Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, often also called Puertovallarta or just Vallarta, is the modernst and especially most interesting travel destination on Mexicos Pacific Coast. In opposite to Cancun or Acapulco the city of Puerto Vallarta is relatively young and therefore not overcrowded, leaving a nice and cultural valuable travel impression to the tourist. Located in the centerpoint of the wonderful Banderas Bay, the second largest bay of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding villages are characterized by the many, partly virgin beaches and the tropical flora. Puerto Vallarta features a well balanced touristical range, from sophisticated modernst Luxury- and Lifestylevacations to inexpensive Adventure- and Eco-vacations everything is possible. Both, individual tourism and all inclusive tourism are promoted by the local and international tourism industry.

Puerto Vallarta is the second most visited travel destination in Mexico for US and canadian tourism, curiously caused by Hollywood.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Hollywood

1963 the director John Huston was searching for his movie "The night of the Iguana" after the same-named theater masterpiece by Tennessee Willams, an appropriate location for production. The best matching location he found in one of the smaller bays close to Mismaloya, south of Puerto Vallarta. The movies top-class cast and famous names like Deborah Kerr, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor and the stories and scandals about them, converted the former fishers village Puerto Vallarta over night into a world-renowned travel destination. Because of the nature, the dolphins, the whales and the perfect climatic conditions, several of the famoust personalities settled in Puerto Vallarta.

Some Facts about Puerto Vallarta

When Richard Burton und Elizabeth Taylor finally married here, Puerto Vallarta changed into a first class international travel destination. The small village, which received just in 1918 its actual name after Ignazio L. Vallarta, grew from this time on slowly but constantly to its present magnitude with about 250.000 habitants, more then 200 Hotels ( many of them in the 4 or 5 star category), 250 partly worldclass Restaurants, 7 Golfcourses in Vallarta and surroundings, 3 marinas and about 150.000 visitors monthly.

>> back to the top

Apart from its extraordinary beauty and its large variety of flora, fauna and landscapes, the Bahia de Banderas is worth a closer look to some touristically relevant details.

The bay and Puerto Vallarta

The bays name bases on an old legend. This legend tells us that during the combats between the Spaniards and the indian native population one of the Spaniards flags ( Banderas ) begun to shine, whereupon the battle was aborted and the bay was named because of this miracle into "Bahia de Banderas", traduced "Bay of Flags". Thanks to Puerto Vallartas favorable location within this bay, with its 25 miles of different beaches, there are nearly over the whole year best weather conditions with temperatures between 20 and 35 degrees celsius and just about 60 rainy days during June until October.

Other villages and locations within the "Banderas"

In the south are situated Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlan, in the North the tourism zone Nuevo Vallarta, and the villages Bucerias and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The bays northern tip is called Punta Mita located close to the surfers paradise Sayulita.

Whales and Dolphins

Each year during the winter the Humpback Whales visit the bay together with their young. This extraordinary natural phenomenon is for the tourists a unique possibility and a never forgotten wildlife experience, the huge Sea turtles also come to the bay to put their eggs during Juli and August into the warm sand on several beaches and finally the Dolphins feel well in the warm and rich in fish waters. Some beaches close to Puerto Vallarta offer crystal clear waters, a perfect opportunity for snorkelers and divers to observe a large variety of fish and wateranimals and plants in all immaginable forms and colors. The southern part of the bay belongs to the state of Jalisco, the northern part to the state of Nayarit.

>> back to the top

Puerto Vallartas favorable situation deep inside the Bay of Flags is noticeable for its nice maritime climate and tranquil sea, making best conditions for fauna and flora but also for sailors, surfers, divers, deepseafishers and many other watersports. The hurricanes during the summer move far away from the bay over the pacific ocean, so Puerto Vallarta had been spared from significant damages with only one exception during the last 30 years.

For US and Canadian tourism Puerto Vallarta qualifies during the whole year as vacation destination. With temperatures during the winter from 20 - 25 degree Celsius with a lot of sun, and temperatures during summer from 30 - 35 degree celsius with much sun but also several tropical rain during the afternoon or evening, the traveler may take a sunbath nearly daily and enjoy adventures, tours, cultural events, shopping, spa und sport, gastronomy and nightlife, as he prefers.

>> back to the top

Many tourists, singles, couples or families, come to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with the desire for relaxing, to be pampered by sun and sand as well as by sports, spa and the romantic mexican atmosphere, but also to exploit fully the personal luxury. The one who is looking also for something really special during his vacations, is in Puerto Vallarta completely right.

Adventures and experience tours arround Puerto Vallarta

Unique wildflife spectacles like the Humpback Whales or the dolphins, the huge Sea Turtles and diving opportunities, sailing tours and golfclasses are offered within very well organized group tours, but also as individual trips.

Obviously available are as well the typical Jeep- and ATV-Tours, Canopy and biking tours into the close tropical forrests and many more. For families highly recommendable is "swimming with dolphins or sea lions" as it is a unique experience especially for the children. One of its kind is a tour to the native indian "Huichol" population, this last and mystic tribe, which stays in direct succession to the Aztecs and which could salve its authentic traditions. Consuming the Peyote cactus and their spiritual yarn paintings, which actually are exposed in all important culture museums, made them famous all over the world.

Shopping tours

People who want to find real bargains and unique items book a shopping tour to Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco. From typical mexican artwork, followed by traditional and modern garments to very rare antiques, a wide range of interesting goods is offered. The tours are visiting the interesting suburbs and shopping areas.

As a pirate on the Marigalante

One time during life beeing a pirate ? Also this is possible in Puerto Vallarta, a replica of a spaniards galleon , the Marigalante invites daily to a tour with pirate show and fiesta. For many travelers, especially the younger ones an absolute HAVE TO. Who likes the adventure also can experience everything on his own individual way, Puerto Vallarta and surroundings are more secure then Acapulco or Cancun.

>> back to the top

Puerto Vallarta and surroundings offer many kinds of accommodation in any price range.

Hotels in Puerto Vallarta

Most important to mention are hotel- and resortvacations as well as "all inclusive" or "european plan". Clubhotels for adults only but also family friendly Puerto Vallarta Hotels are offering all imaginable activities for children and teens.

All mayor hotel chains likeHoliday Inn, Crown, Sheraton, Riu, Oriental, Mayan Palace, Paradise Village, Four Seasons are present, many smaller and also nice city hotels complete the selection. Outstanding nice and smaller Hotels can be found south of the Puerto Vallarta center.

Timesharing and vacation homes

Several hotels like the Mayan Palace or Flamingos also offer 2 or 3 bedroom suites with kitchen for self supporters, bungalows for larger families or groups are also available. Many owners of beach front villas or city appartments rent their partly extraordinary impressive objects at, depending on the season, very interesting quotes.

The decision which Puerto Vallarta Hotel to book or which vacation rental to rent, always depends on the travelers personal preferences. Who mainly wants to relax on the beach, could prefer Nuevo Vallarta with its huge and luxury hotels and resorts approximately 30 minutes far from Puerto Vallarta downtown. Looking for more diversion, a accomodation closer to downtown and the Romantic Zone, for example in the "Hotel Zone North" is recommendable. For sportfishing or sailing interested travelers, hotels and rentals close to the Puerto Vallarta Marina or the Nuevo Vallarta yacht harbor could be a good choice.

A look to our overview maps is very recommendable to plan well the Puerto Vallarta vacations.

>> back to the top

Mexican culture is notable everywhere in and around Puerto Vallarta.

Mexican culture in Puerto Vallarta

From folcloric dance events or authentical native indian presentations, like the "Voladores de Papantla", artists who let them down, head first in circles, only secured by a rope, from a 30 meter high pole. In no hotel program the Mariachi, with the typical mexican music, is missing and a lot of restaurants organize mexican culture and music evenings with different kinds of shows and presentations. Mexican artistical abilities are visible in a wide range of handcrafted products and souvenirs. Silver jewelry and finest pottery, clay figures and wooden art, embroided traditional clothing, furniture and decoration of any kind are everywhere available. Very important is a visit of one of the art galleries which sell Artesania Huichol. Small and big wooden sculptures, with thousands of sead beads or yarns arranged in spiritual symbols decorated, are interesting as perfect souvenirs or exceptional art objects.

Shopping areas

The mostly demanding travelers and the culture promoting Gay Community have contributed that many art galleries with handselected exhibits settled in Puerto Vallarta Shopping Zones. Very important is the Romantic Zone, south of Downtown, the oldest touristically developed part of Puerto Vallarta. Going for a stroll along the Malecon, the broadwalk, the Puerto Vallarta traveler should have a look to this zone. For people who dont like fixed prices or which want to make a bargain the flee market close to the small island "Isla Rio Cuale" is recommended, a selection of thousands of articles can be found there. In total more then 1000 Shops and Galeries in Puerto Vallarta should keep something special for everyone available.

>> back to the top

Restaurants and Gastronomy

Dining out always is an important part of each journey and Puerto Vallarta offers ample possibilities in this regard. More then 250 restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas offer culinary and delicate food in rich variety. First of all the Mexican cuisine, from outstanding grill dishes to compositions of finest sea fruits, pleases the visitor. From finest Haute Cuisine restaurants for the well-off traveler, up to affordable mexican traditional fare, numerous offers are present. The most interesting restaurants are situated in the "Zona Romantica" close to the Malecon ( promenade ) in Puerto Vallarta Downtown or Old City.

Beside this there are many other nice possibilities like restaurants at the beach, just one step from the water or dining experiences in the surrounding mountains, offering a spectacular view over the bay. For guests with international preferencies, an excellent and wide range of argentinian, japanese, german, italian, french, spanish, northamerican, brasilian and many other international cuisines, are present.

Puerto Vallarta Nightlife

Some Puerto Vallarta restaurants dispose of bar areas or dance floors, making the transition from dining to nightlife fluid. Obviously many bars from Mexico, Cuba, Italy, US, Canada and so on offer their services. Nightlife normally starts around the Malecon, Puerto Vallartas promenade, close to the most interesting Bars, Clubs and Discos. Because of its favorable location at the pacific coast, more or less daily an outstanding sunset over the ocean is observable, and this directly from the Restaurants and Bars at the Malecon and the "Zona Romantica".

The nightlife lasts allways until the earl morning hours, guests have the choice between mexican, brasilian, argentinian or just tropical sounds up to modern High End Techno, House, Drum and Base or Chill out sounds. There are no limits for the personal liking. Shows and nightly spectacles enrich the warm nights with atmospherical aspects.

>> back to the top

Who owns, owns ! These old words find a new significance in Puerto Vallarta and surroundings. Because of Hollywood setteled in the surrounding villages and areas many very rich persons from different countries, looking for a private and free lifestyle by buying casitas or beach front villas. Objects at 2 digit Million Dollar ammounts, finest ships, seven, partly worldclass, 18 hole golfcourses a 400 slip marina and a 300 slip marina with a 7 miles long shippable channelssytem and privately owned artifical islands as well as many Lifestyle Hotels with Spas, Golf and Sailingtour offers, are talking for themselves.

Special tour and activity opportunities from fly arounds up to unique Ecotours or living with the Huichol tribe, are one of its kind options for visitors with well filled moneybags. Luxury in Puerto Vallarta is unlimited, obviously one reason, why again and again superstars are seen here, to enjoy their individual freedom on priately owned areas or in luxuriest hotels out of the crowds view.

>> back to the top

The special mixture of rich people and the normal citizens makes the Real Estate business in Puerto Vallarta and surroundings so interesting. Villas at 10 Million Dollar or simple vacation homes at 50.000 Dollar are listed. Lots of any kind and pricerange are of highest interest. A very important detail is the fact , that since 1993 also the private ownership close to the beaches is allowed to foreigners, causing a run on the best lots and areas.

About 30 listed Real Estate Agencies and a small army of lawyers and consultans organize and work out any necessary detail, to assecurate that contracts and ownership documents are perfectly elaborated. Many investors buy lots and vacation homes, to realize a nice win margin a few years later. Puerto Vallarta grows permanenty, but still there are perls available which never again will become that cheap. It is very interesting to have now a closer look to the real estate listings.

>> back to the top