About Puerto Vallarta 

Quick Facts About Puerto Vallarta

Things to Do In Puerto Vallarta

Quick Facts about Puerto Vallarta

•    Location: Pacific coast of Mexico along Banderas Bay, Mexico's largest natural bay, in the northwest corner of the state of Jalisco.

•    Climate:   November to April: Average high 85F/low 63F
•    Airport:  Located four miles from downtown, has over 450 weekly flights, ground transportation available.
•    Currency:  Pesos, Money exchange houses located in the airport and at banks throughout the city. Credit cards are widely accepted.

•    Electricity: 110 volt 60-current, same as the U.S.A., no adapters needed.

•    Population: 350,000 of which 6,500 are expatriates. 2 million visitors annually.
•    Accommodations: More than 15,000 rooms available from bed & breakfast  to five-star hotels along with private homes condos for rent.
•    Economy: Mainly tourist related. Agriculture, tobacco, cattle ranching and tequila production are also important financial resources.

•    Local Time: Puerto Vallarta is in the Central Time Zone (the same as Texas). 
•    Law: Mexico is under Napoleonic Law - you are guilty until proven innocent!
•    Restaurants: There are more than 250 in town!
•    Taxis: With more than 1,000 taxis in town, there is no problem hailing one. Taxi fares are set in PV; the average fare is around $30 pesos or $3 USD. A trip across town-from the Marina to Los Muertos Beach-will run about $60 pesos or $6.00 USD. Fares are posted in each taxi, the daily newspaper and most major hotels. Asking about the fare before you get in may save you a few pesos.

•    Beaches: Vallarta has been named the best beach in Latin America by Travel and Leisure Magazine Readers Survey, all 25 miles of it.

•    The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe: It took 33 years to build from 1918 to 1955; the trade mark crown was damaged in the 1995 earthquake and has now being repaired.

•    Tequila: Only tequila that is made in Tequila, Jalisco can bear the name of "tequila."
•    Mariachi: Jalisco is the home of this traditional Mexican music.
•    Wildlife: Humpback whales winter in the Bay every year. Dolphins, giant mantas, sea turtles, and over 100 species of birds also live here.
•    Casa Kimberly: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's love nest was built in 1963 for $5,000 USD and sold years later for $450,000.
•    Nayarit: Jalisco's neighboring state, just eight miles north of town is in another time zone, one hour earlier.

•    History:

• 1500s - Spanish conquistadors explored the coast.
• 1851 - Area around Rio Cuale first settled by farmers, fishermen miners and mango and banana plantation owners.
• 1918 - Puerto Vallarta officially named for then governor Ignacio L. Vallarta.
• 1963 - Puerto Vallarta goes Hollywood with the filming of "Night of the Iguana." The scandal of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor's romance makes national headlines and makes Puerto Vallarta a star.
• 2009- The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality holds their annual congress at the Westin Hotel in Puerto Vallarta

Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta

Culture

Explore two of Mexico's most culturally significant landmarks during this day-long adventure. Tequila, its gorgeous blue-green agave plants visible for miles around, is just 35 minutes away. This is the only region in the world where the legendary spirit worthy of the name tequila is distilled. After sampling a few, youll know why. Then its on to Jaliscos capital and Mexicos second-largest city, Guadalajara, a 10-minute flight away, where youre shown its major attractions and get the chance to do some shopping.
Link to Guadalajara Tour ->
Link to Tequila Tour ->

Monumental Oceanfront Art

Here you will find a delightfully quirky, 11-block-long seaside promenade to lift your spirits, the shimmering ocean on one side relaxing you, fabulous shops, restaurants and bars on the other offering all the excitement you could want.
The monumental oceanfront offers quality art forms to discover, both spontaneous and permanent. The international and ever-changing cast of characters here gets to enjoy everything from art exhibitions and music, dance, theater and mime performances to interacting with an eclectic assortment of monumental public art.

Sports/Adventure

Swimming with Dolphins

Be a Dolphin's Best Pal! A unique opportunity to swim and snorkel with dolphins! Experience the joy of a dolphin kiss, marvel at the dolphin's strength as you are towed through the water in the 'belly ride' and fall in love with their gentleness as you cradle a dolphin in your arms. Put on your mask and snorkel to get an incredible view of the dolphins as they speed and spiral swim through the water and demonstrate their amazing agility. At the same time the dolphins will swim frequently in and out of the groups allowing all participants to keep caressing and viewing them from up close. Not to be missed...'

http://www.asociacionhotelesvallarta.com/tours/index.php?classifi=Dolphins

Jet Skiing

Commonly called wave runners here, jet skis can be rented on most beaches by the half or full hour. These state-of-the-art machines carry one or two passengers as well as the driver. If you prefer, just hop on the back and let a pro do the driving!

Entertainment & Nightlife

More than a hundred places offer all sorts of live music romantic, jazz, blues, Peruvian, Cuban, you name it, and of course mariachi, which originated in the state of Jalisco. Quite a few of these venues offer dancing, too. And in just this past year, a batch of really cool dinner clubs and bars have spiced the mix with a heady fusion of fabulous food and complementary music in sophisticated settings.

Gay scene cornerstones Los Balcones, Antropology and Paco Paco have been joined by a hot new addition, the 2,500-capacity NYPV Bar New York where Cactus used to be. With VIP memberships, theme nights, special events, go-go dancers, a martini lounge and even its own magazine, its making raves. A popular first stop of the evening is the Palm Bar, featuring live entertainment ranging from drag shows to musical revues for both the gay and straight communities, the intimate Garbos piano bar just a block away