PUNTA DE MITA
24 November, 2017PUERTO VALLARTA AS A TOURISM DESTINATION
THE HISTORY PUERTO VALLARTA
Puerto Vallarta is a colonial town by the sea that has grown to become many destinations rolled into one. It sits where Jalisco and Nayarit meet, on Bahia de Banderas, the largest natural bay in Mexico with 100 miles of coastline ringed by mountains. Culture, and nature are the big attractions in Puerto Vallarta and when it comes to shopping, visitors scour the art galleries and local crafts markets. In 1964, John Huston filmed here Night of the iguana, starting Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Both were married at the time, but not to each other, and their affair made the newspapers crazy. A day didn´t go by where the news didn´t publish a report datelined, Puerto Vallarta.
PUERTO VALLARTA DOWNTOWN
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
The heart of town is easily explored on foot and is divided by the Rio Cuale, which features two very distinct neighborhoods: Old Town Vallarta and the Zona Romantica, home to Playa los Muertos, the Zona Romantica, home to Playa los Muertos, Vallarta´s most popular beach. Restaurants and shops line the streets leading to the beach, particularly Basilio Badillo and Olas Altas.
In Old Town, Cobblestone streets wind their way uphill from the seafront.This is the traditional downtown area and home to Vallarta’s most iconic symbol, the crown atop Guadalupe Church.
Studded with statues, the malecon (seafront promenade) is the focal point of local life, especially on Sunday around sunset, when residents gather with friends or family for a stroll beside the ocean.
MARINA VALLARTA
North of Puerto Vallarta’s downtown area and hotel zone, Marina Vallarta comprises slips for more than 350 boats, as well as one and a half miles of beach, an 18-hole golf course, water park, and a few small shopping centers. One of the most spectacular views of the city is from atop the marina’s lighthouse-bar El Faro, which offers a 360-degree panorama and live music in the evening.
Don’t miss a stroll along the waterfront, or malecon, lined with sidewalk cafes, galleries and craft shops, and see the beautiful sailboats and yachts.
HIDDEN BEACH
For secluded beach escapes, head south. Boca de Tomatlan and Mismaloya offer calmer waters ideal for children. Boats leave from Tomatlan for the even more secluded beaches of Las Animas, Quimixto, Majahuitas and Yelapa, which are inaccessible by road and are great for snorkeling and scuba diving.
HIGH LIGHTS
Walk the recently renovated malecon (seafront promenade), an open-air art gallery on one side and cafes, restaurant, nightclubs and stores on the other. Visit the caballito sculpture, one of the most recognized symbols of Puerto Vallarta.
Explore Vallarta´s many moods and neighborhoods, from the traditional Old Town district and Zona Romantica, divided by the Rio Cuale, to the modern and luxurious Marina Vallarta.
Don´t miss the Art Walk every Wednesday from 6 to 10 PM during high season in downtown. Galeries are open until late. Musicians, dancers and gymnasts shows their work in the Malecon and caravan of cyclist riders ride around downtown.
Go whale watching during the winter. Around 500 humpback whales swim down to Bahía de Banderas every year from Alaska.
