Puerto Vallarta Overview

Forty years ago, a torrid love affair fanned the flames of interest in this once sleepy city. Now known as a hub of the “Mexican Riviera,” its cobblestone streets mix with classy resorts turning this city into the second most visited in the country.

Districts

Puerto Vallarta has a wealth of natural beauty, friendly people, glorious sunsets, world-class sports fishing and great cuisine. Not to mention first-class resorts, shopping, diving and sailing. The gorgeous Bahia de Banderas serves as Peurto Vallarta's playground. The “Bay of Flags” begins where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, forming one of the largest bays in the world and the largest in Mexico. Banderas Bay extends from Punta Mita in the north (at the Sierra De Vallejo Mountains) to Cabo Corrientes (in the lower foothills of the Sierra del Cuale mountain range).

Puerto Vallarta offers visitors an eclectic mix of the old and new. Original pueblo architecture remains intermingled with modern, luxurious beachfront resorts. Whether you choose to mingle with the crowds or find a secluded hideaway, there is much to see in Puerto Vallarta.

Entertainment

First, let’s explore the main reason most people come to Puerto Vallarta, the “playas" or beaches. Punta Mita, located in a small fishing village to the north, offers spectacular scenery and water sport venues. Off the coast lie the Marieta Islands, which provide exceptional snorkeling, scuba diving and whale-watching sites. Going south towards the city is Bucerias, a quaint beach community and fishing village with sandy coves and cobblestone streets.

Heading into town proper, visitors will find Playa de Oro, a paradise for surfers looking for the perfect wave. Beach-goers will begin to notice more people enjoying the beaches at this point, and the multitudes of vendors who cater to them. Playa de los Muertos, the “beach of the dead, is located south of the Hotel Zone and is notorious for its treacherous undercurrents, but it is a popular venue nevertheless. Conchas Chinas, a quiet beach also in the hotel area, features natural wading-pools created by rock formations. At the southernmost point of Banderas Bay (and accessible only by boat) is the Playa Yelapa, a very secluded and beautiful spot. Breathtaking views, a waterfall, hiking and riding make this a hidden paradise.

Art lovers will find the works of internationally known Mexican artists featured at the Galeria Pacifica. This gallery is well worth your time to experience a taste of Mexico’s cultural best. Another must-see is the Galeria Sergio Bustamante, which houses the art of this famous sculptor.

Visitors can also enjoy the architecture of the Church of Guadalupe, one of the most recognized landmarks of the town. With the beautiful bay as a backdrop, visitors will also see noted statuary such as Los Arcos (the arches), The Dolphins, and El Cabillito (the sea horse) while strolling along the Malecon.

Dining and Drinking

Puerto Vallarta is a city rich with history and an integral part of that stems from its cuisine. A few hundred years ago, as the city was just beginning, inhabitants didn’t have the luxury of dining at four-star restaurants. Residents had to rely on their own knowledge and experience in order to feed their families. Through trial and error, a great number of the recipes that Puerto Vallarta cherishes today were created. Many of those same recipes have been handed down from one relative to the next, for generations. Some families have taken their prized recipes and opened restaurants. Today, many share them with locals and tourists alike.

Today, finding a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta is easy. The only foreseeable problem is which restaurant to choose. There are the typical chains and fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell, if that’s what you’re in the mood for. Places like Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Café are around for those who want to drink in a familiar environment. There is also a wide variety of international restaurants and bars in the city: German, Italian, American, Asian, South American and Moroccan are just of few of the types you can expect to find. There are also the more regionalized Mexican restaurants and taverns that seem, logically, to be the biggest draw.

One last bit of advice: If you’re having a hard time deciding, ask the hotel management where you’re staying or one of the local store owners. Do not ask the cabdrivers; many of them get paid to recommend specific restaurants.

Where To Stay

This once tiny fishing village is now a Mecca for international visitors. The city offers visitors numerous things to see and do, but before you can begin your journey, you’ll need to reserve yourself a place to stay. If you’re new to the area (and even if you aren’t), choosing the right hotel or resort can be a bit challenging. In order to reserve the right type of accommodations, take the following things into consideration: what your needs are and what you want to do during your stay. These factors will determine the area in which to reserve your accommodations and will also help to cut down on a lot of unnecessary travel.

Business travelers should look to the larger resorts to have their needs met. Many of the smaller hotels do not have the accommodations or facilities you may require. Instead, the staff at the smaller hotels will direct you to the local Internet cafés for computer and online services. Most of the resorts that can and will fit the needs of the business traveler tend to be along the river and beachfront or listed as luxury resorts. These resorts are larger than those found inland and have business and large conference facilities on their premises.

Did You Know?

John Huston's "The Night of the Iguana" was filmed in Puerto Vallarta in 1963.

Orientation/Geography

Nestled on the west coast of Mexico's mainland, Puerto Vallarta shares the same latitude as Hawaii. The Banderas Bay (one of the largest in the world) laps ashore from the west while the Sierra Madre Mountains border the town from the south and east. It is 553 miles northwest of Mexico City, 278 miles southeast of Mazaltan, and 1,200 miles south of Nogales, Arizona.


Content Provided by WCities