Lovely Puerto Vallarta  storybook town  that will charm you
Imagine walking on this beach at daybreak. Mismaloya is just south of the town of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay. Click on the right arrow pointing left for a Mismaloya animation. Going north from the town is the airport. Banderas Bay is the largest natural bay in all of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is called the Taxco by the sea due to it's colonial charm; cobblestone streets. Click on the left arrow pointing right to see more about Puerto Vallarta. There is even an 18 hole golf course designed by Joe Finger. He didn't lift a finger. Just said Hey Jorge get out your little shovel and make a hole here.
Banderas Bay offers over 100 miles of coastline ringed by mountains. There are stretches of beaches both to the north and south of town.

Vallarta's Sea Horse on the maleconIF you ask someone local directions how to get to this Puerto Vallarta landmark, remember it's the sea horse on the malecon don't say 'I'm looking for the maricon'. Vallarta was relatively isolated until 1969. Then the first paved highway gave it access to the rest of Mexico. The Sea Horse is a downtown landmark. The six-lane boulevard Avenida de las Palmas connects the airport with downtown. On this stretch of beach is the hotel zone.
Abundant shops adorn this malecon area. When I took the photo to the right there was only the sea horse and its rider. Now many sculptures are on the malecon.

Cathedral in downtown Puerto Vallarta
The charm of Puerto Vallarta is that it is far removed from the 21st Century in so many ways.
Isla del Rio Cuale is a five acre island which divides the city. The eastern end of the island has a great vista of the canyons and mountains in the background. Puerto Vallarta is a photographer's dream.
The island is full of small shops selling arts and crafts. On the ocean side of the island is a small museum with a collection of archeological artifacts from pre-Hispanic tombs in Jalisco.

Nightlife centers around the hotels; most have good lobby bars. Guests and locals linger all evening chatting with other friendly people.
In town you can dance and party until dawn in classy night clubs or laser-lit discos.
So wether you do Hard Rock Cafe or La Pachanga or Zoo or Friday Lopez or Carlos O'Brien's party; party; party.

countryside surrounding Puerto VallartaTook this photo in a rented car just out of town. In this beautiful countryside you can horseback ride along the shore or on the country trails.
Going south from the town and hotel zone is Los Arcos and Mismaloya; then bohemian Yelapa. Yelapa a Polyenisan-style village is a picturesque cove surrounded by mountains. A ride up the mountain brings you to a 150 foot waterfall. At night there are moon-lit bonfires attended by most of the locals. You're welcome of course!

The waters of Puerto Vallarta are ranked with the best in the world for both deep-sea and game fishing. November through May os sailfish season.

cobblestone Puerto Vallarta streetsThe narrow streets of Puerto Vallarta are enchanting but trying to find a parking place downtown on weekends and vacation time is problamatic. So best use that rented car to explore Banderas Bay or north to Nuevo Vallarta.
Las Iguanas Festival Center in Marina Vallarta is Vallarta's two-story shopping center with waterfalls; cascading pools; open courtyard. Bazar las Margaritas at Juarez 512 houses an art gallery and fine stores. Villa Vallarta in front of Plaza las Glorias has many shops connected by walkways. A more typical market is the Central Market located downtown between the two bridges. Pueblo Viejo is a Mexican village setting downtown next to the river. Want Macy's in Puerto Vallarto? Then try Lans located on Juarez 867.

Puerto Vallarta skyline ringed with mountains
  Mar Sereno   in the beautiful Mismaloya area of Puerto Vallarta on the beach
  Marlyn Hotel downtown   center of Puerto Vallarta
  Casa Iguana   two bedroom suites ocean view in the beautiful Mismaloya area of Puerto Vallarta
  Vallarta Palace all-inclusive Puerto Vallarta with Jacuzzi in every room
  Hotel Emperador economic beach hotel near downtown with kitchenettes
  on Tenacatita Bay Los Angeles Locos
  Tesoro Manzanillo in Manzanillo on La Audienca bay either all-inclusive or European plan
  Barcelo Ixtapa Beach in Ixtapa all-inclusive
  Barcelo La Jolla in Puerto Vallarta (Mismaloya)
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  What our past guests say    it's not just about price what about service
  See the center of Mexico in 3D   if you have red-blue glasses


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