2nd time around at the RDC and it's still the same great simple plain wonderful resort. It's about 25 minutes to the resort from the airport. Remember to avoid the timeshare people and keep going until you see your tour reps near the buses. Just tell any timeshare person you are Canadian and they avoid you because they know its a bad word in Canada. When you arrive at the lobby they greet you with a drink and have your names divided into alphabetical order of 4 sections or so. Seemed to work great for everyone. The RDC is the best value in PV, the best beach and the best location.Walking distance to everything. Hop on to any 'white' bus to go right to downtown PV or left to Sayulita(a must see).They go by every 20 minutes at the top of the hill from the RDC. Head down the road or beach 15 minutes to Bucerias and have a meal or a Beer on the beach. Watch the hockey game at the local bars. They even a 2nd Walmart 10 minute ride down the road near Nuevo Vallarta and a Mega store even closer I was there during 'Day of the Dead' week, so that was pretty cool. Don't forget the Bucerias Art Walk every second Thursday night.www.thebuceriasartwalk.com .Quite surprising and interesting. I choose block 4 as it was close to everything and had the 'number 2' lobby so you...2nd time around at the RDC and it's still the same great simple plain wonderful resort. It's about 25 minutes to the resort from the airport. Remember to avoid the timeshare people and keep going until you see your tour reps near the buses. Just tell any timeshare person you are Canadian and they avoid you because they know its a bad word in Canada.
When you arrive at the lobby they greet you with a drink and have your names divided into alphabetical order of 4 sections or so. Seemed to work great for everyone.
The RDC is the best value in PV, the best beach and the best location.Walking distance to everything. Hop on to any 'white' bus to go right to downtown PV or left to Sayulita(a must see).They go by every 20 minutes at the top of the hill from the RDC. Head down the road or beach 15 minutes to Bucerias and have a meal or a Beer on the beach. Watch the hockey game at the local bars. They even a 2nd Walmart 10 minute ride down the road near Nuevo Vallarta and a Mega store even closer
I was there during 'Day of the Dead' week, so that was pretty cool. Don't forget the Bucerias Art Walk every second Thursday night.www.thebuceriasartwalk.com .Quite surprising and interesting.
I choose block 4 as it was close to everything and had the 'number 2' lobby so you can book your restaurants or tours,exchange money or get your safe key(you have to pay 3 bucks or so a day and have a pain in the butt key to worry about along with your room key.Remember don't keep them hooked together as your key has your room number!.) Block 5 is adults only but can be busy, block 6 can be a quieter spot with a nice pool, restaurant and bar.(They are both across the street) Block 1 is oldest but right along the beach. Block 3 can be noisy at night as it's close to the theatre and disco. The rooms all face out the same way so less noise from people walking by and slamming doors. To bad all resorts were not like this. No tub, but a nice logical big shower that won't clog up with sand and does not have AC from your room as the warm air from outside comes in. Great idea.
Lots of variety at this resort. I always choose the corner Buffet on the beach.There are 3 of them. It seemed quieter and was great to have your meal looking out along the water and watching the sunset. 7 bars including 3 right on the beach!. Minimal walking for food or drink. The area by the stage can get quite loud with the Jungle bunny music, activities and beach volley ball, so be aware of that. Lots of shade, around the pools(almost to much) and tons of palaps along the beach. Did not see any Jelly fish but they say more come out a week after the fullmoon. Saw no stingrays when I was there but heard about one person being stung.Water and waves were perfect. No rocks or coral and I was in there every day for at least an hour at a time.Nice and warm! It was like being in a gigantic bathtub. Lots of baby turtles hatching 10 minute walk south toward the RIU. The second RIU (not the RIU palace) had the same orange wrist band so had a look around and had a drink. Too much walking around and not sure if all the fountains and fansy digs are worth over twice the price.
As for the a'la cartes restaurants,like most places, they are a pain to reserve with only a day in advance. 3-5 pm for the next day or 8:30am-noon in the morning. Most people like the Italian for ambiance and it's air conditioned and has a dress code. The rest are open air, so ware what you like. The Brazilian is great for meat lovers. These and the Japanese one book up fast.
Unfortunately and surprisingly there is not much seafood at this resort and only once a week is seafood night.(it always changes so you never know which day it will be)
The resort was about 70% full but they said its pretty much 90% starting the next week or so. No recession at this resort. I was told it would cost $62 a day to walk off the street and stay at this resort.($ 66 if you are from Mexico).
I've done almost every tour in PV but took the city tour/tequila tour and there was only 9 of us. Also took the SanSebastion tour and there was 47 of us together! and the tour guide said in the coming weeks there will be at least 3 times as many, so be aware of this tour as it is very popular but interesting. Like going back in time 200 years. Make sure you sit on the left side of the bus for the shade! wish I did. Best tour I've ever took in PV was the Sierra Madre Expediton. Great learning leason about history, culture, flora,fauna, wildlife etc and perfect beach hideaway for lunch and Tequila. Nice to get away from town and the resort.
For the night owls take the 'bar tour' what a blast!
Airtransat flight was 4hours and 15 minutes from Vancouver and I was upgraded to 'first class' on the way back so that was nice.
The RDC is not the fanciest resort but what it offers is a great intro to the 'All inclusive life' There are many repeat people at this resort, so that says something, and the service is always great. One of the best things about the resort is the people that come here. Lots of locals and average friendly people from everywhere. You feel like you are in Mexico.Not just a gated A.I. with people who think they are high and mighty. I can't wait to go back.
www.bestofbucerias.com is a good site for info.More