Kids love Puerto Vallarta because there is so much for them to do here, and parents know that they will be safe and well entertained. There are lots of tours for kids: any number of cruises to see humpback whales wintering in the warm waters of Banderas Bay, swimming with the dolphins in the wild or in captivity and snorkeling tours and lessons that will take you and your parents to tropical beaches. There is even Los Arcos, a National Marine Park offshore that has coves and underwater caves to explore. And the Marietta Islands are home to hundreds of species of wildlife.
Experiencing Vallarta: Where to Stay: One of the most alluring features of Puerto Vallarta as a destination is that — unless you are traveling onboard one of the many cruise ships that dock for the day at our Maritime Terminal or are simply driving through on your way somewhere else — when the day is done and it’s time to get some well-deserved rest after exploring our town, the lodging options are as plentiful and varied as our restaurant choices.
Top Ten Puerto Vallarta Landmarks You Wouldn’t Want to Miss: It’s easy to discover Puerto Vallarta’s most important landmarks in a single day.
Experiencing Vallarta: What to Do: In our previous issue, we explored the many different ways visitors connect with our destination, whether it is for a short vacation or for a lifetime. In this second and final installment, we take a look at some of the leisure pursuits to keep in mind as you design your perfect Puerto Vallarta experience.
Puerto Vallarta On Screen: An Update: When John Huston arrived in Puerto Vallarta in 1963, along with his film crew and actors from “The Night of the Iguana,” no one imagined the impact it would have on tourism development in the region. What important projects have been filmed or recorded recently?
Painting with Frosting: For Zulem Angel Mendoza, each cake is a painting, a work of art where the canvas is the cake, the brushes decorating tips, and the paint colored frosting.
Petroglyphs in the Region: These stone carvings were a means of communication between indigenous communities and their gods, a physical manifestation of the rites performed to ask for more rain and a better harvest.
La Malagua Inaugurates Isla Rio Cuale Exhibit: During the second Festival Cultural Cuale in January 2010, artist collective La Malagua inaugurated their long-awaited project along Isla Rio Cuale.
Traditional Mexican Toys: Whether you find yourself shopping in a small town mercado or in a large city, chances are you will come across traditional Mexican toys, simple devices often made out of wood, recycled tin cans or woven fibers.
Getting to Know Puerto Vallarta Through Its Maritime History: In addition to its natural attractions and recreational activities, Puerto Vallarta is also rich in maritime history, as can be seen at the Naval Historical Museum located beside Los Arcos Amphitheater in El Centro.
A New Crown for Our Lady of Guadalupe: The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the oldest parish in the region and a popular symbol of Puerto Vallarta, has finally received its new crown, which was blessed in a moving ceremony held October 12, 2009.
Living Vibrantly—Embrace the Process, Love the Journey!: After years of career obligations and parenting responsibilities, many in the second half of life discover an incredible opportunity for reinvention. Dreams put on hold re-emerge in the psyche.
EntreAmigos New Bodega: EntreAmigos, a non-profit community development organization established in San Pancho to address social, economic and environmental problems arising from accelerated development, has recently inaugurated their brand new “bodega” community center at the entrance to this peaceful oceanside town an hour north of Puerto Vallarta in Riviera Nayarit.
Sculpting With Gum: Thomas Adams may have commercialized chewing gum as we know it in 1871, but gum, or chicle, as it is known in Spanish, can be traced back to Aztec times, where it was used as a teeth-cleaning method.
José Luis González: Every day, José Luis González goes to the beach by the Malecon to work on his sand sculptures, as he has done every year since the winter of 2005, when he first visited Puerto Vallarta during a trip with a friend.
Handmade Books, Puerto Vallarta Style: For over a decade, Pini Salcedo and Carlos Uribe, two skilled Puerto Vallarta artists, have taken it upon themselves to partner with the aforementioned restaurants, making regular pickups and transforming the paper “tablecloths” into unique handmade books.
Puerto Vallarta as Canvas: More than two years ago, an art project was undertaken in Puerto Vallarta that uses the city’s vacant public spaces as its canvas and concepts from the controversial graffiti art movement as its tools.
Local Food Explained: When it comes to fine dining, we’d be the first to suggest any of the excellent restaurants in town (particularly those featured in our Restaurant Section). That said, every tourist destination features treats unique to the area, and Puerto Vallarta is no exception.
Great Tips for Future Residents: Are you ready to make the big transition and relocate to Puerto Vallarta? For most of us, moving to a different city or country involves a slew of cultural, logistical, financial and medical adjustments.
Step City: The fact that a fair amount of Puerto Vallarta’s El Centro is built on a hillside means that those who live there can always enjoy privileged views of our bay.
Make Friends, Make a Difference: Do you have extra time in your hands? Here is a partial list of charitable organizations that offer volunteer opportunities (listed alphabetically).
