Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is undoubtedly my favorite vacation spot in the entire world. Yes, there has been a great expansion and many changes since I first visited this Pacific Ocean paradise more than 25 years ago but much of its charm still exists.
Rated as the 6th most popular tourist destination in the entire world this once-hidden treasure has been discovered by visitors from far and wide.
At first glance it is Vallarta's perfect climate which elicits such an enticement to visitors. Warm, sunny days with comfortable ocean breezes and even more comfortable evenings repeat day after day, especially in the prime vacation months of October through May.
But what really gives Vallarta its charm is the unique blending of a vintage, Mexican cobble-stoned town, dotted with white-stucco buildings and red-tiled roofs, which combines with modern, palm-tree-lined boulevards and world-class hotels and restaurants, with all of the amenities of a large tourist resort zone.
The town itself is divided by the gently flowing Rio Cuale. To the south of the river is the so-called Romantic Zone with its quaint shops and bargain-priced hotels and restaurants. Also located in the south half of Vallarta are hillside restaurants offering magnificent views of the town and the setting sun. Further south are the villas and resort hotels of Conchas Chinas and Mismaloya. Also located in the south half of Puerto Vallarta are hillside restaurants such as Las Carmelitas offering magnificent views of the town and the setting sun.
Back in the centro or downtown of Puerto Vallarta, dissecting the Cuale River, is a narrow island where people can take a stroll in the shade amidst peaceful gardens. They can also browse through souvenir shops, view artwork or dine at Le Bistro restaurant while listening to jazz music. Immediately in front of the restaurant sits a statue of film director John Huston, whose 1963 movie, The Night of the Iguana starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner, brought attention to this region of Mexico.
Moving north of the river, in front of the Fuente del Puente restaurant is a bust of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the Hollywood couple who after the film took up residence in the hills above the town, she in a house now known as Casa Kimberley and he in a house on the opposite side of the street. An arched bridge between the two houses remains a lasting symbol of their romantic relationship. Followed by scores of Americans who also decided to reside here soon thereafter, this hillside zone became known as Gringo Gulch.
Just north of the Rio Cuale the municipal market which is stocked with handicrafts from all over Mexico. Just a few blocks from the market is the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the large church topped with a distinctive crown, a replica of the one worn by Carlota, wife of the former Mexican ruler, Maximilian. This crown on Vallarta's signature church was actually replaced after being toppled by an earthquake in 1995.
Not far from the church is the main square or Plaza de Armas, with its bandstand and a statue of the man after whom the town was named in 1918, Ignacio Vallarta, the prominent lawyer and state governor who helped draft the Mexican constitution.
Nearby a set of arches form a backdrop, along with the ocean, to an amphitheatre which stands between the rumbling surf and the main plaza. Crowds gather here every Sunday evening for concerts.
Adjacent to the amphitheatre and lining the beach is the recently renovated malecón, Vallarta's seawall where people wander past interesting sculptures and fountains. While only a scattering of pedestrians are found here in the heat of the day, evenings are a different story entirely. Dusk brings a multitude of tourists and locals alike who fill the malecón to sample the offerings of street vendors or simply to people-watch. They also can enjoy the music drifting out from the balconies of restaurants and bars.
On the back streets adjacent to the malecón are a number of shops and art galleries and a variety of cuisines can be enjoyed, from taco stands to upscale, international restaurants.
Moving north from the centro is an area known as the Hotel Zone which is the area developed during Vallarta's first big expansion into a major tourist resort area. Here on the gorgeous sandy beaches of Las Camarones, Las Glorias and Los Tules, major hotel complexes such as the Sheraton, Fiesta Americana and Holiday Inn offer high-rise accommodations with pools, recreation areas and restaurants while others such as Krystal and Los Tules offer excellent, low-rise villa lodgings amidst lush tropical gardens. For those with efficiency accommodations there are plazas with supermarkets located in this area.
Further north are the even more modern Marina district and Nuevo Vallarta with multi-complex resorts including golf courses.
Activities include cruises, fishing, scuba and other water sports on beautiful Banderas Bay, parasailing high above the seashore and land activities such as excursions to nearby towns, day trips, soaring on ziplines during canopy tours, ATV and jeep rentals, horseback riding, etc.
The cuisine in and around Puerto Vallarta is exquisite whether you yearn for authentic Mexican dishes or international food of the highest quality.
Adding to the climate, resort amenities, activities, shopping, culture and cuisine are the friendly people who mix in well with ex-patriot residents and tourists alike. No wonder Puerto Vallarta is so popular and continues to be my favorite travel destination.
Peter Knight is an author, video producer and translator. He has produced the travel video Glimpses of Puerto Vallarta which outlines the highlights of a visit in and around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. To order this colorful DVD or thousands of other travel videos click http://www.rtavideo.com/worldlypursuitstravelvideos.html
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