The biggies, Commercial Mexicana and Gigante, are on the way out to the airport on Avenida Las Palmas. The competitor closer in town (near Villas Sonia) is La LEY which translated means LAW. Best bet for the in town crowd is LEY or RIZO's. By the way CALLE means street. A further one exists at the North edge of town, near one of the three street lights in the city, just past the Sheraton Buganvilas. It is called Guicel's which has gone downhill in recent years alas. Of course there is COMMERCIAL MEXICANA, which is new and very modern.

The closest to town one is in Plaza Genovesa the largest and most progressive shopping center in town located at la Playa Las Glorias where the Continental town is located. They now have two locations but both are out of town. The biggest store anywhere is aptly called GIGANTE and is out on the strip and if you are making a huge order perhaps worth the cab rides there and back. For meat products, it's definitely the best of them all. It's a SAFEWAY come K-MART. All these stores sell liquor as well, by the way, but DON CHUY's is still the best place for that. Us old timers and frankly most of the people living south of the Cuale river that divides the town prefer RIZO's. They'll have the horseradish or black tea more likely than any of the others. Try finding capers any other place but RIZO's for instance.

Close to CASA SONIA is a Mexican version of a Seven Eleven (I could get sued for this but that is how a tenant described it) It is one block down and to the left 1/2 a block on the right...a doorway (looks like a typical house) but they have cigarettes, eggs, bread, pop, etc. A meat market on the north side of town below Villas SONIA is WAKAKIRI, corner of Venezuela and Peru (if you like pork ask for a LOMO DE CERDO), the best in the world. His feature however is pure SONORA grain fed Hereford beef. If you find the good pottery store a few corners away (good for pottery and ceramics purchases) called Alfareria TLAQUEPAQUE on Ave. MEXICO two blocks south of LEY, just ask them where is WAKAKIRI's.

For BEER or "CERVEZA 'sair vay sa'" as they say in Spanish, it's easy, just order from us. If you don't like CORONA, Dos XX, SOL or Pacifico which we sell at modest prices, relieving you of the burden of carrying and paying for empties, which are twice the price of the liquid inside, then fill your boots at one of the depositos or supermarkets that sell beer. By the way we are now offering Dos XX's by Superior as an alternative. If you’re into Negra Modelo or Bohemia or something exotic then get ready to pay the hefty deposit on the empties and pack it up the hill. The reason why they won't take the empties back once you buy them is because they have made such a markup on the glass that they don't want to refund them EVER! They will of course turn them over. Just think you will never be able to leave town! Now you know how we got into the beer business, with 700 empty bottles laying around.....

Initially you will think, how are we going to live with only these small stores instead of those huge supermarkets from back home, (Commercial Mexicana LEY & Gigante are the exceptions) but you do your shopping in several locations such as in Europe and frankly change your thinking in this regard quickly. The simple stores, just like in the country, suffice. Several bakeries have sprung up but I'll let you use your nose to find them. Shrimps are sold kitty corner from Guttierrez RIZO's out of Coleman coolers iced down by women shaded by poly tarps. This is the best and least expensive place to buy shrimp. They are also offering some other seafoods such as scallops, crabs and even smoked Marlin or Sailfish which is (in this writers opinion) better than smoked salmon (and you can keep these.. for a while any way).

Just up the street (Aquiles SERDAN) from the Shrimp Ladies three blocks on the right hand side across from Richard Burton's Park alongside of the river is DON CHUY'S who doesn't sell much to eat but provides the necessary to make it go down well. He is a liquor wholesaler that sells to the public as well and it is definitely the best place to make your liquor purchases. He has a great selection of wines both local and imported. The local wines by the way are not bad at all nowadays. Try the Cabernet Sauvignon by L.A. CETTO which is a good bottler also for whites. CHARDONAY, CHENIN BLANC, Reislings and a very good FUME BLANC. In the reds try Petite SIRAH or ZINFANDEL all by L.A. CETTO. In a restaurant look for these and if they don't have them give them hell (they're my favorites) and threaten to leave. We'll teach them to give up on the Calafia's and DOMEQ crap. Actually not to be harsh on DOMEQ, they do make some very good wines but some zingers also. Stay with L.A. CETTO, I've never had a wine of theirs that I didn't like.

For desserts try a litre of ice cream from BINGS, they have several outlets and usually a line up. The reason becomes obvious on the first spoonful. Use two hands as the calories are heavy. Run up the stairs at CASA ANITA so that it will cancel out. This should look after you finding the necessary to eat at home but with the succession of devaluations even CANADIANS are eating out again as it's CHEAP once again. Don't shoot me for saying this but as this book goes to press it is very reasonable and after all you're on vacation, so splurge.

If you are in a splurging mood and don't want the hassle of having to hunt for all this food and then forgetting this and that, consider our SHOPPING COOK. One of our maids is a formidable chef. She makes the greatest guacamole this writer has ever tasted.That is a Mexican basic and if she can impart her 'signature' to something that simple you can bet she will leave an impression on you with some more exotic dishes. Here's how it works. We charge $35. U.S. per day for up to four people and $6. per person for extra persons. Kids under 10 are two for one.

The minimum is three consecutive days excepting Sundays. We get another maid in to cover her regular duties and she works exclusively for you for the three days. She discusses the menu in advance with you. You can be as detailed or as nebulous as you want. Just "feed us" will work or you can get involved in the preparation and plagiarize her work later back home. She asks for an advance of shopping money and then goes and buys the necessary articles then returns and prepares the evening meal at the time you request. She serves it and waits on the table(s) and completes the clean up either that same evening or early the next morning when she comes to prepare your breakfast.

The day consists of two meals, breakfast and supper. She shops, carries, cooks, serves and cleans up the whole business. Remember you're buying those wines I mentioned at Don Chuys for under $50. pesos compared to $100 - $150. in a restaurant plus 15% tax and likely a similar tip. Here you are with the best view in town being catered and pampered in your own suite. Hint hint guys, this is a double, double brownie point item.

Three days is plenty, as you'll have lots of left overs for snacking etc., besides it gives someone else a chance to experience this. If you are four it frankly makes fiscal sense apart from the brownies.... If you want this service upon arrival we can organize it. The old hands do this often as you arrive tired and likely go out which makes for a 20 hour day sometimes. If you have kids this makes sense to set it up for the first three days of your visit. This gives you time to settle in and the staples will be all in place for you. We will front-end the food cost and you settle up against itemized bills upon check-out. This is how the villa crowds shine over the 'box dwellers' living out of town.

On the "Malecon" or promenade, or "the strip" there are many fine restaurants. CARLOS O'BRIAN'S - varied menu - specialty spare ribs — large lineups but worth it. (Also the largest drinks in town). Carlos's is for young people up to sixty. The nightly regime is going to Carlos O'Brian's for watercress salad and submarines (a shot of tequila - glass and all - floating in a glass of that good Mexican beer), then disco-ing till 5 A.M at the ZOO or Cactus. (Capriccio's and the City Dump are no longer in business I'm afraid to say to you old timers).

On the river, try Las BRISAS for an authentic Mexican flavour and delicious margaritas!! Five star dining is also found at CUIZA's Jazz Café or FELIPES near Casa Anita. On the Malecon try Viejo Vallarta right in front of the sea horse or La Dolce Vita for the best pizza around. One block below Villa Sonia, there is La Casita Restaurant, I co-oped on the construction of that street years ago to be able to get vehicles up to Villas SONIA but I'm loathe to admit it, as it is an illegal grade and there have been many accidents of stalled cars rolling over as they slide back down. This of course adds to the excitement while dining, but not the main reason to be here. The food is great even if the tables are jammed together and the intimacy borders on being cramped. It's always full so be ready to wait or reserve. You can watch and hear the automobiles 'try the hill'. It's a maybe bet on the cars but a sure thing on the dining.

The story has it that he is a break away partner from Los Faisanes who of course was the chef at the Golf Club and so on. This is his own with a partner and it is gourmet dining at gourmet prices. Don't let the house and decor influence you, try it and expect to pay, but worth it. Here 'comes' the neighbourhood. Interestingly enough is that the owner of the Villa kitty corner from La CASITA is a Mrs. Barbara TOPETE who is the retired owner/founder of Ocean Crest Resort & Dinner House, a famous resort on the Washington Coast. (She recommends her neighbours and that's a good testimonial as Seattlites used to drive three hours to have their legs under her table).

For those whose cab couldn't make it to LA CASITA there is a small modest restaurant at the bottom of the same hill called LA PLAZITA. This too is a good restaurant who gain their clientele by paying off the cabs. A deplorable element but what are those stranded "refugees" of the big Hotels going to do? They escape in a cab from the PIZZA HUT or Salon dining in the big hotel atmosphere looking for the "tipico" and the first person they ask is the cabbie who of course takes them as far as he can and to where he gets a payoff. Don't discount this one however as the food is good and still not out of line. With the bonus of the waiters doing magic tricks with napkins and a whole gamut of interesting things so that you won't notice the usual forty five minute wait for meals to appear, which must be a law in MEXICO. If you order a BIIG Margarita upon seating this will all work out well. Don't complain, drink instead, either the swill or the scenery and don't worry it’s always worth the wait.

The hill I'm talking about is really Panama Street which has Casa BUNGEE at the top. The last block of that steep hill was built exclusively by MEX-DEV and your money while the steepest part (where La CASITA is) we paid 1/3 of the cost. Remind the owner about that and maybe you'll get a digestif on the house??? In defense of La Plazita the waiters (family business) are most entertaining with magic tricks to amuse you while waiting for your food which is delicious. These days you won't notice the cabbies’ increment either. By the time you read this hopefully this commissioning practice will be abolished as it is pressuring and raising the menu prices, you can bet on that.

Many restaurateurs offer us commissions to send them people but we decline saying offer an extra drink to the guest we send and buy us one when we go, if you like. Also if someone wants a place to stay, send them to us but don't ask for a commission either. The local English language newspaper carries an article every day about this practice and it's working, the public is responding.

Another unique place famous for Steak Diane and Caesar Salad is a small hotel called POSADA RIO CUALE (near Casa Anita). In high season there are sometimes waits for a table so drop by earlier in the day and reserve or phone. The restaurant is called LE GOURMET and it is. They also boast 30 years and still the best and I wouldn't argue too much with that. Also near Casa Anita is a myriad of budget eateries on Olas Altas (down the hill), the parallel street to the "main" beach--Los Muertos". LOS ARCOS HOTEL (now recently changed to fine dining but sidewalk style, its called CAFE MAXIMILIAN) and CHIANTIS SPAGHETTI HOUSE are amongst some of the places you will find on Olas Altas.

There are at least a dozen more. One of the best is maybe the night spot ANDALE's which is rivaling CARLOS O'BRIAN'S in format and popularity. I've heard they make a mean hamburger. In any restaurant try the bar-b-qued WHOLE red snapper, it's delicious. Get ready however as the whole fish (minus the guts) is displayed on the plate and you pick and filet it yourself cooked. A good thing about ANDALE's is that it is open very late if your stomach is grumbling after a turn at the other bars. If they are closed, it's the taco stands and the famous ones are near Farmacia de Guadalajara on the corner of Insurgentes and Lazaro Cardenas. MENDOZAS is the de-facto champion. It's like NATES to someone from Ottawa or BEN's to a MONTREALER.

In the middle of town is MEXICAN JOES. He's moved at least five times that I know of. He's now just off the malecon behind and above a bank, (the only one on that part of the strip between Carlos O'Brian's and the Hard Rock Cafe) He used to be great and that he has survived "dodging" his clients with a move every year is an apt testimonial. Watch out if you sit on the balcony for the high tension wire that passes dangerously close to the railing.

Flash - he has finally gone out of business - likely for the last time. He re-gained the old property he originally had bought from Carlos Flores who built it. He must have offered to buy down his debt, something that is coming of age after the disastrous devaluation of 1995 which saw many persons abandoning cars, properties etc. similar to the S & L situation of the USA. Anyway he came back with blow torch natchos (he had a cart with a propane bottle and a welders head on a flex hose and used to scorch the natchos in front of you. Imagine what the fire marshall would say about that back home. Anyway he lasted the 1997 season and unfortunately has closed again.

For the budget conscious or the not-too-fond of Mexican cuisine types, try Café Carisma (good value Italian food washed down with cheap house wine), the ICHI SUSHI (interesting variations of Japanese cuisine substituting some fruit and vegetables for an inexpensive delightful change). For those who can't adjust and are homesick already, there is DOMINO's and Subway both downtown. DOMINO's will deliver within 1/2 hour or it's free. The number is 222-1425. Le BISTRO has been getting rave reviews from guests. They seem to re-decorate every year and it gets better and better each year. It’s in the river, yes in the river, accessed from the northbound bridge into the island area in the river. The setting is great and the owners are of a persuasion noted for talent in decorating. The food lives up to the location and decor I should add.

Sr.CHICO's has finally made it. His latest creation is CHICO's INTERNATIONAL now fifteen years old and very popular. It is on PULPITO 377 (left turn 1.2 way up the hill from the gas station across from the new Brock SQUIRE realty building). Near the top is CHICO but if you turn left near the top you'll end up at FELIPE's which offers chef specials every night. Both offer a beautiful view of the town while dining. Wear a sweater if you’re at the late sitting in the evening as the 'adiabatic' effect is very pronounced here towards 11:00PM. PEPE's and Le BISTRO also endure this pleasant breeze so dress accordingly.

I prefer FELIPE's as it has a garden setting with the biggest mango tree you've ever seen. He has the best black bean soup ever and the mango flambe is improvident. His (steak) Filete de Felipes is done with interesting vegetables and is a favorite. Fresh fish daily is on everyone’s menu but some can prepare it better than others. The simple "filete de pecado al mojo de ajo" (which means filet of fish in garlic butter) is divine and all the better with this (third) greatest view in Vallarta. There is a set of steps just outside of his door which lead down to the barrier just across from the gas station at the bottom of the hill going up to Casa Anita. If you check this out in the daytime you can probably negotiate your way up and down. This is worth a free margarita as there are many steps. Felipe is obliging in this department especially when you present a coupon or mention that you come from CASA ANITA or Villas SONIA.

He and I are Godparents to different children in the same family so we are "compadres politicos". The restaurant was his personal home and he, like CHICO, tried many businesses which foundered or failed until they both ended up on this hill with restaurants. A) because they are close and B)because they are very good. I suggest that they make your "definite" list.

On certain nights some hotels such as the Krystal Vallarta Hotel (near the Aeropuerto) and the SHERATON have "Noche Mexicana" and for a set price including cocktails, one can sample the native dishes from all over the Republic. In addition one can enjoy a folkloric sequence of dancing, lasso spinning, and Mariachi music. Well worth it, don't miss at least one. LA IGUANA is a supper club offering dining with a similar floor show, not every night though, just Thursday and Sunday. Check English section of newspapers, or the tour desk. We reserve and sell tickets to these "Noches Mexicanas". This has become very popular and the prices range from about $30. to $60.per person U.S. and they are all worth it. The fare and entertainment dictate the price differences. Factor in the transportation cost as this is to be reckoned with as well. When six or more book with us, we offer free one way transportation. Tickets have to be pre-bought and we represent them all.

Considering that these groups get about $200. U.S. per hour it's a bargain meal. Don't eat in the morning and don't plan on eating in the evening. FLASH I've tried the SHERATON and it's even better than the CAMINO REAL ever was.... God has answered our prayers. It starts at 09:30 and goes to 14:00 and the cost is only 130. pesos at last count. Instead of the two margaritas, which was the deal at one point at the Camino, the SHERATON offers UNLIMITED CHAMPAGNE as well as an even larger spread of food while the mariachis play from 10:00 to 12:30 in a garden setting with a view of the beach. This is one of the best deals currently in Puerto Vallarta and is definitely a DON'T MISS.

At the CAMINO REAL they also have a fine dining room which is called La PERLA and rivals any of the aforementioned gourmet kitchens. They even have Nova Scotia lobster on the menu. The disco La JUNGLA is O.K. also but more subdued than the ones in town. One notable (member of the chef des Rotisseurs) restaurant that is directly in the town centre 1/2 a block from the Market is CHEF ROGER's. Roger is Swiss and married to a good friend’s sister. He worked in many of the great eateries of the world including the Banff Springs Hotel and has been acclaimed by several publications.

For the very best, CHEF ROGER should top your list followed by FELIPE'S and BOGARTS. Peruse the menu the day before and if you have a special request speak directly to Roger himself and I'm sure he will accommodate your whim. My claim to world class status for Vallarta is based on us having no less than eight elite resident chefs. One of the chefs aboard one of the largest cruise ships in the world calls Puerto Vallarta home. Gaby's, behind the church is a small Mexican place with great value. I define "value" as a balance between decor, atmosphere, good food, service, and price.

Another family run restaurant that is in the same cadre and hard to find (ask a cab driver, it's near the stadium) is Cuetos. This has been overrun by the cab carrying crowds and often there is a lineup. We've conceded this 'one' good in-town restaurant to the 'tourist tank crowd' hell we want them to come back and stay in town next time and find the real gems. One of the town favourites that is on the South "old town" area is a two storey family run restaurant that is called "LAS BRISAS". Underline this one on your list of "have tos". It's a varied menu with great 'brain chiller' margaritas to start with and it looks out over the bridge over the CUALE (not the usual tourist area) on Aquiles Serdan same street that RIZO is on.

For a first night try Triana or Trios both excellent the latter more pricey but both are value for money. Abadio Basso is owned by the ex-food and beverage manager of the SHERATON who has departed for Chile for a spell but his partner is carrying on the tradition of great meals with a guitarist for background. TRIOS and Abadio Basso are top of the line restaurants. I guarantee that if you go to any of these you'll return within the trip. Another great value meal can be had at GABY's behind the downtown Banks just north of the big Cathedral. Intimate and typical and incredibly cheap. Also in this great value line is LAS PALOMAS excellent food and decor at good prices.

Another good value one on cafe row is Cafe de la OLLA. While we're still in old town on Lazaro CARDENAS street, kitty corner from Super MAX on Insurgentes the main northbound street, which is actually the continuation of the highway passing in front of CASA ANITA/CORONA del MAR, on the second floor is a restaurant that is called LORENZO's. It's named after a Torontonian who with what his wife left him in a messy divorce he invested in this restaurant. He actually caters to the Mexican crowd as many bus stations used to abound in this area and if a tourist happens in they think they made a mistake on the bill as the food is simple, good and very inexpensive. The second story balcony type seating almost assures you a view of either of the busy streets for people watching. Of the Taco trailers I mentioned earlier, MENDOZAS is across the street from the entrance.

Now to the main street for eateries in Vallarta CAFE ROW or Calles de los Cafes in Spanish is really BASILLO BADILLO and is the first cobblestoned street you encounter as you descend the highway towards town from CASA ANITA/CORONA del MAR. This is where the cabbies bring the tourist tank crowds so it's always busy but it really is the centre of culinary delights. Don't think that because the cabbies bring the people here that everything is a ripoff - heck no, the reason is because, yes some restaurants pay off, but Basillo Badillo is also the demark for another zone of the cab tariff. This street alone would satisfy your culinary outings in a two week’s stay easily. If it's seafood (and only seafood) you're after, check out the Puerto NEUVO or BALAM (owned by a fisherman's family). If you're looking for Pizza Joes which has interestingly enough changed names. Same owner but it's not a Pizza restaurant at all anymore, it's an art gallery featuring very nice bronzes.

PUERTO NUEVO is one of the busiest restaurants and also one of the best. All they have on their extensive menu is SEAFOOD! Shrimp quesidillas, stuffed jumbo prawns, smoked marlin, and many seafood casseroles, to name a few. Next door is a small budget Hotel (a step above a Hostel similar to Posada Roger a couple of blocks west towards the sea) Because few make any money in the Hotel business and these two are really bottom rung, they have both diversified into eateries.

The FRANKFURT is just what you guessed and offers a great weiner schnitzel. It's large and delicious and it's in an inner court yard with plastic chairs on grass. Welcome to Vallarta and the "neat places". The other restaurant connected to Posada Roger is called TUCAN and the breakfasts here are apparently the best in town. Their rival also on the this same street for this prize is the Pancake House. Both are great but the owner at Pancake house suffers from PMS I'm told. Los PIBES which is also on this street is an Argentinian Steak House (imported beef) and famous for rack of lamb which is hard to get in Mexico.

At the bottom of Basillo Badillo that is one block from the ocean is Cafe de la OLLA. Besides that one is the BLUE ELEPHANT which they claim is THAI cuisine. In August I noticed that they were closed and is now the Tree House Grill. Sometimes this doesn't mean what you think as many close for renovations. That allows them to layoff employees whereas if you close for the season, you have to carry them I'm told. Cafe de la OLLA closes on Tuesdays only. It is like a cafe on the left bank of Paris. It's a meeting place for the locals, a carry over from when the restaurants weren't cheap to the dollar based tourists or residents. This restaurant is like Larry's or Lorenzo's which I mentioned earlier. The trouble is that this one has been discovered and is always busy. This is where you might find Mexicans dining in the evening. They have their big meal of the day at lunchtime or more aptly at 14:00 to 16:00 hrs.

At the other end of this famous street is Mister PEPE's which we mentioned earlier, but way up on a spur just before the tunnel. Just down from him is a religious colleague of PEPE the owner of Las CAZUELAS an oldtimer to the business and the street 30 years and a typical Vallarta restaurant. Basillo Badillo or Cafe Row as it's called in not only the culinary center part of it is now a busy thoroughfare as it is the one way northbound bypass road of downtown Vallarta. There are countless other restaurants on this street such as BALAM, JALAPENOS GRILL, ROMANO, ADOBE CAFE also very nice decor and great food and so on.

I forgot one that I believe is new and has moved from the other part of town and is called FAJITA REPUBLIC. If you are a vegetarian or just a wise eater, you won't want to miss HEALTHY's located on 'Health corner' one block inland from CARLOS O'BRIAN'S. I say 'Health corner' because besides the small restaurant specializing in 100% natural fresh ingredients, you'll find a health store and a clinic practising natural remedies. Half of Health's menu is devoted to 'health drinks and shakes. They serve everything from omelets to soya burgers including Mexican dishes and light pastas.

Most people make their own breakfasts if nothing else at home and that's why we have good quality coffee makers. Some of the higher end suites even have grinders for whole coffee beans. Rizo sells coffee both ground (for you at purchase) and in the bean state. They only have two choices Americano and Moka. Forget the Americano. If however you are a coffee fanatic then cross the bridge and past the church on Juarez street (the main northbound street through town) look for Corona St. (ironic isn't it) and turn left half a block to a coffee house called SAN CRISTOBAL. It is run by a surly S.O.B. called Wenceles who may or may not sell you beans (he hordes for his restaurant clients) but if you get a kilo of his local coffee it's worth the effort.

Just around the corner from him is a great pastry shop called MUNGIA's. They are on JUAREZ itself and they have everything from croissants to donuts and decadent chocolate cakes. The bolillos or miniature French breads fresh with this coffee will make a memorable breakfast. The only thing missing now are 1) eggs from barnyard chickens therefore orange yolks not the chemical look you're used to at home. and 2) some of Abrahams famous orange juice.(on OLAS ALTAS near the fishing pier) If you walk to these places and back to either CASA ANITA or Villas SONIA this whole exercise will have taken you about 45 minutes to an hour but it's worth the effort.

Nevertheless if you don't want to cook breakfast but want to do something special try the TUCAN or the Pancake House. It's a five minute walk from Casa ANITA. They are open daily till noon (for the Pancake House TUCAN offers varied menu throughout the day) and both feature eggs benedict, and American style breakfasts including waffles. Some of the beach restaurants serve breakfast and it's a totally different atmosphere at this time of day. The romantic breakfast and a MEX-DEV best kept secret is the 'bottom of EL SET' restaurant that opens at 08:00. It's at the bottom of EASY street near the CAMINO REAL and is part of the EL SET restaurant. With the seabirds scavenging their daily meal and the sun creeping nearer shore as it comes over the mountains the freshness is overwhelming.

This place is special and if you're hungry try the BEACH BOY Breakfast. Don't be surprised to not see many Mexicans in these restaurants as none are 'cheap cheap' anymore (the price of being a World Class resort). The devaluations are neat for the tourists but the locals find it beyond their means. (Mind you where else is it cheap?).

They of course can't afford it and if you too are similarly disposed, then get up early and "do the market" at one end of the northbound bridge over the Cuale where all the Mexicans hustle and bustle about. The best choices go quickly, so beware. This market is known as the Municipal Market but it changed from that to more of a souvenir arcade than a real market.

Another better for food market is six blocks east of Insurgentes off Lazaro Cardenas again. Turn right at the large FARMACIA GUADALAJARA and go east six blocks or so until you run into it. This is where most of the restaurateurs and homemakers from this part of town shop for the daily offerings. If you eat out every night, the kitchen and refrigerator will only constitute approximately a $15. dollar a day saving; what with ice and cold beer and drinks consumed at home, as opposed to those consumed in bars and restaurants.

If however you take real advantage of the full kitchens in every MEX-DEV. unit a substantially greater saving can be realized. Think of that along with the "best airfare and accommodation" when booking a holiday. The spending (or bleeding) starts when you hit the airport. A kitchen gives you control. Think of it as a tourniquet. Listen up you Canadians with your Canadian Pesos if you use your head and our facilities; you can live like a king at native prices.

FLASH: In the "hot" section of restaurants to try consider the Greek restaurant across from the entrance to the new (named) Hotel San Marino something or other which used to be the ORO VERDE and before that the DELFIN. Forget the hotel but consider the restaurant across the street. Some of the beach places have staked out a niche for being night restaurants. La Palapa is the leader in this and the decor and background music to lure people back to the beach at night is working. Another great restaurant which is hard to find and a sleeper with a funny entrance (don't give up) is near the electrical commission on Peru I believe on a corner. It's called Mi RUEDA and means "My Wheel" They have the brain chillers in three sizes. Watch out for the 'grandes'. A dish that isn't on the menu but is absolutely incredible is called a "shrimp-mignon" Go for it.

This class of information becomes dated quickly so make sure to check with Annette, Guillermo (Bill) or SONIA about the latest in places. Many times we can suggest what menu items to order at each place! To help you even more in this effort we have assembled in a loose leaf binder, all the menus of the mentioned restaurants and some others, which is located on the pool deck on the bottom shelf of the "bar cart" which also has all the coupons offered by the tour operators and restaurants. Feel free to peruse these menus and ask questions of us or other guests. Indeed when you've enjoyed something or the contrary let us know or better still make a note in the menu itself. You can put 'yum yum' or 'aaauck' or whatever you want. They will have more and more meaning as things progress.

Share with us and your fellow guests both your good and bad experiences. We want to know so as to pass the info along. Some one once said to me that this guide and the information we dispense freely both at the briefings and in the course of day to day conversations with guests is really 20% of our product or service. I think that's a fine compliment. If you share your experiences with us we'll share them with your successors and by the time you get back .... well...

Miscellaneous information: (from my 17 (now 26) year old daughter SONIA)
To all you teen-agers going to Puerto Vallarta to have a good time...here are a few hints. If you're into the beach scene, Looney Toones is the place for you. They have the loud "toones", volleyball games for everyone and the 2 for 1 drinks...all day, every day (mind you that one drink is also slightly more expensive than everywhere else).

Don't miss out on the Banana Boat rides and the parachuting in front of El Dorado restaurant. There is also waterski, jet boat and jet ski rentals on the beach, but it's not cheap! For shopping, try the market, the bartering is the best, "how low can you go?".

So you ask, what about the night life? Incredible!!! Carlos O'Brian's is the hot spot for everyone. After 11 pm it turns into a wild party house, go check it out, you won't be disappointed! After a few drinks there, ZOO BAR is the place to go. The ROXY and Senor Frogs also have live music and El TORITO is a sports bar with great ribs and chicken. Most clubs open at 11pm and close at 6am, but I wouldn't recommend going to a disco before 1am, you'll just be bored because everyone else will be at Carlos O'Brian's or the famous Hard Rock Cafe (unfortunately I didn't think it lived up to it's name). So there you are...have fun!

Summary:
So there you have it. Undoubtedly there will be questions not answered herein but the saving grace is that once you arrive in Puerto Vallarta and check-in you will receive a thorough briefing that is well worth while. It will undoubtedly make your vacation more enjoyable and likely save you some money as well as maybe a bad experience. The other element to remember is that SONIA, who greets the guests and conducts the briefing, is available during business hours below to answer all of your questions. Later they will be answered herein. One guest once described that twenty percent of our business was the information that we have and share. Indeed 32 years is a long time. We know it, we love it and we’re happy to share it.

There is an expression in Spanish that goes: - MI CASA es SU CASA which is a greeting of welcome into ones' home and it (and WE) mean literally, "MY HOUSE IS YOUR HOUSE".

If we tell you anymore it won't be fun anymore so let's preserve the fun. Just remember that your experience will be memorable, the good with the bad, and after all a vacation is really to change one’s ways temporarily, so as to re-assume the daily routine more readily. MEXICO will certainly stimulate you ......of that I'm sure...what is not clear is whether some of the inconveniences, such as the language barrier or noise or dust, money change, or whatever which might irk you somewhat, will be viewed as a nuisance or as a quaint or charming change. In a word...attitude...your disposition towards MEXICO is your nemesis. Why is it that some people love Mexico, while others hate it? Well, that's not easy to answer, but it tells you a whole lot about the persons themselves.....I sure hope that you love MEXICO because if you do....that love, will be returned.

BUENAS VACACIONES!

from your hosts

ANITA, SONIA & GUILLERMO SEMEYN