Puerto Vallarta / Mexico

Puerto Vallarta (often just Vallarta or P.V.) is a beach resort city located on the Pacific Ocean coast in the Bay of Banderas, shadowed by the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. The city has around 250,000 inhabitants and is named after Ignacio Vallarta, a former governor of the state of Jalisco.

Puerto Vallarta has a more interesting history than most other tourist destinations in Mexico. Archaeological findings prove that the area has been continuously inhabited since at least 580 BC by the Aztatlán culture. It later fell under Spanish rule and also suffered from pirate attacks. During the 18th century, Puerto Vallarta grew from an insignificant fishing village, favored by pearl hunters, into a small port serving the nearby Sierra mountain towns.

The year 1859 marked an important milestone for the city, then known as Las Penas, when the land in the area was acquired by the mining company Union en Cuale. It remained in their possession until the early 20th century.

As mining activities began to decline, Vallarta became an increasingly important destination for those leaving the Sierra mountains. By the mid-century, Mexican and American writers and artists began to flock to the city, seeking refuge during the era of Presidents Eisenhower and McCarthy.

The city's rise as a popular tourist destination in the 1970s was aided by government investments in transportation and the construction of new hotel resorts, as well as President Richard Nixon's visit in August 1970 and the film "The Night of the Iguana" directed by John Huston in 1964, shot in Mismaloya, a small town just south of Puerto Vallarta.

Today, nearly half of Vallarta's residents are employed in tourism, which continues to grow year by year. The city was once known as "La ciudad más amigable del mundo," "the friendliest city in the world," and this remains true today, attracting visitors from all over the world, especially from Western America and Canada.

They are drawn by the beautiful beaches (the largest being Playa los Muertos, "beach of the dead") and natural scenery, including the Los Arcos marine park, an ideal spot for bird watching and underwater life exploration. The city itself also has much to offer: a long promenade, Malecón, runs along the coast with countless modern sculptures, restaurants, and bars, and the old town with the charming church La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe is definitely worth a visit.

While you're here, try some of the local specialties: marinated red snapper huachinango sarandeado or grilled mahi-mahi served with spicy sauce and lime.

Places worth seeing

Playa Los Muertos – Go sunbathing and relax on the city's largest public beach, where legend has it a battle between pirates and local miners took place, costing many of them their lives.

Malecón – Enjoy a walk along the coastal promenade with stunning views and a collection of modern sculptures.

Los Arcos – Head out to watch pelicans or explore the beautiful underwater world with a snorkel in the marine park, established in 1984.

Jardín Botánico de Vallarta – Admire orchids, agaves, cacti, palms, and many other native plants and swim in the river in the beautiful botanical garden 20 kilometers south of the city.

Mercado Municipal – Visit one of Vallarta's largest markets and buy art pieces and souvenirs that will remind you of your journey for a long time.

Museo del Cuale – Learn about the area's history in the museum with a significant collection of local art and a small contemporary art gallery.