Masons In Paradise, Hotel Information
As a reminder, the Grand Lodge of Washington will be having a Christmas trip to Puerto Vallarta this year.
We'll fly into Puerto Vallarta Mexico on Monday, December 13, 2021.
On Thursday, December 16, 2021 we will visit Puerto Vallarta Masonic Lodge. Early indications are that we will be joined by the MW Grand Master of the MW York Grand Lodge of Mexico.
Please remember to bring your own Masonic Apron. Lodge owned loaner aprons are a odd American custom not followed in most other nations.
On Friday, December 17, 2021 we will have the Grand Lodge Christmas Party at my mother's home in Puerto Vallarta. All are of course welcome and encouraged to attend.
It is going to be a spectacular trip, and I sincerely hope that you can join us!
Melinda and I are going to stay at the San Marino Hotel, in Puerto Vallarta's Romantic District.
The San Marino is perfectly located, directly on the beach, immediately adjacent to the famous Los Muertos Pier.
We reserved a Junior Suite, with a water view. If seeing the Bay of Banderas from your room is important to you, please make sure to request a water view. Otherwise you will have a view of the City.
Please note that Melinda and I frequently travel to Mexico, including to areas that are not frequented by tourists from the United States. We therefore might have more tolerance for local lodging quirks and standards than other people.
The San Marino is not a resort like millions of people from the United States flock to each and every year. Please do not expect the standards of a fancy resort.
The San Marino offers rooms, plus all inclusive packages. I would very strongly advise you to just rent a room. One of the great benefits of the San Marino is that it is surrounded by dozens of truly world class restaurants. One would miss out on that by doing an all inclusive package.
If you think that you would be more comfortable in a beach resort like most American visitors to Mexico stay in, we would recommend that you stay at the Sheraton Buganvilias. This is a decision that only you can make, but in my opinion the San Marino's prime location outweighs any little annoyances that might be found.
I have stayed at the Sheraton many times. You will find all of the standards you might expect from a high end resort.
The disadvantage to the Sheraton is its location. You will need to take a Taxi or an Uber to get just about anywhere within the City, and traffic can be a nightmare in Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and Marina Vallarta offer hundreds of massive and extremely luxurious resort choices. The reason we are recommending the Sheraton is that it is the closest located such resort to the part of the City that you will want to spend time in.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the trip, or about either of these Hotels.
I notice that probably due to pent up demand due to Covid, rooms in Vallarta in December are getting very rare. I recommend that you books soon.
You will need a passport for travel to Mexico. If you don't have one, please get one as soon as possible.
I was asked recently about cellular telephones. Check with your service provider to confirm, but our cell phones (T-Mobile Unlimited Plan) work in Mexico exactly the same as if we were at home, with no additional cost.
I was also asked about Credit Cards. Credit Cards are accepted just about everywhere in Mexico, just as they are here. Often however, a better deal can be had for cash. I always spend cash in Mexico, but others use Credit Cards or Debit Cards. ATM's are common in Vallarta, as are money exchange places.
-Cameron
Cameron M. Bailey
Past Grand Master
The MW Grand Lodge F&AM of Washington
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