The picturesque Mexican Pacific Coast resort city of Puerto Vallarta has all what it takes for great vacations: beautiful beaches with water sports opportunities from surfing to para-sailing, warm tropical climate, coral reefs with good diving and snorkeling, golf courses, deep-sea fishing, wild nightlife, affordable shopping and beach resort hotels. On top of all that, there are also charming old town quarters with cobblestone streets and great restaurants, and Sierra Madre Mountains with great hiking and horseback riding opportunities.
Charming resort city located in the state of Jalisco on the western Pacific Coast of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is also referred to simply as Vallarta or P.V. Once a sleepy fishing village, Puerto Vallarta became a popular tourism destination during the 1970s. Today, it is an international resort city that still has some of its original Mexican charm left. Puerto Vallarta is a popular holiday destination for both North Americans and Mexicans, and it has also become a popular retirement destination.
The city area itself offers great opportunities for nightlife and shopping in Puerto Vallarta. There is a long seaside boardwalk called Malecon that is filled with shops and restaurants. The historical sights in the old town include Plaza Principal, the Temple of Guadalupe, as well as several museums. There are also English-speaking theaters, a water park, botanical gardens, a zoo, and several good golf courses in Puerto Vallarta. A variety of short cruises is available in the city. Whale watching is also a popular activity in Puerto Vallarta; the best season for this activity is from December to March.
Charming resort city located in the state of Jalisco on the western Pacific Coast of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is also referred to simply as Vallarta or P.V. Once a sleepy fishing village, Puerto Vallarta became a popular tourism destination during the 1970s. Today, it is an international resort city that still has some of its original Mexican charm left. Puerto Vallarta is a popular holiday destination for both North Americans and Mexicans, and it has also become a popular retirement destination.
Sights and activities in Puerto Vallarta: beaches, water sports, fishing & shopping
There are many things to see and do during your visit in Puerto Vallarta. The hotel zone along the shore to the North of the city center and the old town offers many golden sand beaches along the Bay of Banderas, perfect for sunbathing, swimming and a variety of water sports from windsurfing and jet-skiing to sailing and parasailing. Snorkeling and diving in Puerto Vallarta is very good near the offshore islands, and deep-sea fishing in Puerto Vallarta is also very popular. The Sierra Madre Mountains East of the city offer good opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding around Puerto Vallarta.The city area itself offers great opportunities for nightlife and shopping in Puerto Vallarta. There is a long seaside boardwalk called Malecon that is filled with shops and restaurants. The historical sights in the old town include Plaza Principal, the Temple of Guadalupe, as well as several museums. There are also English-speaking theaters, a water park, botanical gardens, a zoo, and several good golf courses in Puerto Vallarta. A variety of short cruises is available in the city. Whale watching is also a popular activity in Puerto Vallarta; the best season for this activity is from December to March.
Puerto Vallarta travel information and practical tips
Puerto Vallarta has a tropical climate with constantly warm temperatures around the year. There is a humid and hot wet season from June to October, with occasional rains, mostly between July and September, and a cooler and sunny dry season from November to May.
Photo: Christian Frausto Bernal, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
There is a chance for thunderstorms in November, and hurricanes rarely hit the coast during the autumn months.
Traveling to Puerto Vallarta is easiest by air. The international airport to the north of the city receives regular flights to Puerto Vallarta from many US and Canadian cities, as well as many domestic flights from elsewhere in Mexico. There are also buses to Puerto Vallarta from many parts of Mexico, and modern roads allow you to drive there from all the way from the US border. You can also visit Puerto Vallarta on board a cruise ship or by your own yacht. Public transport in Puerto Vallarta is offered by local buses and a large fleet of taxis that can also be hired for day trips outside of the city. Car rental in Puerto Vallarta is also available.
Visitor services. There are plenty of hotels in Puerto Vallarta, ranging from beach resorts and luxury condos to cheap small hotels. The numerous restaurants in Puerto Vallarta offer a nice variety from internationally acclaimed gourmet places to small local eateries offering Mexican dishes. Nightlife in Puerto Vallarta is very lively, especially during the peak holiday seasons and the annual Spring Break of US colleges.
Safety. Puerto Vallarta is a relatively safe city with no major problems with violent crime. However, you should exercise caution as crime against visitors is known to happen. English is spoken by most people working in tourism areas in Puerto Vallarta.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Guadalajara
