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Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta When You're Dad

A born traveler, I first started going to Puerto Vallarta some twenty years ago. The charming old city, non-stop nightlife, and proximity to the ocean and the mountains made Vallarta heaven for a young man gripped by wanderlust my cup was filled to overflowing with diving, drinking, hiking, drinking, boating, drinking, dancing and...well, you get the point. Over the years, though, I've changed from the daring young adventurer I was (at least in my own mind) into a middle-aged father of five. Mortgages and bills have a firmer grip on me than wanderlust ever did, and my cup overflows with apple juice, more often than not. But I still keep going back to Puerto Vallarta, and if you're a traveler with kids, you should, too.

Located on Banderas Bay on Mexico's Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is minutes from the ocean, mountains and rainforests, and these provide many opportunities for family friendly activities. Several outfits run snorkeling trips to Los Arcos, 4-wheel excursions into the mountains, canopy tours of the rain forests of Mismaloya, and chances to swim with the dolphins. By all means do these things - you can ask any concierge, or any of the army of touts you'll run into on the downtown streets. They are fun and kid-friendly. They can also be expensive. I suppose there are some people with children who have plenty of money to take their entire caravan on as many guided tours as the hearts of small people desire, but I'm not one of them. Neither are you. Kids are expensive even at home, and even more expensive when traveling. As parents, we must often go on a budget, or not go at all. So take a weekend away from the planned activities, and have some fun while you save some money. What follows, then, is my suggestion for things to do in Puerto Vallarta when you're Dad.

Saturday - The Malecon Running approximately from Hotel Rosita, Vallarta's oldest hotel, all the way to Los Arcos ("the arches," a rock formation in the bay) the Malecon, a beach-side boardwalk, offers a full day of diversion for small and big travelers alike. Stroll it at kid-speed. Walk on the beach, chase the gulls, dip your feet in the surf, and let the kids get their faces painted or their hair braided. Dive head first into the endless supply of souvenirs in the dozens of such shops, or buy your trinkets from the vendors on the boardwalk, who speak Spanish and just-enough-English-to-bargain . Pick up some spiced mango slices or cucumber

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