Puerto Vallarta Vacations

Before John Huston’s 1964 film, The Night of the Iguana, Puerto Vallarta was a just sleepy fishing village on the Pacific Coast where the states of Jalisco and Nayarit meet. But Liz Taylor came to keep an eye on her lover Richard Burton while he was filming with the voluptuous Ava Gardner. The publicity buzz about Burton and Liz’s torrid affair and the movie put Puerto Vallarta vacations on the tourist map.

The Puerto Vallarta region is actually several destinations rolled into one, each with its own character and charm. The River Cuale divides the town into north and south. On the southern end is the quaint Romantic Zone where the Playa los Muertos attracts sun worshippers to its golden sand and countless beach bars. Further south the seaside villages of Boca de Tomatlan and Mismaloya where The Night of the Iguana was filmed beckon. North of the river, the Old Town meanders uphill to Gringo Gulch and along the bay where you’ll find the Plaza de Armas (main square) and Los Arcos amphitheatre where daily free performances draw crowds.

Puerto Vallarta’s renowned Malecón (seaside promenade) runs from the Romantic Zone to the start of the Hotel Zone. Here you’ll find a whimsical collection of bronze sculptures, including the town’s iconic seahorse.

Further north are the Hotel Zone and Marina where many resorts and restaurants are located. Traverse a modern bridge and you move from the State of Jalisco into Nayarit, home to the rapidly developing Riviera Nayarit with charming towns such as Bucerias and Sayulita and a host of resorts.

The locals seem genuinely happy to welcome an average of 3.7 million visitors to their town. You’ll be encouraged to practice your Spanish but pretty much everyone can converse with you in English. Indeed, many American and Canadian snowbirds make it their home-away-from home winter after winter. Several become so smitten with Vallarta’s ideal climate, they invest in real estate and businesses here. Puerto Vallarta enjoys a tropical climate. During the sunny dry season, from November to May, daytime temperatures hover at 27˚ to 30˚ C (80˚ to 85˚F) and there is virtually no rain. At night, the temperature drops to 16˚ to 18˚ C (55˚ to 65˚F), which is ideal for sleeping, but you may want to pack a shawl or light jacket. The hotter, humid rainy season lasts from June to October.

Sharing the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, Puerto Vallarta sits prettily in the middle of the Bay of Banderas, Mexico’s largest bay, measuring 42 km (26 miles) from tip to tip. North of the city of Puerto Vallarta, the Ameca River forms a natural boundary between Jalisco and the state of Nayarit where newer resorts and developments form the Riviera Nayarit.

Once you get away from the beach, Puerto Vallarta’s hilly cobblestone streets seem to merge into the green foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. We doubt they sell many Stair Masters here; you’ll get plenty of exercise just navigating up and around town. The Cuale River, which divides Puerto Vallarta in half, flows down from the mountains and empties into the Pacific.

Today, Puerto Vallarta reigns as one of Mexico’s most popular winter destinations because of its great diversity and almost perfect climate. Along with golden beaches, mountains and jungles you’ll discover modern amenities and creature comforts. In short, Puerto Vallarta is a very simpatico and affordable paradise that will appeal to just about everyone.

Preferred Resorts

Krystal Puerto Vallarta

From the moment you arrive at the Krystal Puerto Vallarta, you will feel your stress melts away. Here at our 25-acre hacienda-style resort hotel, tranquility is the order of the day.

Leave your cares at the door and pamper yourself at this deluxe resort. Everything you could need or want is at your fingertips. Simply unpack your suitcase, put on your swimsuit, exhale, and relax. The pace here is slow and easy, and the extraordinary hotel service means you don’t need to worry about a thing. Dining, nightlife, entertainment, activities, sightseeing…it’s all here or can be arranged effortlessly.

Villa del Palmar – Puerto Vallarta

Old World Feel, New World Luxury – The beat of the Mexican soul lives within Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta where traditional Mexican hospitality and a magical majestic vista make for unforgettable memories.

When you step foot onto our sun-drenched property, you’ll find historic ambiance mixed with world-class service. This five-star all-suite property is located on the beachfront of Banderas Bay in the heart of the Puerto Vallarta’s “hotel zone” and only a few minutes from the charm and excitement of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Villa del Palmar is known as one of the crown jewels in the Villa Resort Group collection.

At the beachside Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta, all 395 air-conditioned suites are decorated with Spanish colonial touches and include private balconies or terraces, along with a wide range of services, entertainment and recreation options. Everything about this resort is friendly and inviting – from our staff’s attention to every detail to their genuine smiles… Once here, you’ll be treated to the best of traditional Mexican hospitality mingled with an intoxicating brew of sand and sea. Looking to luxuriate even further? The Bay Breeze Spa adds an extra element of pampering to your trip with treatments designed to nourish, relax, and heal. Be forewarned: You may never want to leave.