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Puerto Vallarta history
Situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas (Banderas Bay)
Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas (Banderas Bay). The 2005 census reported Puerto Vallarta's population as 177,830 making it the fifth-largest city in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The population is ever-increasing however, because of Vallarta's development into a retirement hot-spot/haven, as well as its booming Real Estate industry.
The city is located at the same latitude as Hawaii, and therefore shares the tropical paradise's climate. It is extremely well protected by Banderas Bay, providing great swimming beaches and a beautiful nightly view of the sunset. The city is divided into four main parts from north to south: The Marina, Hotel Zone, El Centro (Downtown), and The Romantic Zone. Further to the north, you can find Nuevo Vallarta, the cities of Bucerías and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Jalisco's border with the state of Nayarit. Heading south, you’ll run into glorious properties situated on the cliffs of Conchas Chinas and the beautiful beaches of Mismaloya.
Puerto Vallarta is named after Ignacio Vallarta, a former governor of the state of Jalisco. "Puerto Vallarta" is often shortened to "Vallarta" and English (language) speakers call the city P.V. for short (Wikipedia, Virtual Vallarta.com). For more information about the history of the city, please visit Wikipedia or VirtualVallarta.com.
Dining
Gastronomy
Puerto Vallarta is well-known for its extensive and excellent gastronomic offerings. There is something for everyone in this city, no matter if your tastes are gourmet or grab-n-go! Some local favorites are:
Those listed above are just a few of the hundreds of wonderful restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. More options with price ranges and professional critiques can be found at www.frommers.com or www.vallartaonline.com.
Entertainment
The Hotel Zone
The Hotel Zone of Puerto Vallarta is known for the wide variety of luxury spas available in the all-inclusive resorts, as well as some excellent gourmet restaurants.
Downtown
Downtown, or "El Centro" is a bustling center with just about any activity available to visitors, but perhaps the best part is strolling and shopping along the Malecón. Lined with excellent restaurants, stores, and art galleries, the Malecón is decorated with interesting statues created by various artists specifically for the city of Puerto Vallarta.
The Romantic Zone
The Romantic Zone is the older part of Puerto Vallarta, and another great place to do some walking. Located near busy Los Muertos Beach, the Romantic Zone is home to even more restaurants and shops, as well as The Santa Barbara Theatre (www.santabarbaratheater.com), the Flea Market on the Isle Río Cuale, and the embarkation point for the Canopy Tours and several water taxis.
Golf & Adventure
Golf
Puerto Vallarta is quickly becoming a premier golf destination. The courses are designed by some of the world's best golf course architects including Jack Nicklaus, Robert von Hagge and Tom Weiskopf. There are now seven challenging courses available for play:
Adventure
With its tropical rainforest-covered mountains, extensive beaches and well-protected bay, Puerto Vallarta offers lots of opportunities for the adventurous at heart to enjoy themselves. Popular tours and excursions include snorkeling, sport fishing, swimming with dolphins, whale watching, scuba diving, sailing, ocean kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, zip-line canopy tours and day-trips by boat to remote beaches like the famous Yelapa. Multiple tour companies offer different adventures every day of the week. Listed below are websites for a few of the most popular tours and companies:
The city is located at the same latitude as Hawaii, and therefore shares the tropical paradise's climate. It is extremely well protected by Banderas Bay, providing great swimming beaches and a beautiful nightly view of the sunset. The city is divided into four main parts from north to south: The Marina, Hotel Zone, El Centro (Downtown), and The Romantic Zone. Further to the north, you can find Nuevo Vallarta, the cities of Bucerías and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Jalisco's border with the state of Nayarit. Heading south, you’ll run into glorious properties situated on the cliffs of Conchas Chinas and the beautiful beaches of Mismaloya.
Puerto Vallarta is named after Ignacio Vallarta, a former governor of the state of Jalisco. "Puerto Vallarta" is often shortened to "Vallarta" and English (language) speakers call the city P.V. for short (Wikipedia, Virtual Vallarta.com). For more information about the history of the city, please visit Wikipedia or VirtualVallarta.com.
Dining
Gastronomy
Puerto Vallarta is well-known for its extensive and excellent gastronomic offerings. There is something for everyone in this city, no matter if your tastes are gourmet or grab-n-go! Some local favorites are:
- Archie's Wok (Asian)
- Barcelona Tapas (Mediterranean) www.barcelonatapas.net
- BananaCantina (International/Mexican)
- Bai Sri (Thai)
- Burger King
- Café Des Artistes (Gourmet/French) www.cafedesartistes.com
- Coco Tropical (International/Beachfront) www.cocotropical.com
- Daquiri Dick's (International/Beachfront) www.ddpv.com
- Dominos Pizza
- El Arrayán (Mexican) www.elarrayan.com.mx
- Época (Mexian/Beachfront) www.epoca-pv.com
- Espresso (Italian)
- Joe Jack's Fish Shack (Seafood)
- KFC
- La Dolce Vita (Italian) www.dolcevita.com.mx
- La Palapa (International/Gourmet/Beachfront) www.lapalapapv.com
- La Petite (French/Gourmet) www.lapetitefrance.com.mx
- Le Kliff (Inernational/Seafood/Mountainside) www.lekliff.com
- McDonald's
- Subway
- Talento (International) www.talentorest.com
- The River Café (International) www.rivercafe.com.mx
Those listed above are just a few of the hundreds of wonderful restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. More options with price ranges and professional critiques can be found at www.frommers.com or www.vallartaonline.com.
Entertainment
The Hotel Zone
The Hotel Zone of Puerto Vallarta is known for the wide variety of luxury spas available in the all-inclusive resorts, as well as some excellent gourmet restaurants.
Downtown
Downtown, or "El Centro" is a bustling center with just about any activity available to visitors, but perhaps the best part is strolling and shopping along the Malecón. Lined with excellent restaurants, stores, and art galleries, the Malecón is decorated with interesting statues created by various artists specifically for the city of Puerto Vallarta.
The Romantic Zone
The Romantic Zone is the older part of Puerto Vallarta, and another great place to do some walking. Located near busy Los Muertos Beach, the Romantic Zone is home to even more restaurants and shops, as well as The Santa Barbara Theatre (www.santabarbaratheater.com), the Flea Market on the Isle Río Cuale, and the embarkation point for the Canopy Tours and several water taxis.
Golf & Adventure
Golf
Puerto Vallarta is quickly becoming a premier golf destination. The courses are designed by some of the world's best golf course architects including Jack Nicklaus, Robert von Hagge and Tom Weiskopf. There are now seven challenging courses available for play:
- Flamingos
- Punta Mita Four Seasons
- Marina Vallarta
- La Vista (2 courses)
- El Tigre Paradise Village
- Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta
Adventure
With its tropical rainforest-covered mountains, extensive beaches and well-protected bay, Puerto Vallarta offers lots of opportunities for the adventurous at heart to enjoy themselves. Popular tours and excursions include snorkeling, sport fishing, swimming with dolphins, whale watching, scuba diving, sailing, ocean kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, zip-line canopy tours and day-trips by boat to remote beaches like the famous Yelapa. Multiple tour companies offer different adventures every day of the week. Listed below are websites for a few of the most popular tours and companies:
- www.vallarta-adventures.com
- http://marinamismaloya.com
- http://mx.vallartaonline.com/tours
