FAQ
ARE THERE LAUNDRY FACILITIES ?
Yes there are 2 washing machines and 2 dryers and laundry detergent and supplies.
HOW DO YOU TURN ON THE TV ?
We get a new tv every couple years. We usually have a samsung smart tv. Turn it on with the remote. The cable box should usually be on. If not, use the sky remote. Press the sky remote button quickly. There is a blue button on the skye box when powered on. Smart tv is pretty straightforward. To watch cable, set the input to hdmi2. Nidia can help.
WHAT DO WE DO IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY ?
Drive out out of the gated community. Drive back to the main highway. Turn left and go approximately 1.5 kilometers north to Las Varas. Get off on the right frontage road. Go around 3 blocks. Turn right at the large tire. There is also a video store at that intersection. The hospital is two blocks on the left. If you get lost ask “donde esta el hospital?” Or ask Nidia to go with you.
HOW DO WE GET A TAXI ?
Read the Directions page. Call Juan. or ask Nidia to call Juan.
IS IT SAFE TO DRINK THE WATER ?
Absolutely. All the ice is purified. All water faucets and showers are purified. Just don’t drink out of the hoses. If you don’t believe it, we also have purified water from Ciel in a dispenser near the fridge. Please try to reuse water bottles by labeling them with users name.
IS IT SAFE TO EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ?
Absolutely. But if you prepare tomatoes or lettuce yourself be sure to soak in the
chemical cleaner. 5 drops per liter. Ask Nidia for it.
WHRERE ARE THE EXTRA TOWELS ?
Ask Nidia. They are in baskets near the steps to the main palapa.
HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD WE BRING ?
Juan has multiple vans. They hold 9 people. If you need 2 that’s $370 coming and $370 going to the airport. Side trips are roughly: Sayulita $75 per cab.
La Penita $50 per cab. Alta Vista $60 per cab. The boat holds 8 people. Full service gets two free boat rides. Additional are around $70 for 2 hour, more for half day. Surf drop offs are $40. Ask Juan for more details. Figure $40 per person per night for food and beverage. Another $100 per person for shopping and other ? Also $560 for the tip for the week or $80 per night. Even tip Sundays.
WHERE DO WE CHANGE MONEY ?
I would get pesos from thePuerto Vallarta airport ATM once you finally get all the way out of customs. Don’t use the money exchange before you get your luggage at baggage claim.
After you pass all the time share salesmen and finally exit customs, there are a ton
of taxi drivers holding signs. Turn to the right and double back 20 yards, there are 2 ATMs. Get pesos there. Pay in pesos. Most vendors don’t give a good exchange rate.
SHOULD WE RENT A CAR ?
No. You will save money, time, and stress using taxis. Large Suburbans used to rent for $100 per day. If you rent one, you will waste an hour at the airport, you will miss sunset at Las Palapas, and you will never make it to Alta Vista, the best side trip of all, that is impossible to find!
WHERE IS THE BEST SURF ?
In Chacala it’s the Caleta for sure. Call Juan. He will know if it is breaking.
If it is not breaking you might try a cab to Anclote which is about an hour away.
From there by boat there are three other breaks: Faro, Bahia, and La Lancha.
Boats are $40 or less from the Coral Restaurant. Most likely Chacala is the best bet.
WHAT IS IT LIKE IN THE SUMMER ?
Hot, humid, rains every other night, and maybe every third or fourth day. A good day is 50% cloudy. An ok day is 90% cloudy with no rain. A bad day there will be some rain. I love the summer because it is uncrowded and the heat is very manageable. Surf in the morning. Hang out in the pool mid day. The on shore breezes kick in for the afternoon. Close the house up at sunset. Turn on the AC. Be sure to put on bug spray more frequently. Stay on the beach. If you walk inland even 2 blocks, the apparent temperature jumps a ton. Do all activities early in the morning.
ARE THERE MASKS AND SNORKELS ?
Yes. I think we have maybe 6 to 8 sets of masks, snorkels, and fins. There are 4 barely ok quality tennis raquets.