We do not usually go to the beach, too much sand and glaring sun – nice to visit but not so much to stay and lounge. Today we decided to visit the beach of Mismaloya and the area.

We took advantage of a local tourist trip – the Hopon Hopoff bus. This is just like any other HoHo trip in every place in the world. Pay one price and use it like a taxi to see all the sights of the City.

We boarded the bus at the Marina – a 500 metre walk from our condo and waited at the post. The bus arrived on time we paid 340 pesos each ($21cdn) and set off to Mismaloya (wiki ref) – cheaper than a taxi. Stopping for 25 minutes in the centre of tourist PV – the Malecon we set off for the next tourist stop, a roadside market selling the usual stuff – we did not buy!

Finally after an hour’s ride South along Hwy 200, the main Hwy in and out of PV we arrived at the entrance of the huge Barcelo resort (the only place the bus could turn around in). “Follow the road and see the beach” – we did and came to the gathering of people clutching menus. One young man grabbed us and led us over a rickety bridge and into a maze of restaurants, one of them was his. Usual Mexican food and relatively cheap beer defo not PV beach prices!

A pleasant and shady place, it appeared to be on long resto but actually was many restos each with its own kitchen. The Banos were an experience; firstly in order to avoid the 7 peso charge one had to pick up a ticket from the resto guy and then find it. The Ladies was mor modern than the Mens. But the flush in the ladies was a bucket weilded by the attendant. The Men’s no such luxury – “Pee only” and the men had to aim into a concrete box sitting in the sand. Reminiscent of Nepal.

Lunch done and when the Ladies, having been doing business with the vendors, gathered up their purchases we were off strolling along, what used to be a road, built for John Houston when he filmed “Night of the Iguana” in the place. Being a Sunday there were plent of locals fishing and swimming a lovely sight.

Doreen had an urge for ice cream so on the way back to the Barcelo pickup we stopped at one of the few stalls and paid greatly for two snacks. I guess the locals have to make their money when they can from the Tourists we definitely paid ‘gringo’ prices! After waiting more than the usual “five Mexican minutes” the bus turned up and we embarked, after receiving a warning “keep your heads in and avoid the branches”.

A surprise hit us when nearly home we were informed by the guide that we would be stopping to sample chocolate. Pulling into the brand new ‘Puerto Magico’ were got off for a ‘bano break’ and to be escorted to a posh looking chocolate store for samples and a potential purchase, we declined, got back on the bus and hit the final stop five minutes later.

So a delightful and interesting day, definitely different from out usual routine and all done for a price less than a taxi ride.