| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 350,000+ |
| Languages spoken | English and Spanish |
| Currency | 10.928 MXN = 1 USD |
| Average temperature | Summer: 90F; winter: 80F |
| High season | November to April |
Mexico is the perfect destination for sun-seekers that may want to venture away from a standard resort vacation and explore a vibrant local community or head into the wilderness for some of the most exiting eco-adventure possibilities around.
Set on the Pacific coast state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta is an idyllic port town set among the Sierra Madre mountains and some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Mexico. It is as popular with Mexican tourists as it is with international travelers, and has managed to avoid the western influence that has invaded other Mexican destination cities like Cancun and Manzanillo -- both of which were government-planed tourist destinations. Set on the Banderas Bay (the largest bay in Mexico and third largest in the world) this area is home to a 25-mile stretch of beach and a rugged mountain range, with the town of Vallarta nestled at the center.
Once a sleepy fishing village, Vallarta was thrust into the tourism market in 1963 when director John Huston selected it as the locale for his Ava Gardner/Richard Burton film, The Night of the Iguana (1964). The scandalous affair between the two lead actors guaranteed paparazzi attention and worldwide publicity. Since then, word of mouth has brought tourists from all over the world to this charming town. Luckily, the resulting expansion didn't affect the town's natural splendor or welcoming people. In fact, according to Condé Nast Publications, Puerto Vallarta is the friendliest international city, so even if you don't speak Spanish you're sure to feel at home.
Hotel options are varied, and you can choose between full-service, all-inclusive or the more independent self-catering boutique hotel, depending on your plan of action. We recommend the marina district -- which is about 20 minutes from downtown Vallarta -- with its secluded beaches, bustling boardwalk area and proximity to downtown. At the high-end of the budget range, the CasaMagna Marriott is a great option for sumptuous lodgings on the beach, while the Velas Vallarta Suite Resort is a great all-inclusive complex.
Day 1: Vamanos
Start your tour of Vallarta by stepping out into the marina district to explore Mexico's largest marina that boasts over 500 slips. A stroll along the water's edge is like window-shopping for the boat enthusiast. Originating from points all around the globe, sailboats, speedboats, and palaces on the water are all on display here. Open-air dining options are plentiful for a lunch stop, and any cuisine is available in this eclectic enclave. Menus are always posted for browsing, and most restaurants feature music during the day. Try Porto Bello for Italian cuisine or Rincón de Buenos Aires for Brazilian.After lunch, it's time to head into the main downtown core of Puerto Vallarta. The only place to start exploring is the Malecon -- the ocean-side boardwalk that is the hub of social life in Vallarta. Lined with stores, bars, restaurants, and artisan stalls, this area teams with life seven days a week. This is where you can pick up some must-buy items to take home. You can't walk more that 10 feet without stumbling across a store selling items made of silver, which is a popular tourist purchase. If you aren't into jewelry, cuff links are a great option for a practical buy. Intricate designs and semi-precious stones are the hallmark of Mexican craftsmanship, but don't forget to check to see that any silver you buy is marked "925" to signify it is real sterling silver.
Puerto Vallarta is a classic Mexican fishing village and is one of the oldest cities in Mexico, so be sure to check out some historical landmarks for your photo ops. Most of the downtown core, centro, is easily accessible by foot -- cars aren't recommended for getting around once in town.
The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) is a beautiful cathedral in the heart of downtown Vallarta. As you stroll the Malecon it's hard to ignore the famous sites of the town around you. Along the water's edge there are large-scale statues portraying various themes and events important to the area and it's history.
To snap a great pic for the folks at home, look for Sergio Bustamente's "In Search of Reason" sculpture, the enormous ladder extending into the sky. Wait your turn and climb as high as you dare. These permanent boulevard sights aren't the only things worth keeping an eye out for: Below the stone seawall, artists build spectacular sand sculptures throughout the day, many are even complete with lighting for evening viewing.
For a taste of local life, stop by Isla Cuala, a jam-packed flea market located on a small island at the centre of town, across the Cuale River. At the flea market you will find more traditional items of Mexican culture, including beaded items, clothing, leather, and baked goods, in addition to the more tourist-oriented T-shirts and beach bags. Remember that prices are all negotiable and merchants expect you to haggle, so don't be shy.
For a glimpse into the cinematic history of Vallarta, take a tour of Casa Kimberley -- the house that Burton purchased for Elizabeth Taylor. One of the most photographed houses in town, it is easily recognizable by the pink bridge that extends to the house across the street. The house has no other entrance, even at ground level, but the bridge itself. And as it's just a block from the cathedral, it's only a short walk for your weary traveler feet.
The open-air theatre across from the cathedral has nightly local entertainment and food stalls give you a great way to sample local cuisine, both savory and sweet. Try to make it on a Sunday night -- it's the traditional night for the entire city to strut their stuff along the 11-block stretch. Additional vendors will be in the town square across from the cathedral on Sundays. Browse the work of local artists or sample fresh fruit and cream before heading for your evening meal.
Take in some fine dining with sumptuous wines and liquors at the Constanini Wine Bar, renowned for its fine wines and food. While the drinks may seem pricey -- ranging from $5-$20 depending on your poison -- but the atmosphere, decor and general ambiance of the place is sure to put you at ease as you enjoy live piano and guitar performances well into the evening.
Day 2: Adventure bound
Puerto Vallarta is the hub for adventure eco-tourism and offers enough outdoor options to keep you busy for weeks on end. The most popular package trip is the Outdoor Adventure offered by Vallarta Adventures. Get ready for a full day of stunning scenery, dirt, water, and exhilaration including a speedboat ride across the bay, jeep ride to base camp, burrow ride up the mountain, 11 zip lines through the jungle canopy, waterfall rappelling, and rope bridges. Tackling the jungle tour is an experience you won't soon forget, especially if you channel your inner action star: The movie Predator (1987) was filmed in the same area, so be prepared for an intense adventure.After arriving back to civilization, stop by El Arrayan to grab a truly authentic Mexican seafood meal to put you in the mood for a few hours out on the open seas. Sport fishing is extremely popular in Vallarta, with most restaurants in the area serving fresh seafood -- fresh enough that your meal might be delayed if the fish are still being unloaded at the pier. Head out for a few hours on the water to take your chances at reeling in the big one. Just a note: Before you go, scout out restaurants in the area to find one that will cook up your catch. Plenty in both the marina area and downtown are more than willing to serve up your own ocean winnings.
If fishing isn't your thing, you can still take advantage of what the ocean has to offer. Vallarta is a world-renowned destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Companies up and down the bay offer half-day boat rentals for those seeking deeper waters, and tour operators have plenty of options for seeing underwater life. Plenty of secluded bays and caves on this section of coast make it perfect for both the novice and experienced diver.
End the daylight hours with parasailing along the bay and get a fantastic view of the whole area and another of Vallarta's famous sunsets. By now you've worked up quite the appetite, and the only place worth going for great Mexican food is PIPIS Restaurant Bar. Offering traditional food in huge portions, drinks in ever bigger proportions, and a wonderful festive environment, PIPIS will set the mood for a night full of good times. The best part about PIPIS? Most definitely the made-to-order guacamole prepared tableside to suit your own personal taste. After filling up, head over to El Hilo nightclub just down the street for drinks and dancing well into the night.
Day 3: Mexico's finest
No trip to Puerto Vallarta would be complete without a jaunt to Yelapa. About an hour to the south, Yelapa will expose you to a traditional-style small village and one of the best beaches around. Accessible only by water taxi, it's the perfect setting for your last day and is well worth the trek. But, before you embark on your next adventure, have breakfast at Daiquiri Dick's downtown for a Mexican take on the morning meal.The water taxis depart from the small pier adjacent to the Malecon, and run on a fairly regular schedule. You will arrive on the beach of Yelapa, just a short walk from the small village. Wander around town and duck into the local shops for a look into the simple handicrafts of the locals and the vibrant art scene. Lunch will have to include a taste of pie from the famous Pie Lady of Yelapa who bakes more than 20 varieties of fresh pies and sells them by the slice. Javier's Rosewood Shop is another must-visit, displaying handcrafted wood items that make beautiful and unique souvenirs. Depending on your energy level, a hike to the local waterfall is a scenic option, while lounging beachside with a margarita is a much more relaxing endeavor.
On your way back from Yelapa, it's time to continue taking in the local sights and tastes. Since the state of Jalisco is Mexico's tequila capital, a tequila tour is a must. In fact, all of the 19 million gallons of tequila made in Mexico each year are made here, and if it isn't, the tequila can't technically be labeled as "tequila" at all, which is quite the endorsement.
Agave farms dot the countryside and distilleries are not only sites of industry, they also offer tours, educational seminars and the all-important taste testing. For the most comprehensive tour, head to the town of Tequila, about 80 miles from Vallarta and pay a visit to the Tequila Sauza or Jose Cuervo Distillery establishments. Just a hint, if you want to take back some authentic tequila, prices aren't always best at the factories, so make your way back into town to stock up.
Once you're back in Vallarta head over to La Playa Liquor to pick up your next souvenir. This small shop, just a block north of the Malecon, is where restaurants and bars pick up their liquor, so expect great selection and even better prices. Tequila is the obvious choice for a liquid purchase, but don't ignore locally grown coffee or pure vanilla extract, both of which are world class.
For an afternoon respite from the heat, stop by La Casa del Habano for a taste of a Spanish men's club. This is the town's most upscale humidor, and is a cozy and relaxed bar that is perfect for a drink and a Cuban cigar.
Back in the marina district, scale the landmark El Faro lighthouse for a meal and some after-dinner drinks at 110 feet. Overlooking the entire marina and offering views of the mountains and the horizon, El Faro offers up a quiet scene to close out your whirlwind Mexican experience.
tips for the trip
- Bring U.S. dollars as well as pesos; you will increase your ability to bargain if you have U.S. money on hand. It's better to bring small bills as it can get complicated figuring out the correct change in pesos.
- When arriving at the airport in Puerto Vallarta, exit the building as fast as you can. After going through customs, you will have to navigate through dozens of "tour operators." Most will offer cash or free excursions in return for attending a time share presentation. They will try anything, so be prepared!
- Even though the water in Vallarta has been certified by the government as acceptable for consumption, travelers should still stick to bottled water when possible to be on the safe side.
- While bargaining with local vendors can be considered a sport in Vallarta, the practice often doesn't extend to storefront shops. The biggest tip to finding bargain places is to look for air conditioning. The more professional looking the establishment, the lower the chance of negotiating.
- If you plan on taking advantage of some of the organized adventure tours, don't be too quick to bargain hunt. Your best bets are your hotel representative or the tour operator themselves. The lower prices at discount sellers often have a catch and offer no protection if you have to cancel. To make sure you get the tour you want on the day you want, it's worth booking online before you go.
- You may be tempted to rent a car, but beware: Driving in Mexico is nothing like you're used to. Stick to highways for some of your long-distance trips and walk once you arrive at your destination. Walking in downtown Puerto Vallarta is the best way to see everything and wandering lets you stumble across hidden gems that might be missed otherwise.
muy caliente
If you've been thinking that Mexico is all about spring break and poolside lounging in Cancun, keep in mind the diversity that can be found on its other coast. Near-perfect weather and a combination of ocean and mountain views make Puerto Vallarta the perfect destination for the seasoned traveler looking for a side order of adventure with their shot of tequila.Resources:
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/
http://www.allaboutpuertovallarta.com/
http://www.puertovallarta.net/
http://www.virtualvallarta.com/
Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide
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