Puerto Vallarta lies alongBanderas Bay, the second largest bay in theWestern Hemisphere. It is located 219 miles from Guadalajara, the state capital of Jalisco, and it is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range. The region has many forests, rivers and waterfalls, with an average temperature of 80° F.

Of its many attractions we recommend Playa Mismaloya, which gained fame after director John Huston filmed "The Night of the Iguana" (starring Ava Gardner and Richard Burton) there in 1963. This beach is a popular celebrity hangout. The impressive rock formations of Los Arcos emerge from the bay's crystalline waters, which are great for diving and discovering incredible underwater mountains and steeps. The city hall has murals painted by Manuel Lepe, and the Malecon is adorned with romantic bronze sculptures. What’s more, the streets of downtown offer shops and galleries that sell local paintings and sculptures of local artists. The city, known for its top-notch services, also has golf courses, boutiques and a marina, comprising of sail boats and yachts.

In Puerto Vallarta you can enjoy the exquisite regional cuisine of Jalisco that so many people have come to love, and the terraces of open-air restaurants. You can also watch cruise ships roll in as you take in an incredible sunset.

Because of that and so much more, Vallarta is the ideal place for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.You can also experience: Sailing, shopping, snorkel & scuba, spas, surfing and water sports.

Local Area Events:

March 1st Tuesday of the month: Carnival Day Party before Lent Period with masks. Kids parade along the streets.

April to May:Spring is for Seniors Senior Travelers are offered an extra special welcome to PVR during the spring months. The town puts together an extensive calendar of activities, concerts, events and excursions just for seniors. Many shops and restaurants offer discounts.

May 16th to 31st:Fiestas de Mayo: Visitors can celebrate spring with the local residents. It is a traditional fair, complete with games, attractions, livestock, displays, exhibits, food, drinks and entertainment. 

Jun 14th: Charro Day Mexican horsemen/women parade through town in the morning (beginning at 10am) wearing traditional charro outfits. Festivities continue throughout the day and evening at various charro rings. Celebrations include bullfights, calf roping, food and dancing.

September 16th: Independence Day The celebration from the night before continues with a parade through the "center of town".

June to December: Sea turtle Preservation months. Summer fun and family vacation times coincide with Puerto Vallarta's peak time for ecological preservation and protection. Turtle liberation ceremonies are held daily at participating hotel beaches.

December to April: Whale Watching If you are lucky to be in the area in the winter season, you can enjoy an excursion to view the Humpback whales in their winter home in Banderas Bay. Each year at these months, you can see these gentle giants breaching into the air as baby calves learn the way of their underwater world. The National Environmental Agency licenses local Eco-tour operators to assure respectful watching of these magnificent mammals.