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Puerto Vallarta: Where Tradition Meets the New World!

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, located on the central Pacific Coast, is a charming blend of traditional Mexican customs and the rushing winds of the 21st century. Quaint local festivals share space with modern high rises in a culture that embraces both its rich past and the promises of tomorrow. A vacation in the Puerto Vallarta area can be a relaxed day on one of the area's 26 miles of beaches, shopping in a hand-made crafts shop, or dancing until dawn in one of the city's discos. Outdoor enthusiasts love the perfect weather, producing more than 330 days of sunshine a year. Swimming, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, golf, tennis, and pleasure boating can all be a part of an active Puerto Vallarta vacation.

One of the best ways to enjoy Puerto Vallarta is by spending some time around the Malecon, the main waterfront street, rimmed by lively restaurants, shops, and bars. Of particular interest is a series of sculptures that line this seaside promenade. One of the most popular collections was created by renowned Mexican artist Alejandro Colunga. The sculptures are a series of chairs adorned with highly creative head pieces. A large octopus head tops one chair, and a pair of extremely large ears serve as a backrest of one bench. Closer to the main square is the Boy on the Seahorse sculpture, an image that has come to symbolize Puerto Vallarta.

The Puerto Vallarta area offers a variety of beaches. Whether you prefer wide expanses of sand, or quiet pocket beaches only accessible by boat, Banderas Bay has the place to plop down your towel. The easiest beach to reach is Playa Los Muertos. The rough water makes swimming tricky, but brings out the surfing crowd. There is plenty of kinetic beach activity, as well as many restaurants close at hand when you need a break from the sun. Playa Mismaloya, south of town, is a perfect spot if you like solitude during your tanning hours. The beach is located in a beautiful sheltered cove, and the crystal clear water is great for donning your snorkeling gear.

If the blue waters of Banderas Bay are just too much to resist, the Puerto Vallarta area has a teeming aquatic life that is waiting to be seen. Los Arcos Marine Park is an underwater national park protected by the Mexican government. Los Arcos offers more small tropical fish than anywhere else in the bay. Divers of all skill levels can enjoy this bountiful site. At a certain point, the shallows give way to a wall that tumbles down to a depth of over 800 feet. This is for serious divers only, but those in the know will be rewarded with an incredible experience in the blue abyss below. Marietas Island, located about 20 miles from Puerto Vallarta, is another site favored by divers of all skill levels. The famous explorer Jacques Cousteau chronicled the impressive wildlife off of the island. During winter months the waters are a favorite hangout of giant Manta Rays. The bulk of the reef is located between 15-90 feet, making this an excellent site for beginner divers.

The Puerto Vallarta area has something to offer every vacationer. Pick up a souvenir, like ceramics or hand-blown glass made by the local Huichol Indians. Hire a dive master to take you scuba diving with the giant Manta Rays in Banderas Bay. Take a day and a 45-minute boat ride to discover Yelapa, a cove made up of friendly hippies, artists, writers, and ex-pats. Go deep-sea fishing or rent a catamaran for a moonlight sail. Go mountain biking along the Rio Cuale River. Swim with dolphins. Play golf on a course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Banderas Bay is waiting to offer the vacation of your dreams!