Puerto Vallarta

Puerto VallartaPuerto Vallarta is

located in Mexico, in the state of Jalisco.

There is about 200,000 people that live there.

The language mostly spoken in Puerto Vallarta is Spanish (the other language is English).

Puerto Vallarta was founded in 1851 by Don Guadalupe Sanchez.

He first named it Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe.

The name changed into Puerto de Las Peñas, and was changed into Puerto Vallarta in 1918, after the governor of the state, Ignacio Luis Vallarta.

History

Festival of “Our Lady Guadalupe”

Every year, from December 1st to December 12th, the streets of Mexico are filled with excitement as they celebrate the Festival of Our Lady Guadalupe.

It marks the anniversary of the founding of Puerto Vallarta.

There are fireworks, folk dance groups that perform, plus there are songs, food and lots and lots of different activities that go through the night.

Old Town VallartaOld Town Vallarta holds

the “Old Town Walk”, which is held once a week from October to April.

The Old Town Walk has 15 galleries to visit.

Old Town Vallarta holds the famous cathedral “Our Lady of Guadalupe”.

Also, this area of Puerto Vallarta has many restaurants that you can visit.

Downtown Vallarta

Downtown Vallarta is located in the Old Vallarta.

In Downtown Vallarta, you can find the famous boardwalk, Malećon.

A block away from the main square, you can find the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, a cathedral which has a crown-topped bell tower.

The southern part of Downtown Vallarta has the Cuale River.

In that area, you can find the statue of John Huston and the Cuale Museum.

Activities

There are many activities that you can do in Puerto Vallarta.

Some activities that you can do are: scuba-diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, kayaking, fishing…etc.

And yes, you can go whale-watching (November to March) and swim with dolphins, too.

Beaches

In Puerto Vallarta, there are around 40 different beaches.

Each beach has loads of people, hotels, cafés, and sunbathing spots.

The north beaches are less crowded than the beaches in the south.

The north beaches are usually better for surfing.

The beaches in the south are more crowded but are better for swimming and snorkeling.

The busiest and most popular beach in Puerto Vallarta is Playa de Los Muertos, which is good for various water sports.

The Mis aloya beach (which was used in the movie The Night of the Iguana) is good for snorkeling.

The Islas Marieta is preferred for snorkeling and diving. There are many sea-animals (giant manta rays, humpback whales and sea turtles).

The Different Beaches

There are many ways to get around Puerto Vallarta.

You could take a cab, which doesn’t cost a lot. To go a couple miles, it shouldn’t cost more than 20 or 30 pesos ($2 or $3).

If you happen to take a cab to go to a restaurant, do not go somewhere that the cab driver suggests, because that place will most likely be a restaurant that the driver gets some commission from.

Cabs are a good way to get around, just remember to ask what the price will be before you get inside.

Transportation- Cabs

Transportation- Buses You can also get around Puerto

Vallarta by taking buses. There are different types of

buses you should take, depending on where you are going.

The buses marked Centro are the buses that go downtown and to Olas Altas (another part of Puerto Vallarta).

Buses marked Tunnel take the bypass to Olas Altas to avoid downtown Puerto Vallarta.

The buses that go to the airport are marked Ixtapa, Juntas, or Las Palmas.

To go anywhere in town, the current bus fare is about 4 pesos ($0.35)