|
 Puerto
Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful
city in Mexico but one with a slim history.
Each year, more than 2.5 million people visit the
city where they soak up the sun and spend time on the beach.
The tourist invasion of Puerto Vallarta began when
the Sanchez family found themselves at the Rio Cuale
sometime in 1851. Prior
to that time, this part of the world was simply known as a
paradise for the natives.
From what history tells us,
during the 16th century the Spanish arrived on
the island, a place where they could restock supplies.
However, as they made their way onto the island, they
were mesmerized not just by the abundance of wood, water,
and food but at the sheltered harbor that Puerto Vallarta
offered. During
their trips to the current day Puerto Vallarta, they
considered establishing a colony there but for some reason,
never did.
After the Sanchez family’s
visit and as word leaked out about Puerto Vallarta, others
came to include fishermen and farmers.
Then within a 35-year span, the first official town
called Las Penas was built.
However, in 1918, the name of the town was changed to
reflect the name of the former state governor, Ignacio Luis
Vallarta and the port, called Puertol in Spanish, thus
“Puerto Vallarta.”
The full domestication of the
city did not begin until 1954 when it suddenly became known
as “the” destination choice of Mexico.
To accommodate the demand of incoming tourists, a
number of inaugurated flights were offered down a dusty
runway. The
second turn for Puerto Vallarta’s tourist industry came 10
years later when director John Huston shot the film “The
Night of the Iguana” in the nearby cove.
By 1963, the population had grown to 2,000.
After the movie, the
international press got their hands on the story and more
and more people began to roll into this romantic oasis only
to discover that the rumor of its beauty was real.
One celebrity after another started visiting Puerto
Vallarta, making this a Hollywood Haven. With the growing number of tourists, the natives pushed to
have this area officially deemed a Mexico “city”.
With this came new highways, a new international
airport, and by 1980, a population reaching more than
100,000.
Today, Puerto Vallarta is one
of the premier tourist destinations for people who love fun
in the sun. The beaches are beautiful and clean, the water crystal blue,
and the sun warm and bright.
Because of its popularity, you will also find an
exciting nightlife, all types of water sports, and a wide
array of activities offered throughout the city.
Stretching along the central
Pacific coast, today Puerto Vallarta is the home to some
350,000 people. To
the north of the city you will discover the Plaza de Armas,
which is a charming area designed with cobblestone streets. However, in recent years, luxurious hotels have been erected
and with that, non-stop celebrations.
Then around Juarez and Morelos, the two main
thoroughfares, is the shoreline of Malecon, with is a
wonderful promenade dotted with nightclubs, shops, and
restaurants.
To the south of the city, you
will find numerous hotels and restaurants but the larger
section of accommodations and eateries can be found in Zona
Hotelers, which is situated north of the center.
To the north of the downtown area is the airport
along with the main bus station but to the south a little
ways, a number of other transportation resources.
In fact, in this area is where you will see the
largest yachting marina in all of Mexico, boasting more than
450 ships.
The downtown area is a unique
blend of beaches with fine cafes and modern hotels mingled
with old, red-roofed adobe homes and cobblestone streets.
The Plaza Principal is a great place to visit where
you will find the Templo de Guadalupe, an impressive
landmark cathedral built in 1951.
Then just across the square is a fantastic
amphitheatre on the bay.
To the north is again the Malecon, which is a long
walkway by the ocean that features a massive seahorse
statue, among drinking dens, cigar bars, and cafes.
A quaint, five-mile island
littered with great shops and restaurants is called Isla
Cuale. There,
you will be able to shop for many of the handicrafts made by
the Mexican people while bargaining for prices.
Then just to the north of Rio Cuale is a 150-stall
market known as Mercdo Municipal, offering just about
anything you want. For
a quiet afternoon, you might spend time at the botanical
garden or visit Museo del Cuale where you will discover a
number of pre-Hispanic archaeological artifacts that were
unearthed from opened tombs.
Back in Puerto Vallarta, you
can spend an afternoon browsing the many art galleries, most
with a strong contemporary Latin American influence.
However, the beaches are what draw most people to
Puerto Vallarta and for good reason.
One of the most popular is Playa Olas Atlas, which
translates to “Beach of the Big Waves”, a surfer’s
paradise.
Now, if you want a little
adventure, then you might take a trip off the beaten track.
For instance, the small laidback town of Sayulita is
a great place for people who love to surf.
Although this town was once a heavy tourist
attraction, it has become more unobtrusive. This is a real shame because you can rent bikes or surfboards
and spend a day just having a great time outdoors.
In fact, you can go snorkeling, scuba diving,
horseback riding, and even kayaking but the exotic jungle
that runs long the coastline is a must see.
Then, if you take a two-hour
cruise from Puerto Vallarta heading south, you can visit the
shore of Bahia de Banderas.
The cove of Yelapa is small but the sand as white as
snow. The shore
is dotted here and there with thatch roof restaurants known
as Palapa and just a short boat ride away, take a trip to
Ouimixto where there is a stunning waterfall.
However, if making the trip to Bahia de Banderas, you
need to see Playa de las Animas, which translates to
“Beach of the Spirits.”
Without doubt, this is the most beautiful beach in
the entire area.
For people who are not big
beach lovers but want to experience the beauty of Puerto
Vallarta, there are many excellent places to hike or perhaps
you could enjoy a challenging game of tennis or golf.
Regardless of your choice of activity, you will find
Puerto Vallarta to be a charming place where the people are
hospitable, the food amazing, and the scenery just
beautiful.
|
