Visiting Puerto Vallarta August

[justaguy174]

Hey all, I'm visiting Puerto Vallarta next weekend. I will be staying at Casa Cupula and Almar Resort (Has anyone done this? I plan to walk from Casa to Almar); is walking from Almar to gay clubs/Sauna Spartacus safe? I know I will join the Adam & Steve Party on Friday; but need tips as to the best method of communicating with the language barriers? Which stripper bars should I go to that aren't pushy but have hot guys, is Sauna Spartacus worth it? I also plan to get a massage at the Almar so any recommendations as to who would be helpful.  Should I carry cash USD or do the exchange?  I'm nervous but excited!

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

22 hours ago, justaguy174 said:

I will be staying at Casa Cupula and Almar Resort (Has anyone done this?

Yes, I have stayed at both Casa Cupula and at Almar.

22 hours ago, justaguy174 said:

I plan to walk from Casa to Almar); is walking from Almar to gay clubs/Sauna Spartacus safe?

The distances are close to everything, but both hotels are uphill.  You can walk FROM Casa Cupula or Almar to the beaches and nightlife easy enough, but I recommend taking a taxi or Uber back up the hill to either of those hotels.  The ride should be less than US $5.  Walking from one hotel to the other... Just take a taxi or Uber.

As for safety: the biggest threat to your safety is twisting an ankle on the uneven sidewalks or cobblestone streets.  If you're tall, watch your head for power meters and utility boxes attached to buildings at barely 5-6 feet above ground level. 

22 hours ago, justaguy174 said:

I know I will join the Adam & Steve Party on Friday; but need tips as to the best method of communicating with the language barriers?

22 hours ago, justaguy174 said:

 

 

The Adam & Steve Party is entirely in English.  If you read reviews online, the negative reviews are either about the presence of women at a pool party advertised as clothing optional for men, or from locals upset about no one speaking Spanish.

22 hours ago, justaguy174 said:

Which stripper bars should I go to that aren't pushy but have hot guys,

Club 69 is usually the best combination of good looking men who aren't as pushy as the other 3 clubs.  But check out the others, because you may have different tastes than I do.  (Wet is next door to 69, Perfect is next door to 69 in the other direction but usually isn't open during "low" season which includes August, and Anthropology is across the river, about 2 blocks north of the gay nightlife.)

22 hours ago, justaguy174 said:

is Sauna Spartacus worth it? I also plan to get a massage at the Almar so any recommendations as to who would be helpful. 

I've never had a massage at the Almar.  But once you arrive in PV, you'll notice Massages offered on every street.  Check the price for the massage at the Almar, but it's probably going to be above local market rates and probably not going to be sensual.  If you want a guaranteed erotic massage, you can call and reserve to have one at Sauna Spartacus.  There are several other great low priced massages, most offering Happy endings with release.

I like getting a massage on the "Blue Chairs" gay beach during the day.  It's more expensive than going to a massage room, and you won't get naked in public on the beach, but it's nice to be massaged while drinking your beverage and watching hot gay men in speedos for 30 minutes.

22 hours ago, justaguy174 said:

Should I carry cash USD or do the exchange? 

Use a debit card to withdraw Pesos at an ATM.  (Hopefully your debit card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees).  Many businesses will accept USD, but will charge a conversion rate not in your favor (Example: on my last trip to PV, $1 USD equaled about 18 to 19 Pesos if I withdrew Pesos at the ATM.  But businesses that accepted USD would only allow 11 Pesos for $1 USD.)

I like using the ATMs at the PVR airport lobby.  In the romantic zone, there are also ATMs in some convenience stores or at banks.  Avoid the green ATMs scattered throughout the tourist areas, as they only let you withdraw USD.

Edited August 4, 2024 by Vegas_Millennial

[n2guysnatl]

On 8/3/2024 at 8:44 PM, Vegas_Millennial said:

Use a debit card to withdraw Pesos at an ATM.  (Hopefully your debit card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees).  Many businesses will accept USD, but will charge a conversion rate not in your favor (Example: on my last trip to PV, $1 USD equaled about 18 to 19 Pesos if I withdrew Pesos at the ATM.  But businesses that accepted USD would only allow 11 Pesos for $1 USD.)

I like using the ATMs at the PVR airport lobby.  In the romantic zone, there are also ATMs in some convenience stores or at banks.  Avoid the green ATMs scattered throughout the tourist areas, as they only let you withdraw USD.

Also you are required to accept the transaction fee of the ATM like in the US but decline the conversion rate.  If you decline the conversion rate, it will use the conversion rate of your bank and its usually a better rate.

[Andy768]

On 8/3/2024 at 8:44 PM, Vegas_Millennial said:

Yes, I have stayed at both Casa Cupula and at Almar.

The distances are close to everything, but both hotels are uphill.  You can walk FROM Casa Cupula or Almar to the beaches and nightlife easy enough, but I recommend taking a taxi or Uber back up the hill to either of those hotels.  The ride should be less than US $5.  Walking from one hotel to the other... Just take a taxi or Uber.

As for safety: the biggest threat to your safety is twisting an ankle on the uneven sidewalks or cobblestone streets.  If you're tall, watch your head for power meters and utility boxes attached to buildings at barely 5-6 feet above ground level. 

The Adam & Steve Party is entirely in English.  If you read reviews online, the negative reviews are either about the presence of women at a pool party advertised as clothing optional for men, or from locals upset about no one speaking Spanish.

Club 69 is usually the best combination of good looking men who aren't as pushy as the other 3 clubs.  But check out the others, because you may have different tastes than I do.  (Wet is next door to 69, Perfect is next door to 69 in the other direction but usually isn't open during "low" season which includes August, and Anthropology is across the river, about 2 blocks north of the gay nightlife.)

I've never had a massage at the Almar.  But once you arrive in PV, you'll notice Massages offered on every street.  Check the price for the massage at the Almar, but it's probably going to be above local market rates and probably not going to be sensual.  If you want a guaranteed erotic massage, you can call and reserve to have one at Sauna Spartacus.  There are several other great low priced massages, most offering Happy endings with release.

I like getting a massage on the "Blue Chairs" gay beach during the day.  It's more expensive than going to a massage room, and you won't get naked in public on the beach, but it's nice to be massaged while drinking your beverage and watching hot gay men in speedos for 30 minutes.

Use a debit card to withdraw Pesos at an ATM.  (Hopefully your debit card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees).  Many businesses will accept USD, but will charge a conversion rate not in your favor (Example: on my last trip to PV, $1 USD equaled about 18 to 19 Pesos if I withdrew Pesos at the ATM.  But businesses that accepted USD would only allow 11 Pesos for $1 USD.)

I like using the ATMs at the PVR airport lobby.  In the romantic zone, there are also ATMs in some convenience stores or at banks.  Avoid the green ATMs scattered throughout the tourist areas, as they only let you withdraw USD.

You are an incredible resource and wealth of information - thank you!