Escape to Sunny and Safe Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Colonial Town on Banderas Bay Charms Visitors With Attractions
Apr 22, 2009
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is a desirable getaway with its average 340 days of sunshine a year and breathtaking views of the surrounding Sierra Madre and Banderas Bay, Mexico's largest deep-water bay, which is set on the Pacific Coast.
Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre, the Spanish colonial town is a picturesque retreat with its historic white stucco and red tile roofed buildings and cobblestone streets. The town's predominant landmark is Our Lady of Guadalupe Church topped with a red brick bell tower and signature crown.
While many of Mexico's resort towns were created as resort areas, Puerto Vallarta was just a quaint fishing village until it received international press during the 1964 filming of Tennessee Williams's "Night of the Iguana." The media covering the romance of Richard Burton, who starred in the film, and Elizabeth Taylor, who followed him there, introduced the world to the exquisite beauty of the Puerto Vallarta.
Once unveiled the town of 10,000 became ever more popular and populous and now draws more than two million visitors a year as one of Mexico's top destinations. With 40 miles of coast, excellent accommodations and a myriad of activities to engage in, it's no wonder many visitors return again and again.
Tourists will find the Mexican people welcoming and the service staff courteous and efficient. While it is an advantage to know Spanish many residents and most hospitality staff members are bilingual, and if not, they quickly locate a friend or coworker who speaks English. While kidnappings and drug-related crime have plagued Mexico in recent months, Puerto Vallarta has avoided those problems.
Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta and Nearby Nuevo Vallarta
Families and friends looking for bargain prices will find plenty of quality beachfront hotels and resorts to fit their vacation budget. Pueblo Bonito's Samba Vallarta in nearby Neuvo Vallarta is an example offering family friendly amenities like a game room and an all-inclusive price for meals. There's also spa service for mom. But Samba Vallarta also appeals to couples who want to get away from it all but not break the bank in the process.
"We could stay at a five-star resort and come once or stay here at a three-star (his rating of Samba Vallarta) and afford to be able to come twice," said Brad Boquet, a firefighter from Madison, Wisc., visiting the resort with his wife, Karna.
For those who can afford more upscale resort digs, there are Disney-level accommodations like the Villa del Palmar Flamingos, also in Neuvo Vallarta. The well-respected Villa Group owns several other resorts in the area. One of the hallmarks of Villa del Palmar Flamingos is its variety of activities and shows.
Part of the fun of staying at one of the resorts along the beachfront resort strip in Neuvo Vallarta is beingable to walk down the beach and take advantage of the numerous resort restaurants and bars along the way, some upscale, some more homey. Teams of horses can be seen along the beach and visitors can opt to take a romantic ride a horse on the sand if they so choose.
If a more cloistered, private experience is desired, Puerto Vallarta features a number of exquisite boutique hotels like Hacienda San Angel high in the hills of the city proper. For example, Hacienda San Angel, which is themed around angel art and imagery, features ten individual luxury suites.
Such luxury hotels are within walking distance of the town's shopping area, which includes galleries and shops along the cobblestone streets, stalls in the municipal market, and vendor stands along the Malecon, the town's boardwalk. For those staying at resorts in Nuevo Vallarta, such shopping experiences are just a quick taxi or bus ride away.
Shopping in Puerto Vallarta
Handicrafts including sterling jewelry with natural stones, natural fiber clothing and quality woven are plentiful in downtown Puerto Vallarta as are fine artworks. And there are an abundance of souvenirs to be had. Prices are negotiable of course and have been marked up a bit because of that, so smart shoppers make sure to bargain.
The Huichol, also known as the "healers," sell their colorful yarn paintings and beadwork sculptures in all the shopping areas. The symbols of their native religion are integrated into their artwork as well as Christian and other popular themes.
Art and images of the Catholic religion are also available. Various crosses of all sorts, included those with the sacred heart, and angels are abundant in the shops and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church sells various mementos.
Outdoor Adventures Abound Around Puerto Vallarta
For those looking for outdoor adventures, Puerto Vallarta also offers an amazing diversity. There's in the Sierra Madres, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, four wheeling and canopy tours.
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