All the best inexpensive hotels are located south of the river, Rio Cuale which just happens to be near the inexpensive restaurants and the best beaches. The rates listed below are from March of 2001. Remember that these are the "high season" rates so they may be a bit less in the low season ( April 16 - Dec. 14). These prices are based on the exchange rate as of March of 2000. (One U.S. dollar = 9.40 pesos)

The hotels listed here are not 5 star, but they are clean, safe and totally adequate. I have never had anything stolen from my hotel room and only once in the last twelve years have I seen a cockroach, (and boy was it a big one!). Some of these places are right on or near the ocean while others are a 10 minute walk, a good way to burn off the extra calories from all those margaritas! Most of the hotels listed below are priced from about $15.00 U.S. - $25.00 U.S. for one person. They have daily maid service and friendly English speaking staff. They all have private bathrooms with hot water and all hotels supply purified drinking water.

Though I have never made reservations ahead of time for any of these hotels, you can call them if you would like. To call Mexico from the U.S., you first need to dial 011-52 then the area code (322) and the number.

HOTEL AZTECA

473 Madero
Phone (322) 222-2750

This is one of my favorites. The rooms are spotless and have a ceiling fan, desk and chair. Six blocks from the beach. 47 units total.

Singles: 150 pesos: ($16.00 U.S.)
Doubles: 190 pesos: ($20.00 U.S.)
Triples: 230 pesos: ($24.50 U.S.)

Huge room with kitchen, balcony and TV:
(1-2 people) 250 pesos: ($26.50 U.S.)

Pictures of the hotel

HOTEL VILLA DEL MAR

440 Madero
Phone (322) 222-0785

Another very good hotel just a block away from the Azteca Hotel. The quiet rooms are clean and have a little more furniture than the Azteca. Six blocks from the beach.

Singles: 175 pesos: ($16.50 U.S.)
Doubles: 215 pesos: ($21.00 U.S.)
Triples: 255 pesos: ($27.00 U.S.)

Visa and master card accepted.

HOTEL ANA LIZ

429 Madero
Phone (322) 222-1757

Very friendly and helpful staff. This cute little typical Mexican hotel has small, clean rooms . All the rooms have ceiling fans, desk and chair. Five blocks from the beach. 23 units total.

Singles: 160 pesos: ($17.00 U.S.)
Doubles: 190 pesos: ($20.00 U.S.)
Triples: 220 pesos: ($23.50 U.S.)

They have a paperback library where you can read or trade a book.

HOTEL CARTAGENA

428 Madero
Phone (322) 222-6914

Another cute little typical Mexican hotel. The clean rooms are pretty good size and all have ceiling fans, desk and chair.

Singles: 150 pesos: ($16.00 U.S.)
Doubles: 200 pesos: ($21.00 U.S.)
Triples: 250 pesos: ($26.50 U.S.)

HOTEL BERNAL

425 Madero
Phone (322) 222-3605

Another good hotel at a great price. The rooms are clean and basic. Five blocks from the beach. 34 units total.

Singles: 150 pesos: ($16.00 U.S.)
Doubles: 190 pesos: ($20.00 U.S.)
Triples: 230 pesos: ($24.50 U.S.)

HOTEL LINA

376 Madero
Phone (322) 222-1661)

And another good little hotel . The rooms are clean and basic. Five blocks from the beach.

Singles: 150 pesos: ($16.00 U.S.)
Doubles: 170 pesos: ($18.00 U.S.)
Triples: 190 pesos: ($20.00U.S.)

HOTEL BELMAR

161 Insurgentes
Phone (322) 222-1872 ( Fax: 222-0572)
E-mail:hotelbelmar@pvnet.com.mx

This place is a little more money but the well furnished rooms are big, clean and have balconies. Four blocks from the beach. 29 units total.

Singles:180 pesos: ($19.00 U.S.)
Doubles: 270 pesos: ($28.75 U.S.)
Triples: 380 pesos: ($40.50 U.S.)
Rooms with A/C add 50 Pesos: ($5.50 U.S.)
TV add 100 pesos: ($11.00 U.S.)

HOTEL HORTENCIA

336 Madero
Phone (322) 222-2484
E-mail: hotel_hortencia@hotmail.com

The rooms here are large and absolutely spotless. A good place for the family if you can do without a pool. All rooms have a fan, TV and refrigerator. Four blocks from the beach. Very friendly and helpful staff. 22 units total.

Singles: 250 pesos: ($26.50 U.S.)
Doubles: 350 pesos: ($37.00 U.S.)
Triples: 400 pesos: ($42.50 U.S.)
Rooms with AC are 50 pesos: ($5.50) extra.
They offer great discounts for long stays (a week or more).

HOTEL YASMIN

168 Basilio Badillo
Phone (322) 222-0087

You can fall asleep to the sound of the crashing waves from this place! Only one block from the beach and an awesome courtyard, make this worth the extra few pesos. Rooms vary in size, so ask to see a few different ones first.

Singles: 270 pesos: ($28.75 U.S.)
Doubles: 310 pesos: ($34.00 U.S.)
Triples: 372 pesos: ($39.50 U.S.)
Rooms with A/C 50 pesos: ($5.50 U.S.) extra.

Pictures of the hotel

CASA CORAZON

326 Amapas (phone (322) 222-6364)      E-mail     corazon@zianet.com

This beautiful bed and breakfast Villa is built on a hill side right on the ocean. Large well furnished units with ocean views, huge patios and even it's own awesome beach club with great food and really inexpensive drinks. Free breakfast served daily on the patio over looking the ocean. What more could you ask for? This is by far my absolute most favorite place to stay in town. The rooms differ in price because of the view and room size. 

The rates are  $15.00 - $40.00 US a night in the low season    and    $50.00 - $76.00 US in the high season.      To book a room in advance contact them at corazon@zianet.com.  

 Tell them you heard about them on the internet at "Jeff Walker's Website" and they may just give you a special price. 

Check out their new website at www.zianet.com/corazon

Pictures of the hotel

HOTEL POSADA ROGER

237 Basilio Badillo (phone (322) 222-0639 or 222-0836) Fax 222-0482   E-mail    pvroger@pvnet.com.mx    

This place is a little more money but you also get a lot more. 52 units only 2 blocks from the beach, with queen size beds, swimming pool, air-conditioning, telephones, TV (10 pesos extra), and their own restaurant. 

Low season, Singles ( $24.00 u.s.) Doubles ($32.50 u.s.)

High season,  (Dec. 16 - April 16) , Singles ($29.80 u.s.). Doubles ($43.10 u.s.). 

Pictures of the hotel

HOTEL ENCINO

122 Juarez Ave (phone (322) 222-0051 or 222-0280. fax 222-2573).

This place isn't as quaint as the rest but they have an awesome rooftop pool and restaurant. They have 75 rooms here, some with air conditioning and some just ceiling fans. Singles: 402 Pesos ($44.40 US), Doubles: 460 Pesos ($50.80 US)

* OOPS! the rates at this Hotel Encino are from 1999, I somehow forgot to update this one when I was there. Sorry.

HOTEL ALEGRE

168 Francisca Rodriguez (phone (322) 222-4793 ).  E-mail   wl@alegre-pv-com  or visit their website at  www.alegre-pv.com 

This hotel was just remodeled in 1996. A great location, only 1 block from the beach and they have a pool! All rooms have AC, color TV, refrigerator and a safety-deposit box.

Low season rates are Singles:  ($30.00 US),  Doubles:  ($35.00) 

High season rates are Singles:  ($40.00 US),  Doubles:  ($45.00) 

Room with kitchenette ($60.00 US)           Extra person add $6 US.        Credit cards excepted.

APARTMENTS, CONDOS AND VILLAS FOR RENT

Many apartments are available for rent by the week or month. Contact "Mexirent Vallarta" . They have studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom condos, houses, and villas available in many price ranges. I would suggest that you request something south of the river, "Rio Cuale" (pronounced, ree-o qual-ey), either in town or close to town. Everything north is flat, treeless and full of American style hotels, while the south is full of hills, swaying palms and the best beaches.

Check out their new website at http://mexirent.com

Or E-mail John Dommanschet at john@mexirent.com

Deluxe Condo Rental

For those of you that can afford a little more and want top of the line accommodations, check out this website... Condo Rental