Going to Mexico in September. This will be our first trip there. We are scheduled for Puerto Vallerta. Anyone have any tips or know of anything to be sure to do while there?

Never been far in to Mexico...bring cash?

DON'T DRINK THE WATER

Or the ice!

Resort or touring on your own Queen Mum? We're heading there next spring and they say the all-inclusives are better with water treatment, but rule of thumb is still drink nothing but bottled water (or beer);)

I love the beaches there... a little darker and grittier, but clean, wide, and long... and the sun sets so late in the evening.

Jealous!!!

i like 'em that way too

Re: water & ice... avoid raw veggies and salad!

I love salad greens, but after one huge salad I ended up with Montezuma's revenge, after all, how else would they wash the lettuce and veggies? Duh! I was sick for a good 24 hrs.

tequila can fix that

You beat me to it, DQ. Salads can be dangerous!

I've been to Mexico twice, once on a school trip and once for a summer as an exchange student. Best "food" advice I received was to take a swig of Pepto Bismol before eating anything because it would coat your stomach first. Unfortunately, when I was there for the whole summer, I got over-confident because I hadn't had any problems. . .quit with the Pepto. . .and a nice green salad was my downfall.

Queen Mum, not sure how adventurous you are about eating, but be wary of getting any food from street vendors. While it is the "real deal" if you want authentic food, often the conditions are not particularly sanitary.

As an example, my husband bought a bottle of pop from a street vendor. It was a glass bottle. He started drinking and walked away with the bottle. The vendor chased him down and wanted the bottle back. . .which he promptly refilled and sold to another customer. EEEWWWWW!

blech

When I was in high school, we were told if one ate a serving of yogurt daily for the month prior to go to Mexico, it will build up some immunity to bacteria in the water, etc... I cannot personal vouch for this, as I haven't done the yogurt thing prior to my Mexico visits, which is limited to Nogales and I have drunk the water and ice yet haven't gotten sick. I think so long as tequila is part of every meal, you're fine. Oh, also, at the shops there the vendors gave us shots of tequila from a "community" shot glass and we didn't get sick.

Viva Mexico!!

I've been to Mexico 3 times in the last few years. Here are my tips to you:

Start the Pepto Bismal treatment 2 days before you go. Take liquid Pepto twice a day and continue the treatment while in Mexico. Eat and drink all you want and have no tummy problems. (My first trip was not a good tummy experience and my Dr. recommended this treatment. It works great!)

Bring lots of $1.00 bills for tipping. We bring American one's for tipping and get excellent service every time.

Exchange your American money in the little green booths on the steet. That is the best exchange rate. Exchange only what you need to because to convert back to American it is a rip-off and only done at the airport.

If your resort offers "drinks of the day" be adventurous and try them. You will always find something you like.

If your resort has the locked safes in your room...use it...you are not required to carry your passport or ID around with you so keep it safe at the hotel while you are out and about.

Bring good sunscreen. I tan before I go but use a good SPF factor sunscreen the first couple of days because having a sunburn spoils vacation and then you peel...UGH. Use good sunscreen the first couple days then you can go down to a lesser SPF if you want and get that deep dark tan.

You don't need dress clothes. Most restaurants allow casual dress which includes shorts and sandals. We love to venture out at night and try different restaurants each night. Senor Frogs is a must visit if there is one there. I don't eat beef in Mexico. I love the seafood and chicken.

I hope these help.

You people actually go off of the resort???

All the time...why go if you are afraid to venture out?

I heard it's better not to venture off the resort...

I go to read, drink, sleep and people watch on the beach fom sun up to sun down for 7-8 days!

I go off the resort for the occassional excursion, but otherwise stay out of town... had an awful experience with a Walmart and bus one time.... proved to myself that there is no way I could do the Amazing Race!

I do plenty of sunbathing, drinking, reading, etc...all day at the resort. I get sick of the food and like to try the local restaurants. Also, I love to find the little bars near the resort where the drinks are cheap, the music is fun and the food is great. If you stay near the resorts you will be safe.

cheap drinks are good, but the free drinks on the resort are better!

that's what i'm screamin!!

I think some peeps in here are off the reservation!

I guess if you want to limit your stay in Mexico to one place by all means stay at the resort. I have thoroughly enjoyed going to various local restaurants (no American chains)and experiencing Mexico in its authenticity. Part of traveling to other countries is the experience of the local hospitality.

I agree with ya, SQ... When we were in PR, wandering around Old San Juan, we had the best food.

yeah, and thats why you are going to Canada this week!