Vacation Resorts: Art and Travel in Mexico

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta Is a wonderful Mexican city that is fronted by the blue Pacific Ocean, and backed by the lush, green tropical Sierra Madre Mountains. The people are friendly and charming, always helpful and accommodating. The minute you set foot in Puerto Vallarta, you will relies you have arrived at a truly beautiful and unique place.

The town itself is split into two sections, Old Town, and Centro, both having their own special qualities. It is my recommendations if visiting Puerto Vallarta, make sure to take full advantage of both areas. They have distinctively separate charms.

Centro being the newer part of town, It consists of a wonderful board walk that stretches good length of the town, and continues down into the beach area of Old Town. At night you will find a large variety of free entertainment, to include music, magic, fireworks, and more. Centro also has wonderful shops, and eateries. Not to mention the clubs, that stays open until the last fun is had. Centro also has the towns Zocalo. (Town Square.) The Zocalo, is the area that as a rule is in the center of town, where locals gather to visit, and become aquatinted.

Old Town, being the older section of Puerto Vallarta is built up to the sand of the sea. It is very relaxed, and gives way to some of the most romantic restaurants and accommodations one can find in Mexico. The local citizens refer to it as Zone Romantica. It truly lives up to its name.

Getting around Puerto Vallarta is easy; cabs are cheap, and in abundance. After you get your bearings, you may just want to walk. It is a very easy town to maneuver on foot. Plus walking will give you the chance to enjoy the wonderful sites and sounds the town has to offer. Not to mention the ocean, and its wonderful breezes.

One of the constants of Puerto Vallarta is the weather. They have a winter season, where it literally does not rain, with a very low humidity, this combination lends to spectacular weather. It provides warmth in the sun, and cooling in the shade. The summer gives way to a rainy season. So the best time to visit is between November and March.

What to pack? Summer cloths will do for day time and sleeves for evening. Pack that sweater, the nights are fresh, and cool.

Where to stay, this will depend on what kind of accommodation you desire? Puerto Vallarta offers a wide variety of accommodates, from large chain hotels to luxury condo rentals, to charming smaller hotels. I always recommend one turn to the Internet, where one can research all options.

My husband and I have made Puerto Vallarta a yearly destination for some 16 years or more. If we stay in town, we prefer Old Town, and renting a condo on the beach. If we stay a bit out of town, we love south of town. It provides some of the most spectacular views and sunsets one will ever see. As a rule both areas are a step above, when it comes to charm, and relaxation. The hotel zone has the larger chain hotels, and they are geared toward activity. They can be over stimulating. I think this is due to the multitude of people that are under one roof. There are also adult friendly hotels. Price will vary; you can find wonderful inexpensive accommodations, along with very high end spa hotels.

I have actually toured many of the smaller hotels in Old Town that were downright cheap. I've found that the staff goes out of their way to accommodate their guests. The rooms are pleasantly decorated, and very clean with lots of Mexican flair. One such hotel is Torre De Oro. Hotel Torre De Ore is located 1/2 block from the beach in Old Town. This hotel is very clean, and has an authentic old Mexican flair. Most rooms have ocean views, and small kitchenettes.

The beaches are a plenty, vendors are abound, but they are not overly aggressive, and you can actually pick up some wonderful deals. Don't miss spending a day on the beach in Old Town. It has an energy all its own.

If you have opted to stay south of town, I can recommend is an all-inclusive spa hotel, the Intercontinental El Presidente, this wonderful small boutique hotel is locate in the Gold Zone south of town. The rooms are large and well appointed. The beach is secluded and very nice, with light soft sand, and very private. This Hotel is approximately 15 minutes from town. One can take the bus very cheaply, or simply take a cab from the front door. Dinning is wonderful in Puerto Vallarta. There are a wide variety of restaurants. You absolutely can't go wrong when choosing a restaurant. It would be hard for me to recommend one restaurant over another.

I do have my favorites though. One is the El Dorado on the beach, in Old Town. El Dorado?s is a romantic, rustic beach restaurant that offers a good selection of fresh seafood dishes, and more. The staff is wonderful, and has a way of making an evening unforgettable. Another favorite eatery I can highly recommend is La Palapas, also located on the beach in Old Town. La Palapas is an upscale restaurant, again romantic and elegant, with a wide selection of food to choose from. The owner offers up wonderful soft live music, nightly, via the group Pacific Nights.

If jazz is your thing head to the Bistro, located in Centro part of town. The Bistro has an elegant dining room, with many gourmet dishes to choose from, along with nightly jazz. The decor is elegant, and dreamy.

If you lean toward natural healthy food, try Papaya. This is one of Gringo Gulches best kept secrets. They offer a great selection of healthy, freshly prepared foods, along with healthy Mexican dishes. If one morning you crave pancakes, head to Memo's Pancake House in Old Town. You will love these pancakes, served in a garden atmosphere.

There is no shortage of great sea excursions in Puerto Vallarta. You may choose to take a cruise along the wonderful Bay of Banderas for a sunset cruise or an ocean fishing excursion, not to mention the booze cruise. There are many fun boating excursion to enjoy.

Perhaps you're a movie star buff? If so, visit Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Button's former Puerto Vallarta home in Gringo Gulch. The home is open daily for tours, and is also a Bed And Breakfast. You may just want to spend the night, and capture the romance the Burton's found in the beautiful home overlooking the bay?

Perhaps you would like to stop in at Richard and Liz's favorite watering hole? Tequilas, located in Centro you can't miss it. Make sure to sit upstairs on the balcony, the waiters will point out Liz and Dick's favorite table. The view is great, the drinks strong. So be careful...

If you are a shopper, you will enjoy a large variety of shops Vallarta has to offer. One such store, "The Tile Factory" makes hand-painted unique Mexican tiles. On any given day you can stop in and watch tiles be painted by the stores artists. You may just want to buy a few. They are very inexpensive and make wonderful colorful sturdy coasters.

My husband and I have a tradition; we love to spend our last night dinning at atop the quaint Hotel La Siesta Hotel, at the hotels Panorama restaurant. The hotel is located in Gringo Gulch, and no better "view" can be found in Puerto Vallarta. It offers a 360 degree view of the bay, and town lights.

This outstanding restaurant was architecturally designed with an Arabic flavor and marble floors. Its elegant dining atmosphere is enhanced by strolling entertainers, for the dinners to enjoy. The food at the Panorama restaurant is excellent; many dishes are prepared right at your table side. If you dine around 9:30 PM you be able to enjoy the fireworks that are displayed off the Buccaneer Ship in Banderas Bay. It is a spectacular! Add the Sunset, the fresh night air, the delicious food, down to to the glorious fireworks. It all adds up to an evening you won't soon forget.

Puerto Vallarta---- it awakens the senses, and its beauty and charm is sure to captivate the soul. Once you have visited the Bay it will beckon you back, time and time again.

For more information about Puerto Vallarta, please visit the following url: http://www.oldandsold.com/articles05/puerto-vallarta.shtml

MORE ARTICLES:

Shopping for Cruises Online! How?
Are you planning a cruise vacation but don't know where to start? Have you shopped for a cruise vacation? How did you accomplish your shopping? Did you do your shopping for cruises online? Were you successful in getting the best cruise vacation for you?I could continue with questions regarding cruise shopping and in particular on-line cruise shopping. But that would not accomplish much without some answers to some nagging questions:1.

All The Spicy Sports Of Puerto Vallarta
Since Puerto Vallarta is the hub of tourism, several national and international sports competitions are held around the area of the Banderas Bay. Who would’ve thought that Puerto Vallarta, which is popular as a scenic resort could hold so many delightful activities in its pockets. The events that take place in Puerto Vallarta are abundant but unfortunately not many tourists are able to utilize this wonderful opportunity. All you need to do is check the flyers for the upcoming events and Viola! There you have; a never ending list of events that will blow your mind away. From girls' softball leagues to aerobics to martial arts classes, all are available here in Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta: The City of Festivals
After Puerto Vallarta found its way onto the international tourism map following the release of ?The Night of the Iguana,? the city became a meeting place for artists, musicians and anyone seeking a cosmopolitan destination amongst incredible natural beauty As a result, numerous festivals have developed in Puerto Vallarta, celebrating everything from independent film to haute cuisine

Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Picks up Ahead of Pan American Games
Whenever a city hosts a major sporting event, the local economy is injected with a new lease of life. All major economic growth drivers get a boost due to infrastructure related activities and tourism ahead of and during the event. Tourism is one industry which specifically benefits from the any sporting event. Athletic teams, their entourage, world press and spectators all help in increasing the inflow of tourists. Also, due to huge amount of press exposure, a buzz and awareness is created about the city which helps in attracting the tourism in no small way. Also, newer hotels & resorts, improvement in facilities & amenities make a city attractive for discerning world travelers. Puerto Vallarta will be no different, now that, it will be a ...

How to Enjoy Puerto Vallarta Vacations
If you're looking for the perfect holiday destination south of US, then Puerto Vallarta, Mexico fits the bill. Puerto Vallarta has lot to offer for virtually every cross-section of travelers, be it a family with kids, couple on honeymoon, retired citizens or students on lookout for fun, luxury tourists or backpackers on budget. Puerto Vallarta has something for everybody – adventure, ecotourism, golf, fine dining restaurants, street food stalls serving eclectic dishes, canopy tours in rainforests and the magnificent Sierra Madre Mountains. We will give you 5 reasons on why you Puerto Vallarta should be your next vacation destination.

Puerto Vallarta Property for Sale - Golden Investment Opportunity
Are you thinking about investing your retirement savings in some Puerto Vallarta Investment Real Estate? If so then you should strongly consider investing in Puerto Vallarta properties offered by Realty Executives Costa Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta as a destination offers a deal that can be matched by very few cities all over the world. Puerto Vallarta is blessed with a tropical climate and scenic natural beauty. Its sandy white beaches, lush flora and fauna, old world charm and world class golf, Puerto Vallarta offers everything to everybody.

Puerto Al Mar: Your ticket to hi end living and revenue
On Camarones Beach just a few distance away from the Malecon in downtown Puerto Vallarta a beautiful city in Mexico, rises Puerto al Mar, the new boutique-style luxury condominium development designed by renowned Architect Jose Francisco Gomez.

Holiday Gift Baskets
Holiday Gift Baskets

The Olive Ridley Turtle - Puerto Vallarta's Favorite Ocean Visitor
Each summer, thousands of sea turtles make their way to the beaches of Puerto Vallarta to lay their eggs in the sand With the assistance of the Puerto Vallarta Sea Turtle Protection Program, 96% of the eggs are able to hatch, with the baby turtles safely sent into their ocean habitat during the second half of the year

Planning a Beach Wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Nowadays, people want to try out different things in their life. And when it comes to marriages, couples are trying to be more adventurous. And why not, weddings are once in a lifetime event and everybody wants it to be a standout and etched-in-memories affair.

Why Puerto Vallarta Condo is the Preferred Choice of Smart Investors
The Puerto Vallarta Real Estate market has been one of the most preferred areas of Mexico in the past few years. The real estate in Puerto Vallarta has seen strong demand even in tough economic conditions basically because of wide choice of investment options like beach front condos, vacation rental condos, rentals villas and lots.

Tourism to boost Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Market
This summer gave the Puerto Vallarta Real Estate industry a big reason to cheer. The tourism sector in Puerto Vallarta reported strong numbers with national tourists this summer. The industry is hoping a similar performance with international tourists this winter. The local government authorities have in recent times stressed on a sustainable development model which protects the ecology and nature which is the main attraction of Puerto Vallarta.

A 21st Century Arts Renaissance at Renaissance Hotels & Resorts
Guests around the world discover local art.

Livin' La Vida Loca at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico is in itself a paradise with its lot of places that offer nothing but the best comfortable life to anyone. Out of the several coastal resort-type offerings in the region, Puerto Vallarta is possibly the greatest epitome of wonderland.