What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?

The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.

Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?

Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city's beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.

Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?

Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views. The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot. Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.

What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?

Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area's natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.

Elizabeth Taylor And Puerto Vallarta

Quick facts

Born February 27, 1932. London, England
Died March 23, 2011. Los Angeles, USA
Spouses: Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Winding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton, John Warner, Larry Fortensky

Awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, 2000 New Year’s Honours List.
Her AIDS organization AMFAR raised $83 million in the 12 years following its creation in 1985.

Major film stars are never forgotten, we owe them countless hours of entertainment and amusement. Each character they manage to embody and that we admire, follow us throughout our own life.

Among the many famous personalities, you’ve probably heard many a time the name of one of Hollywood’s legends, Elizabeth Taylor, the Lady of the violet eyes and a true rival of Marilyn Monroe.

Born in England in 1932, she was brought to the US by her parents, seeking to escape the dangers of World War II. After settling down in Los Angeles, California, Francis Lenn Taylor, Elizabeth’s father decided to open an art gallery, which also was, among other things, a promotional space for the beauty of his daughter, whose eyes of unusual color were to captivate several talent scouts at the time.

Elizabeth Taylor 1963

Did not attend The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003) due to her opposition to the Iraq war.
1963: the highest-paid American business executive earned $650K & President J. F. Kennedy’s salary was $150K, she received at least $2.4 million.
1963: Andy Warhol’s portrait of her sold for $ 23,7 million at a Christie’s auction in NYC (14 November 2007).
Nominated to 6 Academy Awards, won two (Best Actress, BUtterfield 8 & “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”)

Her career took place mainly in the United States and along with Marilyn Monroe, were the two most important movie revelations in the 1950s and 60s. In 1999, she was named seventh “Greatest American Screen Legend” of the first hundred years of US movies, by the American Film Institute.

She was the muse of important directors like John Huston, Vincent Minnelli, and Richard Brooks and shared the stage with luminaries such as Tracy Spencer, Richard Burton, Rock Hudson, Montgomery Clift and James Dean.

The description above is simply a summary of her career as a Hollywood star, shortened into a few paragraphs, something we can experience through her movies. However, we can scarcely remember (only through reviews and stories written by others), her life away from the cameras.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton

Her personal life was as intense, passionate and dramatic as any of her movie characters. Her engagement in charitable work, her support in the fight against HIV and AIDS and her participation as proclaimed Zionist, even her scandalous, but passionate love life, including her eight marriages, of which a highlight is her relationship with Richard Burton, all attest to her passion for life and love.

Tidbits of this era were scattered by the world press in search of the best headlines of the moment. But it was never fully experienced as it was in a small coastal town of Jalisco in Mexico, that had the pleasure of closely savoring a very significant moment for the actress and having them live there at a time when they were known for their itinerant lifestyle.

Elizabeth Taylor & Burton

Elizabeth Taylor has a special place in the memories of the Mexican people, especially the town of Puerto Vallarta that would witness her romance with Burton.

Her affair with the actor was the juiciest gossip of the moment in the media. The controversy stemmed from the fact that both were actually married when they started their affair. Elizabeth was married to Eddie Fisher, also a scandalous relationship right from the start, as he was the former partner of one of her best friends. Burton meanwhile was married to Sybil Williams, actress and mother of two of his three children.

Sergio Toledano, Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor

Adding to this, was the fact that Elizabeth was at the peak of her acting career, she had just starred in the mega-production “Cleopatra” (1963), which was precisely where she met Richard Burton.

She is very well remembered for that interpretation and mainly for her million-dollar salary, which was the largest amount any actress had received up until then (equivalent to some 10 million dollars of today).

Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra, 1963

Although the actress arrived in Puerto Vallarta, in 1963, solely to accompany her lover, Richard Burton, (and “protecting” him from Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr and Sue Lyon, knowing full well that Richard was what you would nowadays call a sex-addict) while he interpreted the defrocked Shannon in the starring role of the movie “The Night of the Iguana”, directed by John Huston. She was delighted with the place, just like the rest, and chose to stay here for a much longer period (her last trip to PV was in 1989).

Liz Taylor

Puerto Vallarta was in the eye of the hurricane, the media were attracted like bees to the honey, by the story, the actors and Hollywood elite, there was nothing sweeter for a reporter at that point in time. Their relationship is strongly linked to this town, where there still is evidence of their time together.

Zaragoza Street with the Love Bridge from Taylor’s house (left) to Burton’s residence on the right.

We can, for example, still find the residence (what’s left of it) where they lived for many years (Taylor sold it in 1990), which consists of two houses connected by a bridge over the cobblestone street, sometimes called the bridge of love and sometimes the bridge of hatred, due to the ups and downs, fights and reconciliations of the couple.

For history fans, the mere mention of Casa Kimberley, the name that was given to the couple’s residence there, is synonymous with passion and movie history. This place is capable of teleporting visitors to the 1960s, years when love blossomed for these movie legends and was the starting shot for the metamorphosis Puerto Vallarta went through later on to provide the best options for those tourists attracted by the famous love story.

Elizabeth Taylor, George Hamilton, Nelly Wulff, Luis I. Wulff & Lalo Amador (1986 Las Palomas Restaurant) Photo: Arturo Pasos Muñoz

However, much of the general public largely despised (or was envious of) the ups and downs of the relationship between Taylor and Burton, some labeling them as perverts, even some of the PV locals, who were much more conservative at the time.

Here’s a list of four other reasons, we will remember Elizabeth Taylor:

She’s the person that gave Michael Jackson the nickname “King of Pop”.
Voice of Maggie Simpson: fans will certainly remember an episode called “Maggie’s first word” in which her voice was heard for the first time. Elizabeth Taylor lent her voice for that episode.
Elizabeth Taylor Eyes: If anyone ever talks about purple eyes, you will always find references to Elizabeth Taylor. The myth of her eyes is still up for debate today.
A third part of the trio of famous “discoverers” of paradise in Mexico, she kick-started a tourism avalanche just by her mere presence, along with John Huston and Richard Burton. They unwittingly helped the blossoming of Puerto Vallarta into a world tourist destination.

More interesting information:

FAQ

What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?

The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?

Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?

Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.

The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.

Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?

Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.