| World renowned as a first class town in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta’s exceptionally beautiful coastline has been known to mesmerize. The lush green vegetation and wild vanilla beans, orchids, bromeliads and strangler figs could cause any traveler to mistake Puerto Vallarta for a modern day Eden. In short, it is a tropical paradise.
Initially discovered by the Spanish in the 1800s, Puerto Vallarta’s main inhabitants for years were crocodiles. No one had really heard of it until, in 1938, a yacht crew anchored in front of a beach in Puerto Vallarta. It remained there for several days until municipal authorities contacted the American authorities, who informed them that the boat had actually been stolen. A few days later, the Californian millionaire boat owner, Lou Foot, arrived to reclaim his yacht. He became so enthralled with Puerto Vallarta that he began to spread the world among his friends that this place was the new travel destination.
Puerto Vallarta boasts 40 miles of pristine coastline and a varied culture and architecture; it is often referred to as Costa Vallarta. There are areas of dense jungle that give way to rocky riverbeds, which tumble and feed into the open sea. Then there are steep mountains where villas and casitas look as though they were glued to the hillside.
The historic buildings and sights, steeped with culture and romance, can act as a time machine and whisk travelers away. Puerto Vallarta enjoys nearly 300 sunny days a year, with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius, or 82 degrees Fahrenheit. From November to April the average temperature is around a high of 85 F and, from May to October, it has an average high of 92F. The rainy season in Puerto Vallarta runs from mid-June until September.
Variety is part of what makes this place so unique. Pre-Columbian mystics, Spanish influence, Catholic traditions and modern cultures from around the world unite here to create a diverse and colorful destination.
Puerto Vallarta’s pride in its traditions is cause for several celebrations, processions and parades throughout the year. November is the foremost time for this events, the weather cools down, the rain is gone and the snowbirds return to continue there everlasting summer.
This is the time for the International Sailfish and Marlin Tournament, the Festival Gourmet International, the Vallarta Cup Pro-Am Golf Tournament, and the Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas. During these festivities the streets are filled with music, dancing and theatre performances. Another major cause for celebration in November is the Day of Dead, one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Mexico.
On top of scenic views, amazing food and fun filled days, Puerto Vallarta can now add art destination to the long list. From jewelry to poetry, and from sculptures to paintings, art in all of its forms has found a new home here.
Regularly scheduled art walks in the high season have grown bigger every year. Food, drinks and entertainment are often provided as people walk along the streets and inspect the different pieces.
Puerto Vallarta offers travelers a wealth of activities. For those more inclined to active sports, Vallarta offers hiking, biking, snorkeling, horseback riding, jet skiing, scuba diving, golfing, parasailing, swimming with the dolphins, wind surfing, fishing and tennis, to name a few. For those to enjoy going off the beaten path there are safari tours, off road expeditions, canopy tours and whale-watching.
Although Puerto Vallarta has much to offer, its beaches have always been the primary draw. Starting with Majahuitas, a remote secluded cove, that is only accessible by water taxi. Then the Mismaloya, probably one of the most famous beaches since it was the location for the filming of the 1963 movie” Night of the Iguana” The original movie set is now a restaurant at the far end of the beach.
Quimixto is known for its quiet waters framed boulders which make it perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling. Boca de Tomatlan is a small seaside village cove that sits at the edge of the jungle where the boca(mouth) of the Tomatlan river meets the bay. Gemelas, or “Twin” beach, consists of two small crescent-like beaches located of the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Playa los Muertos, the beach of the dead, was so named because of a battle fought a century ago between gold and silver smugglers and the natives of the area. Despite its morbid history and name Playa Los Muertos is one of the most popular beaches today.
Bucerias(place of the divers) is a five mile long stretch of white-sandy beaches and is the longest in Banderas Bay. Destiladeras is located 19 miles from the airport; situated between the cliffs of Punta Del Burro it has several pools of natural fresh water. The other beaches include El Anclote, Punto de Mita, Sayulita, San Franciso, San Pancho, Garza Blanca, and the hotel zone. Accommodations in Puerto Vallarta vary according to style and taste.
Five Star all-inclusive luxury resorts are available and ready to fulfill their guests every whim. However if peace and quite is all that you require, and then secluded bungalows can easily be found. Bed- and breakfasts, boutique hotels and many luxurious villas are available. Since Puerto Vallarta is such a popular destination, it is accessible via several routes and with different vehicles. Airlines and charter companies fly people direct from Canada, the United States, and other Mexican airports. Long distance busses travel from up and down the Americas on a regular basis, even cruise ships make port here from a variety of destinations. For those who prefer their own means travel, 400 yachts find berth at Puerto Vallarta’s marina.
Laced with rich cultural history and romantic tales of movie stars´ courtships, Puerto Vallarta waits for you to discover it. Originally not intended to be a travel destination, this town does not have the same preplanned design as Cancun or other popular resort destinations. Its natural flow and beauty are part of what makes it so unique and an undisputed favorite for so many. |
