My 19 year old son and 5 of his friends are going to Puerto Vallarta for 11 days at the end of April. I have read that the "hotel zone" is pretty pricy for eating out and drinks so wondering what would be a more affordable but SAFE part of town for them to look for accommodations? Thanks all. They are also thinking of spending some time in either Sayulita or Mismaloya and wondering which town is nicer / has more stuff to do / safer? Signed...worried mother!

PV is safe all around. Stay out of the hotel zone it’s all resorts. What a bore for young guys. The old town and or south of the river is best for great airbnb and vrbo listings. If south of the river there is a large gay community in PV so hope your boys are intelligent and tolerant. Tons of cheap eats all around. Chicken roasters taco bars and more. Anywhere away from Malecon is cheap for beer. Grocery store abound everywhere. And don’t go to Mismaloya. They would be bored stiff. It’s not really a town but a beach with a few hotels and condos. All and all spent the time in sayulita would be a better choice all around for the age of the guys. Is recommended it over PV big time. We are going next month again and got a great place on airbnb again. Sayulita is fun and safe and they can board and surf and have a great time. I would not recommend PV for them at all really. They would LOVE sayulita and could do a day trip on the bus to PV. You get to Sayulita via taxi from the airport. It’s $800P per car and 3 in each or maybe they could get a van. Relax mom. All good. That being said being able to get a rental for a group of under 25 year old could be an issue. They would have best luck at the surfer shack style places in Sayulita. There are a couple smaller hotels and surf places and the rest is all houses for rent and some won’t rent to such a young group.

Stay in Nuevo Vallarta instead.

Sharron just resorts and mostly all inclusives with family’s and couples. Hey would have way more fun in Sayulita.

I agree, maybe a day or two in PV, that would be enough for them. Resorts are mostly cater to couples and families. In Nuevo you are stuck at the resort, longish bus ride to PV and cab to get groceries or off resort restaraunts. (Not really Mexico, just a resort.)

Thank you to Jeannette and Sharron!

Laurel exactly.

Jeannett Lots of private condos in Bucerios. We find (economically) May as well book All Inclusive even if you leave resort. Example- Royal Decameron.

Sharron Bucerias would not be a bad choice. AIC May be an issue with 19 year all olds and too much drinking. Some don’t allow. My vote is still for sayulita. It’s perfect for them.

Thanks again. They are all good kids, in university but of course I am not naïve. They want to go drink beer and have fun. I just want them to not do anything really dumb, disturb other people (!) or get hurt or robbed. A small town sounds safer but you can find trouble anywhere if you are looking for it.

They just need to be smart! And remember they are in a foreign country. Have any of them travelled outside Canada or U.S.?

Laurel yes. Don’t go with some guy who says come to my house I have a friend etc. That’s how people get into trouble. It’s all safe except when you are stupid

Mulberry they would live Sayulita. Surfers paradise. Single girls. Cheap beer and safe.

Royal DeCameron all inclusive lots to do in the resort and a short bus ride to the malacon in PV

Laurel Yes, they have but with their parents or on school trips.

I would be more worried if my kid was going to the US than Mexico!

For sure!

Sayulito! My daughter and husband stay there a lot. Good for 20 something’s. that’s where Bachelor in Paradise was filmed lol. Beautiful.

Hi Nancy. Can you recommend the places you stayed in and liked? Thank you.

Sounds like the place for them. Can you recommend a budget hotel or vrbo? I was once fooled by vrbo photos and the place was not at all as nice as the photos!!

Sayulita is amazing and quite safe. Take a surf lesson there - so much fun! Old PV has tons of places to eat, cheap pricing, and again is really quite safe. A food tour (check out Vallarta Eats) is a great way to get to know the neighbourhood!

Sayulito for sure, great shopping and wonderful beach.

Sayulita surf school or Patricia’s surf camps at Pablo’s which is a great hangout place for the day. Lots of SUPs etc to rent also. Maybe budget for Pablo (Paul) to go out fishing too.

*

This place sounds fabulous. I want to plan a trip for three, with my 11 + 13 year olds. Just curious, is the drinking water still a concern? Do you need to boil the water first?

You get large dispensers of bottled water in any rental and it is replenished at about 50P each time. Buy smaller bottles for drinking and brushing teeth and keep your mouth closed in the shower. This is pretty much the norm anywhere in Mexico. There are rare newer house rentals that have special filtration systems and provide potable water. Also it’s safe to have ice in any drink anywhere in Sayulita and PV. It’s all made from clean water and brought in on trucks.

Jeannett Thank you for the information. I have not been to Mexico before.

Yan the real mexico is wonderful. Me and my husband are not resort people at all. Your kids would love Sayulita. Lots of info on anyplace on tripadvisor also.

Yan also when you take a taxi establish the price first if it is not listed at a stand. Ask around. Most locals speak some of not great English. Especially is tourists places like this. Enjoy

Jeannett What’s the best months to travel there? Is there any months that you would avoid going?

Yan I would not go in the summer as it’s too hot for me. We always go in February. March is good but if you travel at spring break it’s crazy busy and a price bump too. High season is Nov to March. Christmas is stupid pricey too

Jeannett That’s great advice! Thanks again Jeannette!

My 20 year old son is there now..I will let you know when he get's back, how things went...believe me..I am a worried Mother as well!! He went with his girlfriend. No wifi.... yikes!<3

They are having fun for sure. It’s a Young town with lots of families as well as older folks.

Jeannett like to hear that!

Almost all cafes have free wifi.

Jeannett good to know!!..I will tell him

Michelle choco banana

Thank you. Would love any info

Karen Laforge
Karen LaForge
Tyler Laforge

My best advice for you is stop bottle feeding your child. He is 19, as you said. Let him adult for himself, that's planning this trip, asking the question for himself. Travel is a good life learning experience, that might include falling, getting stuck somewhere and having to figger it out on the road on your own two feet. You baby has grown mama, it is time to let him explore the world. Signed world traveler father of one. P. S stop worrying

You are absolutely right. However, for some parents it must be hard to let go. Just saying.

he's there now..I did let go..I agree it's great to experience tavelling!..but, we can still worry..we love them so much. It's pretry normal to worry as we let go!

Following! TYA for the info!