Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we have received. Please contact us via email or telephone if you have additional questions about our villa, the resort, or the great Puerto Vallarta area. Can I drink the water? It depends. Our refrigerator has its own water filter and it is safe to drink. The resort also has a filtration system that filters all the tap water for the rooms, restaurants, etc. It should be fine to drink as well, but if you have a sensitive stomach, you might want to stick with the refrigerator water. If you're really worried, you can always drink bottled water. Outside of the resort, the water quality will vary with the establishment. Most restaurants in Puerto Vallarta also filter their water and buy purified ice. You'll have to be more careful though when getting water from a roadside taco stand. Do I have to speak Spanish? No. All the people at the hotel and main tourist areas speak English. If you'd like to take Spanish lessons while in Mexico, there are plenty of options available, just check with the concierge. What's the difference between Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and the Bay of Banderas? Both Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta sit on the Bay of Banderas. The Bay of Banderas is the second largest bay in North America, and is almost 2 miles deep at some points. The bay is fringed by the Sierre Madre mountains, giving the area a unique and beautiful landscape. Puerto Vallarta is the main city in the bay. Nuevo Vallarta (literally "New Vallarta") is just north of Puerto Vallarta, and has been developed more recently. Nuevo Vallarta has become a vacation destination in its own right, however most people still refer to the whole area as Puerto Vallarta. You might also hear the area called "The Mexican Riviera" or the "Gold Coast" (Costa Dorada in Spanish). See our map for a better idea of where we are located. What's the weather like? Being a tropical area, there are two main seasons: dry and wet. The dry season lasts from October through May. During this time of the year, it rarely rains. In the summer wet season, you can expect frequent but brief thunderstorms in the afternoons. It is warmer and more humid in the summertime, however we typically enjoy a nice cooling breeze off the water and there is less humidity right at the beach than inland in the mountains. We have 3 separate air conditioners in our villa. One in the master bedroom, one in the living room / dining room / kitchen area, and one in the second bedroom. There are also ceiling fans throughout, as well as ceiling fans on the veranda, and sliding glass doors with screens if you prefer the fresh tropical air. We also have the current and 7 day forecast for the area available on our Puerto Vallarta weather page. Is your place in a hotel, a timeshare, or what? Each unit at Villa La Estancia is individually owned. Many have similar furnishings, amenities, etc., but may not match exactly. This condo is actually our second home, and we try to come down to stay as often as time allows. We have tried to make it comfortable and include things you might need while on vacation. Are there resort/hotel services available at the property? Yes. Although each villa is privately owned, the property is built like a fine boutique hotel, with huge pool, concierge services, restaurants, room service and more. It's the best of both worlds. If I book through you, do I have the same resort privileges? Yes, absolutely. You will be our paying guest, and as such, have full privileges to the beach chairs, towels, swimming pool, fitness center, tennis court, parking, etc. How much does it cost to call the US or Canada from the room phone? A lot. You can call the front desk/operator as the rates will probably change, but it is typically over $2 US / minute. We recommend checking with your cell phone provider before coming to find out if your plan includes rates for Mexico. We also hope to have a free phone in our unit soon that you can use for calling the US and Canada over the Internet (VOIP). Do you have high-speed Internet Access? Yes. We have a wired connection in both bedrooms, and there is wireless high-speed internet in the lobby, as well as throughout the pool area. Why should I rent from you? Renting directly from us insures you get the best rate and you are guaranteed our particular unit. They say in real estate that the three most important factors are Location, location, and location. If you're coming down for a vacation, these 3 factors should be considered. Here are our top "Location" reasons to rent our unit: We are directly on Flamingos Beach, which is the longest and nicest stretch of beach in the great Puerto Vallarta area. We're close enough to downtown Puerto Vallarta to access all the great restaurants, shopping, and night life, but far enough away that you can enjoy the peace and quiet. Our development (Villa La Estancia) is the premier property in the area. With only 134 units, it's small enough to easily get around, yet it still has all the amenities of much larger resorts, like a huge fantasy pool, hot tubs, gourmet restaurants, workout room, and full service spa. You won't have to listen to timeshare sales people or fight for a good chair by the pool. Our villa is located in one of the prime locations within the development itself. We're on the fourth floor, affording gorgeous views, and we're the third villa in from the beach, giving you unobstructed views of the ocean, beach, and also overlooking the pool area. And yes, you can hear the sound of the waves from our villa. Are there things to do nearby? Yes. You can be as busy or as relaxed as you want. If you want to be active, right on the beach you choose from: Boogie Boards Kayaks Jet Skis / Waverunners Parasailing Sailing Nearby are opportunities for golf, surfing, shopping, snorkeling, and more.