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Puerto Vallarta
Located in Jalisco State, Puerto
Vallarta is nestled on the Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Flags),
the second largest bay on the American continent, and surrounded
by the majestic Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains. The city
offers 25 miles of golden beaches on the Mexican Pacific and
is characterized by its impressive colonial and modern buildings,
deluxe hotels, shopping malls and golf courses. These attractions
have made the city a favorite among vacationers and retirees,
who now call the city home.
The beaches at and near Puerto
Vallarta are breathtaking, each with its unique charm. The
best beach for such water sports as sailing, fishing and jet
skiing, for example, is Bahía de Banderas, while Quimixto,
Punta Mita and los Arcos are ideal for diving. Boat rides
around the bay offer the chance to observe dolphins, turtles
and humpback whales.
Ecotourism is another popular
attraction in Puerto Vallarta. Los Arcos Marine Ecological
Reserve is a group of three rock islands located across Mismaloya
Beach and featuring a variety of marine birds, marine mammals
and a sample of ocean organisms. Ridley turtles lay their
eggs on Vallarta’s shores.
The historic downtown area of
Puerto Vallarta is quaint and walk-friendly, with cobblestone
streets, white-walled houses, wrought-iron balconies and red-tiled
roofs, complemented by impressive colonial structures like
the Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and original
murals by the artist Manuel Lepe. The local Museum of Archaeology
is also worth noting for its display of pre-Colombian artifacts
from the nearby archaeological site.
Puerto Vallarta is an important
indigenous handicrafts center for the Huichol Indians, an
ethnic group that has managed to preserve its traditions in
an ever-changing city. Travelers can learn to make their own
artifacts at Terra Noble, where the locals teach visitors
their artistic techniques. Silver, blown glass, pottery, serapes,
clothes, masks and many other handicrafts are also available
in the stores on Juarez and Morelos streets, Plaza Marina,
Plaza Neptuno and Plaza Caracol.
Puerto Vallarta’s more
than 250 restaurants offer a wide array of delightful local
seafood dishes as well as a broad range of international cuisine.
Quaint sidewalk cafes and coffee houses also abound in Puerto
Vallarta, often featuring live music. Try Carlos O'Brian's,
the Cafe de Artistes or De Santos in the downtown area. For
night owls, check out the many bars and nightclubs in Puerto
Vallarta, offering everything from live jazz and salsa, to
popular DJ mixes. For more information, visit www.puertovallarta.net.
Puerto Vallarta boasts numerous
festivals throughout the year. And in November, Puerto Vallarta
hosts one of Mexico's premier culinary arts events, the Festival
Gourmet (www.festivalgourmet.com), attended by more than 20,000
people annually. Local chefs at participating restaurants
and more than 20 guest chefs from around the world serve up
some 500 gourmet foods, cheeses, tequilas and liquors. The
event also involves cooking classes, wine tasting, beer samplings
and other activities.
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