BAR NUN-Bar Bolero in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta has little in the way of what most cities consider “hipster” bars, but Bar Bolero is among the few.  That’s by no means meant to be disparaging, it just happens to be a very cool yet kitschy place.  A cozy little hang-out on the corner where Tequila Town used to reside, next door to Roxy’s Sports Bar & live music club, Bolero has an atmosphere much more akin to what you may expect to find in San Francisco, L.A, or Seattle.  This makes perfect sense, as at last visit, it was owned and operated by the proprietor of San Francisco’s classic dive, The Phone Booth (1398 S. Van Ness Ave. SF, CA 94110). 

While not technically a dive bar, the drink selection is astoundingly affordable.  All summer long Happy Hour lasts from 2 PM to 4 AM and features an overwhelming variety of premium cocktails, for the preposterously low price of 15 to 30 pesos.  Click here for currency converter.  Let me run down the drink menu for you so you can be amazed.

  I’m talking about bottled beers for 15 pesos – right this minute, this is only a few cents more than one US dollar, people.  That might be less than it costs at the grocery store!  Got cash burning a hole in your Bermuda short pocket?  What can you get for 20 pesos, you ask?  For less than two US dollars (I am not kidding, this is a super value destination), you can dump some shots of Jameson down your gullet, or you can have some fancy cocktails, like pina coladas, mai tais, margaritas, Russians, or tangy, delicious lime daiquiris.  For real!

Also available is what has to be my personal favorite name for a beverage, the Big Vicky, a 40 Ouncer of beer of indeterminate brand.  Seriously, Big Vicky!  It could be the name of a lady luchador! 

Bar Bolero has a wonderfully tacky collection of outsized black velvet paintings beautifying the interior, including the characteristic Matador and Stalking Puma varieties.  There is no juke box, but during our visit, obscure 1980’s songs and videos played over the sound system.   Also available for your entertainment is a pool table, but it seems that in order to use it, you have to beat the tight designer jeans-wearing Mexican rent boys taking a break from watching futbol next door at Roxy’s to it. 

Bolero is dark yet open, with large windows inviting warm Pacific breezes.  The lighting is dim and golden like candlelight, lending heavenly auras to all and making everyone attractive.  Lighting and fixtures appear to be custom metal pieces, giving a very arty atmosphere to the lounge, which is lined with serape-covered cushioned benches.  It’s a very comfortable and extremely difficult to leave, especially when the lime daiquiris keep on coming.

One excellent reason to leave, if only for a few moments, however; is that directly across the street is a taco cart, which appears to be frequently on fire, selling sublime tacos al pastor late into the night.   FP  

El Bolero A Go Go      

Ignacio Vallarta 229     

(322) 223-2358

 

Is Budget Travel going on a permanent vacation?

The New York Magazine recently reported that Budget Travel is getting ready to pack it up for good.  Say it ain't so.  We just renewed our subscription!  In our opinion Budget Travel has seen better days. Though Arthur Frommer's name is still above the title, he has been out of the picture for some time now.   Currently operated by the Newsweek Group, the magazine has seen a decline in quality content in recent years.  Once full of feature articles, now it seems dominated by ads and content readily available online.  However a rep for BT emailed NY Magazine and said "Budget Travel is not shutting down nor is it laying off staff. It’s business as usual at Budget Travel and we are currently working to produce the February issue and beyond."  After recently receiving what appears to be a thinner than usual December 2009/January 2010 edition with, we are starting to worry.   Budget Travel is currently offering an annual subscription for only $12.  Times are tough, but that is a bargian.  JJ 

FORGET UNCLE SAM, MEXICO NEEDS YOU!

It may seem an unlikely time to push tourism in the southern portion of our continent, but now more than ever, North American travelers should choose to spend their precious vacation time & money in the Republic of Mexico.

The recent North American furor over the Swine Flu outbreak has been a terrible blow to the economic health of Mexico, but its physical health does not seem at all compromised. The dangers have been blown completely out of proportion by the US news media & the risk of healthy adults contracting any type of illness in Mexico is very low. It’s impossible to stress the use of common sense enough. Exactly like in the US & Canada, clean hands are of utmost importance. Always wash them thoroughly with soap & water before eating. Wash or use hand sanitizer after using ATM’s, handling money, opening doors, holding hand rails, riding in taxis or on public transportation. Keep your hands away from your face. Just as you would at home.

As a frequent Mexico visitor, I’ve never been struck with the flu or a food-bourne illness there. I often ride the bus & I do enjoy street food. I always apply hand sanitizer first, and when available & appropriate, I squeeze a little lime juice into my food or beverage. Did you know that lime juice has antibacterial properties? I have, however, seen other Americans get sick after failing to keep their hands out of their mouths. Mexico is not a more germ-ridden place. The normal germs on things like door handles & table tops just proliferate better in the humid, warm climate, like they did in your gym locker. Don’t be afraid, just be careful.

Currently, the exchange rate for pesos to other North American currency is incredibly reasonable. Of course, this contributes to driving down the cost of living in Mexico. Prices are plummeting, saving money for travelers, but Mexican nationals need you to spend it so much more than North American & European travel markets do. In a conversation I had recently with a Mexican cab driver, he revealed that due to the recent flu related travel restrictions, his monthly income had dropped from 13,000 to 8,000 pesos. This was a significant hardship for him, a parent putting a child through college. Many restaurant & hospitality staffers also told me about major decreases in their work hours & tip earnings due to the reduced tourism. Difficult times for these young adults, many of whom support children or elderly parents. US news agencies also report reductions in income sent home to Mexican families from relatives working abroad.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, in the Pacific Coast town of Puerto Vallarta, I lived extravagantly off of 3,000 pesos for about 5 days. Bought groceries, restaurant meals, street food, drinks at the bar & souvenirs from vendors. Paid cash only. Didn’t use my debit card once. According to my bank, this withdrawal was for $228 USD. Much, much less than I spend in a week on these items in the States. My lodgings were booked through VRBO, where I scored an amazing condo for $390 USD for 6 nights because rental rates are dropping. If you’ve ever stayed in even a mid-priced hotel, you know this is a ridiculously low price, and it included a rooftop swimming pool, balcony, kitchen, & was a single block from the beach. Also enjoyed PV Restaurant Week, where gourmet 3 course meals were priced between 179 – 299 pesos at top eateries throughout the city. As you can see, great values are abundant. So please, when planning upcoming trips, consider the wonderful cities & kind people of Mexico. They look forward to your visit much more than the amusement parks attendants and motel employees of the US do. FP