Ever since Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor filmed "Night of the Iguana" here in 1963, Puerto Vallarta has been a vacation destination for throngs of visitors. Today, cruise ships pull into the harbor while sunbathers and shoppers alike find something special here in this lovely port. You can even visit Casa Kimberly where Liz Taylor and Richard Burton had their rendezvous and take a tour. First find the Virgin of Guadalupe Church and take Zaragoza Street up the steep stairs to Miramar. Proceeds from the tour benefit a local charity, and the view from the hill is spectacular.
The seaside promenade in Puerto Vallarta is known as the Malecon, and you are sure to enjoy a lovely stroll past the outdoor sculpture gallery. Don't miss Los Arcos, or the Aquiles Serdan Amphitheater, where you can watch artists at work and even purchase completed works directly from the artists. Take a short walk from the Malecon to see the City Hall, or Palacio Municipal, which has a very interesting mural on the second floor, as well as the Plaza de Armas and the Virgin of Guadalupe Church.
Shopping is more than just a past time here in Puerto Vallarta - it has been raised to an Olympic event. While the shops in the hotel zone incude some lovely boutiques, downtown you'll be able to find folk art from all over Mexico. The majority of folk art shops are located on Avenida Morales, which is one block inland from the Malecon, and if you go one block further you' find many art galleries on Juarez.
While Puerto Vallarta is especially well known for its beaches, you'll find some nice places to sun and even enjoy water sports in the hotel zone. For a more peaceful view of Puerto Vallarta, cross the Cuale River which divides the town, and you'll find beautiful scenery and quiet beaches. On this side, you'll still find women washing their clothes by pounding them on rocks in the river, cobblestone streets, and a very different atmosphere from the shops, restaurants and nightclubs found on the opposite shore.
What to Do in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta provides several attractions and activities to their visitors. If you don't know where to start, you can always refer to the list below:
1. Enjoy their annual festivals. You can begin at any point in Puerto Vallarta on the month of November. At this time, the weather may have been turning cold in preparation for December and the small towns are brimming with life because of too many festivals. The Cultural Festival, for one, is the most ideal time to see the fusion of culture and arts in the native's performances. You can also get a taste of delectable Mexican dishes, in their annual international gourmet festival. If you have a soft spot for golf, you can watch their Vallarta Cup tournaments. For the film buffs, the film festival in Puerto Vallarta is the best time to grab a theater seat.
2. Explore San Sebastian. Tucked away in the valleys of Puerto Vallarta is the town of San Sebastian. This used to be one of the oldest homes of the first Mexican settlers in the city, back in 1605. Today, it is not a mining town for silver. The best way to travel to San Sebastian is by boarding a Cessna plane. This will also give you an opportunity to see Puerto Vallarta and even the magnificent seas on aerial view.
3. Take a half-day tour to Huichols. Back in the days, majority of Puerto Vallarta is occupied by native Indians. As time passed, however, a lot of them are already gone, and modern civilization took place. That's why the trip to see the Huichols should be something you should not miss. These people are known to be the Aztec descendants. They have learned to keep themselves away from modernism and technology and thus are able to preserve their beliefs, rituals, culture, and history. Their houses still showcase the influence of Pre-Columbian era. If you want to experience a totally new way of seeing Mexican life, you can participate in a half-day trip to their territory. Don't forget to buy a well-made handicraft in their souvenir shops.
4. Take the kids to the water park. The water parks are the best places to take your kids, especially during the summer months. There are wide varieties of wave pools and water slides, where they can play and just have some fun. They can also watch different performances and animal shows, such as dolphin and seal exhibitions.
5. Hit the beach. Puerto Vallarta is also well-known for their beaches, which are usually integrated in villas and hotels that are scattered all over the town. One example is that of Grupo Mayan hotel. You can enjoy different types of water activities, like parasailing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. What's more, you can purchase timeshares so you can have a nice place to stay while you're in town while making a lucrative investment.
Both Stephanie Larkin & Lumbardo are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Stephanie Larkin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kitchen Home Improvement, Marketing and Bahamas Vacation. Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.Cruise-to-Mexico.net, as well as http://www.WaltDisneyCruise.net and other cruise websites. She and her family are avid cruisers - her 3 children especially love the towel animals!. Stephanie Larkin's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Lumbardo has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Puerto Vallarta and Travel and Leisure. Puerto Vallarta is the best choice for fun in the sun. You can enjoy some tee time, watch concerts, explore natural sceneries and old towns, or hit the beach. You can even buy your own time shares, such as in. Lumbardo's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.