Puerto Vallarta is located on Mexican Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Jalisco, within the Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas), which is considered to be one of the most beautiful bays in the World and happens to also be one of the world’s largest bays, measuring 26 miles (42 km) from east to west and 20 miles (32 km) from north to south.
Read Magical Puerto Vallarta for a fan point-of-view about the city.
The northern limit of the bay is Punta Mita which is also considered the end of the Sierra de Vallejo mountains and in its southern limit, the bay ends at Cabo Corrientes, the end of the Sierra del Cuale mountain range.
Puerto Vallarta is the second-most visited tourist destination in Mexico, (only Cancun has more tourists), attracting over 2 million visiting tourists per year, and has served as a relaxing change and refuge for people looking for a place that is more than beautiful beaches, a place they can use as a reliable retirement location too, that's why it was voted the best place to retire in the world by the American Association of Retired Persons in 2010.
This may be the reason why there is a considerable number of expatriates mostly from U.S.A., Canada, and some European citizens living permanently in the city., another attractive is the great weather Vallarta.
Tropical-forested mountains and mineral-rich volcanic
slopes appear to literally rise from the sea and 100
miles of mountain-ringed golden coastline hugs the stunningly
beautiful Banderas Bay.
Bahía de Banderas is
the broadest and deepest natural bay in Mexico, the bay
teams with aquatic life and multiple species of dolphins, whales, manta rays and fish of all types and colors, that visitors could enjoy and even touch if they snorkel or scuba dive in the area.
Read more about Puerto Vallarta Biodiversity.
The
bay and Puerto Vallarta offers a cornucopia of amazing options to enjoy during your visit - not only beaches but also sparkling
sunshine and clear warm emerald blue waters that are ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving and
swimming.
Use our Vallarta webcam for views of the Bay and Puerto Vallarta.
Sleepy fishing villages that emulate Puerto Vallarta of old times - Punta
Mita, Sayulita, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Bucerías, Mismaloya,
Boca de Tomatlán and Yelapa are part of the scenery along the coastline both to the north and to the south of Vallarta. Even though Vallarta no longer is a small town, you can travel back in time when visiting these locations.
Nestled in verdant valleys and green lush mountains overlooking the bay, you can find many
idyllic colonial-era villages such as San Sebastián del Oeste, Mascota, Talpa and others, that invite travelers to enjoy yet
another facet of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and Mexico.
The inherent warmth
and friendliness of the locals have attracted a growing and active
expatriate community from U.S.A., Canada and countries in Europe. These in turn make foreign vacationers feel
right at home [Friendship club].
Keeping up with the changing times, Vallarta has adapted and improved with time, so now the needs of the demanding modern day tourist are met, these include luxury resorts
and hotels, all-inclusive options, spas and retreats, championship golf courses, top-notch shops and gourmet restaurants have
opened at rapid pace in recent years.
Despite the change Puerto Vallarta still maintains pockets of its quaint charm. In downtown Vallarta you'll find picturesque colonial and
whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets, red spanish tile roofs, and a lots of lush vegetation, both on the streets, the gardens and parks, help make Puerto Vallarta a totally different experience when comparing it to any other destination in Mexico and around the world.
The architecture
mirrors the colonial facades with brickwork and flowering
plants.
The beauty and charm of Puerto Vallarta is, as always, represented by the landmark Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Built in
1951, located in the picturesque main plaza.
The church's red brick bell tower is topped with a crown based on the one worn by Mexico’s XVIII Century Empress Carlota.
Hundreds of flights per week arrive in Puerto Vallarta's International Airport (PVR) from airports throughout the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico. A total of 2,735,300 passengers made their way though the gates of Aeropuerto Internacional Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz during 2010.
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