Romantic travel spots for a getaway in February

[cany10011]

Settled on Puerto Vallarta! Thanks guys for all the input. Looking forward to my first visit there. And, of course, appreciate Unicorn's restaurant recommendations

Edited January 13, 2023 by cany10011

[+ Lucky]

On 12/29/2022 at 6:30 PM, Unicorn said:

For a more quiet/non-rowdy experience, just avoid a hotel in the Romantic Zone. The south hotel zone can have a more secluded, tranquil feel, but you'll need to take transportation (cabs, Uber, or buses) to get to the restaurants and action. 

I had the opposite experience. We stayed with the tourists and seemed to spend half the day in cabs going to the historic zone.  Too many long cab rides in often heavy traffic. The hotels might be older, but you can't beat the location.

https://visit-vallarta.com/maps/puerto-vallarta/zona-romantica/

[cany10011]

32 minutes ago, Lucky said:

I had the opposite experience. We stayed with the tourists and seemed to spend half the day in cabs going to the historic zone.  Too many long cab rides in often heavy traffic. The hotels might be older, but you can't beat the location.

https://visit-vallarta.com/maps/puerto-vallarta/zona-romantica/

I found a place in the zona romantica that is a few mins from the beach. Already booked Cafe des Artistes, Le Palapa, and the Iguana Restaurant. I prefer the convenience of walking to restaurants and local attractions. Would welcome any must visits/dos as I am a newbie to PVR. 

[Guest]

I've never been to the Iguana, so I can't comment on that one. If you have another evening, I find the River Cafe very romantic, and I love their "Duo de Pato" or magret/confit de canard (duck breast and leg). Another fun thing to do is the Rhythm of the Nights show, which ain't cheap and requires a long boat ride, but is a spectacular show, and there is a romantic beachside buffet after (or before, if you prefer) the show. There are gay booze cruises, but the ones in the big boats (Wet & Wild) are more fun but have been cancelling all of the time due to insufficient attendance. Diana's don't cancel because they are on smaller boats, but not as fun in my opinion. You can also take water taxis to Yelapa for a non-gay daytime experience, with lunches with grilled fish available on Yelapa beach. Don't overlook the short hike to the waterfall with its bar. 

The bar/waterfall also often has a lot of butterflies (not always), and I once remarked "Me parece que ese es un lugar de mariposas," meaning "This is a place for butterflies/gay hangout." 😄 There are also some horseback riding options, including one to what's billed as the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Jorullo Bridge at Canopy River, or another that goes to a little waterfall and swimming hole. Also ziplining is available in a number of places. Canopy River also has ATV tours, and all Canopy River trips include the suspension bridge and tequila tasting. 

Oh, and most importantly, go to La Noche bar when Super Wendy is performing. You'll have to tip her extra (at least 100 pesos), but you shouldn't miss her performance of "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus (she'll protest if you don't tip in advance). If you're feeling more daring, get her to perform "I will always love you" by Whitney Houston. Those are the two most iconic drag performances of all time. 

Edited January 14, 2023 by Unicorn

[cany10011]

8 hours ago, Unicorn said:

I've never been to the Iguana, so I can't comment on that one. If you have another evening, I find the River Cafe very romantic, and I love their "Duo de Pato" or magret/confit de canard (duck breast and leg). Another fun thing to do is the Rhythm of the Nights show, which ain't cheap and requires a long boat ride, but is a spectacular show, and there is a romantic beachside buffet after (or before, if you prefer) the show. There are gay booze cruises, but the ones in the big boats (Wet & Wild) are more fun but have been cancelling all of the time due to insufficient attendance. Diana's don't cancel because they are on smaller boats, but not as fun in my opinion. You can also take water taxis to Yelapa for a non-gay daytime experience, with lunches with grilled fish available on Yelapa beach. Don't overlook the short hike to the waterfall with its bar. 

The bar/waterfall also often has a lot of butterflies (not always), and I once remarked "Me parece que ese es un lugar de mariposas," meaning "This is a place for butterflies/gay hangout." 😄 There are also some horseback riding options, including one to what's billed as the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Jorullo Bridge at Canopy River, or another that goes to a little waterfall and swimming hole. Also ziplining is available in a number of places. Canopy River also has ATV tours, and all Canopy River trips include the suspension bridge and tequila tasting. 

Oh, and most importantly, go to La Noche bar when Super Wendy is performing. You'll have to tip her extra (at least 100 pesos), but you shouldn't miss her performance of "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus (she'll protest if you don't tip in advance). If you're feeling more daring, get her to perform "I will always love you" by Whitney Houston. Those are the two most iconic drag performances of all time. 

Unicorn, you are so generous with your suggestions. Really appreciate all the insider tips I just booked the jetblue tickets and the VRBO, along with a few of your restaurant recommendations. We'll be there for 5 nights total, so wanted to leave some breathing room for my friend to chose other restaurants. The Yelapa excursion sounds lovely... i think we'll have enough to do for 4 days (not counting Monday when we arrive and Saturday when we depart)... The Diana cruise, is that a gay cruise? I'm sure i can find them when i visit a tourist center or pick up the gay rag in PV?

Edited January 14, 2023 by cany10011

[MikeBiDude]

On 1/13/2023 at 2:58 PM, cany10011 said:

I found a place in the zona romantica that is a few mins from the beach. Already booked Cafe des Artistes, Le Palapa, and the Iguana Restaurant. I prefer the convenience of walking to restaurants and local attractions. Would welcome any must visits/dos as I am a newbie to PVR. 

Have you ever dined at Red Cabbage? Off the beaten track, but an easy cab ride. Delicious dishes some inspired by Frida Kahlo. Cash only no credit cards. I’ve eaten there 4-5 times never disappointed.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, MikeBiDude said:

Have you ever dined at Red Cabbage? Off the beaten track, but an easy cab ride. Delicious dishes some inspired by Frida Kahlo. Cash only no credit cards. I’ve eaten there 4-5 times never disappointed.

I usually go there also when going to PV. They have very authentic Mexican food, including some spicy and not so spicy moles, such as mole pipian. Their no credit card policy is indeed a pain in the ass.

[cany10011]

2 hours ago, MikeBiDude said:

Have you ever dined at Red Cabbage? Off the beaten track, but an easy cab ride. Delicious dishes some inspired by Frida Kahlo. Cash only no credit cards. I’ve eaten there 4-5 times never disappointed.

Wow... so many food options. I am only there for 5 nights...lol. Hope to squeeze in all the recommendations (lunch and dinner). Thank you for the recommendation

[Guest]

16 hours ago, cany10011 said:

... The Diana cruise, is that a gay cruise? I'm sure i can find them when i visit a tourist center or pick up the gay rag in PV?

Yes, that's the smaller cruise. The advantage of Wet 'n Wild and Delice, if they run, is that their boats are bigger, more comfortable, and you can drink on them and do foreskin tequila shots with the hired hunks if you wish. In the smaller boat you're just sitting down in the boat (also no rest room on the small boats, can be tough after you've had a few drinks). But the last 3 times I tried the big boats cancelled at the last minute, once even leaving me on the dock trying to figure out what happened. I've never eaten at the Iguana. I'd definitely do the River Cafe or Red Cabbage over the Iguana, though maybe I should try it next time. Super Wendy usually does her show from 10 PM to 11 PM, or 11 PM to midnight. Gogo boys start at midnight at La Noche. 

[Kauaipres]

wait..."foreskin tequila shots"

I need more information please.  Is it what I expect?

[Guest]

On 1/31/2023 at 6:50 AM, Kauaipres said:

wait..."foreskin tequila shots"

I need more information please.  Is it what I expect?

Probably. They pour tequila into hunks' foreskin (pulled out), and you drink the shots. 

[+ Snbrd]

I'm going to Puerto Vallarta in February. However, I will offer a perspective on Aruba which I've visited several times. On those occasions we traveled right after Christmas, Aruba was a safer bet for warm weather than Florida. It's an older more sedate crowd. There is only one small gay bar. However, resorts, restauraunts, cabs and fellow tourists were very accepting of a gay couple. Dutch influence maybe? 

I probably wouldn't recommend it if one is not a beach person as there is not much else to do. I'm not a gambler but the casinos are laid back and ideal for non-high rollers. It's also an easy flight from the Northeast.  

[+ JEC]

On 1/15/2023 at 6:55 AM, Unicorn said:

Yes, that's the smaller cruise. The advantage of Wet 'n Wild and Delice, if they run, is that their boats are bigger, more comfortable, and you can drink on them and do foreskin tequila shots with the hired hunks if you wish. In the smaller boat you're just sitting down in the boat (also no rest room on the small boats, can be tough after you've had a few drinks). But the last 3 times I tried the big boats cancelled at the last minute, once even leaving me on the dock trying to figure out what happened. I've never eaten at the Iguana. I'd definitely do the River Cafe or Red Cabbage over the Iguana, though maybe I should try it next time. Super Wendy usually does her show from 10 PM to 11 PM, or 11 PM to midnight. Gogo boys start at midnight at La Noche. 

Red Cabbage!!!!!