible day. Male humpbacks were fighting for dominance while the female swam nearby, and there was breaching everywhere. Our eldest family member—91 years old—was seated right next to the captain so she had the best view and the most comfortable seat. The guide was knowledgeable, the crew attentive, and the experience unforgettable.  Note:  My cousin sent me this after we had come back home:
  “We did do another excursion with Chica Locca Tours, a sunset whale watching. At the very end the whales kindly breached close by for us! It was a bigger boat but still not crowded and very nice cushioned chairs. That company is a winner.!”

  Final Thoughts

  Puerto Vallarta gave us sunshine, family memories, incredible food, whales in the wild, and a reminder that traveling smart—cheat sheets, insurance, reputable pharmacies—lets you relax and truly enjoy the moment.

  And honestly? When Seattle skies start raining sideways again, I know exactly where I’ll be dreaming of. 🌴🐋☀️