Puerto Vallarta is actually several destinations in one. On the one hand there is the cobblestoned village and its houses with sloping tiled roofs, where one finds typical restaurants and shops that sell the outstanding handicrafts of Mexico. On the other hand there are several hotel areas, with modern infrastructure, all public services, discotheques and golf courses.     Nuevo Vallarta is a recently built tourist complex, while MarinaVallarta, designed for seafarers, which has hotels, condominiums and shopping centers. Additionally there is an isolated area north and south of the town with tropical vegetation and no crowds.

  Situated on the west coast of Mexico, south of the Baja California peninsula, on Banderas Bay and known as the second largest bay in the world, some 25 miles from tip to tip and offering more than 34 miles of incomparable coastline. Banderas Bay, has the seashores of the Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit, and is settle on the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, having the benefits of a similar atmospheric conditions. The bay, with it's mountainous backdrop forms a natural protection that enables you to enjoy all marine sports.

While tropical, Puerto Vallarta normally enjoys 322 days of sunshine annually with an average temperature of 80 degrees F. The rainy season, when we often receive periodic downpours, is June/July to September/October. These rains usually only last an hour or two and come in the afternoon, otherwise the sun is always shinning. This period of time tends to be humid as well. The flora and fauna includes tropical jungles, rubber trees, palms, bananas trees with numerous iguanas, tropical birds including parrots.

Puerto Vallarta coastline has being developing new beach front luxurious developments, and the government has set strict rules conserving the ecological environment of the region order to preserve its beauty and tropical surroundings. For practical division we can divide Banderas bay in 4 different main areas.

2-, Marina Vallarta and Nuevo (new) Vallarta are both relatively new areas, which offer plush hotels, restaurants, and night-clubs. These tend to be more expensive than the less than plush, but adequate hotels, restaurants and night-life of "Old town".

3- At the notrh part of the bay you find La Cruz de Huanacaxtle -Punta Mita corridor with scattered and peaceful luxurious developments surrounded by tropical jungles, sandy beaches and calm ocean waters.

4- At the south part of the bay you find Conchas Chinas - Mismaloya corridor with hotels and apartments siding the craggy coastlines

AIRPORT/AIRLINES: Puerto Vallarta has a modern international Aiport that handles thousands of visitors each year. There are many coffee shops, restaurants, liquor stores and duty free shops, as well as other services.There is no problems with baggage or customs on either our arrival or departures. Puerto Vallarta airport has numerous international airlines serving it daily such as Continental, Delta, Alaska Air Lines, Air Canada, American West ,Mexicana Air Lines and Aeromexico with direct flights to numerous countries and cities in Canada and the United States.

     Puerto Vallarta has been on the international tourism map for over 50 year. Many feel it is the one vacation area where a destination in a single locale: the culture and traditions of old, and new, Mexico combined with a sun, sea and sand resort ambience.

Here, in capsule format, are the key elements of Puerto Vallarta’s attraction and appeal:

Malecón - Board Walk

Month                                        High/Low          
January-March                           81/72
April-June                                  83/61
July-September                          94/73
October-December                    85/70   

· Bahia de las Banderas .- The magnificent bay, one of the world’s largest, that runs from Punta de Mita in the State of Nayarit in the north to Cabo Corriente in the State of Jalisco in the south.

· Las Peñas .- The three offshore rocks along the bay’s southern coast, an early landmark for ships and source of the original name of Puerto Vallarta. Also known as Los Arcos.

· A Variety of Villages .- Around the bay and inland are a number of intriguing villages. North in Nayarit : Rincon de Guayabito, San Francisco (San Pancho), Sayulita, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, the Valle de Banderas’ three towns and Bucerias. In Jalisco: Las Juntas, Ixtapa, El Pitillal on the north side of PV and Mismalolla and Boca de Tomatlan on the south side. Two major visitor villages behind the mountains : San sebastian del Oeste and talpa de Allende. Most of these see an influx of longer stay winter visitors.

     Visitors can choose from many forms of transportation once they are in Puerto Vallarta. Car and jeep rentals offer independence and mobility in sightseeing and beach excursions. Taxis are also a viable option. Remember to negotiate taxi fare up front. For the more adventurous, public buses are available.

· Beaches .- Just too numerous to list, and all around the Bay. The liveliest, perhaps, is Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta, just south of the Rio Cuale and the most tranquil along the north shore along the road to Punta Mita.

· Jungle Spots .- South of town from Mismaloya: Chino’s Paraiso, Chico’s Paradise and El Edén (food services in all three). Also, via horseback into the hills.

· El Centro .- Old Town, or Viejo Vallarta, popular for its traditional red-tiled roofs, whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets and hillside homes. Center for restaurants, shops, galleries and government . 

     The peso is the Mexican form of currency. It is suggested that you exchange small amounts of U.S. dollars for pesos. Major credit cards are also widely accepted. A pocket calculator can also be helpful when you shop to help convert U. S. dollars to pesos. Bartering when shopping outside of the resort areas is practiced. U.S. dollars are accepted in the resort areas but keep in mind any change that is due back will be in pesos. One recommendation is to use a credit card which will present the daily currency exchange on your next billing statement.

     South of the Rio Cuale.- Something of a continuation of El Centro. More shops and restaurants, especially along the "Calle de los Cafes" (Basilio Badillo).

 Plaza Principal.- The main square of Puerto Vallarta, flanked by Presidencia Municipal (City Hall) in the heart of El Centro.

The Malecon .- A sweeping seafront promenade in the very center or town, a preferred spot for strollers. Site of three symbolic statues: Caballito de Mar (seahorse), La Fuente de los Delfines (fountain of the dolphins) and Neptune and Serena (Neptune and the mermaid). Another promenade lies along the inner Marina.

 Los Arcos .- Open air amphitheater at the south end of the Malecon.

Museo Manuel Lepe .- Dedicated to Vallart’s famous whimsical painter. South of the Rio Cuale (ask for directions.)

 Cristo Resuscitado de El Pitillal .- Church in El Pitillal village, 20 minutes from Vallarta. Noted for its five meter cedar wood statue of Jesus.

 Isla del Rio Cuale .- A botanical park along the river separating downtown into north and south sections and dotted with restaurants, shops and galleries

· Mercado Municipal .- Sometimes called the flea Market, a real Mexican market adjacent to the Rio Cuale populated by souvenir and food vendors.

· Museo Rio Cuale .- A small, attractive museum on the Isla de Rio Cuale.

· La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe .- Puerto Vallarta’s unique landmark, the central church in the center of town topped by its one-of-a-kind crown.

· Gringo Gulch .- Colorful name given to an area over looking the River Cuale in the central district. Site of some of the first homes of resident foreigners.

· Casa Kimberly .- Former home of Elizabeth Taylor in Gringo Gulch, purchased during the filming of "Night of the Iguana" Richard Burton’s home just across the street. Now open as a B&B and for home tours.

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Conchas Chinas .- A major seaside area of villas and condominium apartments just south of town.

 Mismaloya .- Small cove area well south of town. Location site of the film "Night of Iguana." Restaurants and hotels.

 Boca de Tomatlan .- Spectacular cove eight miles south of PV, below Mismaloya. Restaurants; also boats available to Las Animas, Quimixto and Yelapa.

 Las Animas, Quimixto and Yelapa .- Three delightful isolated beaches accessible only by boat (tours from the PV Port and by boats available at Los Muertos beach and Boca de Tomatlan. Restaurants at all three; overnight accommodations at Yelapa.

 Ixtapa .- Small town just to the north of Puerto Vallarta. Site of new archeological discoveries of pre-Columbian México.

San Sebastian del Oeste .- Interesting old mining town in the hills beyond Puerto Vallarta. Most easily accessed by air. Restored hacienda accommodations.

 Talpa de Allende .- Picturesque town south of San Sebastian and site of an important annual pilgrimage to the "Walking Virgen of Talpa." Hacienda accommodations available.

 Night Life .- After dark in Puerto Vallarta just gets better and better. At the Marine, the major hotels offer fiestas, and discos and a new entertainment complex is something not be missed. Live rock and jazz are featured at over a dozen high-activity pubs and discos in El Centro and South of the Rio Cuale. 

     Acceptable forms of proof of citizenship for U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and our International Destinations are a valid passport, OR a certified , state issued birth certificate with raised seal AND a valid government photo ID, a naturalization/citizenship certificate, Armed Forces' ID or discharge papers stating place of birth. It is the traveler's responsibility to provide proper documentation. Married women traveling with any documentation in their maiden name must supply a marriage license (a copy is acceptable).