 Mexico, sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west, is a traveler’s paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposite identities: desert landscapes, ancient ruins, colonial towns, world-class resorts, deserted beaches and an endless collection of fauna and flora. The country is divided into six tourist regions, where the mix of modern and traditional, clichéd and surreal, is the key to Mexico’s charm.
Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas. Puerto Vallarta is named after Ignacio Vallarta, a former governor of the state of Jalisco and is often shortened to “Vallarta." Vallarta enjoys a typical tropical climate, with near constant temperature and humidity year round. In this beachfront destination, Vallarta’s pride in its traditions is cause for colorful celebrations, processions and parades throughout the year. During the procession of the Virgin in December, and the cultural festivals of May and November, the streets are filled with music, dancing, and theater performances. Mariachi and Tequila flow in abundance amid a backdrop of traditionally dressed rodeo cowboys and elaborately woven Huichol art.
Things to do on a visit to Puerto Vallarta:
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Stroll down the Malecon, a
bustling paved walkway along the seashore in Col. Centro, on a long Sunday
evening where the locals and foreigners alike, dressed in their best,
enjoy the bazaar-like festivities.
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Visit the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Cathedral, a famous landmark of
the Vallarta skyline, where the gilded crown topping the church is said to
be a replica of the crown worn by Carlota, the empress of Mexico in the 1860s.
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Escape the heat and take an
afternoon siesta like most
locals from 2 to 4pm before preparing for the evening ahead.
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Visit the Cuale Archaeological Museum on the west side of Isla Cuale
that presents a broad collection of local and regional pre-hispanic art.
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Explore the Ixtapa
Archeological Zone near the banks of the Ameca River; the sites comprises of 29
mounds with remains dating back several thousand years.
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Taste and feast on local
seafood delicacies including Huachinango
Sarandeado, grilled and marinated rockfish, skewered grilled Marlin,
and zingy raw fish Ceviche.
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Surf, snorkel and sunbathe at
an array of secluded beaches including Chimo, Quimixto and Las Animas only
a half hour drive from Vallarta.
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Take a traditional tequila
factory tour where one can learn all about the history of national alcohol
along with the old-fashioned methods used in producing the spirit.
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Daily Life in Puerto Vallarta
 Enjoying the same ideal subtropical climate as Cancun but without the crowds, Puerto Vallarta enjoys an average temperature of 25 Celsius and sunny days throughout most of the year. As the weather ranges from warm to hot for most of the year, and with usually very high humidity, time moves at a slower pace like many other coastal areas within the region. The sea is almost always warm enough for a swim, and it is common to break up a day’s worth of study or work with a dip or two in the ocean.
In the areas further west from the downtown avenues, one can find a quieter and more real Puerto Vallarta off the beaten path.
Fantastic low-key restaurants and shops that offer clothing and goods for prices far more reasonable than those of the touristy Quinta Avenida strip. Nightlife along Quinta Avenida get into full swing around midnight, and the main street transforms from a family-friendly pedestrian way to a bustling hot spot where the growing underground music scene, featuring local artists and attracting rock, pop and folk musicians from all over the world, is put on showcase.
 History of Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta's proximity to the Bay of Banderas, the agricultural valley of the Ameca River, and the important mining centers in the Sierra have given the town an interesting past. During the 18th Century it was referred to by whalers as 'Bahia de Los Jorobados' - Bay of the Humpback Whale. Vallarta was a thriving Mexican village long before it became an international tourist destination. The area also served as a point where smuggled goods could be sent on to the Sierra towns near Mascota, evading the customs operations at San Blas, Nayarit. In 1851 Don Guadalupe established a settlement, at the mouth of the Rio Cuale, with his extended family and named it Las Peñas de Santa Maria de Guadalupe. The year 1859 saw an important turning point for the small village, then known as Las Peñas. That year the Union en Cuale mining company took possession of land extending from Los Arcos to the Pitillal river and extending back up into the Sierra for miles. The Union en Cuale company bought the government land to provide for shipping, fishing and agricultural support for the mining operations which were rapidly growing in the Sierra. The small settlement expanded with workers from the mining towns, and when production slowed in the mines, they then turned their hand to agriculture, cattle and fishing. In 1918 the town became a Municipality and the name was changed to Puerto Vallarta in memory of a former Governor of Jalisco and well know lawyer, Don Ignacio L. Vallarta.
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5. The City
Spanish classes in Puerto Vallarta were a great experience for me. Great culture and friendliness of staff made this unique and unforgettable adventure.
