what's up in Puerta Vallarta?

[divesancarlos]

Can someone tell me what's happening in PV. I am thinking to relocate to PV. This long weekend there were 3 divers in the whole town of San Carlos. I would like to get an idea how the hotels are doing. Are they deserted also or are they surviving? Flights to PV seem to be very reasonable. Any info is appreciated, thanks, Johan.

[scubamarketing]

I have a friend who just moved down there a few weeks ago, she said it was pretty busy. She's been before and said it wasn't quite as busy as a few years ago, but definitely not dead.

[Monkey Crackers]

Good question, what IS up in Puerto Vallarta? We're going there for a week in mid-Feb, not sure where I should dive, hoping to find something not as crowded as my dive in Cozumel last year. Do either of you have a favorite dive site?

[scubamarketing]

According to my friend down there, the most active shop appears to be Chicos. She actually went to a new dive shop just around the corner from Chicos called PV Sea Dive (PV Sea Dive. Scuba diving, padi certifications and divemaster internships) for their grand opening and she said she was really impressed and will be doing her dives through them next time. Los Arcos is the most frequented dive site and is pretty easy. I went there a while back and saw all kinds of life even though it's a popular site close to town. When I was there, diving was nowhere near as crowded as Cozumel, but visibility isn't quite as good either.

I'll be more than happy to have my "reporter on the ground" do any other question answering anybody may have

[divesancarlos]

Thanks for the information, I will send a PM and hope to go diving soon. And it is another beautiful day in Mexico.

[Earl Grey]

Good question, what IS up in Puerto Vallarta? We're going there for a week in mid-Feb, not sure where I should dive, hoping to find something not as crowded as my dive in Cozumel last year. Do either of you have a favorite dive site?

If you are looking to avoid crowds, I am not sure you want to dive with Chico's Dive Shop. I have never dove with them, but that is because I try to avoid large cattle boats. If they have a smaller boat, I have not seen it - but doesn't mean it doesn't exist. On the flip side, if you don't mind large groups, the boats are bigger providing more room to gear up and possibly amenities such as restrooms. From what I recall Chico's is located downtown, which is convenient if that is where you are staying.

Vallarta Under Sea and PV Scuba are both PADI shops located in the Marina Vallarta area. This is the area in which I normally stay, so these shops are more convenient for me. I have dove with Vallarta Under Sea a number of times and have enjoyed myself. The boats are much smaller, usually carrying 6 divers, though I do know they have one boat that can take approx 10 divers. The divemasters have been good and always make an effort to find some interesting animals.

The main dive sites are Los Arcos, Islas Marietas and Majahuitas. Most sites are 30-45 minutes out. Los Arcos is the busiest site and I prefer to avoid it when I can. The other sites are generally good but conditions will vary depending on season and recent weather. Especially around Los Arcos and Majahuitas you will typically see pufferfish, morays, and stingrays, and around the beach in Majahuitas there usually a school of King Angelfish.