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The town's relative youth is undoubtedly a contributing factor. Until 1954 Puerto Vallarta was a small fishing village where the Río Cuale spills out into the Bahía de Banderas; then Mexicana airlines, their hand forced by Aeroméxico's monopoly on flights into Acapulco, started promoting the town as a resort. Their efforts received a shot in the arm in 1964, when John Huston chose Mismaloya, 10km south, as the setting for his film of Tennessee Williams' play The Night of the Iguana , starring Richard Burton. The scandalmongering that surrounded Burton's romance with Elizabeth Taylor - who was not part of the cast but came along - is often attributed to putting Puerto Vallarta firmly in the international spotlight: "a mixed blessing" according to Huston, who stayed on here until his death in 1987, and whose bronze image stands on the Isla Río Cuale in town. The package tourists stay, on the whole, in the beachfront hotels around the bay, but are increasingly penetrating the town centre to shop in the pricey boutiques and malls that line the streets leading back from the beach, and to eat in some of the very good restaurants both on the malecón and downtown. Nevertheless, what could be a depressingly expensive place to visit turns out to be liberally peppered with good-value hotels and budget restaurants, especially during the low season during Aug-Nov. You can also take a look at some vacation photos or comments on the Qualton hotel and the new fad of canopy tours. If you're sick of all the tourist slanted material, you might like to take a look at some satirical comments about Puerto Vallarta and tourists. |
Thing to do in Puerto Vallarta
Review and Book Tours and Special Activities Before You Get There
Popular Activities sell out quickly. Don't waste vacation time figuring out what to do.
No waiting in line to buy tickets. Avoid getting stung by price hikes.
- Mexican Fiesta - Combine the colorful costumes of folk dancers with the snapping lariats of the charros in a show; add in lively mariachi music and dancing; top it all off with a buffet of Mexican favorites and a domestic open bar—and you have a fiesta!
- Rhythms of the Night - Take a scenic sunset cruise across Banderas Bay to the tropical hideaway of Las Caletas. Once there, enjoy a bountiful beachside dinner, followed by a mesmerizing performance of ancient rituals and stories, revealed through music and modern dance.
- A Bit of Mexico - Become acquainted with the Mexico that lies outside the cities. Little villages, colored in pastels and lined with cobblestone streets, dot the landscape; explore one of them—the small town of El Valle. Get a closer look at the farms and plantations that flourish in the Sierra Madre foothills, and tour a tequila distillery. Afterwards, retreat to a quiet beach for lunch and swimming before heading back to Puerto Vallarta.
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour - Stay with the guide or venture off for some solo exploring on this tour of the best of Puerto Vallarta. More information.
- San Sebastian Cultural Encounter - A 15-minute flight whisks you to into the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the 17th-century mining town of San Sebastian. Soar over and around waterfalls, mountains, tropical vegetation, and the rustic pueblos of this living museum.
- San Blas Tour - This guided historical and ecological tour explores the San Blas area of Mexico's Nayarit state.
- Sierra Madre Expedition - Venture into an outback that few are aware exists on this invigorating ATV safari and nature walk in the Sierra Madres.
- Jeep Safari - On this journey via Jeep, experience a part of Mexico that, due to its remote location, has preserved its past for centuries.
- Canopy Eco-Adventure - Feel the rush of adrenaline as you whoosh from platform to platform, 90 feet (30 meters) above the forest floor, followed by an incredible 70-foot (21-meter) rappel to solid ground. For thrill seekers and nature lovers alike, explore the depths of a tropical rainforest much like monkeys and birds do—by swooshing through and climbing around the trees. (visitor comments).
- Bloodhound Marietas Sail - Sail around the Marietas Islands in a replica of an 1847 racing yacht, the Bloodhound.
- Banderas Bay Sailing Lesson - Learn how to find and use the wind, handle the sails, and steer and control a sailboat in this hands-on course held in Banderas Bay.
- Pirates of the Bay Sunset Cruise - Enjoy a sunset cruise like no other. Pirates crew the Spanish galleon replica Marigalante and then, once the ship has left the marina terminal, perform a show for passengers while dinner is being prepared. Games with prizes, fireworks, and a mariachi band also are a part of the evening's festivities.
- Pirate Land Day Cruise - Come aboard the Marigalante, an authentic replica of a 15th-century Spanish galleon, for a special cruise around Banderas Bay. Highlights include a Mexican breakfast, snorkeling and kayaking at Las Cargatas, passenger participation in the sailing maneuvers, and performances—including a water-balloon naval battle—staged by the pirate crew.
- Easy Surfing and Surfers' Spree - Whether you're someone who's always wanted to learn to surf, or someone who's no stranger to hollows and duck dives, you'll discover that Mexico's Pacific Coast has waves to suit everyone, from the novice to the intermediate surfer.
- Sunset Sail - A romantic evening beckons as you set sail across the crystal waters of Banderas Bay. Enjoy the sensation of pampered exclusivity while relaxing on the deck with a cocktail from the open bar. The setting sun streaks the sky with fiery red, pink, orange, and gold as the yacht glides past downtown Puerto Vallarta.
- Wild Dolphin and Snorkel Sail - Discover the wonders of nature while exploring the tropical ecosystem of the secluded Marietas Islands. Keep an eye out for wild dolphins, colorful birds, and other marine life forms while snorkeling or sea kayaking in the clear, warm waters surrounding the islands.
- Sailing with Whales - Treat yourself to a day of unadulterated sailing pleasure and absolute pampering! Board an exclusive charter boat and set sail for the beautiful beaches of a secluded cove for swimming, snorkeling, and sleeping in the sun. Along the way, keep a sharp eye out for humpback whales, wild dolphins, manta rays, and turtles.
- Yelapa and Majahuitas Catamaran Tour - The quaint villages of Yelapa and Majahuitas are hidden jewels along the Bay of Banderas. Home to some of the best snorkeling in the area, the area's clear waters and golden beaches are just waiting to be discovered.
- Night Shift - Get acquainted with Puerto Vallarta's nightlife and the best clubs, without having to worry about lines or cover charges! Your tour includes one free drink at Hilo, Zoo, and Señor Frog's, and one free yard with refill at Carlos O'Brien's; transportation between the bars is included as well. You'll also receive a souvenir bandana that lets you bypass the cover charge at one of these bars on another night.
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