The cheapest car rental agencies in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, also called Vallarta or simply V.P, is a paradisiac resort city located in the state of Jalisco, on the Western Pacific Coast of Mexico, right in the middle of the Banderas Bay. People there are so kind, the ocean breeze so mild and there’s so much fun on the beach and in the city that it has been declared “The Friendliest City in the World.” Its beautiful beaches, mild climate, the exceptional Sierra Madre Mountains, lush jungles and sparkling waterfalls attract thousands of visitors every summer.

If you are an aquatic life devotee, the Bay of Banderas, located to the west of Puerto Vallarta will offer you a unique experience. If you crave adventure, a canopy tour in the stunning Sierra Madre Mountains is just perfect for you. If you enjoy riding the waves, Sayulita offers an excellent surfing beach near Puerto Vallarta. If, instead, you are a golf lover, you will find several international level golf clubs in Marina Vallarta and its surroundings.  But if you love all what I’ve mentioned… then you will need to rent a car.

Renting your car in Puerto Vallarta will allow you to visit certain incredible nearby attractions without depending on the public transport’s schedules and without paying huge amounts of money for a cab. With your cheap rental car you will be able to tour the city’s cobblestone streets or take a drive and get to know the stunning scenery along the coast of the second largest bay in the Northern Hemisphere, the Banderas Bay. With your rental car you will be able to travel the distance to Marina Vallarta to admire the amazing panoramic view of the city from El Faro Lighthouse, or take a relaxing trip to the Botanical Gardens located only half an hour distance from Puerto Vallarta.

Of course when planning your car rental you need to take certain tips into account. For example which size of car you need according to the amount of passengers and luggage that you will carry in it; which special services and equipment you may need (if you don’t know the area you may want to ask for a GPS service); and which price you are ready to pay for your rental car.

In general, renting a car in Puerto Vallarta is not expensive at all. There are several rental car agencies to select among and all of them offer similar car classes. You can either rent your car upon your arrival at the Gustavo Días Ordaz International Airport or you can rent it in advance before your trip. This last option tends to be the best one in order to ensure that there’ll be car availability when you arrive and to get better deals and offers in your rental contract. Vallarta.com offers the best rental car deals in Puerto Vallarta.

In order to save money in your rental, please take into account the following information:

CAR CLASSES

The price you will pay for your rental car varies according to the type of car you rent and the special services you expect it to have. In general the cheapest cars are the smallest one which feature basic amenities: the economy (Atos or similar), the compact (Clio or similar), medium (Aveo or similar) or standard (Megane or similar).  Premium (Audi A6, Chrysler Grand Voyager or similar), luxury (BMW 730, Mercedes SLK2 or similar), minivans (Durango, Van Express or similar) and vans (Traffic or similar) are also available but at a higher rates. If you need to rent an SUV (Patriot or similar) or a van, it’s better for you to do it in vallarta.com so that you can get a better deal than at the car rental offices.

SPECIAL SERVICES

Of course the price will vary according to the special services and amenities you may want to include. All car rentals offer an array of services and equipment additional to the basic ones. These services include equipment like baby seats, GPS or city maps and unlimited mileage among others.

CAR RENTAL AGENCIES

 The cheapest car rental agencies in Puerto Vallarta are Alamo, Thrifty, Payless, Budget, Dollar car Rental, National Car Rental and Hertz Car Rental. All of them offer the same types of cars and prices are quite similar, too. Take into account that a third-party insurance policy is mandatory when you rent a car in Mexico, so that you will have a little extra charge for the policy.

With countless tourist attractions to visit and unbeatable friendly attention everywhere in Puerto Vallarta, once you visit this paradisiac city you will certainly feel like returning again and again. By renting a car in vallarta.com you will find the best service possible at the lowest price available and you will be able to enjoy a much better vacation than you could have imagined. Visit vallarta.com and start making your luggage.

Cecilia Vittori

The Cave of the Sleeping Sharks Isla Mujeres

Apart from its natural beauty, Isla Mujeres seems to cast some kind of spell on animals’ behavior. A good example of this is the gathering of whale sharks in the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea in the area. The point is that whale sharks are solitary animals but hundreds of them gather near Isla Mujeres during the summer season to feed from the rich plankton and algae in the area.

Another amazing phenomenon takes place at the Manchones Reef at about 65 to 100ft underwater (20-30mt). If you get close enough to the cave called “Los Cuevones,” made up of coral formations, you will be able to admire the magic view of nurse sharks sleeping with their eyes wide open. This wouldn’t be surprising at all if we didn’t know that sharks never sleep. They need to keep in motion to be able to breathe. If they stay still, they die.

In 1969 Carlos García Castilla, a lobster diver from Isla Mujeres, was diving for work when he felt intrigued by a strange phenomenon.  He saw that sharks entered the cave but he never saw them come out of it. He got closer and got astonished by the image. The sharks remained still with their eyes wide open. He then contacted the oceanographer and journalist Ramón Bravo. Mr. Bravo was quite skeptical about the news but decided to take a look at the cave. So he took his snorkeling gear and his camera and dove to the famous cave. Bravo saw the sharks resting at the bottom of the cave in a state of dormant inactivity and called Dr. Eugene Clark to study the phenomenon.  Dr. Clark settled on the island and pursued an investigation to find out the biological causes of such a strange behavior. She finally concluded that these sharks take oxygen from the fresh water bubbles by standing still against the current. They are not completely asleep because they follow the divers around them with their open eyes. From then on, Isla Mujeres became the selected site of oceanographers and scientists. Even Jacques Cousteau moved to Isla Mujeres for a couple of weeks to study the sleeping sharks.

The cave was renamed as “The Cave of the Sleeping Sharks” and became one of the main attractions of Isla Mujeres. The most common shark type that can be found is the nurse shark; but lucky divers may spot tiger sharks, mako sharks, bull sharks, lemon sharks, manta rays or black tip sharks. Only experienced divers can access the cave due to its location deep below the sea surface. The experience is incredible and the most adventurers cannot miss the opportunity of visiting it.

Can you imagine the adrenaline of swimming so close to these marvelous and dangerous fish? Of course you will be accompanied by a professional diver who will give you all the necessary tips to enjoy the tour to the most. Please, remember to do exactly what your guide indicates so that you can experience a safe tour.  If you are planning to visit Isla Mujeres sometime, start taking your snorkeling lessons! The Cave of the Sleeping Sharks is a tour not to miss.

Cecilia Vittori

Hiking Tour to the Manchones Reef on Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is located eight miles away from the Bahía Mujeres. It is only five miles long and half a mile wide but it is full of natural treasures to know, which turn this tiny island into a paradisiac vacation site. Its incredible history and archeological sites; its legends and stories; its amazing landscapes and its diverse natural life are the main attractions that Isla Mujeres has to offer to its thousands of tourists every year.

This former fishing village is now a paradisiac vacation site where shopping, dining, and enjoying are everyday routines for tourists from all over the world. There are plenty of tours for visitors to select among: from getting to know the island by hiking or bike riding to getting into the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea for snorkeling or fishing. Fun never ends on Isla Mujeres.

If you are a Nature devotee and expect to enjoy the most relaxing and tranquil vacation on the beach, then Isla Mujeres is the best destination for you. The typical tours include snorkeling or scuba diving in the marvelous reefs of the island accompanied by professional guides. But if you prefer to spend a day out of to the water sometime, try enjoying the hiking tour to the Manchones Reef on Isla Mujeres. This reef is located southwest, just off the shore of Isla Mujeres and is the most popular reef on the island.

Manchones Reef is the perfect site for snorkelers and scuba divers because there, they can appreciate the most amazing and diverse marine life and the beautiful and colorful reef formations. Some of the underwater attractions include the famous MUSA, an underwater museum that displays ph neutral human-size sculptures that foster varied and interesting coral formations; the Sleeping Sharks Cave with the marvelous view of wide-open eye sleeping sharks and El Farito with its famous Virgen del Carmen. If you walk along the shores on Isla Mujeres, you will be able to admire the beauty of the scenery: an immense mass of crystal water where boats and ships of all sizes and colors slowly sail along the sea and “human fish” taking a dip into the sea in their snorkel gears to admire the natural paradise that the Caribbean Sea has to offer.

Taking care of nature and respecting it is one of the main rules on Isla Mujeres. For that reason visitors are not allowed to throw garbage on the floor and should always remember to wear biodegradable sunscreen.  It is advisable that you take your hiking trip on comfortable shoes because the ground may be slippery or steep on certain areas. Also, bringing your camera is an excellent idea! You will certainly want to take photos of everything during your walk since the scenery is amazingly beautiful and you will be able to spot the most strange ground fauna and many different types of plants and vegetation.

For a relaxing and tranquil experience on Isla Mujeres don´t miss the opportunity to take a walking day along the marvelous Manchones Reef. The experience is unique and invigorating and nature will wrap you in its arms.

Cecilia Vittori

Gran Real Yucatan in Merida

If you are planning a vacation in Merida and need some help with the selection of cheap but at the same time good accommodation in the city, cancun.com has the answer to your need:

Gran Real Yucatan in Merida is an elegant baroque style hotel located in the Historic Centre of Merida. It stands in what used to be a wealthy hacienda built by the end of the 19^th century and still preserves the elegant and picturesque main patio surrounded by antique columns and wide passages. Its colonial style along with its spacious facilities, and excellent services and amenities turn this hotel into the most comfortable and home-like hotel in the city.

 Gran Real Yucatan is strategically located in downtown Merida, just a few blocks away from the city’s main attractions: the main Cathedral, the main Square and the famous Paseo de Montejo Avenue. Nearby you can also visit the Plaza Grande, The History and Anthropology Museum, Centenario Park and the Government Palace. The best malls, the finest restaurants and theaters are only steps away from the hotel, too.

This four-and-a-half star hotel features 73 elegant rooms divided into four categories: Deluxe, Deluxe Plus, Junior Suite and Master Suite. All the rooms offer a private balcony overlooking the hotel’s pool or lush gardens, air conditioning, LCD monitor TV, cable TV, telephone in the room and in the bathroom, shower, bathtub, hairdryer, purified water system, safe box, smoke detectors and vanity mirror. The suites are also equipped with living room, kitchenette (featuring coffee maker, microwave and minibar), bathrobes and slippers.

After a tiring tour day, you will be able to return to the hotel and feel like a monarch. Take a dip in the hotel´s pool or just relax by it; enjoy a cocktail at the hotel’s bar or take a soothing massage by the pool. After these relaxing experiences you can either enjoy the view of the stars from your balcony, rest on your cozy bed or sit in the patio to admire the Mexican sunset.

If you are a lover of good cuisine, visit the hotel’s restaurant, El Emperador, where you will be able to enjoy the best meals either inside the colonial style restaurant or on the beautiful terrace facing the hotel´s charming courtyard. A professional chef prepares exquisite regional food varieties, seafood, pasta and delicious steak. El Emperador is open from 7am to 11pm. If you prefer a snack accompanied by a good wine or a cocktail, enjoy it in Los Vitrales bar. This picturesque bar is made of onyx and granite, and features huge 19the Century stained glass windows. It is open from 12am to 10.30pm.

If you are travelling with your family and you want to enjoy Merida’s nightlife you will be able to leave your children in the hands of a professional babysitter who will take excellent care of them until you return.

Book your stay at this amazing hotel in cancun.com and enjoy this offer!

US$81 per night taxes and fees included. Stay longer and get every second night free! This promotion is valid for stays between August 27^th and October 31^st 2012. Don’t miss the opportunity! Make your reservation now and enjoy “The White City”.

Cecilia Vittori

Family Hotels in Cancun

Whenever we plan a family vacation, we need to think about everything in advance: finding an appropriate accommodation for us and our kids, finding restaurants where our kids DO EAT! when on holidays, finding entertaining activities for us and our children, and trying to relax amid this ordeal! If you are planning your family vacation in Cancun and you are expecting it to be funny and relaxing for you and your loved ones visit cancun.com and you will find all the information you need to enjoy the best vacation at the best price. Find out about the best family hotels in Cancun and get hot deals for a perfect vacation in this perfect family vacation destination.

Family hotels in Cancun are varied in their category, programs and prices. You can choose to stay at a cheap hotel offering a room-only program and spend your days visiting the most famous touristic attractions in the area (be it in your own car, a rental car, by taxi or by bus). Or you can stay at an all-inclusive family hotel where all your meals, services and recreational activities are provided for within the plan. Here we will give you a clue as regards the different options so that you can select the most convenient for you according to your expectations.

If you are planning to spend every day sunbathing on the beach and visiting touristic attractions in the area, then you may decide to book your accommodation at a cheap hotel on a room-only plan. These hotels feature excellent basic services and amenities, and their facilities are comfortable. If you prefer not to think about anything during your vacation and to have everything arranged in advance, then pick an all-inclusive plan and all you will have to decide every day will be whether to lie on the beach or swim in the pool; to drink a margarita or tequila! In cancun.com you will be able to get economic prices for your stay at luxury family hotels either on a room-only or an all-inclusive basis. The hotels we will mention in this article are highly recommended by guests who have stayed there before.

 Take a look at these unbelievable offers!

§  Gran Melia Cancun Beach & Spa Resort is a luxury, prestigious hotel which features all the comfort you may expect for a relaxing and entertaining vacation with your family. Enjoy playing tennis, swimming with your kids in any of the two pools or taking a soothing massage at the hotel’s Spa. Relax playing golf in its 9-hole, par three golf course while your kids get involved in any of the recreational activities available at the hotel. At Gran Melia Cancun you can stay at the reasonable cost of US$121 per night on a room-only basis. Taxes and fees are included in this price that has a 35% discount compared to the real fee per night. Two kids up to 12 years old stay for free sharing their parents room (applies for stays between April 4^th 2012 and May 31^st 2014 and for reservations prior to January 1^st 2013). If you prefer an all-inclusive program, you will receive 35% discount per room and 35% discount for kids between 5 and 12 years old paying only US$239 per night (taxes and fees included).

§  Flamingo Cancun Resort is a four-star hotel where you can also select to stay under a room-only or an all-inclusive plan. This comfortable hotel offers excellent services and amenities to help you find the tranquility and relaxation you need while offering an array of recreational activities for your kids to be entertained and happy.  If you book your room in cancun.com you will get the incredible discount of 45% in your fee and pay only US$84 per night taxes and fees included for a room-only plan or US$147 for an all-inclusive plan (applies for stays between September 1^st and December 22^nd 2012 and for reservations prior to November 6^th 2012).

§  The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun is a five-star family hotel where you can stay on an only-room, a breakfast-only or an all-inclusive program. This amazing beachfront hotel offers the perfect combination of comfort and luxury, relax and entertainment that will turn your vacation into a paradisiac experience. Enjoy tropical activities like parasailing and snorkeling or pamper yourself with a soothing Temazcal bath while your kids swim in the pool or spend a great time at the Kids Club. The offer in cancun.com is unparalleled! Get a not-to-miss discount and pay only US$84 per night taxes and fees included for your only-room program from October 8^th to December 22 ^nd 2012 (for reservations prior to October 16^th) or US$161 per night taxes and fees included and every third night free! from August 1^st to December 23^rd 2012 (for reservations prior to December 21^st 2012).

I know. You still don’t know if you should believe this, right? Just visit cancun.com. These incredible offers and many others are waiting for you to decide! Book your stay in cancun.com and enjoy Cancun with your family!

Facilities included when renting a car

When on vacation, we generally expect to be able to know every existing corner of our selected vacation destination. And it sometimes happens that our schedule depends on the public transport schedule, on our economic capability to afford a taxi or on the tour timetables. In the end, the experience turns out to be tiring and we never get to do everything we would have liked to.

Fortunately, there is another option available since a few years ago. Renting a car is a viable option when it comes to avoiding all the above mentioned. Renting a car is cheap when compared to paying a taxi ticket any time we want to go somewhere and it allows us to freely dispose of our timetable. We decide where and when.

Of course, when we decide to rent a car we must possess all the necessary information about our rental car and about what is included in and excluded from our car rental agreement. At present, rental car companies sell much more than simple rental cars. They generally include additional services and accessories that will make our trip easier and more comfortable.

The first thing that we must do before hiring a car is decide the type of car we need and the additional accessories, services and equipment that we may need. For example, depending on the amount of passengers and luggage that we plan to carry in our rental car we will decide to hire a small vehicle or a van. If we travel with children we may need a baby seat or a child safety seat. And if we don’t know the city we may need a GPS service not to get lost.

Generally, all car rental agencies include certain basic services as part of the basic car rental agreement.

-       Value Added Tax (VAT): Generally, when renting a car all companies include in their prices the VAT fee. Just in case, check the tax and fees conditions in your car rental contract.

       Facilities included when Renting a Car:

-       Third-Party Insurance: This insurance is always included in your car rental contract unless you already have one. Also, all car rentals will offer you an array of other insurance policies to protect the driver, the passengers and the vehicle in the event of an accident. Some of them are:

·         LDW or Loss Damage Waiver: pays for any damage done to the car and is sometimes covered by credit cards so you should contact your credit card check before contracting it.

·         Personal Accident Insurance: covers personal medical attention and death benefits.

·         Personal Effects Insurance: covers all the objects you get into the car.

·         Additional Liability Insurance: covers additional property damage, injury or death.

-       Only New Rental cars: All car rental agencies provide cars of no more than 6 months old.

                        -        24-hour Roadside Assistance:  the car rental agency will provide a telephone number in the contract agreement for the client to call in case of basic mechanical difficulties.

      Unlimited Mileage: Most rental car agencies include this service without any extra charge, but you should check your contract before signing it just in case. 

-          Additional Drivers: generally, car rental contracts include one extra driver for free. This extra driver will have to present the same personal data and documentation as the contractor. The compulsory documentation includes the driver’s ID with a recent photograph, a valid driver’s license and passport.

-         Fuel Service Option: All car rental companies will handle the car fuel full. The renter is required to return it in the same conditions. In some cases the renter may select the Full Service Option, in which the company will charge them with a full tank of gas when they return the car. This is cost-effective if the car is returned with an empty tank because the rental company will not refund money to the client in case the tank wasn´t empty.

-         Cell Phone rental: Some companies offer a mobile phone for an additional daily cost. All the national calls to and from the mobile from will be free and some international calls may be added.

-         Flight delay Service: All companies include this service so that a client whose flight is delayed doesn’t lose their rented car.

Also, some car rental companies include all kinds of special accessories for your comfort and safety. Some of the many additional accessories and equipment are:

-       Baby seat: for infants from 0 to 13 kg.

-       Child safety seat: for infants from 9 to 18kg.

-       Booster seats: for infants from 15 to 36kg.

-       Air Conditioning.

-       Automatic Gear.

-       Diesel Engine.

-       Navigation System / GPS Navigation service.

-       Tires suitable for winter; snow chains.

-       Ski racks.

-       Load-securing strap / (with rachet)

As you must have notices by now, renting a car means a lot more than just renting a car! When travelling abroad, getting a rental car can turn to be the best option to enjoy a fun and comfortable vacation. And, please, wherever you rent your car, DRIVE SAFELY.

Encounter with the Whale Shark in Isla Mujeres

Whale sharks are the largest species of fish in the world, reaching over 50’ (15 meters) and over 27,000 pounds (12,500 kl). Even though whale sharks are enormous fish which may look intimidating, they actually are graceful and docile creatures which do not pose any kind of risk to human beings.  Their scientific name is Rhincodon typus but in Latin America they are called “pez dama” or “pez dominó” due to the perfect and unique spots which they carry on their backs as a kind of ID. They are estimated to live between 60 and 150 years and they are said to be low swimmers.

Whalesharks live in tropical warm waters and are in general solitary animals. That is why their annual congregation in the summer time near Isla Mujeres represents such a unique and magical event. During the months of June, July, August and September hundreds of whale sharks gather in an elliptical patch of ocean covering a seven mile radio (18km2)near Isla Mujeres. They feed from plankton, algae, krill and bonito eggs in the warm and rich waters created by the conjunction of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Some people say that when there is full moon their feeding is enhanced.

The encounter with the whale sharks is one of the most marvelous and unforgettable eco-tours that you will experience on Isla Mujeres.  The tour begins with an hour boat ride departing from the docks on Isla Mujeres. A professional guide leads the boat to the area where whale sharks can be perfectly spotted. Generally, no more than 10 people are allowed per tour and visitors are provided with life jackets, the use of which is compulsory. Off Isla Mujeres, these amazing animals gather in groups of up to 20 so there is a 99% chance of success in viewing multiple sharks during the tour. Each encounter allows for two people at a time to get into the water accompanied by the guide and swim with the sharks. In order to protect the animals and the snorkelers, it is forbidden to touch them or to get closer than 2 meters (6.6 feet) from them. If you prefer not to get into the water, you can just observe them and take photos from the boat.  While on the boat, you will be offered fruit, coffee, soda and water to keep your body hydrated. Once the encounter is over, you will be headed back to Isla Mujeres, where the tour will finish with an exquisite meal.

If you are a professional photographer or videographer, you may prefer to contract a private tour to ensure you share enough time with the sharks to take the best shot. The services offered in a private tour are the same as those offered in a public one.

In 2013, the official opening date for the Shark Tour Season has been set on June 1^st and the closing date is September 15^th.  Do not miss the opportunity of taking this once-in-a-lifetime tour if you visit Isla Mujeres during the summer. Swimming with the whale sharks in their own habitat is an experience you will never forget.