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Puerto Vallarta

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The western coast of Mexico is dominated by the City of Puerto Vallarta; covering a total area of just over 502 square miles and with a population of 220,368 inhabitants or 'Vallartense'. This extremely well developed and bustling coastal city lies right in the heart of Banderas bay, looking out to the North Pacific Ocean.

Puerto Vallarta is in the northernmost region of the state of Jalisco, bordered by the municipalities of Mascota, San Sebastian, Talpa de Allende and Cabo Corriente. The city's economy is split into two distinct sectors with 50% of inhabitants working in agriculture, commerce and industry and the other 50% working in tourism related areas such as accommodation, restaurants, cafés and transport. Puerto Vallarta's atmosphere changes from season to season as the large numbers of tourists who enjoy the nightlife rise and fall. Numbers are at their highest around the time of the USA's 'Spring Break', and over the past decade a great number of gay venues (bars and nightclubs) have opened in the city.

Because Puerto Vallarta is bordered by so many popular municipalities and has direct access to the sea, its transportation links were very well developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s to build up the tourism industry. Now Puerto Vallarta is served with highways and an airport. With a huge built-up area offering top class restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs as well as beautiful beaches looking out onto the sea and pre-Hispanic architecture, there's a little something for everyone in the western Mexican city of Puerto Vallarta.

Areas

The Malecon

This area is a boardwalk which stretches from the north of the city to the south, offering cafés, restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and general amenities to its visitors and locals alike. The Malecon is where visitors go to meet new people and enjoy the bustling city to its full extent.

Banderas Bay

Mexico is a beautifully warm country and if you're visiting Puerto Vallarta then you should definitely take advantage of the climate on the beaches of the bay. The sands are deliciously soft and golden and the seas certainly warm enough to swim in day in and day out.

Zona Romantica

Sometimes the hustle and bustle of the incredibly well established tourism industry in Puerto Vallarta can get a bit much. If you want to get away from it all then catch a bus down to Old Town Vallarta or 'Zona Romantica' and visit the more traditional Mexican village part of this city.

Weather

While the highest temperatures (32ºC) are experienced during July and August, this is also when the heavy rains start. Therefore, if you struggle with either high temperatures or heavy rain then we suggest you travel to Puerto Vallarta form May to early July before they start. Late holidays from October to November can also be enjoyable when the rains have stopped and the daytime temperature cools to around 29ºC.

Average Temperatures

F/C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
F	71	71	72	74	77	82	83	83	83	82	77	73
C	22	22	22	23	25	28	28	28	28	28	25	23

Getting There

By Plane

The Gustavo Diaz Ordaz airport (PVR) is located to the north of Puerto Vallarta, in between the city and Nuevo Vallarta and there are flights from all the major airlines which come here. Once you've navigated through the timeshare salesman who often try and rope in passengers who've just disembarked (be brutal and just say no!) then you can either catch a taxi to your destination or catch the 'Centro' bus to other areas in the city.

By Car

If you're driving from America or another area in Mexico then getting to Puerto Vallarta is quite easy, with the recently built motorways. Please remember that you may need to pay a toll on some of these roads.

Getting Around

By Bus

Just north of the airport is Puerto Vallarta's main bus station. Services go from there to the main city center and down to the romantic end of the city which a lot of tourists don't actually know about. Traveling around Puerto Vallarta by bus is an incredibly cheap way to get around as every journey (no matter how long you stay on the bus) costs around 5 pesos, which works out at 25 pence, or 50 cents!

By Taxi

Getting around Puerto Vallarta by taxi can be a particularly rewarding experience as the drivers know their way around the city so well and know of all the best attractions and best kept secrets. They may drive a little fast but fares usually cost just 50-100 pesos which is also negotiable. Using taxis also means that you needn't spend time trying to find somewhere to park, or have to learn the rules of driving in a new country.

Sights & Activities

Banderas Bay

Nestled in between the cliffs and hills are the golden sands of Banderas bay where both locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy the sun and sea. Banderas bay makes for a traditional beach day out for the family and there is a great opportunity available to explore around the hills where papaya and mango trees are growing amongst the picturesque rivers and streams.

Tours

Why not choose to see Puerto Vallarta from above? There are several organized tours taking visitors over the city's canopy, through the lush vegetation on horseback or over the calm waters of the North Pacific in a yacht, classic sailboat or even a Pirate ship. The Puerto Vallarta tours are well worth going on if you've come with family as they offer a lot of options aimed towards children.

Dolphin Discovery Sea Life Park

Swimming with Dolphins is something truly special that many of us aspire to experience in our lifetime. The Sea Life Park in Puerto Vallarta offers its guests the opportunity to do just that, as well as watching Sea Lion shows and extensive water park rides and slides.

Nightlife

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its bars, clubs and venues with live music. Some of the best of these can be found in the downtown part of the city, and include venues such as Senor Frogs, Planet Hollywood and La Dolce Vita.

The Malecon and Old Town also offer a great range of places to eat, drink and be merry so it's work asking around or simply exploring to find the best places to suit your group. Venues range from quiet sultry piano bars to extravagant and wild gay nightclubs so look around!