Puerto Magico — Attraction in Jalisco

I booked tickets for Rhythm of the Night boat and dinner event for a family. When we arrived early at the boat pickup spot is when the troubles began! We entered the shop Vallarta Adventures. We were told we had to go find a booth and purchase “port” tickets. They seriously should make this part of the directions up front. Men with big rifles were standing by with dogs to enforce some port tax ticket thing. Just tell us what tickets to buy or get the tickets in advance and attach them to the event price so that so many tourists don’t get lost and confused as we were! I was watching a boat loading up for our 5:30 pm departure and several Vallarta Adventures employees in the shop told me that was NOT our boat and we were told to have a seat. Then I asked someone else and they said it was our boat. We were hustled through security and then they we were we were too early. By this time is 17:20 hours and we were marched back through security. I continued asking employees and showing our tickets and eventually someone said it was our boat! Our boat was almost leaving by this time. The employees in the shop were completely wrong and had no idea what they were talking about. If I had not been such a squeaky wheel we would have missed the event entirely. The acrobatic show was excellent. The food was not so great as it was only a little warm and even the coffee was not hot and too sweet. There was no salt and pepper to season. The absolute best part of the event was the acrobatics. My children loved it. At the end we once again found ourselves scrambling as we were told other boats had joined the event. We were never told which boat number we arrived on and no one knew what boat we were supposed to return on. This would be an excellent rating if the staff got it together and actually knew what was going on! One employee was confused by the military time in the ticket “17:35” and tried to tell me my boat was as not supposed to depart...

I hate this place. I hate that you have to pass through it to board any portside attraction. I hate the confusing layout and the people ordering you around. I hate that they demand you get a souvenir photo before entering and make it seem like you can't refuse. I hate that every single person is determined to bother you every step of the way-- busking, giving wrong directions, getting angry when you say you don't need to go somewhere or you're not part of a cruise. I hate that there's no simple way to exit. I hate that the taxi drivers they send me to haven't heard of my hotel. I hate that cruise taxis are unavailable to everyone else. I hate how crowded the gate area is. I hate that port fees are never included in price and require a separate, cash-only transaction on the opposite side of the mall from the port entrance. I hate how irritated everyone seems and how quick they are to get angry. I'm exhausted from every visit I've had there and how infectious the bad vibes are. But at...

What a great experience to be had. I would recommend that you book the earlier time if you want to enjoy the island. We got on the 5:30pm boat, and there were still ones that came in after us. We didn't know that there was an option to purchase a VIP pass, which gives you better seats for the show, and during dinner, you get different food and drinks options. If you want to purchase the pictures that they take, make sure you take every opportunity for them to take your picture as they will provide 1 printed picture, and the rest are emailed to you. My husband and I paid $111.11 CAD, and honestly, I love them all. Now, for the show, it was amazing, I really enjoyed watching it. I do suggest if you get cold easily to bring a light sweater as it does get cold, especially if you're not drinking. Also, like always, tips are expected when leaving the island and then again when you're leaving the boat. The boat was amazing it had its own...