Mayan Palace Vallarta

Will rate as one our “Best Vacation” experiences.

Our stay at the Mayan Palace Marina was as a guest of a timeshare owner. We purchased a week, at a cost that covered the owner’s maintence. Win-win for both of us. The resort is a short 5 minute 50 peso ($5. US) cab fare from the airport. Prefer the Marina location. It is flanked by The Westin and Marriott Resorts. The property is 1st Class. Some 900 employees maintain it and everyone greets you with a hello and smile. The resort has 2 buildings, offerring studios to large suites. Ours was a 2 rooms, bath + powder room, king size bed, large TV room, galley kitchen and dining area. Both rooms had sliding windows that had great ocean views. The building and room was very clean and well maintained. The pool and beach areas are steps away from the elevator and well maintained. You have reasonable priced resturant for all your meals. It that is what you desire. Great resturants are just a 5 minute walk to the Marina. For 50 cents US the public bus takes you on a 20 minute ride to downtown Puerto Vallarta. Bus every 10 minutes a best. Lots of resturant, shopping and people watching opportunities on the board (seawall) downtown. Grocery store in a shooping center is close walking distance. Typical day is to spend half day in the sun by the pool or beach. Then select activities from whale watching, fishing, Rythums of the Night, horseback riding, etc. Fireworks every night @ 9:30 PM.
Everybody [—] about the timeshare sales people! Get a life! I only wished that I had like sales men and women working for me, selling my product. They make a professional presentation and then ask for the order. We agreed to a Sunday morning breakfast presentatin and received tours, cash credit, 10% hotel discount and round trip airport transportation, all valued @ $250. US. Just for listening. They make the incentive offer before the presentation. If you’re not interested in the timeshare……….just say, NO Thanks. FYI; you can purchased a week or two timeshare stays on eBay. At prices less expensive then Motel 6. Mayan has a 2nd property some 15 miles north in Nuevo Puerto Vallarta. If you enjoy golfing, go for it. Otherwise, the place is huge. It has a wave pool, water slide, float river that circles the pool and a narrow gauge train. Nice beach; however, if you want to leave the property, it’s cabs or rent a car. We enjoyed the mix of people at the Marina location. Our only regret is that we did not purchase a second week ! Dollar for dollar this was the best vacation in some time. And, we travel. 2006 had us in Spain, Morroco, Portugal, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, US Virgin Island, St. Martin and Bahamas. All good places, but we will be back to Puerto Vallarta in 2007. Here’s a tip for you; when you clear the PVR airport immigration check, just keep walking to the airport curb. There is NO FREE resort destination transportation ! Take a $5. US bill and pay the cabbie. Check in at the Mayan Palace is at 5 PM. There is a bank ATM machine in the basement. Remember 1000 peso is $100 US, 2000 is $200, etc. Should you arrive mid-day, take a bus downtown or change to swim suits and head for the beach. Don’t waste your vacation time waiting for the maid to clean the room. Tip the maid daily for good service. Enjoy your Mayan Palace stay………..we did !