Beach wheelchair and mobility device rentals Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Making Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area accessible to everyone. Visit our site at Beachcrossers.com
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Beach Crossers is driving to Puerto Vallarta from the Pacific Northwest
Well, this is going to be an adventure. I've found some really good resources for our trip. I joined "On the Road Mexico" and "Puerto Vallarta: Everything you need or want to know" groups on Facebook. It's amazing how you can post a question and have 100 replies in a relatively short time. If you want to know where the gas stations are located, just ask. If you want to know whether or not you should stay on the toll roads, just ask. There are people driving that route every day and they can give you current road conditions and border crossing information. I'm still debating on the route, because I have a lot of information to sift through. I'm also going to borrow a login and put together a triptik from AAA. I haven't found an online resource that is nearly as thorough. If you have something I'd love to hear about it.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Beach Crossers adds a wheelchair van to their options for Vallarta
This is our newest addition to our service. We've found that many people need a lift from one place to another and there just aren't many options in #Vallarta. Importing the van is becoming the next hurdle in the never ending list of hurdles we've jumped thus far. Vehicle import seems to be "frozen" at this time unless you have a 2006 or 2007 vehicle. Then, the wait is about 5 weeks at the border. Well, at least that is the word on the internet. We are planning on driving down in June. Looks like we will be getting a 6 month permit at the border and hope that sometime in that 6 months the rules ease up. We were also told that once we get our permanent resident visas we won't be able to bring the vehicle in at all and would not be able to renew our 6 month permit. So, we are really not sure how the wheelchair van is going to get into the country or how long we will be able to keep it there, but we are praying and hoping that things work out with this. It would be so nice to add this option to our product line.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
What mobility devices should Beach Crossers add?
It's so hard to decide what products to add. Essentially, we are guessing what people may want to rent in the future with absolutely no history to guide our guessing. Beach wheelchairs? Power chairs? How about some crutches?
Originally we thought that we would need mostly beach wheelchairs, but that has proved a little inaccurate. Power chairs have been much more requested than we anticipated. Those of you who came to Vallarta and had an accident during vacation love the power chairs. They are great for getting around the resorts and if you don't want to cross the sand, can take you most everywhere else. The beach wheelchairs have been popular downtown. It turns out that they cross cobblestone far easier than any of the other chairs, and with the umbrella, cup holder and elevated leg rest, can be a pretty comfortable way to see the Malecon. And the walkers... who knew. I would have thought that people would just bring their own walkers, but I would have been wrong. It turns out that airlines are pretty hard on mobility equipment. Lots of people have told us that they would rather rent something than to have their own equipment damaged or lost. Yes, lost!. When traveling home with a wheelchair, one of the airline employees asked me, "are you traveling with a wheelchair?" "Yes." I answered, "But, I checked it through." "Well, is this your chair?" Why my chair made it to the terminal is still a puzzle, but I'm glad that we were reunited and the chair made it to my final destination after all.
We've had a few requests for items. That part's easy. People asked for a walker, we got a walker. People asked for a rollator, we got a rollator. People asked for crutches, etc. But what about the other needs? Anita needed a chair that would elevate her leg and fit through some less than standard sized doors. The only chairs we have with elevating legs are beach wheelchairs. Lindsey needed a beach wheelchair, but she was just a little bit of a thing and needed pillows on all sides to stay put in the beach wheelchair. We really want to meet the needs of our clients, but our experience with mobility is limited to traveling with Mom. She used a chair because it was easier than towing her oxygen concentrator along behind her. When we came to steps that were not passable in the chair, she could get out and slowly make her way up the steps. At times, some nice men would come along and pick her up, chair and all, and depsit her at the top or bottom of the impassable obstacle.
What do we need? Many of you are much better at seeing those needs than we are. Help us out. Send us your suggestions. We listen and want to grow in the right direction.
Originally we thought that we would need mostly beach wheelchairs, but that has proved a little inaccurate. Power chairs have been much more requested than we anticipated. Those of you who came to Vallarta and had an accident during vacation love the power chairs. They are great for getting around the resorts and if you don't want to cross the sand, can take you most everywhere else. The beach wheelchairs have been popular downtown. It turns out that they cross cobblestone far easier than any of the other chairs, and with the umbrella, cup holder and elevated leg rest, can be a pretty comfortable way to see the Malecon. And the walkers... who knew. I would have thought that people would just bring their own walkers, but I would have been wrong. It turns out that airlines are pretty hard on mobility equipment. Lots of people have told us that they would rather rent something than to have their own equipment damaged or lost. Yes, lost!. When traveling home with a wheelchair, one of the airline employees asked me, "are you traveling with a wheelchair?" "Yes." I answered, "But, I checked it through." "Well, is this your chair?" Why my chair made it to the terminal is still a puzzle, but I'm glad that we were reunited and the chair made it to my final destination after all.
We've had a few requests for items. That part's easy. People asked for a walker, we got a walker. People asked for a rollator, we got a rollator. People asked for crutches, etc. But what about the other needs? Anita needed a chair that would elevate her leg and fit through some less than standard sized doors. The only chairs we have with elevating legs are beach wheelchairs. Lindsey needed a beach wheelchair, but she was just a little bit of a thing and needed pillows on all sides to stay put in the beach wheelchair. We really want to meet the needs of our clients, but our experience with mobility is limited to traveling with Mom. She used a chair because it was easier than towing her oxygen concentrator along behind her. When we came to steps that were not passable in the chair, she could get out and slowly make her way up the steps. At times, some nice men would come along and pick her up, chair and all, and depsit her at the top or bottom of the impassable obstacle.
What do we need? Many of you are much better at seeing those needs than we are. Help us out. Send us your suggestions. We listen and want to grow in the right direction.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Beach Crossers Press Release for February
Beach wheelchairs roll into Mexico. Is there anything better than a stroll on the beach with a beautiful sunset on a warm Vallarta evening? Many people have mobility limitations that in the past made that experience unattainable. With Beach Crossers in town, people who could not get to the beach in the past are taking an evening “roll” with family and friends.
Puerto Vallarta, MX February 2015. Beach Crossers launched their business last summer and immediately began to get calls and requests through their website at www.beachcrossers.com. The owners, Terrie and Sheri were inspired to start this venture by their mom, Shirley, who unfortunately passed away before they got started. According to Terrie, “She will always be part of the business. She taught us to care about others, follow our dreams, and that we were capable of doing great things if we were willing to work hard.”
There are 4 manufacturers of wheelchairs specially designed for use on beach surfaces. Beach Crossers is now the national distributors for 3 of them here in Mexico.
- The Debug wheelchair is great for most people. It has big balloon tires and scoots across sand and cobblestone with ease. It fits through standard sized doors without removing the wheels. It has an elevating foot rest and comes with a cup holder and umbrella.
- The Hippocampe will meet the needs of a select few. It is low to the ground for easy transfer to the sand, kayak or jet ski. It is meant to be self propelled by the client that is used to getting around without assistance. If you have perfected your “hop”, this chair is the right choice for you. It also fits through a standard door without removing the wheels.
- The Sand Rider is a sporty choice. With a high seat, this chair is easy to get in and out of. It crosses the sand and cobblestone easily. It has a comfortable relaxed seat position and comes with a cup holder.
Beach Crossers has helped many people to the beach since last summer. Zach, a 21 year old young man who has lived his life in a wheelchair, Nicole, an adorable little one who spent the day in a beach stroller, Anita and Wayne who each had injuries on the 2nd day of vacation. It’s not just the person sitting in the chair that benefits. Lawrence brought his 90 year old blind mother to Vallarta and having a beach wheelchair was really helpful. Mike had his granddaughter, Lindsey, 12, who has Cerebral Palsy.
Terrie, one of the owners says, “The best part of Beach Crossers is when we take the chairs to one of the resorts and find someone to give it to for the day. We’ve seen so many tears of joy since we started that I really look forward to this being my future.” We watched one day as Terrie and Sheri found just such a person. This elderly gentleman was at Paradise Village poolside with his family. Terrie approached and offered the Sand Rider for the day. (you can see pictures here https://www.beachcrossers.com/rentals/sand-rider/) The gentleman was non-verbal, but his smile and the smiles of his family members spoke of memories that will last a lifetime.
What’s ahead for Beach Crossers? According to Sheri, “We are planning to get an accessible van so we can help our clients get around Vallarta a bit easier.” This is good news for locals and tourists alike as finding a ride when you are not able to get out of your chair is more than challenging.
We can’t wait to see what’s ahead for Beach Crossers. We are lucky to have this family and this business in our community.
Wayne doesn’t let his injury interfere with an awesome vacation.
Zach and Jason take the Debug wheelchair for it’s first spin on the beach.
The Hippocampe is built for sport.
Abuelito gets his feet wet in the Sand Rider beach wheelchair.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Accessible does not mean the same thing everywhere in Vallarta
The beach wheelchair business is going well in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. We never thought we would be so busy so soon. The business is covering it's own expenses right now and we are very encouraged it will continue even as the busy season winds down. We have quite a few advanced reservations already. Who knew?
But enough of that ...
The topic of today's blog is, "What do they mean by ACCESSIBLE?"
Wow, can this mean a lot of different thing in Vallarta. Now that we have people using our beach wheelchairs and power chairs at a variety of locations we are beginning to really appreciate those facilities that are accessible in the same way that you would expect back in the states.
Paradise Village is in our top recommendations for accessibility. The sidewalks have ramps that are actually wide enough for wheelchairs, the paths are mostly gently sloped, and even the pool has a ramp for the water safe chairs to visit the activity pool. Another thing nice at Paradise Village is that the doors are wide enough for either a power chair or a beach wheelchair without removing any parts. I haven't been inside of the accessible rooms, but we've not heard any complaints from customers. They have an elevator in every tower. The elevators are large enough for the chairs and companion (which is not true at all resorts). There is even an elevator to go up to the Xcarat night club entertainment (welcome party when it is hosted indoors), although this is through the restaurant. It's a little odd, but functional. Sometimes other guests are not considerate and park in front of ramps or move their chairs in from of access, but they are usually good about moving out of the way when asked. They have wheelchair accessible tables throughout the facility including at the beach. They have beach mats that can be put out to wheel across. You just have to ask for that service as they are not out at all times. Even the spa and gym are easily accessible. They also run a shuttle down to the mall and to the golf course, but those are not wheelchair accessible as far as we've seen. They are so helpful though, that they might have an option if one were to ask. Ana at the concierge desk is very helpful. She has all the information you need to access mobility devices or information. She's always got a smile and will go out of her way to make your stay pleasant.
Another resort that seems pretty accessible is the RIU Vallarta. We've had a few rentals there and the only negative feedback we received was that the doors are difficult to maneuver because they don't face straight out to the hallway. The access ramps are easy to get to, the staff is very helpful, and there is a clear effort to make the facility accessible. Michelle at the concierge desk is quick to respond to email, has a wealth of information and is a joy to work with.
We haven't had much luck getting into the Grand Mayan, but the Mayan at the Marina has contacted us with several requests. The property is very accessible. However, the elevators are incredible small. It is not possible to have both the chair and another person in the same elevator. On the other hand, the doors face outward and are plenty wide enough for the chairs. The beach wheelchairs barely fit into the elevator and actually rub on both sides requiring a little push to get through the doors. Arturo and Oscar seem to know everything. They are a resource worth tapping as they can help you with not only mobility, but anything you might want. If you need to reserve a mobility device, they will actually get on the computer and walk you through the process step by step.
The Hard Rock Nuevo is very accessible once you get into the resort. However, it is kind of weird getting into the property with a wheelchair. You have to go to this little side door and wait around for a security guard to let you through. They are doing some remodeling out front, so hopefully this will change. Once inside the resort is more accessible than most. The ramps are wide and easily maneuvered. We haven't seen the rooms or elevators, but have had nothing but positive reviews from our clients.
Canto del Sol in the hotel district was very difficult for our clients. The "accessible" shower had a 4 inch lip making it impossible for the wheelchair to enter. It did have a drain outside of the shower and a hand held shower that could be used in that area. The rooms are small and difficult for a wheelchair to maneuver. The staff was absolutely wonderful and really tried to make it a comfortable stay, but the facility is just not set up well for limited mobility.
We visited the concierge at Samba and although we haven't seem much of the facility, it seemed like there would definitely be challenges in a wheelchair. Just the lobby area posed some obstacles, so unless there was some modernization somewhere around a corner I don't think this would be a great choice.
We plan to visit all of the resorts and check out their facilities more thoroughly. Will keep you posted :)
But enough of that ...
The topic of today's blog is, "What do they mean by ACCESSIBLE?"
Wow, can this mean a lot of different thing in Vallarta. Now that we have people using our beach wheelchairs and power chairs at a variety of locations we are beginning to really appreciate those facilities that are accessible in the same way that you would expect back in the states.
Paradise Village is in our top recommendations for accessibility. The sidewalks have ramps that are actually wide enough for wheelchairs, the paths are mostly gently sloped, and even the pool has a ramp for the water safe chairs to visit the activity pool. Another thing nice at Paradise Village is that the doors are wide enough for either a power chair or a beach wheelchair without removing any parts. I haven't been inside of the accessible rooms, but we've not heard any complaints from customers. They have an elevator in every tower. The elevators are large enough for the chairs and companion (which is not true at all resorts). There is even an elevator to go up to the Xcarat night club entertainment (welcome party when it is hosted indoors), although this is through the restaurant. It's a little odd, but functional. Sometimes other guests are not considerate and park in front of ramps or move their chairs in from of access, but they are usually good about moving out of the way when asked. They have wheelchair accessible tables throughout the facility including at the beach. They have beach mats that can be put out to wheel across. You just have to ask for that service as they are not out at all times. Even the spa and gym are easily accessible. They also run a shuttle down to the mall and to the golf course, but those are not wheelchair accessible as far as we've seen. They are so helpful though, that they might have an option if one were to ask. Ana at the concierge desk is very helpful. She has all the information you need to access mobility devices or information. She's always got a smile and will go out of her way to make your stay pleasant.
Another resort that seems pretty accessible is the RIU Vallarta. We've had a few rentals there and the only negative feedback we received was that the doors are difficult to maneuver because they don't face straight out to the hallway. The access ramps are easy to get to, the staff is very helpful, and there is a clear effort to make the facility accessible. Michelle at the concierge desk is quick to respond to email, has a wealth of information and is a joy to work with.
We haven't had much luck getting into the Grand Mayan, but the Mayan at the Marina has contacted us with several requests. The property is very accessible. However, the elevators are incredible small. It is not possible to have both the chair and another person in the same elevator. On the other hand, the doors face outward and are plenty wide enough for the chairs. The beach wheelchairs barely fit into the elevator and actually rub on both sides requiring a little push to get through the doors. Arturo and Oscar seem to know everything. They are a resource worth tapping as they can help you with not only mobility, but anything you might want. If you need to reserve a mobility device, they will actually get on the computer and walk you through the process step by step.
The Hard Rock Nuevo is very accessible once you get into the resort. However, it is kind of weird getting into the property with a wheelchair. You have to go to this little side door and wait around for a security guard to let you through. They are doing some remodeling out front, so hopefully this will change. Once inside the resort is more accessible than most. The ramps are wide and easily maneuvered. We haven't seen the rooms or elevators, but have had nothing but positive reviews from our clients.
Canto del Sol in the hotel district was very difficult for our clients. The "accessible" shower had a 4 inch lip making it impossible for the wheelchair to enter. It did have a drain outside of the shower and a hand held shower that could be used in that area. The rooms are small and difficult for a wheelchair to maneuver. The staff was absolutely wonderful and really tried to make it a comfortable stay, but the facility is just not set up well for limited mobility.
We visited the concierge at Samba and although we haven't seem much of the facility, it seemed like there would definitely be challenges in a wheelchair. Just the lobby area posed some obstacles, so unless there was some modernization somewhere around a corner I don't think this would be a great choice.
We plan to visit all of the resorts and check out their facilities more thoroughly. Will keep you posted :)
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
A Beach Wheelchair Vacation in Puerto Vallarta
So I just got back from a "vacation" in Puerto Vallarta. Happily I spent a lot of time delivering and picking up wheelchairs. I can't believe how many people need our help. We rented to a nice man named Wayne who tore all of the ligaments in his ankle on the second day of his vacation. He had rigged up a pair of crutches with flip flops attached to the bottom so he could maneuver the sand. Brilliant, but he was much more comfortable in one of the beach wheelchairs. I keep asking people how they found out about Beach Crossers. I've done a lot of tweeting, blogging, youtube, and the like to get noticed by Google. It must be working because they found us by doing a Google search for wheelchair rentals in Bucerias. Our next rental was to a woman who broke her knee cap on the second day of vacation. Anita used the beach wheelchair around the resort and then moved to a villa in El Centro. The DeBug wasn't getting in and out of the shops the way they wanted, so we took them a manual wheelchair. It would be much easier to get into the shops downtown, but they couldn't get down their street! That was the same problem we had when we tried doing downtown with Mom in her transport chair. Anita quickly moved back to the beach wheelchair and we actually ran into her on the Malecon enjoying all that the downtown area has to offer. We also rented a power chair to Rick at the Mayan marina this week. He suffers from Fribromyalgia which was causing his some problems with his knees. He is a large man of nearly 300 pounds. He found the Rascal to be very comfortable and easy to maneuver. We also had our first Beach Stroller rental while I was in town. A very nice woman, Somia staying at the RIU Vallarta. They had been limited to the resort area because they were traveling with two autistic children. They decided that in order to visit the downtown area (and enjoy it) they would need to contain the children. They rented the beach stroller for easy movement in the downtown area. It worked like a charm. They had a great trip to the Malecon and easily crossed both Los Muertos Beach and the cobblestone streets of El Centro. We've been happy with our new products, the Hippocampe and the Sand Rider. Both meet the needs of specific clients. We have been really surprised that we are renting so many power chairs and scooters. We are planning to expand our inventory of both of those, add manual chairs that have leg extensions for those injured travelers, and are in the process of getting hourly or daily rentals available in Sayulita. Keep an eye on our progress at BeachCrossers.com
Monday, October 13, 2014
Expanded Wheelchair Options for Puerto Vallarta Beaches
Beach wheelchair rentals in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta is turning out to be a lot of fun and very rewarding. We meet the most awesome people and are truly blessed to provide such a wonderful service. We are expanding our product list. These are our current products and who we think they are best suited for.
1. We have several De Bug beach wheelchairs. This chair is super comfortable and moves across the sand easily. I think this is a great chair for the occasional user. What I mean is someone who gets stuck in a cast just before or during their vacation, someone who is having a knee replacement in Mexico but still wants to enjoy the sites, someone who walks around okay, but has trouble on the sand. The chair is easily pushed by anyone regardless of previous chair pushing experience.
2. We have the Hippocampe beach wheelchair. I think this chair is pretty unique and is probably not for everyone. However, the person who wants this chair would not be happy with any of our other products. The Hippocampe is very low to the ground. It makes it perfect for children, or for adults that are able to self-transfer to the beach, kayak, jet ski, etc. It would be difficult to get to the low chair for elderly or others who are used to using their legs to help. The chair has interchangeable tires so you can self propel or relax and let someone else do the pushing. It also has a front tow rope so pulling is another option. It is a slick looking sporty chair. I think the athlete with limited mobility is the perfect person for this chair. It breaks down easily so you can take it with you for jungle or cobble stone. Definitely for the young and/or active.
3. Our newest addition to the beach wheelchair product line is the Sand Rider. It is similar to the Hippocampe in its sporty look. It has the big balloon tires, which you can push yourself on hard sand (although you get sand on your hands) and it is super easy to push across the beach. It is different because it is not so low to the ground. That makes it much easier for people of all ages to get in and out of the chair. It doesn't fit through all standard doorways, but breaks down easily for traveling to other locations.
That's it for the beach. We have a couple of different power chair options
1. We have the Porche of wheelchairs and I mean it was actually designed by Porche. Alber Adventure is a luxury chair beyond compare! This chair is not designed for the beach, but is ideal for traveling around the resort area in style. It is all terrain so it can take the downtown area much better than other power chairs. It is not light weight however so just won't work on the sand. This chair has all the bells and whistles; turn signals, horn, head lights, etc. This is a chair you can feel like you are on vacation while riding around.
2. The Invacare Proto and
3. The Rascal are pretty similar in their benefits and would be a personal preference as to which was preferred. I think the same client would be happy with either chair. Both are comfortable and allow for riders up to 300 lbs. Both maneuver small spaces pretty well. The chair on the Pronto is more padded, but both are equally comfortable. Either of these chairs would be perfect for running around the resort or down to Starbucks at Paradise Plaza.
We've also added walkers to our product line. I had no idea it would be such a popular item. We have the heavy duty version with a seat and brakes. Clients up to 300 lbs are no problem for this model.
Since delivery and pickup are included with all rentals (3 day minimum rental) you can choose the mobility device that is perfect for you. Let's say you decide the Adventure luxury chair is right for you, but one day you want to go from Paradise Village to Bucerias by way of the beach. Don't hesitate to ask about 1 day beach wheelchair rentals. If they are not rented we are happy to accommodate.
Most of the chairs come with accessories as well. Don't forget an umbrella and cup holder to enjoy your day to the fullest.
1. We have several De Bug beach wheelchairs. This chair is super comfortable and moves across the sand easily. I think this is a great chair for the occasional user. What I mean is someone who gets stuck in a cast just before or during their vacation, someone who is having a knee replacement in Mexico but still wants to enjoy the sites, someone who walks around okay, but has trouble on the sand. The chair is easily pushed by anyone regardless of previous chair pushing experience.
2. We have the Hippocampe beach wheelchair. I think this chair is pretty unique and is probably not for everyone. However, the person who wants this chair would not be happy with any of our other products. The Hippocampe is very low to the ground. It makes it perfect for children, or for adults that are able to self-transfer to the beach, kayak, jet ski, etc. It would be difficult to get to the low chair for elderly or others who are used to using their legs to help. The chair has interchangeable tires so you can self propel or relax and let someone else do the pushing. It also has a front tow rope so pulling is another option. It is a slick looking sporty chair. I think the athlete with limited mobility is the perfect person for this chair. It breaks down easily so you can take it with you for jungle or cobble stone. Definitely for the young and/or active.
3. Our newest addition to the beach wheelchair product line is the Sand Rider. It is similar to the Hippocampe in its sporty look. It has the big balloon tires, which you can push yourself on hard sand (although you get sand on your hands) and it is super easy to push across the beach. It is different because it is not so low to the ground. That makes it much easier for people of all ages to get in and out of the chair. It doesn't fit through all standard doorways, but breaks down easily for traveling to other locations.
That's it for the beach. We have a couple of different power chair options
1. We have the Porche of wheelchairs and I mean it was actually designed by Porche. Alber Adventure is a luxury chair beyond compare! This chair is not designed for the beach, but is ideal for traveling around the resort area in style. It is all terrain so it can take the downtown area much better than other power chairs. It is not light weight however so just won't work on the sand. This chair has all the bells and whistles; turn signals, horn, head lights, etc. This is a chair you can feel like you are on vacation while riding around.
2. The Invacare Proto and
3. The Rascal are pretty similar in their benefits and would be a personal preference as to which was preferred. I think the same client would be happy with either chair. Both are comfortable and allow for riders up to 300 lbs. Both maneuver small spaces pretty well. The chair on the Pronto is more padded, but both are equally comfortable. Either of these chairs would be perfect for running around the resort or down to Starbucks at Paradise Plaza.
We've also added walkers to our product line. I had no idea it would be such a popular item. We have the heavy duty version with a seat and brakes. Clients up to 300 lbs are no problem for this model.
Since delivery and pickup are included with all rentals (3 day minimum rental) you can choose the mobility device that is perfect for you. Let's say you decide the Adventure luxury chair is right for you, but one day you want to go from Paradise Village to Bucerias by way of the beach. Don't hesitate to ask about 1 day beach wheelchair rentals. If they are not rented we are happy to accommodate.
Most of the chairs come with accessories as well. Don't forget an umbrella and cup holder to enjoy your day to the fullest.
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