During the first part of the XIX Century, the basin of the Cuale River, had no people inhabiting its shores but crocodiles. Between the rugged mountain range, the ocean and the powerful Ameca River, this beautiful site remained isolated from the rest of the World. Most of the economical activities of the time were in the mountains. Towns like Cuale, San Sebastian and Mascota had abundances of silver mines, but lack the salt, an essential element in the processing of metal.

Today, Puerto Vallarta Visitors can enjoy a beautiful view up in any of the hills that surround the town. Puerto Vallarta is located in the Pacific Coast, in one of the biggest bays in the World (member of the club “Des Bales Plus Belles de Monde”). The Bandera’s Bay is 42 kilometers long from north to South. The northern limits of the Bay, rest in Punta de Mita, where the Vallejo mountain range ends, and to the south, the Bay ends in Cabo Corrientes, part of the hills of the Cuale mountain range.

River Cuale Island in mid XX Century

Unlike Cancun, Ixtapa or Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta became a destination, in a some how accidental manner. Nobody ever proponed to place Puerto Vallarta on the tourist maps, at least, not in the first years. Today, the primeval charms of long ago have been replaced with multi million dollars investments, and a fierce sense of competition. The World is getting smaller, and travel to places once inaccessible by distance, is now a common practice. Even though Puerto Vallarta is now compared to Bali, New Zealand or Ibiza, it keeps, its own and unique identity.

The natural beauty of the Bandera’s Bay, with its deep Waters (hot or refreshing depending on the season), maintains an intensively Rich bio-diversity. You can admire lagoons and birds all year long, while whales and dolphins play on the bay shores.

There’s fish to make ceviche, or to grill; International tournament worthy swordfish, and beautiful and colorful fish that can be admired while scuba diving under the bay. In the hills, the tropical forest welcomes motorcycle, horse or mountain bike riders.

Crossing streams or just freshening up in the gutters created by their falls, all explorers learn to distinguish fig trees from parrots and amapas. During the summer months, on the Beach at nightfall, sea turtle lay their eggs. The Bandera’s Bay is definitely a wonder and a strong attraction for the tourist. These resources have earned the bay a membership in the “Club des Bales plus Belles de Monde” (The Most Beautiful Bays of the World’s Club). This Club’s purpose is to promote the bays that are exceptionally valuable. People have notice little by little, the great value of our surroundings and have embarqued on a quest to keep this paradise intact.

Things started to change after the first plane Landed on 1931, from then on, Puerto Vallarta had Hotels that go from small and cheap Posadas, to the magnificent luxury Hotels. Important Airlines National and International provide services that connect Vallarta with the principal cities in the USA and Europe. Luxury Cruises come to shore on daily basis and a great highway connects the town to Tepic, Guadalajara and the rest of the country. Puerto Vallarta offers a great variety of activities and places to see, but there are also great escapes in the near by towns, to visit for two days or over the weekend. This escapes, are great if you visit the town often or live here and want to experience something new. You can travel by car, bus, boat or plain, and the accommodations are great for every Budget.

Around Puerto Vallarta, just a few minutes away from downtown, there are areas of great natural beauty easily accessed, ideal for a hiking trip or a picnic. Some areas have their own Hotels where people can feel away from the busy World for a few days. Some of the favorite destinations are Bucerias, Mismaloya, Quimixto and Yelapa; you can access most of these places by boat, although they have become an extension of Puerto Vallarta. Real State Agents, have to now be aware of what is going on in places like Boca de Tomatlan and San Pancho. It’s not just Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For some time now, we have referred to this area as Vallarta Coast.

To go shopping and to walk around, downtown Puerto Vallarta can’t be compared with anything else in the World. We have the Malecon that is one of the best walks in Mexico, with restaurants, night clubs and upscale stores. There is also a Artist Market. You can also find here the Guadalupe Church, the “Los Arcos” amphitheater, as well as various sculptures. In the middle of these, there is the Rio Cuale Island, a picturesque setting with great shopping and restaurants. At the Marina, you can find a lot of Hotels as well as over 100 boutiques that will cater to just about any taste.

Marina Vallarta is the Sports port in Vallarta and the most sophisticated in the country, as well as one of the most popular. There is an 18 hole golf course, a marina with 450 accesses, an aquatic park and tons of 5 star Hotels. You can here scuba dive, or just go mailing if you like.

Today Puerto Vallarta has a very important place among other touristic places in the World, and it is the place “Where Mexico becomes alive”, come and see it for yourself, we will welcome you with open arms.