Villa Nellcote Guidebook

Wednesday nights October through May, explore El Centro as you gallery hop https://puertovallartaartwalk.com/about_us.html

Your Uber app will work here and it's the easiest and cheapest way to get around. Much preferred to haggling with a cab driver.

Exit the airport past all the people selling timeshares and promising taxis. Ignore all of that. You can't get an Uber from the airport so you can either pay the slightly higher regulated taxi fare there (someone will sell you a ticket at the curb) which is 350 pesos at last check or you can exit out of the building to your left and cross a pedestrian bridge over the highway where you'll see cheaper cabs lined up. Tell them you want to go to Alta Vista and negotiate the fare before getting in. Should be about 220 pesos. Ubers can take you to the airport when you are departing.

We've dropped a Villa Nellcote pin on Google maps to make it easier for you to find. Google is still "verifying" so sometimes it doesn't come up or brings you to the original Villa Nellcote in France. You can always search for the previous name Villa Jazmin or Zen Palacio, two names the previous owner’s used, as that's more consistent. https://goo.gl/maps/hh5iy9ZQYUMsx7zYA

There is a new set of very well-made steps straight down the hill on Aguacate. Go out the front door and to your right on Calle Hortensias. Make an immediate right down the hill on Aguacate. Walk around the switchback and continue down Aguacate to the stairs.

The second way to get to town is to walk past Serrano’s Grill, then turn right down the alleyway just past the restaurant. There is a staircase at the end of that alley that goes down toward Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes.

Please soak all fruits, vegetables and eggs in tap water sprinkled with a few drops of Microdyn for at least 20 minutes before using to get rid of pesticides and anything that might make you sick. Better safe than sorry.

If you would like to charter a boat to go to beaches, snorkel, or maybe visit Las Tres Marietas islands where you’ll see blue-footed boobies and where you can swim in to Hidden Beach, go to www.puertovallartatours.net/yacht-charters. We haven't done it but are told it costs around $400 for a half day. You can also just go to the pier on the Malecon and make a deal with a panga/boat owner on the spot. Won't be as lux but will be less expensive.

The previous owners were avid scuba divers. The diving here cannot be compared to great diving destinations of the world, but they said there are three good sites worth visiting: La Corbetena, Las Tres Marietas, and the Wall at Los Arcos. The best diving company by far is Twin Dolphins. Phone 293-1905 or www.twindolphinspv.com

You can book a snorkelling trip to Los Arcos, which is the group of big rocks just off Mismaloya beach about 15 minutes south of Vallarta. We think the best way is to go to the Los Muertos pier and book a boat there. It’s really nicer if you go on a smaller boat instead of the big ones. The boats have all the gear you’ll need. Not sure what it costs (you should bargain) but way way cheaper than chartering your own boat.

Glide on a wire across and high over the jungle. It’s a thrilling ride, and don’t worry… you are well-harnessed. You'll ride a mule up, go swimming and have lunch too. It’s a fun day. The best and most fun tour is Canopy River. You can find them here: http://www.canopyriver.com/

We're told Vista Vallarta is the best course near here. www.vistavallartagolf.com

For smaller issues (broken limb, heat stroke, fever, etc.) Medasist Hospital at the bottom of the hill on the Carretera to Mismaloya is a very good choice. For more serious issues (heart attack, etc.) we recommend San Javier on the highway going north. The number for Global Ambulance is 209-1123.