Puerto Vallarta About

When you think of the Mexican Riviera, with its palms-fringed beaches, luxuriant jungle vegetation and posh resorts, lots of places come to mind. But no resort better typifies the classic Mexican beach vacation that does Puerto Vallarta. On the shores of the Pacific Ocean, strung out along the Bay of Banderas and backed by an imposing mountain range, Puerto Vallarta is a place of romance. Just over the Cuale River is the original village made famous by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton while filming John Huston's "The night of the Iguana". Mariachis, the strolling minstrel bands that originated in the state of Jalisco, play on street corners; Tequila, the other local product, runs freely and there are fiestas and colorful handicrafts (pottery, yarn, paintings, textiles, wood carving and silver) galore.

Puerto Vallarta Old Town

Relax on smooth, light-sand beaches under shaded palapas, climb hills to view sights unimagined, wander around streets where family stores open doors to the past, listen to live music while dining on the finest linen with your "huarachied" toes in the sand. Buy the amazingly intricate Huichol arto Look for designs in wares that cross cultures from pre­Hispanic to Mediterranean to whimsical to ultra-modern. Cross the river from downtown either on the new pedestrian bridge which follows the new Malecón of the marina or along one of the avenues that also cross Isla Rio Cual e, home of shops and restaurants. The Romantic Zone is a place to wander and get lost, shop and shop some more, eat and drink whether it's early or late, hot or cool, as well as the departure point to beaches south.

Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone

The Hotel Zone is currently one of the most actively developing areas of Puerto Vallarta. Many long-time residents remember when it wasstill fields and arroyos coming down from the mountains with lush trees and patches of brush. The main street is lined with avenues of palm trees, offering a gra­cious entrance to the city for traffic from the north. On both sides the laterallanes help ease the congestion with left turn lanes and signals, facilitating entrance to the several shopping plazas. New bridges will cross the Pitillal River and El Salado, creating a much smoother traffic flow. Several of the most-accessible hotels are located along the main boulevard.

Marina Vallarta

The zone of Marina Vallarta actually includes the cruise terminal as well as the marina which shelters the sailboats and yachts of the bay at 15 piers and 352 slips. Enter Marina Vallarta from either the whale and calf sculpture at Plaza Neptuno or at the Plaza Marina entrance. This upscale area has its own malecón with outdoor tables of fine-dining establishments as well as some of the trendy nightclubs of the city. Visit the landmark lighthouse with an elevator that takes you to view the sunset at cocktail hour. The elegant, well-planned zone is home to a number of deluxe hotels and lodging options. Tours of the bay, fishing, sailing and diving adventures all begin here.

Nuevo Vallarta

In this zone extending from the Ameca River north, we include Nuevo Vallarta and the neighboring area called Flamin­gos. Note tnat this area is in the state of Nayarit, actually in another time zone, even though most businesses and hotels keep their clocks set to Vallarta time. Nuevo Vallarta has two entrances, so if you get directions, verify if it's the overpass entrance or the one with the traffic light. Tnis area is served by the Paradise Plaza which includes restaurants, bars, coffee shops, stores, a health spa and gymnasium.