ABOUT PUERTO VALLARTA
Puerto Vallarta is a stunning resort town located on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Jalisco state. Known for its spectacular beaches, marine life, water sports, and local resorts, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. On this page, our team here at Vallarta Adventures will give you an introduction to Puerto Vallarta — its history, many accommodations and sights to see, and the best times of year to visit. Read on to learn more about this picturesque Mexican paradise and book your Puerto Vallarta activities and tours with our team today!
Where is Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta (or simply “Vallarta,” as it is often called by locals) is located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico in the State of Jalisco within a large bay called Bay of Banderas (Bay of Flags) or Bahía de Banderas. Sitting at just 2 meters above sea level and at the same latitude as Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta enjoys a warm, tropical climate year-round.
Swimming with Dolphins
- Abundant encounters provide the chance to interact with friendly dolphins.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Adventures
- Vibrant warm water and spectacular marine life makes Vallarta an ideal spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Sailing
- Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place to go sailing due to its beautiful warm weather and clear blue sea. Chances of spotting some fascinating marine life while on sailing excursions is always highly likely!
ATV Tours
- There aren’t many places where beaches meet jungle terrain. This makes for thrilling ATV adventures.
Zip Lining
- Imagine zipping through the air like a tropical bird above jungle canopies.
Transportation
Once you’re in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll want to be sure to know your transportation options so that you can get from destination to destination as easily as possible. Thankfully, many of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular hotspots are within walking distance of each other, making getting around as easy as stepping out your front door. Puerto Vallarta also offers a number of rental car businesses to help accommodate longer excursions, as well as bus lines running into downtown, the “Hotel Zone,” and the Marina. If you’re interested in taking road trips to out-of-the-way destinations like the small beach town of Bucerías or going even farther out (to places like Mexico City, Guadalajara and Mazatlán), take the gray buses. Vallarta Adventures also includes transportation from most hotels in the majority of tours offered, making going on an adventure even easier.
Popular attractions and towns to visit include
Whether you want pampering, hard-core adventure or a bit of both – this region is a sun-kissed paradise that will entertain and inspire you throughout your entire vacation. As one of the Pacific Coast’s most popular beach resorts, there’s an abundance of great things to see and do both on the beaches and around town.
Throughout the year, Puerto Vallarta proudly plays host to a variety of important events – Culture and arts festivals cover everything from Mariachi, International Film to Gourmet Food and there are endless tennis, golf and fishing tournaments.
Puerto Vallarta is the perfect romantic getaway for weddings and honeymoons and also ideally suited for families, seniors and eco-adventurers. A vibrant nightlife, great shopping, outstanding cuisine, amazing adventures and thrilling eco-tours are set in one of the most stunning and naturally beautiful settings in the world. No matter what you’re looking for, Puerto Vallarta will capture your imagination and Vallarta Adventures’ wide variety of tours and activities will keep everyone inspired and entertained for the vacation of a lifetime.
Las Caletas
Visit one of the top private beaches in the world where crystal-clear waters meet a jungle-clad mountain backdrop.
San Sebastian Del Oeste
Dating back to 1605, this is one of Mexico’s most well-preserved towns. Experience traditional Mexican culture in this pueblo.
Talpa and Mascota
These colonial mining towns have a colorful history. Here you can explore a church that took over 100 years to build!
Islas Marietas
This protected state park is particularly rich in exotic sea life and lush scenery. There are few areas more beautiful than the Islas Marietas.
Yelapa and Majahuitas
These picturesque coves are home to sandy beaches and hidden waterfalls. This tropical paradise is only accessible by sea, further preserving its natural beauty.
Las Caletas
San Sebastian Del Oeste
Talpa and Mascota
Islas Marietas
Yelapa and Majahuitas
A History
Puerto Vallarta was made famous with the film The Night of the Iguana entirely produced on location in 1963. For the first time, Puerto Vallarta received big Hollywood stars, national celebrities and American intellectuals. Deborah Kerr, Ava Gardner, Sue Lyon and Richard Burton led the cast. Tennessee Williams, author of The Night of the Iguana, visited the set frequently. Elizabeth Taylor’s romance with Richard Burton was unveiled in Puerto Vallarta during this time. Charmed by Vallarta’s magic, Richard and Elizabeth purchased a house, Casa Kimberley. John Huston built a house in the small cove of Caletas where he lived until his death.
The international media followed the stars and Puerto Vallarta was no longer a secret, waiting to be discovered. Recognizing this new opportunity, visionary leaders such as Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, then president of Mexico, along with Francisco Medina Ascencio, then governor of the state of Jalisco, shared the vision to make of Puerto Vallarta a model tourist destination and initiated projects that provided the town with appropriate infrastructure.
Puerto Vallarta has grown ever since to become one of the most favorite vacation destinations of North American travelers. Puerto Vallarta presently offers first rate infrastructure to accommodate the most discriminating travelers.
Have more questions about Puerto Vallarta or the activities here? Feel free to contact us and a Vallarta Adventures representative will be happy to help make your visit as spectacular as possible.