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The colonial town of Puerto Vallarta, situated in Jalisco (west Mexico) offers an atmosphere that is both relaxed and festive. Visit Mismaloya, a famous site that became popular when the movie "Night of the Iguana" was filmed here in 1963. Explore the quaint fishing villages that surround the Bay of Banderas. Explore scenic trails on horseback, or spend the day relaxing on the palm-fringed beaches.
Vallarta Nayarit is located just 10 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta at the heart of the Banderas Bay. It has been blessed with some of the best beaches on the Pacific, abundant flora and fauna, and unmatched natural beauty. With 7 world class golf courses in the area, it is fast becoming a golfer's paradise. Other activities include bay cruises, city tours, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, scuba, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nearly 50 miles of unspoiled beaches, bays and coastline waiting to be discovered.
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Because Puerto Vallarta lies on Bahia Banderas, the second largest natural bay in North America and has over 100 miles of coast line, it is a haven for anyone who enjoys any type of beach activity, from whale watching to parasailing. Bungee jumping over the Pacific, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing or fishing are yours for the asking. The surf, at most beaches is normally very calm and safe for swimming year around.
Distinctly different beach zones with more than forty individual beaches mark Puerto Vallarta as one of the favorite destinations for the true beach lover. The first zone is north of Puerto Vallarta. Playa de Oro and the Marina district are here. The Playa de Oro is a wide, sandy beach with a few rocky areas interspersed. It is also very popular with guests and locals alike, because of its water sports. Even further north, the beaches of Banderas Bay are pristine and quiet as they reach up toward Punta de Mita. If you're into surfing, these northern beaches, which are subject to strong surf, perfect for catching a wave, the best windsurfing also takes place in this area.
Puerto Vallarta's most popular beach, Playa de los Muertos, is located just south of the malecon and the River Cuale. This beach is surrounded by the neighborhood of Olas Altas (Old Town or Zona Romantica), with it's indescribable variety of restaurants and shops. It is lined with beachfront hotels and restaurants and is usually bustling with activity, sun worshipers by day, the dining and nightlife crowd after dark. The beachfront bars and restaurants in this area are a great place to catch one of the incredible Vallarta sunsets.
South of town, you'll find numerous small coves and beaches. Playa de Mismaloya used to be a quiet, fairly remote cove, it is still fairly remote and remains a beautiful beach in spite of development and is a great place to relax on the beach for a day. Boca de Tomatlan, the last beach that is accessible by road is more primitive with several small seafood restaurants and taco stands. It is a great swimming beach, very quite and peaceful. You can hire local pangas here to take you to Yepala, Las Animas or Quimixto.
Destiladeras and Los Venaderos are two of the more enjoyable beaches in the northern area. Snorkeling and also wind surfing (under the right conditions) are also great at the Las Marietas Islands , which have been preserved by the Mexican government as a bird sanctuary. These islands are accessible by boats which can be rented on most of the northern beaches.
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VIEJO VALLARTA, the beautiful and historic ‘Old Town’, South of the Cuale River, considered by many to be the ‘heart’ of Puerto Vallarta.
This is home to hundreds of shops and galleries, beautiful smaller hotels on the beach and in the middle of everything, and Puerto Vallarta’s famed “Restaurant Row” (on Basilio Badillo Street) where you’ll find everything from world-class dining with influences from around the globe to casual and fun fare.
Wherever you happen to stay in Vallarta, a visit to Viejo Vallarta is an absolute MUST. Viejo Vallarta is REAL Mexico!
EL CENTRO (‘Downtown’) is the home of Puerto Vallarta’s famed Malecon, the ocean-side ‘boardwalk’. As you walk the palm-planted Malecon, you’ll fine a huge variety of shops and restaurants on one side, and huge Banderas Bay on the other. The Malecon is also home to a whimsical collection of sculptures, possibly surpassing Puerto Vallarta’s ‘trademark’ Church of Guadalupe as the most-photographed art in Vallarta.
THE HOTEL ZONE, north of El Centro, is home to a variety of hotels and resorts, large and small, simple and luxurious. You’ll also find a wealth of dining and shopping possibilities here, and miles and miles of sandy beaches.
THE MARINA is, of course, the place for all you boaters and fishermen and women, and a worthwhile visit for the landlubber. Hundreds and hundreds of motorized and sailing vessels visit us from around the world, and you can enjoy the view of these beautiful crafts as you shop and dine waterside. If you’re arriving by cruise line, here is where you’ll disembark…this is also the place to meet most of the boats for bay-cruises, day-long parties at sea that include visits to several remote beaches.
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