Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Vacations and travel info

Description

As you arrive by plane, Puerto Vallarta's romance and beauty begin to take a hold of your emotions, as a blanket of lush tropical jungle surrounding the quaint colonial city comes in to sight, climbing away from the blue Pacific into the Sierra Madre Mountains. Puerto Vallarta is nestled on the shores of Bahia de Banderas, Mexico's largest bay and second largest in North America.

Offering an extremely wide variety of attractions and entertainment options, Puerto Vallarta has something special for everyone, regardless of your personal preferences. There are many cultural events and exhibits, exciting day trips to the jungle, relaxing days at the beach and countless romantic hideaways.

A modern marina and cruise ship port attract visitors on ships and yachts from all over the world. The city's clean and modern infrastructure, friendly atmosphere, unique "old Mexico" ambiance and incredibly diverse shopping possibilities, including crafts made by locals, attract international and Mexican tourists in droves. Nightlife is abundant with many popular night clubs and an array of quality restaurants to please even the most demanding palate and you'll also find all sorts of lodging options available from budget inns to world class beachfront resorts. All this variety helps guarantee that your Puerto Vallarta vacation will be the best one of your life.

Beaches

Puerto Vallarta is a haven for anyone who enjoys any type of beach activity, from whale watching to Parasailing. Bungee jumping over the Pacific, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing and fishing are also all readily available. The surf at most beaches is normally calm and safe for swimming year around.

Playa de Oro is a wide, sandy beach with a few rocky areas interspersed, popular because of the water sports available. Further north, the beaches of Banderas Bay are pristine and quiet as they reach up toward Punta Mita. In winter many tours are available to view the magnificent Humpback Whales.

Puerto Vallarta's most popular beach, Playa de los Muertos, is located just south of the malecon (boardwalk) and the River Cuale. It is lined with beachfront hotels and restaurants and is usually bustling with activity, sun worshipers by day, the dining and nightclub crowd after dark. The beachfront bars and restaurants in this area are a great place to catch one of the incredible Vallarta sunsets.

South of town, you'll find Playa de Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlan, the last two beaches accessible by road, great for relaxing and swimming. You can hire local pangas (rustic boats) here to take you to Yelapa, Las Animas or Quimixto.

Destiladeras is one of the most enjoyable beaches in the northern area. Snorkeling, wind surfing and birdwatching are also great at the Las Marietas Islands Bird Sanctury.