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For a visit: Puerto Vallarta or Acapulco

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Mendocina
  2/1/2019 16:18 EST

February visit. Which would you choose for a couple of a certain age, and why?
Which is safer? Best neighborhood or area to stay in for each?
Gracias!

Fredo63
  2/1/2019 17:11 EST

Having been to both, I chose PV for many reasons, but comfort is one, as well as ease of going to & from anywhere in the US, healthcare & interestingly enough PV is about the right size I was looking for. Acapulco reminded me of faded glory and in need of reinventing itself. While I never felt unsafe in Acapulco, I thought Vallarta was friendlier with superior food and ambiance. Old town & Los Arcos Hotel are a good place to start your tour. Good luck!

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YellowTail
  2/1/2019 19:15 EST

I also have been to, and enjoyed, both locations. You do not mention budget so I'll assume that is not a concern.

Currently our preferred weekday getaway (2-3 nights) is the Diamonte region of Acapulco. We make the trip maybe twice a year - when we want to get out of the mountains and hit the beach. There are 'faded' areas of Acapulco, but not Diamonte. It is where the affluent Mexicans from Mexico City go - since it is a 3-4 hour drive. Have a look at the google images...

We like staying at the Qunita Real and eating at Mariscos El Sirenito. I mentioned 'weekday' earlier because Mon-Thurs you might own the hotel, but on weekends you will have company. I can't speak to the nightlife since we are only ever out and about with the sun.

IAM
  2/1/2019 19:52 EST

PV local newspaper with events, housing, etc. I live here. Let me know if you need more info and or housing suggestions:
https://www.vallartatribune.com/

novato1953
  2/1/2019 20:05 EST

Acapulco's at least twice the size of Puerto Vallarta, but only the first third of mile or so inland from the bay is really of interest to visitors -- on the ride into town from the Acapulco airport, you'll pass nearby Puerto Marques, too. Puerto Vallarta is ~450 miles north and the water is noticeably colder. Fishing's generally better around PV. It's hard not to conclude there's a lot of boy-crying-wolf in State Dept. travel advisories nearly everywhere in the world. In the 35 years since my first visits to Guerrero and Jalisco, I don't think the Georgetown fellows in the bowties have ever judged the area safe to visit. Not being an Ivy League alum, I find both of them considerably more interesting than Cancun.

Cozumeldeb
  2/1/2019 21:43 EST

Acapulco's problems have been well documented factually. Once a mecca during the winter most by Chicago union members and other US states, destroyed by cartels, including other areas.
I understand blow back on US warning systems and agree to some extent, but being from Chicago know there are many sides to truth.
Huge issue in MX are juvenile laws, need immediate reform. "Catch + release for juvenile offenders, run by adults is a disaster. Drug laws need strong reform.

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Cozumeldeb
  2/1/2019 21:53 EST

Assume you've done your research. Give a look see to Caribbean oceanfront areas. Based on your needs look to areas with international airports. Decide, mountains, ocean or in between. Spend a few months, airbnb your choices for 2-3 wks. Live as a local, decide based on that. PV is a vacation stop, not a living choice IMO. Beautiful MX has many choices, Guanajuato is in the mountains, stunningly beautiful, great climate, high altitude..superior to your listed choices IMO. Majority of East ocean front are so effing hot + humid u have to leave.

YellowTail
  2/2/2019 08:41 EST

@novato1953 - your mentioning the state dept travel advisories caused me to remember a vacation we had in 2009, at the peak of the bird flu scare.

We were booked into the Barcelo Maya Palace (which was just at the point of opening for the first time). It is a nice complex made up of perhaps 4-5 distinct hotels. Well on that trip there were so few guests they closed all the hotels and upgraded everyone into the 'Palace'. Still we almost had the place to ourselves.

A lot of times when you stay a week at an all-inclusive they will allow a couple of 'special' meals at upscale restaurants. Not on that trip - every night we had our pick of where to eat. I remember one meal where I had an excellent steak dinner and when I was finished the waiter asked - how was your steak sir ? and when I responded - excellent - he asked - would you like another ? which of course I accepted. They had too much food on hand...

RVGRINGO
  2/2/2019 10:57 EST

I agree 100% on Puerta Vallarta and on Hotel Playa Los Arcos as a great place to stay; walkable to good restaurants and right on the malecon. Good pools and good service, but relatively economical. WiFi in the lobby, when we last stayed there.

Mendocina
  2/7/2019 10:13 EST

Thanks to all who took the time to respond and contribute suggestions.

NilesS
  2/8/2019 10:48 EST

I urge people to give Acapulco at least a brief visit, despite all of the dire warnings (yes, there is or was a real problem with severed heads, etc.). One word of caution, if you like to sleep, don't get a hotel room facing the tourist beach. The incredibly loud music is blasting to all hours.

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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dolfna
  2/8/2019 15:17 EST

My only advice is if you go to Acapulco do not play Slug Bug!

Both are nice I enjoyed PV more no reason

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