The magical, tropical paradise of Puerto Vallarta lies nestled where the jungle meets the ocean on the beautiful Mexican coastline. Mountain streams, beautiful white sand beaches and incredible vistas open onto the deep azure Bay of Flags. The bay itself is believed, by geologists, to be the result of a huge sunken volcano.
Once a sleepy little fishing village on the Mexican Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta was launched into the spotlight in the early 1960's during the filming of the motion picture "The Night of the Iguana." This tropical paradise has become one of the most popular resort destinations in the world. It is home to a population of nearly 300,000 people and hosts nearly three million visitors each year. Though the city's popularity as a resort destination has exploded in the last 40 years, the quaintness and charm of the original city still shine through.
Because Puerto Vallarta has been so heavily developed for tourism, one could essentially stay within the confines of the resort you are most likely considering as a destination. To do so would be like going on a lovely tropical cruise and never leaving the ship. The activities to engage in are numerous, the food sumptuous and the people of Puerto Vallarta and its surrounding communities are among some of the most gracious and friendly in the world.
Our intent for this site is to peak your interest - to explore Puerto Vallarta and it’s surrounding communities in ways that you would not normally explore as a tourist (at least under most circumstances). We hope to create enough interest in you to cause you to take action! Beware - if you follow our advice, you may never want to leave! We also hope you will find the tips that we included helpful when dealing with everyday living in Puerto Vallarta. We have had incredible experiences with the persons that are mentioned. Each of these individuals has consented to appearing within these pages. They are our friends – old and new. Many are street vendors trying to earn a living for their families. If you see them in your travels, tell them “hola” for us – and make sure that you tip them well. They can make your stay go from good to WOW!
Activities are abundant. You can hike, bike, camp, swim, snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, fish, sun bathe, shop, eat, dance, tour, drink, boat, surf and parasail – and that is just the beginning. The area is rich with history and boasts an average of 300 sunny days per year! So what are you waiting for; get out and enjoy life to the fullest in this tropical paradise – Puerto Vallarta!