Grand Mayan NV questions

My wife and I are staying at Grand Mayan Neuvo Vallarta the week of 11/27-12/04 and I'd like some TUGers who are familiar with GMNV to help me with our planning. We are longtime owners at VCI in Cancun and we've also stayed at Mayan Palace Riviera Maya but we've never been to the Mexican Pacific coast.

My first question regards activities at the GMNV. Does the resort have tennis courts? I've checked the website and seen information about the golf course but I don't play golf. When I stayed at the Mayan Palace Riviera Maya I enjoyed the tennis courts and the tennis pro was very helpful and I play a lot of tennis at VCI and other Royal Resorts in Cancun. Should I bring my tennis rackets and balls? Will the tennis pro organize any games or tournaments? Are the courts crowded? If tennis isn't part of the GMNV experience, then I'll leave my gear at home and find other things to do.

Which brings me to my next question -- what other activities does the GMNV offer? Are there fishing charters available? Are there any ecotours similar to Sian Kaan in the Yucatan? Are there any adventure activities similar to the jungle zip lines at the cenotes? Any culture sites or other things worth trekking to see? If the best thing to do is just to sit on the beach and enjoy the scenery, then I'll bring some good books and just hang out -- but I would prefer to explore the area and be active.

Next question -- food and dining. When we have our extended family in Cancun we cook a lot -- both to save money and because we are Cajuns so we like to cook. Any suggestions regarding grocery shopping? How about places to eat? I understand the restaurants at the GMNV are pretty good but I like variety. Any suggestions?

I've been renting cars and driving around the Riviera Maya for years but I didn't try driving around by myself until I was pretty familiar with the area and felt comfortable with driving. Is there any need to rent a car in NV? I'm used to Yucatan driving customs but I'd rather not drive in an unfamiliar area unless there are things I ought to see or do that can't be accessed without my own rental. Does anyone have any advice about whether it's worth renting a car?

I know these are lots of questions but any information anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

There is a lot to do in the Vallarta area and I actually prefer it to the Mayan Riviera......the mountains are beautiful and Puerto Vallarta has an "old Mexico" feel. Check out www.vallartadventures.com and www.vallartascene.com Also, there is much information on www.tripadviser.com Yes there are zip lines, fishing trips, etc. There are big grocery stores like Walmart or Mega not too far away. I would definitely rent a car. If you are reluctant to drive in Puerto Vallarta, park at Walmart and take the bus downtown......
Good luck....you wil love it!!!!!

I'm not sure that they have tennis courts - if they do, nothing would be organized. I would pass on taking the tennis gear.

You can get fishing charters at the Marina in Puerto Vallarta.

The concierge or the sites that Linda posted will help you find the zipline tour information. Yelapa or the Rhythms of the Night tours are fun. (Just take some bug repellent packets with you - think LA swamps.)

La Portena just a short distance from the GM entrance is a good restaurant in the area.

We love to go to Bucerias for a late lunch / early dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants. The food is good and prices are great.

There is a new Mega in Bucerias that will have pretty much anything you need grocery wise. Except for okra! My brother has lived in Louisiana for about 30 years and always wants to make gumbo when he is with our extended family group. We have looked at grocery stores in Acapulco, Playa del Carmen, and the Vallarta area and never found any. Now he brings the canned veggies for gumbo and his seasonings when he joins us in Mexico.

There are a lot of great restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. (Do a search on TUG) Driving in PV itself is very unusual. We would drive in the Mayan Riviera area, but not PV. Parking is also an issue downtown, parallel parking on a narrow busy street is no fun. Linda's suggestion of parking at the Walmart/SAM'S parking lot and then taking a bus or taxi into town is a great idea. We do that when we are in Mazatlan. If you have a car you can drive north to Punta Mita and to Bucerias and Saulita. Be sure you take out the extra insurance and have enough money available to cover anything if you have an accident. I have seen more accidents in PV than anywhere I have been in Mexico.

This is a great resort. You might want to take at least one book for a relaxing day on the beach. I have some pictures on my link below.

It is my understaning the Walmart in Nuervo s now open as well.