Welcome to our Puerto Vallarta page. Please note that we have shown package prices in Canadian funds including air from Montreal, however, we can give you a quote from any departure city worldwide on request. Because of the large variance of rates from September 2004 to April 2005 we have shown the starting prices for each property. The exact price of your vacation will be determined by your date of departure, duration and date of booking. Rates can be higher or
lower than quoted here. You will always be quoted the best price offered by our travel wholesalers at the time of booking. "Hotel-Only" rates are always available on request.
Puerto Vallarta is 885km (553 miles) NW of Mexico City; 339km (212 miles) W of Guadalajara; 285km (178 miles) NW of Manzanillo; 447km (278 miles) SE of Mazatlán; 239km (149 miles) SW of Tepic
Banking
Banks are found throughout downtown and in the other prime shopping areas. Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, with shorter hours on Saturday. ATMs are common throughout Vallarta, including the central plaza downtown. They are becoming the most favorable way to exchange currency, with bank rates plus 24-hour
convenience. Money exchange houses (casas de cambio), located throughout town, offer longer hours than the banks with only slightly lower exchange rates.
Currency
The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso. Paper currency comes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 pesos. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 pesos, and 20 and 50 centavos (100 centavos = 1 peso). The current exchange rate for the U.S. dollar, and the one used in this book, is around 10 pesos; at that rate, an item that costs 10 pesos would
be equivalent to US$1.
Getting change is a problem. Small-denomination bills and coins are hard to come by, so start collecting them early in your trip. Shopkeepers everywhere always seem to be out of change and small bills; that's doubly true in markets.
Business Hours
In general, businesses in larger cities are open between 9am and 7pm; in smaller towns many close between 2 and 4pm. Most close on Sunday. In resort areas it is common to find stores open at least in the mornings on Sunday, and for shops to stay open late, often until 8pm or even 10pm. Bank hours are Monday through Friday from 9 or 9:30am to anywhere between 3 and 7 pm.
Increasingly, banks open on Saturday for at least a half-day.
Safety
Puerto Vallarta enjoys a very low crime rate. Public transportation is safe to use, and Tourist Police (dressed in white safari uniforms with white hats) are available to answer questions, give directions, and offer assistance. Most encounters with the police are linked to using or purchasing drugs -- so don't. Note: The
tourist police conduct random personal searches for drugs. Although there is some question about their right to do this, the best course of action if they want to frisk you is to comply -- objecting will likely result in a free tour of the local jail. However, you are within your rights to request the name of the officer. Report any unusual incidents to the local consular office.
Water
Most hotels have decanters or bottles of purified water in the rooms, and the better hotels have either purified water from regular taps or special taps marked agua purificada. Some hotels charge for in-room bottled water. Virtually any hotel, restaurant, or bar will bring you purified water if you specifically request it but will usually charge you for it. Drugstores and
grocery stores sell bottled purified water. Some popular brands are Santa Maria, Ciel, and Bonafont. Do not drink water at small establishments that would not have purified water. Request drinks without ice cubes unless you are sure they are made with purified water.
Electricity
The electrical system in Mexico is 110 volts AC (60 cycles), as in the United States and Canada. In reality, however, it may cycle more slowly and overheat your appliances. To compensate, select a medium or low speed on hair dryers. Many older hotels still have electrical outlets for flat two-prong plugs; you'll need an adapter for any plug with an enlarged end on one prong or
with three prongs. Many better hotels have three-hole outlets (trifasicos in Spanish). Those that don't may have loan adapters, but to be sure, it's always better to carry your own.
Drugstores
Farmacias (pharmacies) will sell you just about anything, with or without a prescription. Most pharmacies are open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm. The major resort areas generally have one or two 24-hour pharmacies. Pharmacies take turns staying open during off hours; if you are in a smaller town and need to buy medicine during off hours, ask for the farmacia de
turno.
Language
Spanish is the official language in Mexico. English is spoken and understood to some degree in most tourist areas. Mexicans are very accommodating with foreigners who try to speak Spanish, even in broken sentences.
Drug Use
It may sound obvious, but don't use or possess illegal drugs in Mexico. Mexican officials have no tolerance for drug users, and jail is their solution, with very little hope of getting out until the sentence (usually a long one) is completed or heavy fines or bribes are paid. Remember, in Mexico the legal system assumes you are guilty until proven innocent. Note: It
isn't uncommon to be befriended by a fellow user, only to be turned in by that "friend," who collects a bounty. Bring prescription drugs in their original containers. If possible, pack a copy of the original prescription with the generic name of the drug.
U.S. Customs officials are on the lookout for diet drugs that are sold in Mexico but illegal in the U.S. Possession could land you in a U.S. jail. If you buy antibiotics over the counter (which you can do in Mexico) and still have some left, U.S. or Canadian Customs probably won't hassle you.
Time
Central time prevails throughout most of Mexico. The states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and parts of Nayarit are on Mountain time. The state of Baja California Norte is on Pacific time, but Baja California Sur is on Mountain time. All of Mexico observes daylight saving time.
Nightlife
The newest and most sophisticated lounge in Vallarta is the sleek Bianco. It has a long glass-top bar and cozy seating areas where conversation is possible. This is the spot -- finally -- for anyone over 30 who wants to enjoy an evening out, listening to contemporary music. The air-conditioned lounge also features occasional live music.
You can't miss the dramatic entrance, and the lounge even has valet parking -- a first in Vallarta. Open daily from 5pm to 4am.
Weather
It's warm all year, with tropical temperatures; however, evenings and early mornings in the winter can turn quite cool. Summers are sunny, with an increase in humidity during the rainy season, between May and October. Rains come almost every afternoon in June and July, and are usually brief but strong -- just enough to cool
off the air for evening activities. In September, heat and humidity are least comfortable and rains heaviest.
Grand Voyager recommends the Frommer guides which are updated every year. Frommer's Mexico features gorgeous full-color photos of the white-sand beaches, mysterious ruins, and colorful market towns that await you. The authors have lived in and written about Mexico for years, so they're able to
provide valuable insights and advice. Let them take you to exciting cities, charming colonial towns, lovely beach resorts, ancient ruins, traditional Maya villages, and natural wonders, from the Copper Canyon to the whale migration off Baja. Also included are accurate regional and town maps (including site plans of the major ruins), a free color fold-out map, and an online directory for easy trip-planning.
The Pacific coast of Mexico is known for palm-studded jungles that sweep down to meet the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. It's a spectacular backdrop for three modern resort cities and the coastal villages that border this stretch of coastline, from Mazatlán through Puerto Vallarta and curving down to Manzanillo. Collectively, it's known as the Mexican Riviera. Modern hotels, easy air access, and a
growing array of activities and adventure tourism attractions have transformed this region into one of the country's premier resort areas.
Puerto Vallarta is a favorite part of this colorful country, for its unrivaled combination of simple pleasures and sophisticated charms. No other place in Mexico offers both the best of the country's natural beauty and an authentic dose of its vibrant culture. Puerto Vallarta, with its traditional Mexican architecture and gold-sand beaches bordered by jungle-covered mountains, is the second most visited resort in Mexico (trailing only Cancun). Vallarta maintains a small-town charm despite
boasting sophisticated hotels, great restaurants, a thriving arts community, active nightlife, and a growing variety of ecotourism attractions.
Puerto Vallarta's seductive innocence captivates visitors, beckoning them to return -- and to bring friends. Beyond the cobblestone streets, graceful cathedral, and welcoming atmosphere, Puerto Vallarta offers a wealth of natural beauty and man-made pleasures.
Ecotourism activities are gaining ground -- from mountain biking the Sierra foothills to whale-watching, ocean kayaking, and diving with giant mantas in Banderas Bay. Forty-two kilometers (26 miles) of beaches, many in pristine coves accessible only by boat, extend around the bay. High in the Sierra Madre Mountains, the mystical Huichol Indians still live in relative isolation in an effort to protect their centuries-old culture from outside influences.
The town also offers hotels of all classes and prices, over 250 restaurants, a sizzling nightlife, and enough shops and galleries to tempt even jaded consumers. Mazatlan may be the greatest resort value in Mexico, luring visitors with its exceptional fishing, its historic downtown, and the recent addition of championship golf facilities.
Vallarta was never the "sleepy little fishing village" that many proclaim. It began life as a port for processing silver brought down from mines in the Sierra Madre -- then was forever transformed by a movie director and two star-crossed lovers. In 1963, John Huston brought stars Ava Gardner and Richard Burton here to film the Tennessee Williams play Night of the Iguana. Burton's new love, Elizabeth Taylor, came along to ensure the romance remained in full bloom -- even though both were
married to others at the time. Titillated, the international paparazzi arrived, and when they weren't shooting photos of the famous couple -- or of Gardner water-skiing back from the set, surrounded by a bevy of beach boys -- they photographed the beauty of Puerto Vallarta.
Luxury hotels and shopping centers have sprung up north and south of the original town, allowing Vallarta to grow into a city of 250,000 without sacrificing its considerable charms. It boasts the services and infrastructure of a modern city as well as the authenticity of a colonial Mexican village.
Cool breezes flow down from the mountains along the Río Cuale, which runs through the center of town. Fanciful public sculptures grace the main waterfront street, or malecón, which is bordered by lively restaurants, shops, and bars. The malecón is a magnet for both residents and visitors, who stroll the broad walkway to take in an ocean breeze, a multihued sunset, or a moonlit, perfect wave. There's a considerable colony of American, Canadian, and European residents. Perhaps they
feel that the surrounding mountains offer the equivalent of a continual, comforting embrace, adding to that sense of welcome that so many visitors feel as well.
Puerto Vallarta's stellar attraction is its amazing beaches: crescents of golden sand fringed with palms along the hotel zone; endless stretches of gloriously unpopulated beaches to the north; and soft creamy beaches on craggy coves to the south. Olas Altas and Los Muertos are closest to downtown. The following beaches are listed in order
from the southern part of the bay to the north.
Bucerías. When PV swells with tourists, local families head to the less populated beaches at the north end of Bahía de Banderas in Nayarit State. Twelve kilometers (7 mi) north of Nuevo Vallarta are the sands of the simple town of Bucerías, where a loyal flock of snowbirds has encouraged the growth of small hotels and restaurants. Beyond Bucerías are long stretches of deserted
beach around La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and La Manzanilla, where kids play in the shallow waters while their parents sip cold drinks. Destiladeras is a long, semirocky beach with good surf.
Punta de Mita. West of the town of Bucerías and its beach, Punta de Mita is home to the posh Four Seasons and the boutique resort Casa Las Brisas. The former fishing enclave has a blue bay that's nice for swimming; around the bend are waves for surfing. This is a prime spot for viewing a sunset; in winter, whales come here to mate and give birth. Scuba divers like the fairly clear waters and abundance of fish and coral on the bay side of the Isla
Marietas, about a half hour offshore. Heading north, the coast road leads to the popular beach at El Anclote, with simple restaurants.
Sayulita. Steadily gaining popularity is Sayulita, which is above the Punta de Mita and El Anclote beaches and about 45 minutes north of PV on Carretera 200. Some say it's like PV was 40 years ago. In addition to hotels and restaurants, Sayulita has excellent surfing and heavenly beaches. Fifteen minutes farther north is San Francisco, unofficially known as San Pancho, with modest rental bungalows and eateries, a 1½-km-long (1-mi-long) barely
developed stretch of sand, and more great surfing spots. A half hour beyond San Francisco, the pretty beach at Lo de Marco is also popular with surfers.
Playa los Muertos. Long ago, Playa los Muertos was the site of a battle between pirates and Indians, hence the name, which means "Beach of the Dead." It begins just south of the Río Cuale ends at a rocky point called El Púlpito (another beach, Olas Altas, is north of the Río Cuale). The area around it is now promoted as the Zona Romántica, but most people still call it Los Muertos. Strolling vendors selling lace tablecloths, kites, and jewelry are
almost as abundant as sunbathers. Beach toys for rent include everything from rubber inner tubes to Windsurfers. Walking up the steps (more than 100) at the east end of Calle Púlpito leads to a lookout with a great view of the beach and the bay.
Las Animas. This large beach south Boca de Tomatlán appeals to families and is full on weekends and holidays. Simple seafood eateries line the sand, and you can also rent Jet Skis, ride a banana boat, or soar up into the sky on a colorful parachute.
Boca de Tomatlan. At the mouth of the Rio Tomatlán and about 17 km (10½ mi) south of PV are this small village and its rocky cove. Water taxis leave from Boca to Los Arcos, an offshore rock formation popular with skin and scuba divers, and the more secluded beaches of Playa las Ánimas and Yelapa, still farther south. Just south of Boca is Chico's Paradise, and a bit farther on, Las Orquidias. Both are riverfront restaurants where you can swim in
clear river pools.
Majahuitas. With no bathrooms or services for the average Joe, lovely Majahuitas -- between the beaches of Quimixto and Yelapa -- is the playground of those on day tours and guests of the exclusive Majahuitas Resort. Palm trees shade the white sand beach, and the water is crystal clear.
Mismaloya. Playa Mismaloya is the once-pristine cove where the movie was made. Offshore is Los Arcos, a protected rock formation great for snorkeling and diving. Major hotels such as Camino Real and La Jolla de Mismaloya have plopped down on some of the primo spots, meaning that you can avail yourself of the hotel services while enjoying the public beaches.
Quimixto. Between the sandy stretches of Las Ánimas and Majahuitas is rocky Quimixto, whose calm, clear waters attract boatloads of snorkelers. These daytrippers also love the 25-minute horse ride or slightly longer walk to a large, clear pool under a waterfall -- perfect for a dip.
Yelapa. The secluded fishing village and beach of Yelapa is about an hour southeast of downtown. Seafood shanties edge the sand, and parasailors float high above it all. From here, you can hike 20 minutes into the jungle to see a small waterfall (often dry in winter). Take a day excursion from Marina Vallarta's cruise-ship terminal; you can also hire a motor launch from Boca de Tomatlán. Less expensive water taxis depart from the pier at Los Muertos
at 10:30 and 11 AM for Yelapa and return to pick you up at 3 or 4 PM.
Art Along the Malecon--One of the great pleasures of strolling Puerto Vallarta's malecon is taking in the fanciful sculptures that line the seaside promenade. Among the notable works on display is Nostalgia, across from Carlos O'Brian's restaurant. Created by Ramiz Barquett, it depicts a couple sharing a romantic moment while gazing out to the bay. Farther south is the sculpture group at the Rotonda del
Mar, locally known as Fantasy by the Sea. It's an array of sculpture "chairs" by renowned Mexican artist Alejandro Colunga. This wildly creative series -- a large octopus head tops one chair, and another bench has two giant ears for backrests -- always seems to draw a crowd. Closer to the main square is the Boy on the Seahorse sculpture, an image that has come to represent Puerto Vallarta. Don't miss the fountain across from the main square;
its three bronze dolphins seem ready to leap right into the bay. Other sculptures along the malecon include the controversial "ladder to heaven" by Sergio Bustamante, and Mathis Lidice's interpretation of the passage of time, across from Hotel Rosita at the northernmost edge of the malecon.
Boat Tours -- Puerto Vallarta offers a number of boat trips, including sunset cruises and snorkeling, swimming, and diving excursions. They generally travel one of two routes: to the Marietas Islands, a 30- to 45-minute boat ride off the northern shore of Banderas Bay, or to Yelapa, Las Animas, or Quimixto along the southern shore. The trips to the southern beaches make a stop at Los Arcos, an island rock formation south
of Puerto Vallarta, for snorkeling. Don't base your opinion of underwater Puerto Vallarta on this, though -- dozens of tour boats dump quantities of snorkelers overboard at the same time each day, exactly when the fish know not to be there. It is, however, an excellent site for night diving. When comparing boat cruises, note that some include lunch, while most provide music and an open bar on board. Most leave around 9:30am, stop for 45 minutes of
snorkeling, and arrive at the beach destination around noon for a 2 1/2-hour stay before returning around 3pm. At Quimixto and Yelapa, visitors can take a half-hour hike to a jungle waterfall or rent a horse for the ride. Prices range from $45 for a sunset cruise or a trip to one of the beaches with open bar, to $85 for an all-day outing with open bar and meals.
One boat, the Marigalante (tel. 322/223-0309), is an exact replica of Columbus's ship the Santa María, built in honor of the 500th anniversary of his voyage to the Americas. It features a daytime "pirate's cruise" ($60 per person), complete with picnic barbecue and treasure hunt, and a sunset dinner cruise ($70 per person) with fireworks and disco dance.
One of the best trips is a day trip to Caletas, the cove where John Huston made his home for years. Vallarta Adventures (tel. 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S., or 322/297-1212, ext. 3; www.vallarta-adventures.com) holds the exclusive lease on the private cove and has done an excellent job of restoring Huston's former home, adding exceptional day-spa facilities and landscaping the beach, which is wonderful for snorkeling. The
facilities and relative privacy have made this excursion ($70 per person) one of the most popular. The evening cruise includes dinner and a spectacular contemporary dance show, "Rhythms of the Night."
Whale-watching tours become more popular each year. Viewing humpback whales is almost a certainty from mid- to late November to March. The majestic whales have migrated to this bay for centuries (in the 1600s, it was called "Humpback Bay") to bear their calves. The noted local authority is Open Air Expeditions, Guerrero 339 (tel./fax 322/222-3310; openair@vivamexico.com). It offers ecologically oriented, oceanologist-guided 4-hour
tours on the soft boat Prince of Whales, the only boat in Vallarta specifically designed for whale-watching. Cost is $80, and travel is in a group of up to 12. Twice-daily departures (8:30am and 1:30pm) include a healthful snack and T-shirt. Vallarta Adventures (tel. 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S., or 322/297-1212, ext. 3; offers whale-watching photo excursions in small boats for $80. The trip includes a predeparture briefing on whale
behaviors. The company also features whale-watching on tours to the Marietas Islands. For $60 you get lunch, time at a private beach, and a more festive than educational ambience aboard large catamarans.
Land Tours -- Tukari Servicios Turísticos can arrange trips to the fertile birding grounds near San Blas, 3 to 4 hours north of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Nayarit, and shopping trips to Tlaquepaque and Tonalá (6 hr. inland, near Guadalajara). A day trip to Rancho Altamira, a 50-acre working ranch, includes a barbecue lunch and horseback riding, then a stroll through El Tuito, a small nearby colonial-era
village. The company can also arrange an unforgettable morning at Terra Noble Art & Healing Center (tel. 322/223-3530 or 322/222-5400), a mountaintop day spa and center for the arts where participants can get a massage, temascal (ancient, indigenous sweat lodge), or treatment, work in clay and paint, and have lunch in a heavenly setting overlooking the bay. Call ahead for reservations, and make sure to advise if you want to have lunch
there.
The Sierra Madre Expedition is another excellent tour. The daily excursion travels in Mercedes all-terrain vehicles north of Puerto Vallarta through jungle trails, stops at a small town, ventures into a forest for a brief nature walk, and winds up on a pristine secluded beach for lunch and swimming. The outing is worthwhile because it takes tourists on exclusive trails into scenery that would otherwise be off-limits.
Air Tours -- Speaking of off-limits, you can explore some of the most remote and undiscovered reaches of the Sierra Madre mountains in San Sebastián Air Adventure. A 15-minute flight aboard a 14-seat turbo-prop Cessna Caravan takes you into the heart of the Sierra Madre. The plane is equipped with raised wings, which allow you to admire -- and photograph -- the mountain scenery. The plane arrives on a gravel landing strip in the old
mining town of San Sebastián, a beautiful village that dates to 1603. One of the oldest mining towns in Mexico, it reached its prosperous peak in the 1800s, with over 30,000 inhabitants. Today, San Sebastián remains an outstanding example of how people lived and worked in a remote Mexican mountain town -- it's a living museum. The half-day adventure costs $130, which covers the flight, a walking tour of the town (including a stop at the old Hacienda Jalisco,
a favored getaway of John Huston, Liz and Dick, and their friends), and brunch in town. Other excursions include overnight stays and return trips by bike or horseback. There's also a Jeep tour to San Sebastián. The cost of $75 per person, for up to four people per Jeep, includes a guide. This tour departs at 9am and returns at 5pm.
Puerto Vallarta may be the Mexican resort with the greatest variety of shops and selection. Shopping options range from quaint storefronts throughout Old Town to large shopping malls in Marina Vallarta. Your selection varies from standard
Mexican trinkets to fine art and from t-shirts to designer clothing. Whatever you desire, you'll surely find it in Puerto Vallarta's many stores and galleries.
Puerto Vallarta's galleries rival any in the republic of Mexico and local artists abound with fantastically designed and colored items for sale. Some of these galleries have the actual artists working so you may watch the creative process. The Mercado Municipal is a full city block
of stands & stalls at the northern end of the upstream bridge over Río Cuale. You'll find bargains and plenty of authentic Mexican food and crafts in this market. Puerto Vallarta also offers all modern shopping needs including film developing shops, department and grocery stores. A new Sam's Club has opened across from the Maritime Harbor. Hours are 7am-11pm.
Prepare to shop -- in art galleries, ceramics workshops, jewelry stores, clothing boutiques. The Isla Rio Cuale itself is a good place to start. On the east end, the Casa de la Cultura sells work by local artists. Just south of the island is Mundo de Azulejos, where the mariachi owner might break into song while you shop for tiles. The nearby Viva jewelry store represents hundreds of designers. It also has beach wraps, glamorous sunglasses, playful sandals, and Spanish espadrilles in all kinds of yummy fabrics.
If it feels like you are spending too much, at least there's free espresso. North of Isla Rio Cuale, Calle Juarez, Calle Morelos, and the street parallel to the
malecon (seaside walkway) are all prime shopping drags. Zigging up one and zagging down the next, stopping to browse at will, is the ultimate endurance test. Pace yourself.
The following are some of the more popular stores with good choices and value:
Galeria Dante is a 6,000-square-foot gallery and sculpture garden with classical, contemporary, and abstract works from more than 50 Latin American artists.
GALERIA PACIFICO Calle Aldama 174, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone: 322/222-1982
Galeria Pacifico is a pioneer gallery nearly 20 years old.
EL INSTITUTO DE LA ARTE JALISCIENSE Calle Juárez 284, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Phone: 322/222-1301
El Instituto de la Arte Jalisciense promotes the state's handcrafts, selling signed burnished clay bowls, blown glass, plates and bowls from Tonalá, and other wonderful items at fair prices.
GALERIA DE OLLAS Calle Morelos 101, Local 3-D, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone: 322/223-1045 Galeria de Ollas is the place to buy wondrous pottery from the village of Mata Ortiz. Other location: Paradise Plaza, Nuevo Vallarta, PHONE: 329/297-1200.
HIKURI
Calle Olas Altas 391, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone: 322/222-7397
Good prices and fair dealings with indigenous artisans recommend Hikuri, which sells Huichol art. Other location: Paradise Plaza Loc. L-2, Nuevo Vallarta, PHONE: 322/297-0342
HUICHOL COLLECTION GALLERY
Calle Morelos 490, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone: 322/223-2141
Beaded masks and statuettes, yarn art, and other folk crafts fill the Huichol Collection Gallery
TALAVERA ETC.
Ignacio Vallarta 266
Puerto Vallarta Mexico
011-52-322-222-4100 Mexico's Talavera earthenware is a Mexican Art form of such beauty and variety that few people fail to appreciate it. Talavera ceramics have been hand made and individually crafted by master craftsmen in Puebla Mexico for more than 400 years. For the last 11 years, Talavera etc has specialized in this fine Mexican Talavera pottery and other quality Mexican Handcrafts from their beautiful little shop in
Puerto Vallarta.
The rich cultural diversity of Puerto Vallarta is reflected in the cuisine that its many restaurants have to offer. Diners can choose everything from meals prepared by an award-winning chef serving gourmet French dishes with
a touch of Mexican flair from his kitchen in a castle to a sprawling riverside jazz bistro with cuisine as contemporary as its music.
Other inviting choices include the many fresh fish dishes that abound all over town in tropical upscale beachfront settings and rooftop restaurants with panoramic views. Italian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Greek, American, Bavarian, Argentine and, yes, Mexican menus can be found. Fast food chains, funky roadside cafés, coffee shops, delis, even pizza delivery are available in Puerto Vallarta. There are literally
hundreds of restaurants serving an array of gastronomical delights. The following are just a sampling of some of the most popular.
Abadia Cafe
Basilio Badillo and I.L. Vallarta
South Side
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Tel: (322) 222-6720
After eight years of wowing every guest who managed to find it, the former Abadia Basso made a very smart move to South Side's popular Restaurant Row. Whether a down-home breakfast, a three-course prix fixe lunch or early-bird dinner, a leisurely gourmet meal or the monthly wine tasting event with delectable dishes complementing fine vintages, every plate
produced by master chef Jose Ruiz is exceptional, highly innovative and surprisingly low priced.
Blending Mexican contemporary cuisine and European specialties, offerings include duckling breast in a Chiapas coffee sauce, a goat cheese and eggplant tower with a coriander and greens pesto and a classic Caesar salad. Count on not only the food and drink being interesting, but the people you meet here as well. Owners Roberto Lavalle and José Ruiz, as well as their wait staff, are well traveled, bilingual, and so warm that when you return you do so as a
friend.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner
8 AM to 11:30 PM - Closed on Tuesdays
Guadalupe Sanchez 740,
El Centro
Tel: 222-3228/9
As soon as you arrive in Puerto Vallarta, you start living unforgettable moments and Cafe des Artistes is a magical experience you won't be able to resist. Named by the Nestle Food Service as one of the 80 best restaurants in the world, Cafe des Artistes has become the castle of gastronomy in this paradisiacal port. Night
after night, owner and chef Thierry Blouet patiently brings to life French cuisine - enveloping each of his creations in art and flavor with ingredientes and spices from Mexico. Thierry Blouet has selected his best recipes to have everyone taste the flavor of 18 years of experience in a menu that will surely become a feast for your palate.
Good taste and beauty come together in Café des Artistes where a romantic atmosphere is enhanced by air-conditioned comfort amid lush gardens with a crystal-clear stream running through it, original artwork, private areas, live piano and flute music and the cozy bar, where you will delight in a glass of one of its ample selection of national and imported wines.
Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo
On The Beach
Zona Romántica
Tel: (322) 222-5485
Experience the fine art of enjoyment and the spirit of the beach. The view of one of the most dazzling bays on the Pacific, a marvelous sunset and the warmth of Mexican hospitality come together at Coco
Tropical to offer you a memorable dining experience right on the golden sands of the popular beach of Olas Altas. Well known for its international cuisine with a European spirit, offering you the best quality supervised under Swiss management and prepared by skilled chefs.
Pulpito 103,
South Side
Tel: 222-5225
Nestled against the ocean's edge, La Palapa offers a unique fine dining concept. Perez family-owned and operated for over 40 years, the family's youngest brother, Alberto, has brought it to the highest level of fine dining and romantic ambiance. Chef Eusebio Cuevas creates
contemporary Mexican cuisine with Asian accents, combining fresh seafood and the finest local spices and fruits to enhance his work of art. It is pure magic to be seated by candlelight, toes in the sand with the beautiful sounds of the waves intermingling with the Latin jazz. Or enjoy your meal in one of the cozy booths surrounded by the scent of exotic flowers.
La Palapa's exceptional warm services and quality have earned them the distinction of being one of only two restaurants in Mexico to receive the prestigious ISO 9001 Award, and they have also received the Three Diamond Award and AAA recommendation. La Palapa is also the perfect setting for lunch, with exceptional service and creative culinary delights.
Morelos #570
Col. Centro
Puerto Vallarta, Jal.
Reservations at
Tel: (322) 222-1695
These folks really understand hospitality! Everything about this intimate spot is superior, yet the prices are most considerate. Named in honor of one of Mexico’s contributions to world gastronomy - the tomato, or Xitomatl in Nahuatl, the Aztec language
- it is conveniently located right in the heart of town. Elegant and tranquil, its artistic earth-tone decor is a sophisticated backdrop
for the presentation of "High Mexican Cuisine," with today's Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asian and Continental influences on its pre-Columbian and Colonial roots.
Brought to your table - positioned for optimal privacy - are a quad of fresh tangy sauces and a basket of great homemade blue corn chips and another with warm tortillas and bread, along with herb-flecked butter. And eight house wines are available by the glass including French, Spanish and US. All is a feast for the senses - tortilla soup served in a novel way, wondrously aromatic shrimp-stuffed mushrooms, mind bogglingly moist grilled salmon, and arrachera
that melts in your mouth like butter.
Carretera a Barra
de Navidad km. 17.5
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Perched on the edge of a cliff a short drive south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, lies one of the best kept gastronomical secrets of the Bahia de Banderas, Le Kliff Restaurant and Bar. This perfectly poised giant palapa plays host daily to the bay's most spectacular sunsets and some of the best seafood in town. It also provides ringside seats for watching gray whales
and giant manta rays during the months of December through April.
Founded in 1983 by the Guzman Gutierrez Family, Le Kliff has reached international fame not only for its cuisine, but for its beauty and architecture as well. In 1984 and 1985, it appeared in The Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Palapa, or thatched roof canopy, and was later featured as "One of the most beautiful spots in Latin America" by the Sony Channel.
FEATURED HOTEL
For each destination we have chosen to profile an establishment which epitomizes the best hotel offered at the destination. This featured property has been chosen based on a combination of : exceptional location, unusual architecture, superb amenities, outstanding accommodations and above-average service. We use a rating system in each category and the hotel with the most points gets to be our featured hotel for that
destination.
We proudly present....
FOUR SEASONS RESORT
Luxurious seclusion on a private isthmus edged in miles of pristine sand and turquoise ocean, 42 kilometres (26 miles) from Puerto Vallarta airport. Exclusive Mexican casitas, many with plunge pools, embrace stunning ocean views. Jack Nicklaus golf with an island green, played beside the waves. Beachfront
dining. A unique spa, designed for renewal.
The Four Seasons Resort has brought a new standard of luxury to Mexico's Pacific Coast. The boutique hotel, on 1,000 acres of land bordered on three sides by the ocean, artfully combines seclusion and pampering service with a welcoming sense of comfort. Accommodations are in three-story casitas surrounding the main building, which holds the lobby, cultural center, restaurants, and pool.
Every guest room offers breathtaking views of the ocean from a large terrace or balcony. Most suites also offer a private plunge pool, a separate sitting room, a bar, and a powder room. Room interiors are typical Four Seasons - plush and spacious, with a king or two double beds, plus a seating area and oversize bathroom with a deep soaking tub, separate glass-enclosed shower, and dual vanity sink.
More than the stylish luxury, this hotel boasts unerring service that is both warm and unobtrusive. It's a place to completely get away - at least 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta's activities - but then, most guests feel so relaxed and at ease, it's hard to think of places beyond the resort. The full-service spa, tennis center, and private championship golf course seem to be options enough.
Amenities include: 2 restaurants; lobby bar; heated infinity pool surrounded by private cabanas; tennis center with 4 courts of various surfaces; full-service fitness center; European-style spa; water-sports equipment including sea kayaks, Windsurfers, surfboards, and sunfish sailboats; Kids for All Seasons children's activity program; daily activity agenda; tour desk; 24-hr. concierge service; 24-hr. room service; cultural
center with lectures and activities; complimentary video library.
The Apuane Spa at Four Seasons offers a full range of massages and spa treatments designed to relax, invigorate, detoxify, heal - and provide a unique taste of Punta Mita (Spanish for "resting place"). Try the Punta Mita massage, which uses indigenous sage oil and tequila, or try an exfoliating
chamomile body scrub or a seaweed mask.
The ultimate spa experience for two, the Apuane Suite indulges with a sun-filled steam room, hot tub, sauna, shower and its own private outdoor terrace.
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita offers 140 guest rooms, including 26 suites, in tile-roofed Mexican-style casitas set along the Pacific Coast. Most guest rooms and suites enjoy outstanding views of the white sand beaches, clear blue waters and beautiful mountains surrounding this exclusive resort.
One-Bedroom Oceanview Suite
These spacious, comfortable suites feature a large teak-furnished terrace with a private plunge pool and a full view of the ocean.
The magnificent, pristine-white sand beaches have umbrellas and chaises longues. Pool and beach attendants will cater to guests' needs and offer towels, drinking water, cold towels and a cooling facial spray. The beach services centre will provide water-sports equipment for various activities such
as coral reef snorkeling.
At the northern tip of Bahia de Banderas, winds and ocean currents produce a challenging environment for sailing. Deep sea fishing, scuba diving excursions and seasonal whale watching are among the many pleasures of Mexico's west coast. Other outdoor activities include a natural trail walk, sand volleyball and seaboards/boogie boards.
Overview
Accommodations are available to suit every budget and need. If you're looking for a quiet and secluded hideaway, a fun family atmosphere or an elegant resort, it's all here. Many hotels offer beach access or views of the ocean, and activities and restaurants on-site or nearby. Browse the following listings to find exactly what you're looking for.
RIU JALISCO
Surrounded by untamed nature, Riu Jalisco is a privileged place from where you are able to view and enjoy the spectacular sunsets of the Pacific coast. Puerto Vallarta is the perfect combination of the wonderful Pacific waters, lush tropical vegetation and amazing fauna. As majestic as the Pacific Ocean, Riu Jalisco opens up its splendor to an extraordinary setting, the largest natural bay in Mexico--Banderas Bay. This new resort is the centerpiece of an
incomparable location, within the bustling resort area of Nuevo Vallarta, directly on Flamingos Beach and just fifteen minutes away from the airport. And if we add Riu's impeccable service, Hotel Riu Jalisco becomes an authentic vacation oasis.
Impressive architecture, distinctive ambience and state-of-the-art accommodations, Riu Jalisco provides the perfect surrounding that will allow you to relax and unwind. And for the active spirit, they offer an array of land and water sports. No matter what you do, the all inclusive by Riu system guarantees you around the clock enjoyment. We invite you to discover your own paradise.
Ingredients: tropical juicy fruits, exotic cocktails, tantalizing dishes and bites - a pleasure for your eyes as well as your palate. From lavish buffets to sizzling on-the-spot cooking stations, a diversity of colors and flavors will make you succumb to temptation. But this is not all, our recipe has a secret ingredient: the all inclusive by Riu system, where every delight will be included in the price. Stop by any of the many bars and enjoy a refreshing
drink, try a tropical cocktail or a soothing fruit juice. Or just relax in the privacy of your room where you will have a mini-bar and liquor dispenser. It won’t cost you a cent!
With the all inclusive by Riu system, fun and enjoyment are limitless. Windsurf, kayak, tennis. At Riu Jalisco, guests will be able to choose the sport or activity they wish to practice. Whether it is land or water, you will have a fascinating experience. And for those who like exciting entertainment, enjoy the shows, live music and dancing. This brand new resort combines impressive architecture, distinctive ambiance, and state of the art accommodations.
Featuring 700 guest rooms, each with a stocked mini-bar and liquor dispenser. The Riu Jalisco offers an array of sports and round the clock entertainment for all ages.
Location On the beach in Nuevo Vallarta. 15minutes to the airport and 20 minutes to downtown Puerto Vallarta.
What's Included :
* Return airfare from Montreal
* Hotel for 7 or 14 nights
* All meals and drinks
* All taxes and service fees
* All inclusive features included:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily, (buffet and made-to-order food stations) ● dinner in specialty Brazilian restaurant* ● theme nights ● late night snacks ● domestic and select imported drinks (10:30am-midnight) ● restaurants ● bars ● swim up bar ● disco ● swimming pools (1 adult & 1 family) ● children’s pool ●
jacuzzi ● pool & beach lounge & towel service ● non-motorized watersports: windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling ● scuba lesson in pool ● day & night tennis ● shuffleboard ● multi-sports court ● supervised kid’s program ( 4-12 years) ● daily activities ● nightly entertainment ● gratuities Reservations required. 2 seatings for dinner. Dress code in effect for all dinner restaurants.
Long a favorite of both Mexican families and sunbird families arriving from the north, the Fiesta Americana is a relaxed, friendly place. Guests find poolside activities throughout the day, and peace and quiet on the beach. Between the beach and the pool is an expansive red-brick sundeck filled with lounge chairs. One of Puerto Vallarta's deepest, the beach offers lots of thatched-roof palapas for snoozing in the shade. Roped off,
the palapa area protects guests from Puerto Vallarta's ubiquitous beach vendors. The lagoon pool contains a hot tub section. Also within the pool complex are a children's pool, a basketball hoop, and a ceramics-painting palapa.
Curved on the oceanside for optimum views, the 291-room, rose-colored Fiesta Americana rises 11 stories. An enormous conical palapa, a Fiesta Americana signature, soars many stories above a cool lobby that contains rattan and wicker furniture around a water garden. Facilities and services include 24-hour medical care, open-air massage near the beach, and supervised children's programs. Like all major Puerto Vallarta hotels, the Fiesta Americana purifies its
water.
What's Included :
* Return airfare from Montreal
* Hotel for 7 or 14 nights
* All meals and drinks
* All taxes and service fees
* All inclusive features included:
Buffet or à la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner ● theme dinners** ● domestic drinks (11am- 11pm) ● snacks ● swimming pools ● restaurants ● bars ● live music in lobby bar ● non-motorized watersports: kayaking, snorkeling ● lounge chair and beach towel service
Fiesta kid’s club 10am-5pm for ages 4-12 years ● supervised activities ● continental room service 7-10am ● daily activities ● gratuities.
* Lobster and prime cuts of meat at a surcharge. **Specialty dinners at La Hacienda Mexican restaurant.
Superior Room A/C, floors 1-8. 2 doubles or 1 king bed, telephone, satellite TV, mini-bar ($), in-room safe, full bathroom, private balcony with ocean view. (Max. occ. 3 adults or 2 adults & 2 children.)
Fiesta Club Room
Recently renovated on floor 9, deluxe rooms, same amenities as Superior room, use of bathrobes, daily newspaper and turn-down service, upgraded amenities Max. occ. 3 adults.)
Rates valid up to April 2005
One week from $ 17399. 00 CDN - Two weeks from $ 3519.00 CDN
"Hotel-only" and single rates on request - Departures from all major US & CDN cities available
Situated along a wide, cream-sand beach, this resort is in the upscale Nuevo Vallarta development, 1 km (a half-mile) from El Tigre Golf Club. Downtown Puerto Vallarta is 19 km (12 miles) south.In addition to a long beach dotted with thatched-roof palapas, this resort features open air dining, a kids' club, and a big activities pool linked by channels to a lagoon-style section.
The expansive pool complex consists of a 120-foot-diameter activities pool connected by channels to a lagoon-style section, a lagoon-style "quiet pool," and an exceptionally large, 45-foot-diameter children's pool. The surrounding deck offers comfortable, padded lounge chairs and shade canopies. Beach palapas include two devoted to massage.
Containing an airy, six-story lobby that sets a tropical tone, the 362-room hotel displays a classic Mexican exterior of sand-colored buildings accented with blue and pink. Facilities include an air-conditioned fitness center/health spa containing men's and women's saunas and steam rooms and a large hot tub with a capacity for six but reserved for one couple at a time. The resort includes a
lighted tennis court and a six-hole golf-putting course. Like all major Nuevo Vallarta hotels, the Sierra Nuevo Vallarta purifies its water.
What's Included :
* Return airfare from Montreal
* Hotel for 7 or 14 nights
* All meals and drinks
* All taxes and service fees
* All inclusive features included:
Buffet breakfast, lunch & dinner daily ● two a la carte specialty restaurants* ● snacks daily ● domestic and international drinks 10am-1am including in room mini bar with beer and soft drinks (regularly replenished)
● 24 hour room service ● non motorized water sports including kayaking, snorkeling and paddle boats ● day and night tennis ● pitch & putt golf (6 holes) • disco (drinks included) ● lounge chairs & towels
● health club and gym ● sauna ● pools ● steam room ● Jacuzzi ● daily activities ●theme parties
● live entertainment daily ● 4 tours including a city tour ● canal tour ● horseback riding tour and sunset cruise ● gratuities
*Reservations required at a la carte restaurants. Dress code in effect.
Honeymoon Bonus
Bottle of domestic champagne, candlelight dinner with special menu, fruit basket.
Additional Facilities ($)
Mini golf (putting
greens) ● scuba tank ● shops ● beauty salon ● business centre ● marina ● wireless high
speed internet ● outdoor amphitheatre ● Spa & Treatment rooms (opening in Summer 2005).
Hotel Room
A/C, ceiling fan, 2 doubles or 1 king bed, Phone, Satellite TV, mini-bar, in-room safe, coffee makers, full bathroom with hair dryer, balcony, pool or ocean view (Max. occ 4.)
Hotel Room with Golf
same as above with golf included for adults. Dec. 25/04 onwards.
All the inclusions plus
one round of golf green fees per day (subject to availability) ● shared cart ● transfers to/from Flamingos Golf Club and El Tigre Golf & Country Club (18-hole Von Hagge-designed course).
Rates valid up to April 2005
One week from $ 1699. 00 CDN - Two weeks from $ 3469.00 CDN
"Hotel-only" and single rates on request - Departures from all major US & CDN cities available
Puerto Vallarta's stellar attraction is its amazing beaches: crescents of golden sand fringed with palms along the hotel zone; endless stretches of gloriously unpopulated beaches to the north; and soft creamy beaches on craggy coves to the south. Olas Altas and Los Muertos are closest to downtown. The following beaches are listed in order
from the southern part of the bay to the north.
Puerto Vallarta may be the Mexican resort with the greatest variety of shops and selection. Shopping options range from quaint storefronts throughout Old Town to large shopping malls in Marina Vallarta. Your selection varies from standard
Mexican trinkets to fine art and from t-shirts to designer clothing. Whatever you desire, you'll surely find it in Puerto Vallarta's many stores and galleries. 
break into song while you shop for tiles. The nearby Viva jewelry store represents hundreds of designers. It also has beach wraps, glamorous sunglasses, playful sandals, and Spanish espadrilles in all kinds of yummy fabrics.
GALERIA DANTE
The rich cultural diversity of Puerto Vallarta is reflected in the cuisine that its many restaurants have to offer. Diners can choose everything from meals prepared by an award-winning chef serving gourmet French dishes with
a touch of Mexican flair from his kitchen in a castle to a sprawling riverside jazz bistro with cuisine as contemporary as its music.
very smart move to South Side's popular Restaurant Row. Whether a down-home breakfast, a three-course prix fixe lunch or early-bird dinner, a leisurely gourmet meal or the monthly wine tasting event with delectable dishes complementing fine vintages, every plate
produced by master chef Jose Ruiz is exceptional, highly innovative and surprisingly low priced. 
As soon as you arrive in Puerto Vallarta, you start living unforgettable moments and Cafe des Artistes is a magical experience you won't be able to resist. Named by the Nestle Food Service as one of the 80 best restaurants in the world, Cafe des Artistes has become the castle of gastronomy in this paradisiacal port. Night
after night, owner and chef Thierry Blouet patiently brings to life French cuisine - enveloping each of his creations in art and flavor with ingredientes and spices from Mexico. Thierry Blouet has selected his best recipes to have everyone taste the flavor of 18 years of experience in a menu that will surely become a feast for your palate.
Experience the fine art of enjoyment and the spirit of the beach. The view of one of the most dazzling bays on the Pacific, a marvelous sunset and the warmth of Mexican hospitality come together at Coco
Tropical to offer you a memorable dining experience right on the golden sands of the popular beach of Olas Altas. Well known for its international cuisine with a European spirit, offering you the best quality supervised under Swiss management and prepared by skilled chefs.
Nestled against the ocean's edge, La Palapa offers a unique fine dining concept. Perez family-owned and operated for over 40 years, the family's youngest brother, Alberto, has brought it to the highest level of fine dining and romantic ambiance. Chef Eusebio Cuevas creates
contemporary Mexican cuisine with Asian accents, combining fresh seafood and the finest local spices and fruits to enhance his work of art. It is pure magic to be seated by candlelight, toes in the sand with the beautiful sounds of the waves intermingling with the Latin jazz. Or enjoy your meal in one of the cozy booths surrounded by the scent of exotic flowers. 
These folks really understand hospitality! Everything about this intimate spot is superior, yet the prices are most considerate. Named in honor of one of Mexico’s contributions to world gastronomy - the tomato, or Xitomatl in Nahuatl, the Aztec language
- it is conveniently located right in the heart of town. Elegant and tranquil, its artistic earth-tone decor is a sophisticated backdrop
for the presentation of "High Mexican Cuisine," with today's Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asian and Continental influences on its pre-Columbian and Colonial roots.
Perched on the edge of a cliff a short drive south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, lies one of the best kept gastronomical secrets of the Bahia de Banderas, Le Kliff Restaurant and Bar. This perfectly poised giant palapa plays host daily to the bay's most spectacular sunsets and some of the best seafood in town. It also provides ringside seats for watching gray whales
and giant manta rays during the months of December through April. 
For each destination we have chosen to profile an establishment which epitomizes the best hotel offered at the destination. This featured property has been chosen based on a combination of : exceptional location, unusual architecture, superb amenities, outstanding accommodations and above-average service. We use a rating system in each category and the hotel with the most points gets to be our featured hotel for that
destination.
Overview
