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Puerto Vallarta and the adjacent Riviera Nayarit represents two destinations united geographically that live as one. This region is one of Mexico’s most popular tourism corridors because of its great climate, a spectacular Pacific Bay setting, and incredible diversity of natural and cultural assets for year ‘round living in Mexico. It’s particularly well suited for West Coast US/Canadians who have been coming here for decades, and well the city’s warm embrace with every visit.
In the sunny seaside paradise of Puerto Vallarta, every day is a celebration. It’s hard not to feel festive in this naturally spectacular setting that also encompasses the beauty of Mexican culture, found in its art, architecture, crafts, food, music, dance, and of course its people. Neighboring Riviera Nayarit, occupying more than 192 miles of coastline, boasts an incredibly wide diversity of experiences alongside its beaches, at world-class resorts and at bucolic seaside towns and pueblos.
Puerto Vallarta is a magical city that harbors tradition in its plazas, in its streets, in its people – a city that expresses the color of its culture and natural beauty at every turn. Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, where Jalisco and Nayarit meet, Puerto Vallarta lies in the heart of Banderas Bay and offers the best of two worlds: tradition and vanguard, making Vallarta a window to the world.
Puerto Vallarta has received many global accolades in recent years that are a testament to the uniqueness and warmth of the city. The destination has been voted the friendliest city in the world (Condé Nast Traveler); the best place to retire globally (the American Association of Retired Persons), and in Mexico (USNews.com); the Best Mexican Vacation Destination (USNews.com), and one of the Top Cities in Latin America (Travel + Leisure Magazine).
In this Mexican paradise, a blanket of lush tropical jungle surrounds the quaint colonial city as it climbs away from the blue Pacific into the Sierra Madre Mountains. PV is nestled on the shores of Bahia de Banderas (Mexico’s largest natural bay). In the most “Mexican” of all the states — Jalisco – Puerto Vallarta offers travelers an authentic glimpse of Mexico through its natural, cultural, historical, and gastronomical delights. It delivers ‘round the clock activity (or blissful seclusion), sophisticated amenities, and a romantic, dream-like natural setting. It’s considered the ideal vacation spot for the first-time Mexico visitor, while boasting enough diversity of activities to keep people coming back time and again. Tens of thousands of US and Canadians make PV their full-time home.
From its sleepy fishing community roots, it has grown into one of Mexico’s most loved destinations. In 1963, director John Huston came to film Tennessee Williams’ “Night of the Iguana,” changing the town forever. Its star Richard Burton and his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, left their mark creating a boom in tourism from the international jet set community. Today, a bustling town of more than 400,000 residents, Puerto Vallarta attracts more than six million annual visitors.
“OLD MEXICO” FLAIR
Despite its popularity and flurry of new resort development, the city itself retains much of its “Old Mexico” flair. Downtown Puerto Vallarta is graced with lovely architecture, cobblestone streets, a popular seafront boardwalk and white stucco buildings (a city ordinance decrees that all buildings are white), laced by flower-covered balconies and red-tile roofs. Hillside “mirador” look-out points offer sweeping views of Banderas Bay and the ever-green mountains that plunge to the blue Pacific.
Outdoor recreation is limitless. Every imaginable water sport is available along Puerto Vallarta’s miles of sandy shore. And there’s golf at over ten nearby courses.
SOME OF MEXICO’S BEST DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Vallarta’s dining and nightlife includes some of Mexico’s best. Visitors find an extraordinary variety of settings and cuisines (more than 400 choices – from street food tours of foods going back generations, to ultra-gourmet). Its shopping opportunities are highlighted by the works of internationally renowned artists (such as Lepe, Colunga, Bustamante) who called Puerto Vallarta home.
Visitors enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s distinct cultural flair – its Mariachi music, colorful markets and “Fiesta Night” celebrations. An active calendar of annual events includes regattas, religious festivals, music festivals and sporting events.
Expat living here offers a variety of neighborhoods and settings. Some prefer the traditional city (on either side of the Cuale River). Others reside in the cliffside villas and homes that lie to the south of downtown. There are also several neighborhoods backing the Hotel Zone that feature modern high condos, and individual homes. While there’s street traffic to content with moving north-to-south around the area, most expat residents find ways to avoid peak transit hours. Chain stores, affordable medical care and the beauty of Banderas Bay make PV a perineal favorite for Mexico living.
