So I Landed in Puerto Vallarta Ready for Sun
Okay, flew into PV last Tuesday, super excited for beaches and margaritas, you know? Luggage came out slow, already sweating buckets. Stepped outside the airport… bam! Sky looks like someone dumped a giant bucket of water. Total downpour. My flip-flops were instantly flooded rivers.
First thought: oh crap, my perfect beach day is ruined. Checked into the hotel looking like a drowned rat. Stared out the window watching the rain pour. Seriously debated just hiding under the covers all day. But nope, figured I paid good money for this trip, gotta make it work, right?
Plan B: Ditch the Beach, Find Dry Fun
Turns out August rains are no joke here. Usually hits hard in the afternoon, sometimes all day long. So I grabbed my soggy map and started hunting for inside stuff. Here’s what actually saved my trip:
- Got Lost in Mercado Rio Cuale: Wandered into this covered market tucked under a bridge near the river. Honestly amazing. Smelled like spices and leather. Found wild souvenirs – way cooler and cheaper than hotel shops. Spent ages bargaining for a blanket and some weird wooden masks. Dodged the rain and got gifts done.
- Coffee Break Turned Museum Trip: Needed caffeine, badly. Duck into this tiny cafe near the Malecon – smelled like heaven. Ordered the strongest coffee they had. Spot this little gallery attached to it. Super small, just some local artist’s stuff. Wasn’t Picasso, but interesting! Stared at weirdly colorful beach paintings for over an hour. Totally killed the time.
- Movie Time at the Big Mall: Okay, desperate times. When the rain just wouldn’t quit one afternoon, caved and caught a cab to Plaza Caracol. Place is massive, air-conditioned bliss. Walked around aimlessly for a while – felt like any mall anywhere. Got bored. Saw they had movies playing. Sat my butt down in a comfy, dry chair, watched a dumb action flick in Spanish. Didn’t care what it was about, felt perfect.
Even When It Stopped Pouring
The rain lets up sometimes! Went for a squishy walk along the wet Malecon afterward. Smelled amazing. The sunset peeked through some clouds – crazy orange and pink over the bay. Snapped a billion photos. Found a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant dripping with plastic flowers. Sat under a massive umbrella outside, ordered huge sizzling shrimp fajitas. Steam rising off the plate, damp air, actually felt magical.
One evening, the rain stopped completely. Walked on the beach. Super soft sand. Waves looked huge and messy. Got my feet wet anyway. Watched lightning flicker way out over the ocean – like a free light show. Different vibe, kind of wild.
Real Talk for August Visitors
- Pack Smart: Seriously, forget just shorts and tanks. Toss in a small umbrella or a decent rain poncho. Got a cheap plastic one at a corner store, lifesaver. Quick-dry stuff is golden.
- Be Flexible: Your beach morning might become a taco-tasting tour downtown. Go with it.
- Covered Spots are Key: Scope out some indoor spots before you go – galleries, markets, museums. Knowing a mall or covered market exists saved me.
- Uber is Your Friend: Raining too hard to walk? Pull out the app. Beats trying to flag a taxi or getting soaked.
Honestly? Thought the rain would wreck the whole vibe. Totally wrong. Found cool markets, drank amazing coffee in weird cafes, saw moody storms over the ocean. Didn’t get super tan, but came back with way better stories and a blanket I kinda love. August in PV isn’t just about sun – it’s about rolling with it!
