Day 13: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I wanted something easy today so I picked the Vallarta's Top Highlights & Shopping tour. I knew it would be a large group that would be herded through Puerto Vallarta, and I was okay with that . . . usually I would not pick any tour that mentions the word shopping as I find that a waste of my time . . . I mean then I am paying for time to shop which cost me money too.  I have found that when you get off a cruise ship in Mexico it is usually in an area with shops and today was no different but when I looked up . . .

. . . I loved the umbrellas!  I thought our tour guide gave good and easy to understand information.

Fact about Puerto Vallarta’s economy:

• 60%  tourism
• 10%  agriculture
• 10%  fishing
• 10%  construction
• 10%  mining of minerals

And we are off the bus!  I am ready to explore the heart of Puerto Vallarta, the Malecón. It is a popular pedestrian-only area stretching 12 blocks and just about every tour bus stopped here. The beach area was a bit rocky.

But there were many statues and colorful displays too . . . it was a bit difficult to snap a photo without someone posing in front but you just had to be fast. 

Season 36 of The Amazing Race, one of my favorite shows, started in Puerto Vallarta.  In the season’s first Detour they had a choice of Pick ‘Em Up or Pin ‘Em Down.  In Pick ‘Em Up the teams had to transport a pair of rocking horses down a steep hill to find a specific sculpture in the Malecón in order to get their next clue . . .

 

The horses were huge, and I am sure heavy!  I thought this was one of the best views of the Los Arcos Amphitheater (the Aquiles Serdan Theater) and where The Amazing Race had part of the season 36 episode.

It was then on to the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Church of Our Lady Guadalupe).  The church is 103 years old and took 60 years to finish the outside.

I thought this statue was fun.  I had no idea who is he was but something about his glasses caught my eye.  This is Father Rafael Parra Castillo.   

So, who is he?  I have read many different things about him and not exactly sure to be honest what the write here. 

And then it happened we stopped at a jewelry store with opals and had 25 minutes to shop! It never fails they lead you to their stores and it was okay as there was no pressure to buy just nice people and cold air conditioning.

The last stop of the tour was at an outdoor market to shop.  I browsed around and listened to the constant begging to come shop my lady and you want to buy your husband something.  I politely said no thanks, laughed, and continued to walk.  We were dropped off at the ship, but I wasn’t ready to get back on the ship so stopped at a little restaurant for a snack . . .

. . . and bought a few small items that I overpaid for but wasn’t in the mood to bargain more than a little.  I thought the price was fair and always feel terrible trying to save a few bucks when I know those few bucks will do so much for that family.  Can you say sucker?  It was back to the ship and honestly, I enjoyed the excursion . . . could I have done it on my own by using a taxi?  Yes, but I had to make zero effort and that is a win for me.