Puerto Vallarta Villa and Condo rentals

New video of Villa Balboa

2010-08-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

Villa Balboa is one of the finest villa rentals in the world. We just put together this quick video, available on our Puerto Vallarta Villa You Tube Channel.

Let us know what you think. We'll be doing more videos like this because the combination music, image, and motion really help to convey the experience that is Puerto Vallarta Villa Vacationing.

Dia Ocho En Puerto Vallarta

2010-06-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

When I felt the metallic clasp of the airplane seat belt buckle click together reality set in hard.

It was over.

Villa Caliente, Villa Balboa, and Villa Venado…now exist just in memory.

It was a dazed feeling to wake up in the soft soft bed of a private suite in Villa Venado and just hours later to be sitting on board an airplane, checked back into the reality of life like the rest of the freshly tanned passengers.

Only I have a little secret.

Yes we were all in Puerto Vallarta for a lovely vacation…but none of these other folks woke up where I woke up this morning.

None of them woke up surrounded by magnificent art works, in a home on a hillside like Villa Venado.

None of the travelers around me had breakfast and coffee on the terrace of a home that could easily be seen featured by a celebrity lifestyle TV show or affluent living magazine.

None of these travelers around me had the experience I had.

They had a vacation.

I had a dream…and it came true.

How much more is that worth? To have an experience?

It’s priceless.

I just had a priceless vacation experience, not beyond my dreams, but beyond my expectations. But why?

Because I had no idea you could vacation like this so affordably. Yes it isn’t cheap, but vacationing never is. You go on vacation to escape. To feel special. To pamper the ones you love. To have an experience.

Villa Venado provided that for me.

Villa Balboa provided that for me.

Villa Caliente provided that for me.

The reason I woke up so early every day. The reason why this morning I got up and walked around the still house just looking at everything. The reason why I stood on the terrace and looked out at the jungle rolling down to the ocean and breathed deep and closed my eyes absorbing every sensation available to me…was because this was an experience. This was an experience that I will never forget and that I may not ever get to repeat. This was an experience well beyond average. Average is what you get on a cruise ship, at a touristy resort, and the hotel right on the beach.

So I wandered around Villa Venado this morning looking at the art work, the architecture and fine detail built into every square inch of this magnificent home…I walked around outside and looked at the house and the grounds and lush hillside around it. I watched the halo form along the top edge of the hill as the sun began to climb and light up the upper most leaves on the trees. I took one last deep breath…and said goodbye.

We packed our bags, ate breakfast and drank our locally roasted coffee on the terrace (Chef Kori arranged for us to get over 10 pounds of coffee from a local roaster to bring home) and in what now seems like the blink of an eye, it was time to go.

Down the hill under the mango trees, up the coast highway, through old Vallarta and the romantic zone, past the River Café, past some of the restaurants and shops we’d visited, past the Malecon, past the marina where the mammoth cruise ships dock, and finally to the airport.

Good bye Puerto Vallarta…until next time.

Dia Siete En Puerto Vallarta

2010-06-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Being in paradise, and staying in some of the finest homes I’ve ever seen anywhere, really makes waking up at 6am easy. While the other members of our party sleep their time here away I sneak outside.

Resting my elbows on the railing of the main floor terrace I lean out to let my eyes and ears drink in the early morning at Villa Venado. The gentle breeze is rocking the tops of the palm trees planted near the house. The birds are becoming active. I see them in the tree tops off in the distance to either side of the villa. Their calls echo around the hillside. Sometimes it sounds like they receive answering calls from the next hillside or canyon over. There isn’t any man-made noise to be heard. Growing up in northern Minnesota I have a great appreciation for the solitude of morning in the woods where the only noise is nature. This morning has a similar feeling. The air smells differently and the birds sound different, but morning before man starts his machines is my favorite time of day.

Villa Venado is a very private Puerto Vallarta villa. There are only two other villas nearby, one is being remodeled, and both were unoccupied during our stay. So we basically had the hillside to ourselves.

After about an hour I rousted my companions. We had breakfast and coffee on the terrace and discussed the activity planned for today and wondered what it would be like. None of us had been on a zipline canopy tour before and we felt excited and a little apprehensive as to what the experience would be like.

The owners of Villa Venado, Jeff and Juliana, also own the Puerto Vallarta canopy tour that we’ll be visiting today and they include free passes to the tour for guests that stay at the villa. Los Veranos Canopy Tours is the name of the company, and Juliana was kind enough to call us at the villa, check to see what time we’d like to go and arrange for one of their shuttle buses to pick us up at the roadside down below the villa. (As we’re about to find out it’s a bit of a drive up into the Canyons and a cab ride would be pretty expensive.)

The tour recommends bug spray, comfortable shoes, and having a camera on a strap. Some people recommended we wear long pants, perhaps to help with the bugs. We did not wear them and would not recommend them. We did a lot of hiking up steps and paths and you will get really hot if you wear pants. See their website for complete details here: http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com

We checked in with Sochie, told her our plan, when we would be back and headed out. We walked down the fancy manicured drive and then continued on to the cobble stone past a few modest homes and condos and many many mango trees (the mangos were not ripe yet...just two more weeks and they would have been). We crossed to the other side of the coast highway and waited for about 5 minutes until the very clean and modern tour bus arrived.

The drive from here took us down the coast through Mismaloya (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mismaloya) and then we turned up a valley road into what looked like a wildlife preserve or national park. There were signs in Spanish that said something to the effect of “don’t litter” and “take out what you bring in.” I didn’t see a sign that told us a park name, but signs like those are generally synonymous with nature park type places, and it certainly looked like one.

The bus wound its way up in the canyon and climbed higher and higher. After about 15 minutes we slowed down and turned off the main road into a quaint and non-touristy looking little town. In the corner of my eye I saw movement in the sky over head. I looked just in time to catch a person mid-canyon on a zip line that was hundreds of feet off the ground and far higher than what I expected. I told the team that if what I just saw was the zip line we’re going on, “I hope you guys brought a change of underwear.”

We unloaded, were directed to lockers for personal belongings and told to use the restrooms…”To avoid mid-air accidents.” Which we were told was a frequent occurrence.

The staff was very comical and super friendly, so after a minute or two it was obvious that they were joking about the frequency of the "mid-air accidents". However the zip-lines we could see from the base camp were very high, and one member of our group was becoming very anxious.

Next they led us to the area where they handed out the gear and explained the best way to conduct yourself on the zip-lines. They offered reassurance about safety and told us what to do in certain situations; like if you stop short of the platform, are coming in too fast, etc…

Zip-Line crash course completed we were marched up the hill to begin the tour.

To say the least…it was AMAZING!!!

They started us off with some smaller lines, tree to tree, to help folks gain confidence. But it wasn’t long before we were doing some seriously long lines. We’re talking multiple football fields of distance across canyons that, on our highest run, go more than 700 feet in the air above the canyon floor.

It was spectacular and the staff would often take volunteers to hang upside down, spin round and round, and for other aerial shenanigans. I call them shenanigans because the guides we very playful, very humorous and worked extremely hard to make the experience memorable for everyone.

At the end of the tour we each put $10 in their tip jar and bought shots of Tequila - which is the tradition (or so the bar tenders would have you believe). But it was a bit of a workout and we certainly felt we deserved a shot to celebrate our bravery and counter act the adrenaline that was pumping.

This experience was one in a life-time. If you come to Puerto Vallarta, go on this Canopy Tour. It was SO much fun. Even our most anxiety prone companion was having a blast by the end.

At the base camp there is a restaurant and cantina along the river. You may go swimming there aswell if you like. They also have a petting zoo of sorts with some pigmy marmosets and squirrel monkeys, a large iguana, a big python and a tarantula. (I will get some video up soon of the Pigmy Marmosets eating yogurt from my hand. It was one of the most endearing things I have ever experienced…)

From an animal rights perspective I am sure there are those that will disapprove, but their animal facility was very clean and appeared well kept. The animals appeared healthy and very well cared for and similarly to a zoo, when people get to interact with animals I believe they’ll have a better appreciation for them and the environment that they rely on. I know I will never think about the jungle without remembering my little tiny pigmy marmosets and how cute and special they are.

With a few hundred pictures in the camera and what I hope will turn out to be some good video we head back to Villa Venado. On the way home one of the tour guides grabbed a van and shuttled the four of us right to the front door saving us the long walk up the hill. His thoughtfulness was most welcomed. The other two couples that were in the van, catching a ride back to their cruise ship, had to pick their jaws up off the floor of the van when they saw where we were staying.

Yeah…it really is THAT nice.

Home sweet vacation home…

The rest of the afternoon we spent lounging by the pool, soaking in some sun, and silently lamenting the fact that it was our last full day in paradise. Together we sat on the patio lounge chairs and watched for the last time as the sun slowly approach the horizon, touch it and sink quickly into the ocean.

That evening my lady friend and I were treated to a fancy dinner, prepared by our two cohorts.

The candles were lit. The waterfall was trickling, The warm lights inside Villa Venado cast everything in gentle gold. We raised our glasses for last time to an amazing experience and to the people that made it possible.

What a trip.

What luxury.

What a way to vacation. Why would anyone stay in a hotel on vacation? I know I never will again.

Thank you Jeff and Juliana for opening your home to us. You’ve really created a masterwork here and a great value for the vacation traveler that seeks a more refined experience...

Click here for information about renting Villa Venado in Puerto Vallarta.

Dia Seis En Puerto Vallarta (Part 3)

2010-06-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

Every minute that goes by this morning is bittersweet. Our time at Villa Balboa is coming to an end.

On the agenda; gourmet breakfast by chef Kori, a sample of the spa treatments available at the villa, a light lunch and our goodbyes to the wonderful staff and this amazing ocean front home rental in Puerto Vallarta.

Chef Kori starts us off right with a fresh mango and cantaloupe smoothie. She insisted that we drink a lot of water as the masseurs would go to work on us and if we’re not hydrated sufficiently we’ll cramp up badly.

After breakfast we’re told it is time and we head down to our terrace, where I spent those peaceful moments earlier in the morning, and we find the two women already set up for us. No CD of relaxing ocean waves needed, mother nature already provides that sound track. Add the firm touch of an expert masseur and aroma therapy oils to create the best massage experience I’ve ever had.

After the massage a dip in our room’s infinity Jacuzzi is the final touch to our luxurious and relaxing stay.

Our bags are packed we’re ready to go….

I sneak away from our group to take one final walk though the villa to soak up into memory as much of this experience as possible. The garden and koi ponds on the rooftop, the wonderful décor and pool and patio on the main floor, the movie theater, the waterfall, the master suites, the executive apartment, the other bedrooms, the unique bathrooms throughout the villa. The sounds. The smells. The feeling of the sun on my face with the cool rocks at the base of the waterfall beneath my feet. I want to remember everything!

We say our goodbyes and thank yous to Christhian and Eduardo, and as we’re about to call a cab to meet us, chef Kori offers to drive us to our next stop…Villa Venado.

Chef Kori, who will probably have her own cooking show someday she’s so adorable and spunky, is simply too nice. If you’d like to contact her for event catering or private chef service email her at chefkori@hotmail.com

On to Villa Venado…

With the help of Eduardo we piled our luggage into the back of Chef Kori’s Dodge Ram pick-up, that still had California plates even after 7 years of driving in PV. Chef Kori explained some of the intricacies of the Mexican driving system and it was shocking. Thank goodness cabs are so plentiful, buses run regularly, and nice locals like Chef Kori will help you get around.

As she put the truck in drive we looked back at the entrance to Villa Balboa and the large wooden doors that hide a sanctuary of such opulence it is hard to image the could exist more than a handful of villas like this one in the entire world.

We rolled up onto the coast highway and Villa Balboa was quickly gone from view.

The truck bounced down the coast highway. Wind blew in our faces carrying the smell of the ocean wafting through the foliage that lined the road. I took a deep breath and said, “You guys think we should just go to the airport? Cuz there’s no way the trip can get any better than what we just experienced.”

Chef Kori, jokingly step a little on the break and said, “o.k..” We all chuckled.

Chef Kori told us that Villa Venado shouldn’t be very far down the road from Balboa, though she had never seen it. That made sense as Venado was only just finished in 2009.

Soon we were slowing down and turning left to go up a bumpy hillside road. There were some condos or apartments to the left and some small houses on the right. The road was the cobblestone that we had seen in many parts of Vallarta and there were large Mango Trees over hanging the road as we climbed.

After a short distance the road opened up to an area of the hillside that was under slow development. We passed another 2 or three houses and then we came to a gated drive that was as finely paved and manicured as you’d see in any modern multi-million dollar luxury home development in the US. We passed through and climbed the steep palm lined pavement drive and as we rounded a bend we saw it.

Villa Venado.

A warm toned, uniquely designed, luxury villa set behind large walls on the lush hillside. This home rose like a castle, or a chateau, and with dramatic architecture faced the ocean and seemed to say, “I am Venado…hear me roar!”

We were stunned by this home, but in a different way than Villa Balboa.

Sochie, the house manager, met us at the gate in the wall. I would say door but this large wooden gate reminded me more of the entrance to a castle. It was made of bulky, heavy rough-hewn timbers, and featured a large cast iron handle. On closer inspection you could see that the door’s simple design was enhanced by an entrance security system. Classic meets modern is a theme you’ll notice in much of the architecture here.

As we stepped onto the grounds it became immediately apparent that, similar to the case of Balboa, the pictures you see online do not do the home justice.

Flagstone tiles lead up to the entry stairs and the 12 or 15 foot high front door that is surrounded by glass that must go up another 10 feet. To the right you see the guest house and garage, to the left the estate wall wraps around the side of the home revealing a path onto the lower garden area of the grounds. Walking up the steps you cannot help but feel like you’re living in an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous or MTV Cribs.

Walking past a polished marble sphere, 3 feet in diameter, that has a hole drilled through it turning it into a fountain, we push the front door and enter Villa Venado.

Astounding.

The foyer opens onto the main floor of the home and the only word that can be used to describe this living space is; expansive. The ceilings must be 30 feet high in this part of the house.

Art work and sculptures decorate every wall. Massive panes of glass allow for a panorama of the jungle hillside and ocean.

We could tell sunsets from here were going to be magnificent.

The main floor features a gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances. The main floor terrace stretches about half the width of the house and provides a sitting area off the kitchen for coffee or light meals. The dining room will accommodate 8 comfortably and 10 if you don’t mind a little less elbow room. All around you are pieces of fine décor.

The back drop for the dining room is the home’s waterfall that sends rivulets running down a wall of what appears to be stacked black slate. At the base of the waterfall is a copper statue, turned green like the statue of liberty, of a sword fish leaping from the water.

It was clear the owners of Villa Venado spared no expense in its creation.

Continuing the tour, there is one bedroom on the main floor with its own private bath and terrace and also an iMac computer with DSL internet and a Vonage with free calls to the US.

Now the spiral staircase that takes you to the upper and lower levels requires special attention. The marble stairs are set into the wall and have no other railings or banisters holding them in place. They appear to float without support.

On the upper level of the home there is an office and luxurious master suite. The master bath has a huge sculpted marble tub. It is really quite spectacular. If this tub was quarried and cut from a single piece of marble it alone must have cost tens of thousands of dollars...

As we turn to leave I snap a picture of the staircase looking down from the top floor…

On to the first lower level. Stepping off the stairs the panorama is amazing, and I’m not just talking about the ocean view.

Immediately upon stepping onto the lower level you see a finely crafted billiard table. To the left are large glass panes that reach from the level of my toes all the way up to the ceiling of the main level, and provide a full view of the waterfall feature. To the right of the Billiard table is the living area and entertainment system. A 72 in flat screen is centered on the wall surrounded by speakers, audio and video components below, artwork to break up the wall and then built-in shelves on each end are filled with books and a few photos of the owners family.

A plush leather couch faces the TV and a full bar backs up against the wall facing the ocean. Two bedrooms then flank this living area to each side.

Stepping out onto the pool patio area you see the outdoor grill, palapa dining area, infinity pool and jaccuzzi.

I can’t wait to see this place all lit up tonight.

The tour moves on to the second lower lever where the workout room is located along with a neat vintage arcade that features antique pinball machines, Foosball table, a shuffle board table and a very cool looking bathroom sink. I won’t tell you what it looks like. You’ll just have to explore it for yourself. Sochie’s apartment is also located on this level.

Not part of the tour, but because I was curious, I asked her to show me the lowest level, and there we saw the state of the art water purification system. It was much more complex looking than I thought it would be for a house this size. Good to know the owners spared no expense anywhere in constructing this beauty of a home.

Back to the main floor and a pow-wow with Sochie to determine what we would need her to pick up for us at the store. Having Chef Kori spoiled us because we told her to just rock our culinary world and she did. Because we wanted to cook ourselves at this our last home we needed Sochie to pick up some things from the market.

Steak, veggies, eggs, chorizo, fruit, tortillas and of course cerveza, were on the list to pick up.

Having arranged everything we needed with Sochie, and knowing tomorrow would be a busy day… We hit the pool and turned on whole-house XM radio and enjoyed the rest of our afternoon.

Sochie returned that evening with our provisions and we grilled steak and veggies, enjoyed a bottle of wine and headed to bed. We closed the walls of sliding doors, turned on our in room air conditioner and fell right to sleep…

What a day.

Tomorrow…ZIP LINES!!!

Dia Seis En Puerto Vallarta (Part 2)

2010-06-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

Every minute that goes by this morning is bittersweet. Our time at Villa Balboa is coming to an end.

On the agenda; gourmet breakfast by chef Kori, a sample of the spa treatments available at the villa, a light lunch and our goodbyes to the wonderful staff.

Chef Kori starts us off right with a fresh mango and cantaloupe smoothie. She insisted that we drink a lot of water as the masseurs would go to work on us and if we’re not hydrated sufficiently we’ll cramp up.

After breakfast we’re told it is time and we head down to our terrace, where I spent those peaceful moments earlier in the morning, and we find the two women already set up for us. No CD of relaxing ocean waves needed, mother nature already provides that sound track. Add the firm touch of an expert masseur and aroma therapy oils to create the best massage experience I’ve ever had.

After the massage a dip in our room’s infinity Jacuzzi is the final touch to our luxurious and relaxing stay.

Our bags are packed we’re ready to go…

I sneak away from our group to take one final walk though the villa to soak up into memory as much of this experience as possible. The garden and koi ponds on the rooftop, the wonderful décor and pool and patio on the main floor, the movie theater, the waterfall, the master suites, the executive apartment, the other bedrooms, the unique bathrooms throughout the villa. The sounds. The smells. The feeling of the sun on my face with the cool rocks at the base of the waterfall beneath my feet.

I want to remember everything!

We say our goodbyes to Christhian, Eduardo, and as we’re about to call a cab to meet us, chef Kori offers to drive us to our next stop…Villa Venado. Chef Kori, who will probably have her own cooking show someday she’s so adorable and spunky, is simply too nice. If you’d like to contact her for event catering or private chef service email her at chefkori@hotmail.com

Good bye Villa Balboa... Hello Villa Venado!

More pictures and video of Villa Balboa will be posted soon!

Dia Seis En Puerto Vallarta

2010-06-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

The sound of the ocean is the most welcomed alarm clock I have ever known.

Awake at 6:00 when on a tropical paradise vacation would normally not be on the agenda, but when it’s your last morning at Puerto Vallarta's Villa Balboa you want to take advantage of every last second to soak in as much of the home as possible...

My goal at this moment is to absorb the essence of this home so that in weeks and months and years from now, I can close my eyes, and be transported back here.

Right here, on the terrace of the Sea Shell Room, the 4th floor master suite, standing on the cool glassy marble looking out onto a pre-sunrise ocean and sky that blur together pale shades of blue with subtle strokes of cherry blossom and lavender. The ocean rolling over rocks, a few pelicans down the beach, the sea breeze across my face and the deep relaxing breaths make up the quartet serenading me this morning. A single fishing boat is silently making its way out of the bay.

These moments, and so many others, are now indelibly etched in my memory.

Villa Balboa will do this for you as well.

Only perhaps your forever moment will be when your lover catches your gaze in the rooftop garden. Or when you’re holding hands on your room’s private terrace as you watch the sun set before your eyes. Or when you touch wine glasses after you are escorted to a private candlelit dinner for two in Balboa’s hidden sanctuary. Or when you, your children, and grand children are all on vacation together and all 20 of you have just sat down around the dining room table and each face is turned toward you, anticipating the loving words of an elder so proud of the family all being together at Christmas. Or the moment when the world stands still, the golden glowing sun hanging just above the horizon, in the breathless moment just before you say, “I do”.

Such is the power of Villa Balboa…

It creates the moments that change your life forever.

(To Be Continued…)

Dia Cinco en Puerto Vallarta (part 2)

2010-05-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Day 5 continued...

So yes, sorry about the flash back in part one to our check in experience. It was worthy of making a two part entry don't you think?

Now dressed for the day and riding the elevator up to the 2nd floor thoughts wander onto the need for breakfast.

Chef Kori? Are you here?

Of course she is with a menu of Huevos Rancheros gourmet style and a pitcher of freshly blended mango and pineapple smoothie. Yummy!

Now this next part isn't usually on the activity list for the normal day of guests at Villa Balboa. Typically you'd be lounging by the pool, having massages, or getting ready for your wedding, or supermodel photo shoot or what have you... But we decided to go to market with Chef Kori.

She said she likes it when folks want to get out and see some real Mexico...Not that Villa Balboa isn't real, though we took turns pinching each other the entire time, its just that's not were average Mexican stay, not how they live, and Chef Kori, who is originally from California, was happy to be our guide to the city. We all piled into her Dodge Ram extended cab pick-up truck and off we went to market.

As we toured through the streets Kori told us stories about her life in Puerto Vallarta and how fabulous it is to live there and have the opportunity to work as a chef for some very cool people in some very cool places. Her only complaint was the local police, whom she said, "Want to take my big truck!"

The open air market was roughly the shape of a square with a courtyard in the middle and vendors wrapping around the inside and out. We first walked by fish vendors offering the morning's catch on ice. There was red snapper, mahi mahi, crabs, huge shrimp, octopus, and more. We would be back! Don't want to buy fish first, keep it on ice until the last minute.

In another corner of the market was the produce area where we found bins and bags of the usual fruit and veg suspects and many more, including the most fragrant fruit I have ever smelled. I don't remember the name but it was small and yellow with a pear like outer consistency and a scent so strong and so sharply sweet that it reminded me of smelling a starburst candy. So we had to get some! Along with some star fruit, Mexican plums, limes, a few types of squash, cilantro, several more things I cannot remember and cactus. When in Rome.

We bounced from shop to shop picking out the best items here and there, peeking at the fresh local food, a few oddities and watched a tortilla mill and bake machine in action. It was really really cool, but not for the faint hearted as there are butchers doing their dirty work live during your tour and sometimes you don't want to know the cow before you enjoy the fillet.

Back our Puerto Vallarta Villa life!

While I shot photos for a bit my companions enjoyed a dip in the pool and lounging in the sun. Kori made a fresh batch of margi's and fixed us a very light smoked mahi-mahi dish served on tostadas. It was really incredible.

Later in the afternoon Christian, set us up with a wine tasting featuring Mexican and South American fine wines. (Villa Balboa receives a wholesale discount with a wine distributor making a tasting that we would have easily paid $500 for, a modest $150. We tasted 4 different wines, and had 2 bottles of each kind, so that we could choose our favorite to have with dinner.

Presentation was superb, and Christian was a lovely and knowledgeable host.

The wine we chose for dinner was a Chardonnay from a boutique family owned winery in Baja, if I am remembering correctly... It was splendid sharing this moment with friends in a setting like this.

Thank you Christian! And thank you Kori for everything today! We finished dinner, the most amazing chili rellenos, enjoyed a mango Flan for dessert that was so jaw droopingly good it was hard to get our mouths to chew and finished our wine as the sun set of the edge of a golden sparkling sea.

Yeah...whatever you are imagining right now, reality was much better. You'll have to come stay to find out just how much.

Dia Cinco en Puerto Vallarta

2010-05-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

May 4

Waking up to the sounds of the Ocean below your bedroom balcony is dream worthy.

Waking up to the sounds of the Ocean below your master suite at Villa Balboa is beyond imagination.

We were staying in the sea shell room which was appointed with mostly white linens accented with colors of sea foam and brushed aluminum, which together seamlessly faded into the pink, blue, and light greens of the Puerto Vallarta horizon just before sunrise. Our room featured an infinity jacuzzi, full bath with dual sinks, lovely glass enclosed shower, and large walk in closet. As a humble marketing guy, raised in the woods of northern Minnesota, this is luxury beyond anything I could have ever possibly imagined experiencing.

But for those accustomed to the finer things in life, Villa Balboa would seem like the natural place for a luxury family vacation or business retreat.

When we arrived the day before the home appears humble from the main coastal highway. The one level that you can see is clearly finely crafted but if it weren't for the subtly placed electric security fence running across the top of the front of the building there is nothing that hints at the absolute opulence that lies hidden behind the wooden double doors.

Once swung open the secret is revealed. Koi ponds, fountains and a lush, colorful tropical garden greet your eyes. Christian, the house manager, greets your other senses with cool cloths that are soaked in some kind of rosemary potion. After you are refreshed Christian directs Eduardo, the lead houseman, to take our luggage to our rooms while the tour of the home begins.

Leading us from the main entry and the trickling koi ponds we pass through square archways to the rooftop patio and garden. From here you have full views of the bay. There is a tiled area to the left for entertaining with chairs and umbrella table, and a grassy garden area to the left that is used for professional photography and for wedding ceremonies.

You have two choices in leaving the rooftop sanctuary. Stairs...or elevator.

Christian says, "On the way down we take the stairs, on the way up, we take the elevator." You'll find out why that is shortly. On our way to the second floor (in Villa Balboa the floors count up as you go down. Street level is one, main living and dining is floor two, the first level of bedrooms is floor 3, second level of bedrooms is 4, and the private apartment is on floor 5. There are two additional levels below that accessible only by staff for maintenance and mechanical. So Villa Balboa actually has 7 floors!)

Fine artwork greets us in the stairway down to the second floor. Christian points out that the villa features a mix of fine art on display that we will see as we tour.

As we step out of the stairwell onto the 2nd floor its stunning how bright and airy the home is. It seems every wall is made of windows and those windows slid open to let in the sounds and smells of the ocean. Christian points out a large and fully functional office area to our right the movie theater and media room is just beyond it set back into the hillside. To our left is the main living area, furnished with a large white couch, large paintings on the walls, wet bar, and amazing coffee table created from a whole cross section of a tree trunk at least 6 inches thick and 5 feet in diameter.

Looking directly out from the living room is the main floor terrace with white deck chairs, tables with umbrellas, and equally amazing views of the ocean.

On the other end of the terrace is the home's infinity pool. turning back toward the home you see the open air gourmet kitchen where chef Kori is squeezing fresh limes for our welcome margaritas that we shall enjoy poolside following our tour. Chef Kori was very friendly and spoke perfect English. Walking back into the home we passed the formal dining area that featured a completely custom built glass top table and brushed aluminum chairs upholstered with fine cowhide.

Our jaws were on the floor...the second floor and there were three more. Down the stairs again lead us to the level of the first master suite. Expansive, lavish, lovely. The gym was on this floor, a couple more bedrooms, and a nice view of the home's main water feature, a 4 story waterfall. This home was really incredible.

More fine art, more bedrooms, and more attention to detail than I could have imagined possible to interconnect the room by room feeling of a home this large.

On the 4th floor was the master suite where my love and i stayed, another bedroom, a lounging/garden area at the base of the water fall, a secret sanctuary area where massages and private dinners area held, and more I'm sure as my senses were overloaded by the sublime decadence this home offers.

On the 5th floor, you'll find an apartment home with fully functioning gourmet kitchen, bedroom, living area, terrace, and private bath. This place is perfect for the president of a company or similar team leader who requires privacy for planning, small group meetings, or needs accommodations that are more segregated from the employees. This level is accessible from the top floor, by elevator, and is able to offer restricted access to insure privacy.

Having seen the entire house we climbed into the elevator and went back up to floor 2 for Margaritas. And that was the end of our tour on the first day.

Back to reality on the balcony, in the morning of day 5 in Mexico, overlooking the ocean in the finest accommodations I have ever know.

I could spend the rest of my life in this moment.

(Continued in Day 5 Part 2)

Dia Quatro en Puerto Vallarta

2010-05-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

May 3

Hasta Luego Villa Caliente…Hola Villa Balboa!

We will stay in Villa Caliente again. It was so nice and so affordable. I cannot image finding a better vacation value anywhere in Puerto Vallarta. Its classic Mexico and Mediterranean feel really enhances the luxurious, movie star feeling you get when staying in Conchas Chinas.

Hasta Luego (see you later) Claudia, Beba, and Reena! Thank you so much for a fabulous stay!

On…

…to Villa Balboa.

Alright pause. Reality check. Is this really happening? Yes, I am still breathing. I do have a pulse. I have not died and gone to heaven. Or have I?

Dia Tres en Puerto Vallarta

2010-05-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

May 2

Levanta! (get up!)

There is so much to do here its hard to find the time to sleep. And because of the Coronas and Cubans poolside until after midnight we’re having a little trouble getting up at 7:30 in order to catch the boat to Playa Los Animales.

…but somehow we did.

It was a gorgeous morning. The first that hasn’t been a little overcast. It made for some amazing pictures on the taxi ride to the marina. Our house keeper Beba suggested we take the bus, as the marina will cost you about 15 dollars via taxi, but we weren’t up early enough to catch the proper line from Conchas Chinas.
The cab ride through old town, on the cobblestone streets with the sun, freshly cresting the mountains and sparkling on everything, was a visual I’ve seen only in spy movies filmed in Mediterranean cities.

At the marina we paid our 15 pesos to enter, found the ticket booth for the boat we wanted, mentioned Jose Riveria the house keeper’s husband, and got $5 off the ticket price.

The tour boat served us breakfast, which was ok, and then headed out. They followed the edge of the bay, which gave us a sea side view of some of our other villas, Mandarinas and Esplendora we unmistakable.

The first stop was Los Archos Marine Preserve where people were allowed to get in the water with snorkeling gear. After about a half hour everyone was back on board and we were off to the playa.

The beach was amazing. You could have shot a Corona commercial on this beach. Canvas backed chairs, tables with umbrellas, palm trees.

This beach was accessible by water only. There were a few rental cabins, 3 cantinas, and a jungle tour.

We soaked up the sun, some amazing food, and several coronas and I do believe the was a Pina Colada in the mix that was also awesome.

After a few hours on the private beach it was a speedy trip back to port.
That evening we decided to have our one nice dinner out while in Puerto Vallarta.

Upon the recommendation of Chris, we decided to visit the River Café. It was fantastic and, as you might guess, was located on the edge of a small river. It was very very classy.

Soft music, soft lighting, open air over-looking the river. The frogs provide an additional rhythm section. The wine list was extensive and the menu offered a variety of flavors to suit any palate. I enjoyed the poached sea bass with a mango citrus sauce. The fillet was enormous. The salmon with lobster sauce reduction looked good and was raved about, but my deathly allergy to shell fish precluded my indulgence in that dish. The lamb sadly was the only deliciously average meal at the table. Prepared well, but it was something you could find in a fine restaurant just about anywhere. Dessert we had Spanish coffee prepared in the most amazing way I have ever seen. We got a video clip of it which you will want to check out once it is posted…I will probably title the video “waterfalls of blue flame” if you’d like to use your imagination.

Buenas noches! Tomorrow we leave Villa Caliente for Villa Balboa. It’s going to be an exciting day I think.

(Sadly all the pictures I took on the private beach have gone missing from my camera. I do have some video and our other camera that I will pull photos from so all is not lost. You'll just have to wait until i get back to see them.) But for now take a look at a couple of these that did survive the day...

Dia Dos En Puerto Vallarta

2010-05-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

May 1

It couldn't be jet lag since we gained two hours flying here...maybe it was the pure excitement...but I was up this morning before 6am. The city was very still. The sun had yet to begin its climb over the mountains. The birds hadn't yet awakened.

Every thing was very still except for the rolling ocean several hundred feet below our hillside perch at Villa Caliente.

The panorama from the roof top pool and patio certainly proves that Conchas Chinas is the Beverly Hills of Puerto Vallarta. All around Villa Caliente there are similar, hillside homes. Unique. Mediterranean.

Our desayuno (breakfast) was the other half of the pineapple, papayaq and mango that was left from our welcome party. It was after 10am so cervesa and margaritas were on the menu.

What to do today?

Sit by the pool.

Visit old town, viejo Puerto Vallarta.

How about everything!

Lunch (almuerzo)para el recommendacion de Noe.

:El Brujo

El Brujo for lunch and it was amazing. I enjoyed the fajitas, the other members of the party had crab quesadillas and the sea food soup. The fajitas we adequate but the crab quesadillas were delicious and the seafood soup was unbelievable. We will put the video up upon return to the USA and after appropriate mixing.

In la tarde, (in the afternoon) we had Cuban cigars on the patio of Villa Caliente, no fumar inside, and sipped Coraonas and we watched the the fall, fall, fall...

En el noche el restaurante Riviera, not to be confused with the River Cafe, was the place we visited. Radio Taxi was fabolous and if you can get Rey in the cab 080 he speaks fluent English from about 10 year in California. So if you can order Radio Control Taxi and Ask for Rey, en la 080, you will be well taken care of.

The restaurant, which is off the strip, is very nice. But if you've visited El Brujo that is not unfamiliar. There is lovely sea themed decor on the walls, even a pool in the restaurant, even though there was no one using it, was cool. A nice jukebox, a helpful staff, an honest manager and of course delcious food made it a wonderful choice for the noche primero en Puerto Vallarta.

As we catch up from jet lag and the traveling (and waking up at 4am pacific) we will give you a much better account of our travels.

Take a look at these pictures from out first full day in Puerto Vallerta!

And there are so many more...

Dia Una Puerto Vallarta

2010-05-01T06:25:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 30th, 4:25am. Still no power. Tired. Excited. The cab pulls up to the front of the house. So far so good.

Breakfast in Portland.

Lunch in Phoenix.

Dinner in Puerto Vallarta!

Skies were overcast around the bay so it was quite a site when we descended through the clouds and found our plane was now swooping into a valley with low mountains on both sides. Landing gear down.

"Ladies and gentlemen on behalf of US Airways we'd like to welcome you to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico."

Wild cheers erupted as the throngs of college kids eagerly rushed toward the airplane door.

Not.

The plane, which was at 2/3 capacity, mostly middle aged tourist types, was vacated quickly. The Puerto Vallarta Airport was clean, equipment on the ground looked new. And the baggage claim and customs area had been recently redone with polished marble everywhere.

Customs was very efficient and very friendly.

Its a very pleasant airport and certainly nothing to be intimidated by. Certainly there are the usual people at the exit asking if you need a cab and if you'd rather not fight with them call Noe.

Pronounced No-eh! Rhymes with no way!

No-eh Jose! Was the joke in his very clean leather upholstered white Chevy Suburban.

On our way from the airport to Villa Calliente, Noe, pointed out many restaurants that are worth while, good ares for shopping (and over priced areas), pointed out a few sites along the way and before we knew it we where here.

Claudia the house manager met us at the entrance, gave us a tour, and introduced us to the house keeper who had Margaritas, fresh fruit, homemade quacamole and pico de gallo, and chicken tacos and cheese quesadillas. YUM! I mean... DELICIOSO!

Corona's in the fridge, rooftop pool and patio, and truly amazing views of Conchas Chinas and the bay. This villa is a great value at full price. It is a steal at the summer rate they are currently charging. Of all the villas in the VillasAndCondos.com portfolio I can't imagine how you could find a better place for your money.

Check out a few pictures I snappen of the villa and the surrounding hillside and bay. Then check out all the details on Villa Caliente here: http://www.villasandcondos.com/locations/puerto_vallarta/villa_caliente/puerto-vallarta-vacation-home-rental-villa-caliente.html

Packing By Candlelight

2010-05-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

It sounds romantic to spend the evening before a trip to Mexico in warm glow of candlelight... Unless the power went out while you were packing.

We had just dropped the dog off with friends and were preparing for our trip to Puerto Vallarta and our flight out of PDX at 6 the next morning. I was in the back yard making sure everything on the exterior fo the house was prepped for our lengthy absence when, BOOOM!!!

Lights on all the houses in the neighborhood go out. In the sky, flickering white flashes accompanied by the sound of arching electricity. Then silence.

That was a big explosion. My gut told me the power wouldn't be coming back on. So packing by candlelight began and it was very pleasant. Except it took twice as long to find anything...but nothing worth doing was ever easy. Puerto Vallarta here we come!

Puerto Vallarta Tomorrow

2010-04-29T09:57:00.001-07:00

Our marketing guy, who is based in Portland, Oregon, is spending 7 nights in Puerto Vallarta and will be posting pictures and blogging about his trip. He'll be staying at some fine Puerto Vallarta Villa Rentals and you'll hear first hand about his experiences traveling starting tomorrow.

We're very excited to have him come down so he can help communicate to other travels just how special Puerto Vallarta is.

So check back soon for trip updates...

Twas the night be Christmas in Puerto Vallarta

2010-03-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas in Puerto Vallarta
All the family was gathered for the party to starta
The mass had been attended, the feast devoured
The fiesta now begins and will last till all hours
The kids tucked in bed, gifts under a palm tree
It was time for the adults to have fun and be free
There was ice in the blender, rum on its way
The clock had just rolled over to Christmas day
We lifted our glasses filled with festive red and green
And savored our margi's and delicious daiquiris
As we stood on terrace of our luxury villa
And look down on Vallarta from our perch on the hilla
The lights of the city twinkled like stars
And succeeded in drawing us here from afar
The beach has been lovely, the weather like 80
We've been on a new adventure pretty much daily
This has certainly been the best Chirstmas Vacation ever
Didn’t think we’d do it…well never say never
We’re here now and this place is the bomb
Plan your Puerto Vallarta Vacation now at VillasAndCondos.com

Puerto Vallarta Villas and Condo Vacation Rentals - The Definitive List

2010-03-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

Puerto Vallarta Mexico is a paradise vacation destination on the Pacific coast and there are literally hundreds of websites that offer vacation rentals. This variety of sites serving the vacation rental market in Puerto Vallarta exist because the web allows anyone to throw up a website or blog, put some villa pictures up there, copy the description from another website, add a price, and contact information. People can do this without ever having visited the city. Without ever having visited the property they are renting you.

I don't know about you but I'd want to know that the vacation home I'm renting has been visited and checked out by the person renting it to me.

With VillasAndCondos.com LLC you will be dealing with a company that has been actively renting villas, condos, and vacation homes in Puerto Vallarta since 1988. Thats more than 20 years of experience on your side to ensure the villa or beach condo you are renting is exactly what you are looking for.

Other sites may have a few nice villas. Other sited might have every vacation rental that's on the market in Puerto Vallarta and they have no idea what awaits at a given condo or casa. VillasAndCondos.com offers variety, top quality rentals, and long time Puerto Vallarta Vacation rental experience.

Our selective list of luxury vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta is below

Casa Azul Mar
Casa Balboa
Casa Buenavista
Casa Canta Rana
Casa Carmelina
Casa Carole
Casa Coco
Casa Contenta
Casa Copa
Casa Copa do Oro
Casa Corazon
Casa de la Palapas
Casa Las Ampas
Casa de las lomas
Casa del Mar
Casa del Quetzal
Casa Demae
Casa Do Re Mi
Casa Dorado
Casa Encantada
Casa Guacamole
Casa Horizon
Casa Ileana
Casa Karma
Casa La Vista I
Casa Las Ampas
Casa Marilu III
Casa Masante
Casa Mia
Casa Mucamba
Casa Myrna
Casa Nautilus
Casa Nicte
Casa Paraiso
Casa Quien Sabe
Casa Quinta del Sol
Casa Sabrina
Casa San Sebastian
Casa Septiembre
Casa Tabachin
Casa Tres Vidas Mar
Casa Tres Vidas Alta
Casa Tres Vidas Sol
Casa Valerie
Casa Ventana Penthouse
Casa Villa Verde
Casa Vista Amapas
Casa Vista Linda
Estrella del Mar
Hacienda del Mar
La Jolla Condo
Los Palmares Condominiums I
Los Palmares Condominiums II
Playa Esperelda Luxury Condos
Puertofino Condo Marina I
Puertofino Condo Marina II
Puerto Vallarta Beach Villas I
Puerto Vallarta Beach Villas II
Punta Esmerelda Condos
Punta Mita Penthouse
Quinta Esmerelda
Suites Emperador
Terrazza del Mar I
Terrazza del Mar II
Vilas Ampas North
Villas Ampas South
Villa Aurora
Villa Azul Pacifico
Villa Bahia
Villa Caliente
Villa Castillo
Villa Celeste
Villa Del Cielo I
Villa Del Cielo II
Villa Del Cielo III
Villa Encantada
Villa Esplendora
Villa Estrella Del Mar
Villa Grandia
Villa Guillermo
Villa Karaway
Villa La Casita
Villa La Vallita
Villa Las Palmeras
Villa Las Puertas
Villa Las Puertas
Villa Leonarda
Villa Luna Creciente
Villa Macarena
Villa Mandarinas
Villa Merissa
Villa Quinta Del Mar
Villa Rosa
Villa Salinas I
Villa Salinas II
Villa Tesoro del Mar
Villa Tita
Villa Venado
Villa Vista Linda
Villa Ventana
Villa Veranda
Villa Verano
Villa Viva Vallarta
Villa Yvonneka

Vacationing in Puerto Vallarta Mexico during the Christmas Holiday Season

2010-03-06T14:58:00.001-08:00

Christmas in Puerto Vallarta is the most popular time to travel to the Mexico Beach City. The religious significance of the holiday season to local residents makes it a fun a festive time to visit. The perfect weather means every day you're virtually guaranteed sunny with temperatures typically ranging from the the high 70's to low 80's. Nice weather for the month of December if you can get it!

We'd be happy to help you plan and book your vacation!

Visit our website at http://www.villasandcondos.com

And for more information check out these two articles...

http://www.villasandcondos.com/puerto-vallarta-villa-pr/puerto-vallarta-christmas-vacation-villas-condos-rentals.html

http://www.prlog.org/10562002-top-10-christmas-vacation-villa-rentals-in-puerto-vallarta.html

New Picture's from Puerto Vallarta's Villa Venado...

2010-02-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

Puerto Vallarta Villa Rental - Villa Venado. Completed in 2009 the owner's spared no expense in designing and furnishing this breathtaking vacation home. Just 20 minutes from old town Puerto Vallarta located on a lush hillside above Garza Blanca, Villa Venado is one of the most spectacular villas in Puerto Vallarta.

The villa is tastefully designed with warm golden tones that glow in the setting sun. It features 4 bay view bedrooms and one jungle view bedroom. Each badroom features queen or king bed, tasteful design, and ensuite baths.

The home includes high speed wireless, free calls to the US and Canada using thier Vonage phone plan, Bar and billiard room with large screen Satellite TV, and game room with pinball, shuffleboard and foosball.

Daily maid service is included, except Sundays, and a chef is on call for an extra fee. The owners of the home also have a 42 foot yacht that they make available to guests for a modest rental fee.

Below are some new pictures of Villa Venado. To see more photos and to inquire about renting this fine Puerto Vallarta Vacation Villa, please visit VillasAndCondos.com LLC.

Puerto Vallarta Art and Wine Festival is February 21st

2010-02-10T08:18:00.001-08:00

The Puerto Vallarta Yacht Club is hosting the 8th annual Art and Wine Festival in Nuevo Vallarta on Sunday, February 21st from 3 to 6 pm.

There will be fine arts on display from local artists, painters, photographers, jewelry designers, and metal workers. Also many wines will be available for tasting from bargain bottles to a $60+ category. Gourmet appetizers will be serverd.

A silent auction and raffle will also take place featuring locally produced jewelry, art and sculptures, fine wines, and gift certificates to local restaurants. The raffles grand prize is a 5 liter oak barrel filled with Tequila.

Cost for admission is 150 pesos, which includes 10 tasting tickets.

If you are interested in going to Puerto Vallarta to attend this event please take a look at our Puerto Vallarta villa vacation rentals at http://www.villasandcondos.com/puerto_vallarta.html.

New Article Says Mexico Is Safer Now Than Ten Years Ago

2010-02-08T09:19:00.000-08:00

Despite the heavy reporting in the news on Mexico's rougher areas, particularly where drug cartels operate, the plain fact is that Mexico is safer than it was 10 years ago.

According to a recent article online at San Luis Obispo Tribune violent crimes are down quite a bit from 2000 levels.

That fact, despite the drug cartel violence that we read and hear about, is a testament to the effectiveness of the changes in governance and policing in Mexico over the presidential terms of Calderon and Fox. Furthermore tourist cities like Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, and Playa Del Carmen are even further insulated from crime as the local population, police, and civic leaders understand the importance of tourism to their economy.

So bottom line... Mexico is safer now then in decades and tourist cities are even safer. Furthermore the slowed economy means there are some great villa rental deals out there. Let us know if we can help you find one.

VillasAndCondos.com LLC

2010-01-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

Banderas Bay, offers the protected sanctuary for Puerto Vallarta and nearby coast communities. The River Cuale, which splits Puerto Vallarta in half, runs into the bay through lush hills and bluffs. The scene altogether makes Puerto Vallarta one of the most magical vacation settings in Mexico.

That is why I first began specializing in travel to Puerto Vallarta over 20 years ago. I recognized then that this small coastal city would remain a jewel sought after by travelers for decades to come. I was right.

Over the last 20 years have visited Puerto Vallarta close to 100 times. So you can imagine I know the city well. Arts, entertainment, dining, swimming, fishing, surfing, hikes in the jungle, yoga sanctuaries, or just relaxing with a drink in your hand and toes in the sand. Whatever you have in mind for your Mexico Beach Vacation Puerto Vallarta will deliver.

And what ever you have in mind for accommodations VillasAndCondos.com can deliver. Like I said almost 100 visits and more than 20 years of experience booking travelers’ vacations to Puerto Vallarta makes us an expert resource for anyone looking for Puerto Vallarta Vacation Advice. We certainly have access to the finest luxury villa accommodations you’ll find in Puerto Vallarta and our lengthy experience in the city gives us a leg up on every other Puerto Vallarta vacation rental company on the web. We have the relationships with the owners that go back decades so we know how to get the best price for you.

So please when you are ready to look at booking a vacation to Puerto Vallarta, contact us through our site www.VillasAndCondos.com. We’ll be happy to share our experience with you and help you find the perfect beach vacation accommodations.

Puerto Vallarta and Playa Del Carmen Vacation Rental

2010-01-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

Whether for a family vacation, work recharge retreat, or a romantic splash in the ocean Puerto Vallarta and Playa Del Carmen offer numerous distractions from the world you are used to at home.

Swimming, scuba diving, surfing, dining, arts and culture, a vibrant club scene and of course just soaking up the sunshine are just some of the fun that awaits you in PV. The favorable exchange rate allows for Americans and Canadians to take advantage of a higher level of living when visiting.

Villa rentals along the beach may be procured for less than half of what the rental costs would be stateside. 10,000 square foot luxury vacation villas regularly rent for the high hundreds per night, vs. the high thousands you'd pay for a comparable estate in the United States. http://www.villasandcondos.com LLC is the number one booking and reservation agent for vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta and Playa Del Carmen.

When you visit VillasAndCondos.com you'll have a selection of villas and condo vacation rentals for your browsing that numbers more than 350 units. With a selection that large you're sure to find the vacation rental that matches your dream vacation fantasy...

And speaking of fantasies, this valentines day has the promise to be one of the most romantic and affordable. VillasAndCondos.com is excited to offer these villa rentals with free night stay bonuses....

http://www.villasandcondos.com/locations/puerto_vallarta/casa_myrna/casa_myrna.html

http://www.villasandcondos.com/locations/puerto_vallarta/villa_caliente/villa_caliente.html

http://www.villasandcondos.com/locations/puerto_vallarta/casa_canta_rana/casa_canta_rana.html

http://www.villasandcondos.com/locations/puerto_vallarta/hacienda_del_mar/hacienda_del_mar.html

http://www.villasandcondos.com/locations/puerto_vallarta/villa_bahia/villa_bahia.html

http://www.villasandcondos.com/locations/puerto_vallarta/villa_encantada/villa_encantada.html

http://www.villasandcondos.com/locations/puerto_vallarta/casa_balboa/casa_balboa_5.html

Let us know if we can make your fantasy valentines day romantic escape come true.
VillasAndCondos.com LLC offers expert Puerto Vallarta vacation rental and planning assistance. For over 20 years, and offering over 350 vacation rental properties, http://www.villasandcondos.com LLC is the best vacation rental agency operating in Puerto Vallarta and Playa Del Carmen Mexico.

Where To Start, Ahhhh... when vacationing to Puerto Vallarta

2009-12-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

Well first thing you'll want to do is read up on Puerto Vallarta on Wiki Travel and Wikipedia...

Here is the Wikipedia Entry for Puerto Vallarta:

Puerto Vallarta (Spanish pronunciation: [pwerto βaʎarta]) is a Mexican resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas. The 2005 census reported Puerto Vallarta's population as 177,830 making it the fifth-largest city in the state of Jalisco. The City of Puerto Vallarta is the government seat of the Municipality of Puerto Vallarta which comprises the city as well as population centers outside of the city extending from Boca de Tomatlán to the Nayarit border (the Ameca River). The municipality's population in the 2005 census was 220,368.[1]
The city is located at 20°40′N 105°16′W. The municipality has an area of 502.19 square miles (1,300.67 km²). To the North it borders the SW part of the state of Nayarit. To the east it borders the municipality of Mascota and San Sebastián del Oeste, and to the South it borders the municipalities of Talpa de Allende and Cabo Corriente.[2]
Puerto Vallarta is named after Ignacio Vallarta, a former governor of Jalisco. In Spanish, Puerto Vallarta is often shortened to "Vallarta", while english speakers call the city P.V. for short. The city occasionally is spelled or pronounced as Porto Vallarta. Being a Spanish name, Vallarta is usually pronounced 'vie-arta', not 'val-arta'. In internet shorthand the city is often referred to as PVR, after the IATA code (ICAO MMPR) for its international airport.
Contents [hide]
1 Climate
2 Geography, geology and ecology
2.1 Geographical characteristics
2.2 Seismic history
3 Economy
3.1 Industries
3.2 Tourism trends
3.3 Population and growth rate for the Municipality of Puerto Vallarta
3.4 Growth related problems
3.4.1 Water pollution
3.4.2 Poverty
4 History
4.1 Pre-Hispanic times to the 19th century
4.2 El Carrizal and Las Peñas - 19th century
4.3 The early Municipality - early 20th century
4.4 The modern resort - 1960s to the present
5 Transportation
5.1 Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
5.2 Bus station and regional buses
5.3 Local transportation
6 Prominent citizens, past and present
7 Culture: Arts, music, cuisine
7.1 Local food specialties
7.2 Puerto Vallarta in the movies and TV
8 Landmarks, sights, activities
8.1 Landmarks in Puerto Vallarta
8.2 Landmarks south of Puerto Vallarta
8.3 Landmarks north of Puerto Vallarta
8.4 Landmarks east of Puerto Vallarta
8.5 Beaches and beach towns
8.5.1 Beaches in Puerto Vallarta
8.5.2 Beaches South of Puerto Vallarta
8.5.2.1 South Shores beaches
8.5.3 Beaches north of Puerto Vallarta
8.6 Local festivals
9 Neighborhoods
10 Gallery
11 References
11.1 Sources
12 External links
[edit]Climate

Puerto Vallarta's climate is typical Tropical wet and dry (Köppen climate classification Aw),[3] with a marked dry season in the winter. The high temperature and variations in humidity can make July through September nearly intolerable. It has pronounced wet and dry seasonal variation, with sudden monsoon-like rains from July through September, normally for a few hours in the evenings.
The average daily high temperature is 86 °F (30 °C); average daily low temperature is 70 °F (21 °C); average daily humidity is 75%. The rainy season extends from mid June through mid October, with most of the rain between July and September. August is the city's wettest month, with an average of 14 days with significant precipitation. Even during the rainy season precipitation tends to be concentrated in large rainstorms. Occasional tropical storms will bring thunderstorms to the city in November, though the month is typically dry. February, March and April are the months with the least cloud cover.[4]
Prevailing winds are from the southwest, and most weather systems approaching Puerto Vallarta are consequently weakened as they pass over Cabo Corriente. Thus even during the rainy season Puerto Vallarta's weather tends to be mild compared to other areas along the Mexican Pacific coast.
Hurricanes seldom strike Puerto Vallarta. In 2002 Hurricane Kenna, a category 5 hurricane, made landfall about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Puerto Vallarta, and the city suffered some damage from the resulting storm surge. In 1971 Hurricane Lily, a category 1 hurricane, caused serious flooding on the Isla Cuale, prompting the city to relocate all of its residents to the new Colonia Palo Seco.
[edit]Geography, geology and ecology

[edit]Geographical characteristics
Puerto Vallarta lies on a narrow coastal plain at the foot of the Sierras Cuale and San Sebastián, parts of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The plain widens to the North, reaching its widest point along the Ameca river. Three rivers flow from the Sierra through the area. From South to North they are the Cuale, the Pitillal, and the Ameca. A number of arroyos also run from the Sierra to the coastal plain. Many of the valleys of these rivers and arroyos are inhabited. Also development has to some extent spread up the hillsides from the coastal plain.
The city proper comprises four main areas: the hotel zone along the shore to the North, Olas Altas - Col Zapata to the South of the Cuale river (recently named Zona Romantica in some tourist brochures), the Centro along the shore between these two areas, and a number of residential areas to the East of the hotel zone. The oldest section of the town is the area of Col. Centro near the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, especially Hidalgo street.
[edit]Seismic history
Puerto Vallarta, like much of the west coast of North America, is prone to earthquakes, though Puerto Vallarta tends to experience only peripheral effects of earthquakes centered further south. In 1995 an earthquake located off the Colima coast shook the crown from the top of the Roman Catholic Church.
[edit]Economy

Nearly 50% of the workforce is employed in tourist related industries: hotels, restaurants, personal services, and transportation. The municipality does however continue to have strong agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors.
[edit]Industries
Agriculture is especially important in the Ameca valley to the northeast of the city center. Principal crops there include flour corn, sweet corn, dry beans, fresh chile, watermelon and tobacco. Fruit growing operations are more dispersed, with banana farms in the Ameca valley, mango orchards in the low hills, and avocado farms on some of the higher ground above the city.
There are also significant livestock operations in the Ameca valley, and fishing in the Bay of Banderas is also a significant industry.
Industrial products include foods and beverages, furniture, and construction supplies. Thirty years of consistent development have given Puerto Vallarta a very strong construction sector which employs nearly 10% of the Puerto Vallarta workforce.
The commercial sector comprises nearly 17% of the workforce, including shipping, trucking, wholesale and retail operations (though the retail sector is probably understated because of the large underground economy in the sector).[5]
Shipping traffic consists of cruise ships, which arrive almost daily, and occasional visits by U.S. Navy frigates. The Mexican Navy maintains a base at the port, as well as a former naval hospital in the city center, which is now a Naval Museum. Puerto Vallarta is not however very active as a commercial port. Most goods arrive in Puerto Vallarta by truck along the Compostela highway from Guadalajara.
Tourism and travel represent a large part of Puerto Vallarta, with many rental and accommodations available. While the U.S. economy has created a downturn in overall tourism business, the other markets including Canada and Europe are still quite strong.
[edit]Tourism trends
Puerto Vallarta was once named as La Ciudad Mas Amigable en el Mundo (The Friendliest City in the World), as the sign reads when entering from Nayatrit. Today, the presence of numerous sidewalk touts selling time-shares and tequila render the city's atmosphere more akin to tourist-heavy resorts like Cancun and Acapulco, but overall the city's reputation remains relatively undiminished.
Tourism makes up roughly 50% of all economic activity in Puerto Vallarta according to puertovallarta.net. The high season for international tourism in Puerto Vallarta extends from late November through March (or later depending on the timing of the College Spring Break period in the USA.) The city is especially popular with US residents from the West Coast because of the number of convenient flights between Puerto Vallarta and Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. The air routes between Puerto Vallarta and Los Angeles and Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco are by far the most heavily traveled of all air routes to the city.[citation needed]
Puerto Vallarta is also a popular destination for domestic tourists. It is a popular weekend destination for residents of Guadalajara (tapatíos), and a popular national destination for vacations such as Semana Santa (the week preceding Easter) and Christmas. Also in recent years Acapulco has experienced a rise in drug related violence[6] and consequently Puerto Vallarta has absorbed a lot of the Mexico City resort vacation business (Acapulco has long been a common destination for tourists from Mexico City).
Puerto Vallarta has become a popular retirement destination for US and Canadian retirees. This trend has spawned a condominium development boom in the city. Puerto Vallarta has also become a popular gay vacation destination, and consequently the Olas Altas area now boasts about a dozen clubs, several hotels, and numerous specialty shops catering to a gay clientele.
Rapid growth in tourist volume in Puerto Vallarta has given rise to rapid growth in hotel and rental apartment construction. This growth has spilled over from the city limits into Nuevo Vallarta in the neighboring state of Nayarit. The area is one of the fastest growing regions in the Americas.
[edit]Population and growth rate for the Municipality of Puerto Vallarta
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Total 10,801 15,462 35,911 57,028 111,457 184,728
Annual growth prior ten years --- 3.6% 9.1% 4.6% 7.1% 5.2%
source: Cuaderno Estadistico Municipal[7]
[edit]Growth related problems
[edit]Water pollution

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Visibility in the water off of Puerto Vallarta, close to the mouths of the rivers is poor in the summer, but away from these locations visibility in the summer is greater than in the dry season. In Puerto Vallarta the sewage is treated by a British/Dutch company with a "State of the Art" facility. Outside of the City there may be no connection to this and in the rainy season some pollution can happen around the river mouths, but it quickly dissipates in the bay, which is a huge body of water. Recently jellyfish blooms in the fall have become an increasing problem, making many of the area beaches unsuitable for swimming. It's likely that the blooms are the result of increased algae levels and decreases in predator populations due to the ever declining quality of the water in the bay. While the city government has done a lot to improve sewage treatment, it has done little to enforce its usage and, and the worsening jellyfish bloom is probably a consequence of the resulting plankton blooms.[8]
Recently (2006) beaches in Jalisco were ranked as the worst in the country in a government study. The beaches at Boca de Tomatlan and at the mouth of the Cuale in the heart of Puerto Vallarta tested repeatedly at rates 3 to 4 times internationally accepted standards for human fecal bacteria.[9] Even the beaches at seemingly idyllic Yelapa and Mismaloya tested at the same high levels on several occasions. During the rainy months of June and July the situation becomes worse. For example in July 2007 Los Muertos beach tested at 12 times the limit that the US EPA considers safe for swimming.[10]
[edit]Poverty
Poverty remains a problem in Puerto Vallarta, fueled by the constant influx of persons seeking employment. Many areas of the city are still poorly served by roads and sewers. For example Colonia Ramblases is served by roads in generally poor condition only 10% of which are paved, and Ramblases has been a populated neighborhood since 1940s.[11]
The Municipality of Puerto Vallarta comprises about 45,000 regular dwellings. Of those, 10% do not have a potable water supply (carrying their water from a public tap), 8% do not have connections to a sewer system or septic system (using instead crude septic pits or dumping sewage directly into waterways), and 4% do not have electricity.[12]. One reason for this is the difficulty the city has enforcing building regulations.
Although compared to Mexico as a whole employment levels are quite high, many of the jobs available in Puerto Vallarta are classed as inferior by the Secretariat for Social Development, and even jobs that are generally well paying tend to be seasonally so. E.g. waiters depend heavily on tips to supplement incomes that can be as low as 47 pesos a day - the applicable minimum wage in Jalisco.[13]

There have recently (2005 to 2007) been improvements like the new IMSS facilities in Col. Versalles, improvements to several recreation facilities, improved communal beach access policies, etc. Still efforts seem to aim more at quick and visible infrastructure improvements than at solving the more pressing and perduring problem of insufficient infrastructure for basic service.[14]
One positive result of recent growth has been that in relative terms a smaller percentage of the population lives in older and poorly served neighborhoods. A growing number of residents live in housing projects and low income housing developments which provide at least adequate basic services. So perhaps having stemmed the growth of the problem with the new developments, the City will eventually be able to devote its resources to improving existing neighborhoods[15].
[edit]History

Puerto Vallarta's proximity to the Bay of Banderas, the agricultural valley of the Ameca River, and the important mining centers in the Sierra have given the town a more interesting past than most Mexican tourist destinations. Puerto Vallarta was a thriving Mexican village long before it became an international tourist destination.[16]
[edit]Pre-Hispanic times to the 19th century
Few details are known about the history of the area prior to the 19th century. There is archaeological evidence of continuous human habitation from 580 B.C., and there is archeological evidence (from sites near Ixtapa and in Col. Lázaro Cardenas)[17] that the area belonged to the Aztatlán culture which dominated Jalisco, Nayarit and Michoacán from approx. 900-1200 A.D. Unfortunately the limited evidence and relative lack of interest in occidental Mexican archeology have meant that we still know very little about pre-historic life in the area.[18]
Spanish missionary and conquistador documents chronicle skirmishes between the Spanish colonizers and the local peoples. In 1524, for example, a large battle between Hernán Cortés and an army of 10,000 to 20,000 Indians resulted in Cortés taking control of much of the Ameca valley. The valley was then named Banderas (flags) after the colorful standards carried by the natives.
Also the area appears on maps and in sailing logs as a bay of refuge for the Manila Galleon trade as well as for other coastal seafarers. As such it figures in some accounts of pirate operations and smuggling and pirate contravention efforts by the viceregal government. During the 17th and 18th centuries the Banderas Valley and its beaches along the Bay of Banderas served as supply points for ships seeking refuge in the bay. The area also served as a point where smuggled goods could be sent on to the Sierra towns near Mascota, evading the customs operations at San Blas, Nayarit.
[edit]El Carrizal and Las Peñas - 19th century
During the 19th century the history of Puerto Vallarta, then called El Carrizal or Las Peñas, was linked to the history of the sierra towns of San Sebastian del Oeste, Talpa de Allende and Mascota. While today these towns are considered quaint tourist destinations, during much of the 18th century, Mascota was Jalisco's second largest town, after Guadalajara. Mascota and its neighboring towns located in the high plateaus of the Sierra, developed as agricultural towns to support the growing mining operations in the Sierra.
During the 18th century, as Mascota grew, Puerto Vallarta grew with it, transforming itself from a small fishing and pearl-diving village into a small beach-landing port serving the Sierra towns. At the time the main port serving Jalisco was located at San Blas, but the inconvenient overland route from San Blas to the Sierra towns made Puerto Vallarta a more convenient alternative for smaller shipments, not to mention smuggling operations which evaded the tax collectors at San Blas. Puerto Vallarta also became a vacation destination for residents of the Sierra Towns, and by the mid 19th century, the town already had its regularly returning population of vacationers. Most of the early settlers in Puerto Vallarta were families who had left the Sierra towns for one reason or another.
1859 saw an important turning point for the small village, then known as Las Peñas. That year the Union en Cuale mining company took possession of land extending from Los Arcos to the Pitillal river and extending back up into the Sierra for miles. The Union en Cuale company was owned in part by the Camarena brothers of Guadalajara who had developed a small trade in oil palm in Las Peñas. The purpose of the government's sale of the land to the company was to provide for shipping, fishing and agricultural support for the mining operations which were growing quite quickly in the Sierra.
The official founding story of Las Peñas and thus of Puerto Vallarta is that it was founded by Guadalupe Sánchez Torres, on December 12, 1851, as Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe. Unfortunately the record of Sr. Sanchez's purchase of property in Las Peñas dates the sale to 1859.[19] Also even as early as 1850 the area was already peopled by fisherman, pearl divers, smugglers and foragers, all of whom had something of a permanent existence in the area. Given the existing historical documents it is simply impossible to date the first permanent settlement in the area,
There is however no doubt the development of Las Peñas into a self-sustaining village of any significant size happened in the 1860s as the mouth of the Cuale area was exploited to support the operations of the newly enfranchised Union en Cuale company. As such 1859 marks the beginning of Puerto Vallarta as a village. Twenty years later, by 1885, the village comprised about 250 homes and about 800 residents.[20]
[edit]The early Municipality - early 20th century
In 1918, the village was elevated to municipality status and renamed after former state governor Ignacio Vallarta. During the early years of the 20th century most of Puerto Vallarta was owned by the Union en Cuale company controlled by the American Alfred Geist. Mr Geist sold land only in large plots at prices that were quite high for the time and otherwise leased the land on short term leases. To remedy this situation and to enable the new municipality to develop, the citizens petitioned the government for a land grant based on the new constitution's provisions. In 1921 the Local Agrarian Commission approved a grant of some 9,400 hectares (23,000 acres or 39 square miles), with the land to be expropriated from the Union en Cuale company.[21] The grant was established as an ejido holding (a farming cooperative administered by the government). Legal squabbling over the size of the land grant, and the ejido status of the properties involved would stymie growth in Puerto Vallarta into the 1960s, as developers were reluctant to build anything too substantial on land for which one could not obtain clear title. (Ejido land is controlled by individuals who are given licenses to use it, but it could not be sold, subdivided or leased.)
During the Cristero War the municipality was twice taken over by Cristero forces (April 1927 and January 1928). After it was recaptured for a second time, the national government stationed a small garrison there under Major Ángel Ocampo. The garrison was stationed near the mouth of the Cuale River and is responsible for planting many of the palms that now line the beaches on near the mouth of the Cuale River to help limit beach erosion during heavy rains in October 1928. One casualty of the skirmishes was local pastor Padre Ayala who was exiled to Guadalajara for his role in fomenting the local revolt. He died there in 1943, though his remains were returned 10 years later and interred in the main parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
As mining activities in the Sierra waned in the early years of the 20th century, Puerto Vallarta and the agricultural valley to the North of the city became important destinations for those leaving the Sierra towns and looking for a place to settle. Many of those who arrived had family members already living in Puerto Vallarta, and the pattern of migration that ensued turned the town into a collection of more or less extended families, giving it the cohesion of a typical sierra town.
Also from 1925 until 1935 the Montgomery Fruit Company operated in the area around Ixtapa. Friction with the state government over labor issues eventually led to the venture being abandoned, but for ten years it provided an important source of employment in the area.
The first airplane service arrived in 1932, with electrical service on a small scale arriving about the same time. The first suspension bridge over the Cuale went up in 1933. The city's first plumbing system was started in 1939. In 1942 Puerto Vallarta was finally connected by road to Compostela, Nay. Until then the only access to Puerto Vallarta was by sea, air, or by mule trails to the sierra towns. Also in 1942 in the New York based magazine Modern Mexico the first advertisement for a Puerto Vallarta vacation appeared, sponsored by the Air Transport Company of Jalisco. By 1945 the company was landing DC-3s in Puerto Vallarta (carrying 21 passengers).
By the 1950s Puerto Vallarta had started to attract Americans, mostly writers and artists in search of a retreat from the USA of the era of Eisenhower and McCarthy. Gringo Gulch began to develop as an expatriate neighborhood on the hill above the Centro. The city also attracted Mexican artists and writers who were willing to trade the comforts of life in the larger cities for its scenic and bucolic advantages.
In 1956 the Mascota mule trail was replaced by a packed dirt road. 24-hour electrical generation arrived in 1958. A new airport arrived in 1962 connecting Puerto Vallarta with Los Angeles via Mazatlán, and the Mexican Aviation Company began offering package trips.
By the early 1960s the population had started to spread beyond the Centro and Gringo Gulch, and the Colonias of 5 Diciembre (north of the Centro) and Emiliano Zapata (south of the Cuale River) began to grow.
[edit]The modern resort - 1960s to the present
Four influences converged during the 1960s and early 1970s to launch Puerto Vallarta into its trajectory toward becoming a major resort destination.
First the federal government finally resolved century old property disputes involving the status of communal land originally appropriated from the Union en Cuale mining company to be parceled out as farms. The communal (ejido) status of the land had stifled development in the town for much of the 20th century. The transition to private ownership of much of the land within present city limits culminated in the appropriation of much of the land in 1973 and the establishment of the Vallarta Land Trust (Fideicomiso) to oversee selling the land and using the revenue to develop the city's infrastructure.
Second, the American director John Huston filmed his 1963 film The Night of the Iguana in Mismaloya, a small town just south of Puerto Vallarta. During the filming, the US media gave extensive coverage to Elizabeth Taylor's extramarital affair with Richard Burton, as well as covering the frequent fighting between Huston and the film's four stars. The subsequent publicity helped put Puerto Vallarta on the map for US tourists.
Third, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Mexican government invested in the development of highways, airport and utility infrastructure, making Puerto Vallarta easily accessible both by air and ground transportation for the first time. The city's first tourist boom occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s because of this work. During those years most tourists in Puerto Vallarta were Mexican, and the reason they started travelling to Puerto Vallarta then was because the trip between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta was made sufficiently convenient because of the governments investment in infrastructure.
Finally, in 1968 the municipality was elevated to the status of a City. The change in status reflected the renewed interest shown by the federal and state government in developing the city as an international resort destination.
Also significant was the August 1970 visit of US President Richard Nixon who met with Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz in Puerto Vallarta for treaty negotiations. The visit showcased Puerto Vallarta's recently developed airport and resort infrastructure, and thus contributed to the growing visibility of the city as a resort destination.
Prior to 1973, hotels in the city tended to be modest, and only two large sized luxury hotels existed (the Real and the Posada Vallarta). After 1973 Puerto Vallarta experienced rapid growth in the number of larger luxury hotels, culminating in 1980 with the opening of the Sheraton Buganvilias. In 1982 the peso was devalued and Puerto Vallarta became a bargain destination for US tourists. Consequently the mid-80s saw a marked and rapid rise in the tourist volume. This in turn fueled more development, for example the Marina which was started in 1986. By the early 90s development of other destinations in Mexico like Ixtapa and Cancún caused a slump in travel to Puerto Vallarta.
It was also during the early 1980s that Puerto Vallarta experienced a marked increase in problems related to poverty. While the devaluation of the peso brought record numbers of tourists to the area, it also stifled investment and thus construction. So while more and more workers were arriving in Puerto Vallarta to try to cash in on the booming tourist trade, less and less was being done to accommodate them with housing and related infrastructure. So during the mid 1980s the city experienced a rapid growth in impromptu communities poorly served by even basic public services, and with a very low standard of living as the boom of the early 80s leveled out. During the late 1980s the city worked to alleviate the situation by developing housing and infrastructure, but even today the outlying areas of Puerto Vallarta suffer from poor provision of basic services (i.e. water, sewage, roads) as a legacy of the early 80s.[22]
In 1993 the federal Agrarian Law was amended allowing for more secure foreign tenure of former ejido land. Those controlling ejido land were allowed to petition for regularization, a process that converted their controlling interest into fee simple ownership. This meant that the property could be sold, and it led to a boom in the development of private residences, mostly condominiums, and a new phase of Puerto Vallarta's expansion began, centered more on accommodating retirees, snow-birds, and those who visited the city enough to make purchasing a condominium or a time-share a cost-effective option.

[edit]Transportation

[edit]Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
The Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport comprises a commercial international section and a general aviation section.[23]
The commercial section has a single runway, 3,100 meters in length and 45 meters in width, capable of handling all current traffic without restrictions. The airfield is capable of handling 40 takeoffs or landings per hour. The airport has 11 active gates, three serviced directly from the terminal, and eight serviced remotely using shuttle buses.
As of 2006 the active airlines utilizing the commercial section were: Aerocalifornia, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska, American, Aviacsa, Azteca, Continental, Magnicharters, Northwest Airlines, Mexicana and US Airways.
The general aviation section handles small planes leaving for San Sebastian del Oeste, Mascota, and other towns in the Sierra and along the Coast. It has 18 loading positions and shares the commercial airfield.
During the high season the airport handles approximately 300,000 passengers a month. During the low season it handles about half of that volume. During 2006 the airport handled a total of 2.8 million passengers. One fifth of those were domestic passengers and four fifths were international.
[edit]Bus station and regional buses
National bus lines connect Puerto Vallarta (via the Central Camionera near the Modelo building north of town near the airport) with Guadalajara, Mazatlán, Manzanillo and points beyond. Bus lines include ETN and Primera Plus. Smaller bus lines connect Puerto Vallarta to small coastal and sierra towns.
[edit]Local transportation
Puerto Vallarta is serviced by three municipal bus unions that provide coverage for most of the greater Puerto Vallarta area (e.g. Ixtapa, Mismaloya, Pitillal). Most of the population of the Municipality of Puerto Vallarta travels by municipal bus. Automobile ownership is not rare, but automobiles are seldom used to commute to and from work. They are typically reserved for family outings and major shopping trips. Parking in Puerto Vallarta is scarce, and this makes automobile commuting impractical.
Throughout the central area of the city and along the coastal strip, roads are generally paved, often with cobblestones. In the residential areas outside of the central commercial area dirt roads are the norm, and many of them are in poor condition and not suitable for normal automobiles except at very low rates of speed.
The city is also served by a large fleet of taxis. Rates are controlled by a taxi driver's union, and set in negotiations between the union and the city. Rates are based on established zones rather than using taxi meters.
[edit]Prominent citizens, past and present

Francisca Rodriguez y Rodriguez - Puerto Vallarta's first teacher. She arrived in Puerto Vallarta in 1918 from Tomatlán, and served as Puerto Vallarta's schoolmistress until she retired in 1943. Initially she taught in improvised schools, but eventually moved to the 20 of November School on Ca. Juárez. She was affectionately remembered as La Pachita (the little Pasha) by generations of Vallartan schoolchildren. She was killed by an automobile in Ca. Juárez not far from the school where she taught, and a bronze plaque at the site commemorates her life and death.[24] There is a street named after her in Col. Emilio Zapata.
Manuel Lepe Macedo (1936-1984) - a painter renowned for his naive style paintings, a style that has become closely associated with Puerto Vallarta. His works are exhibited in town at the Peter Gray Gallery at the University of Guadalajara's Coastal Center near Ixtapa.
Carlos Munguía Fregoso (d. 2005) - well known as Puerto Vallarta's official historian and chronicler. He was author of countless articles on the history of Puerto Vallarta, and of several books, including most recently Panorama Histórico de Puerto Vallarta upon which much of the historical narrative in this article is based.
[edit]Culture: Arts, music, cuisine

[edit]Local food specialties
Huachinango Sarandeado - red snapper marinated in a birria paste (roast peppers, garlic and spices) and grilled.
Grilled Marlin - served on the beaches and at some taco stands - the meat is skewered and cooked over coals then served with hot sauce and lime.
Ceviche - raw fish, scallops, or shrimp, with onions, chiles such as serranos or jalepenos, and lime juice. The lime juice cures the fish, turning the flesh opaque and giving it a chewy texture. The ceviche is usually served with tortilla chips or on a whole tostada, and quite frequently accompanied by guacamole.
[edit]Puerto Vallarta in the movies and TV
The Night of the Iguana (1963) - filmed on location at Mismaloya and other minor locations in the Puerto Vallarta area. The filming brought Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr, Tennessee Williams, and Elizabeth Taylor (who was not in the film). The off-screen activities of Burton and Taylor were reported in the tabloids and tabloid newsreels of the day. After filming was completed, John Huston decided to build a home in the vicinity, he built a home on remote Las Caletas beach and a house in town. John Huston's children Angelica and Danny are founders and supporters of the Puerto Vallarta Film Festival. (In The Night of the Iguana children are shown selling iguana by the roadside. The iguana was once an important food animal, popular in Jalisco and Colima.)
Predator (1987) - the jungle scenes were filmed on location in the hills behind Mismaloya. The film starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and was directed by John McTiernan. McTiernan lost quite a bit of weight during the filming because he was afraid to eat the local food. The cast also endured a lot of dangerous obstacles in the jungles such as changing weather, cold water and wildlife.
Blow (2001) - When George Jung (Johnny Depp) went to buy marijuana in Mexico.
Puerto Vallarta Squeeze (2004) - a filmed version of the Robert James Waller novel of the same name. It starred Scott Glenn and Harvey Keitel. The film was shot on location in and around Puerto Vallarta.
The Love Boat (tv series)- Puerto Vallarta was often mentioned as a port of call for the Pacific Princess.
Flavor of Love (tv series)- The final episode in which Flava Flav picks the winner was shot on location on Las Caletas beach in Puerto Vallarta.
The Heartbreak Kid (2007)- In the film there is a scene where Ben Stiller fights with a sea lion and these portions were shot on location in Puerto Vallarta at the Sea Lion Adventure of Vallarta Adventures one of the tour companies there.
Gauntlet 3 (2008) (tv series)- An MTV series consisting of challenges between two teams, the "rookies" and the "veterans" for $500,000.
[edit]Landmarks, sights, activities

[edit]Landmarks in Puerto Vallarta
Parish Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Col. Centro
Púlpito and Pilitas (Pulpit and Baptismal Font) - Col. Emilio Zapata - two rock formations at the South end of Los Muertos Beach. El Púlpito is the tall headland and Las Pilitas are the formation of rocks beneath it. Las Pilitas was the original location of the Boy on a Seahorse sculpture (El Caballito) now located on the Malecón. There are two streets in the Olas Altas area named after the rock formations.
Playa Conchas Chinas (Chinese Shells Beach) - Fracc. Amapas - the city's most secluded beach, located to the South of the headland which forms the boundary of Los Muertos beach.
The Malecon - paved walkway along the seashore in Col. Centro - especially popular during the Sunday evening paseo. It features a collection of contemporary sculptures by Sergio Bustamante, Alejandro Colunga, Ramiz Barquet and others. The Malecon was extensively rebuilt in 2002-2003 following damage from hurricane Kenna.
Mercado Isle Cuale and Mercado Municipal Cuale - there are two large public markets in the Centro along the banks of the Cuale selling a variety of artisanal and souvenir goods, and the Isla Cuale has a number of souvenir vendor shops as well. The Isla Cuale was also famous for its cat population. The Island was a lower class suburb until flooding during Hurricane Lily (1971) forced residents to be relocated. They were moved to Palo Seco (which means for dry stick) and the Island was converted into a site for restaurants, shops and a cultural center.
Cuale Archaeological Museum - on the West side of the Isla Cuale, the museum presents a significant collection of local and regional pre-Hispanic art in a number of informative displays. The museum also houses a small gallery for showing contemporary art.
John Huston statue on Isla Cuale - dedicated on the 25th anniversary of the film's release and honoring Huston's contributions to the city. John's son Danny was married in a ceremony that took place at the statue in 2002.
Plaza de Armas (Ignacio Vallarta) / Aquiles Serdan Amphitheater (Los Arcos) - the city's main plaza - site of public concerts both at the bandstand in the Plaza de Armas and on the stage in front of the arches across the street.
City Hall - a modern city hall laid out using a traditional courtyard plan. There is a tourist office in the SW corner, and on the landing of the main (West off the courtyard) stairwell there is a modest naive style mural by local artist Manuel Lepe.
Saucedo Theatre Building (Juarez at Iturbide) - Built in 1922 in a Belle Epoque style reminiscent of architecture of the Porfirato. The theater presented live shows and films on its first floor, and the second floor housed a ballroom. The building has been converted to retail use.
[edit]Landmarks south of Puerto Vallarta
Los Arcos Marine Natural Area - offshore of Mismaloya 12 km south of Puerto Vallarta. The area has been a National Marine Park since 1984. The area is protected as a breeding ground for pelicans, boobies and other sea birds. The park is a popular snorkeling destination both for the rocks themselves and for the dead coral fossilized coral beds that surround them.
Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens - agaves and other native plants, orchids, restaurant, river swimming - 20 km South of Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta Zoological Gardens - with 350 animals, and located in a forested setting in Mismaloya
[edit]Landmarks north of Puerto Vallarta
University of Guadalajara's Coastal Center - North of Pitillal and West of Ixtapa, the campus features several public attractions including the Peter Gray Art Museum and a Crocodile Farm.
Ixtapa Archeological Zone - north of the town of Ixtapa along the banks of the Ameca River there is an archeological site with remains going back several thousand years. The site comprises 29 mounds. The largest measures 40 meters in diameter and 8 meters in height. The site also includes the remains of ceremonial ball court. The original inhabitants of the site were vassals of the Aztatlán kingdom which was located in Western Jalisco between 900 and 1200 AD. The site is the oldest explored in Western Jalisco. The digs have uncovered a number of residential and ceremonial sites, a wealth of pottery (incense burners, bowls, amphora, etc.). Many of these objects are on display at the Rio Cuale Island Museum.
[edit]Landmarks east of Puerto Vallarta
Terra Noble Art and Healing Center - a New Age spa, meditation center and artist retreat on the hills east of Puerto Vallarta along the edge of the Agua Azul Nature Reserve overlooking Bahía de Banderas. The complex, built to resemble an early Mexican wattle and daub home was created by architect Jorge Rubio in conjunction with American sculptor Suzy Odom.[25][26]
[edit]Beaches and beach towns
[edit]Beaches in Puerto Vallarta
Playa Camarones (Shrimp Beach) - Col. 5 de Deciembre (vicinity of Av. Paragua - Hotel Buenaventura. This is the northernmost public beach in the City of Puerto Vallarta proper. It is named after the shrimp fisherman that once landed their launches on the beach to unload their catch.[27]
Playa Olas Altas (High Waves Beach) - Col. Emilio Zapata - the beach extends from the Cuale River South to the fishing pier. In spite of the name, the waves offshore are not particularly high, and the beach is a popular place to swim, especially for locals and national tourists. The beach is lined with outdoor restaurants.[28]
Playa Los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) - Col. Emilio Zapata - the city's largest public beach. Legend has it the beach's name (Dead Men's Beach) stems from a battle between pirates and local miners after which bodies remained strewn on the beach, but it's a legend, since there were never any miners in Vallarta The South Side of the beach is a popular gathering spot for gay and lesbian tourists. The North end is frequented mostly by locals, and national tourists. The city has recently tried to change the name of the beach to Playa del Sol.[28]
Playa Boca de Tomates (Mouth of Tomatoes) - a beach located near the mouth of the Ameca River. The beach is not very popular among international tourists due to the rocks that come ashore especially in the summertime. Also watch out for Crocodiles. Its proximity to the Ameca River which carries muddy rainwater in the summertime causes the water to lose its clarity making it appear dirty.
[edit]Beaches South of Puerto Vallarta
Playa Gemelas - an undeveloped beach just North of the mouth of the Mismaloya river. The beach lies close to Los Arcos Marine Natural Area and can be used for access to the park from shore.
Playa Mismaloya - at the mouth of the Mismaloya River. The beach was featured in several scenes from Night of the Iguana and the main set was located on hillside to the South of the beach. The beach is developed with a number of restaurants.
[edit]South Shores beaches
A number of beaches along the South shore of the bay are accessible only by boat (from Boca de Tomatlan or the Los Muertos Pier). The developed beaches include (east to west): Las Animas, Quimixto, Majahuitas and Yelapa. These and other smaller undeveloped beaches can be reached by launch from Boca de Tomatlán.
Playa Las Animas - a narrow wide white sand beach developed with several restaurants.
Playa Las Caletas - a secluded beach that was once the private retreat of film director John Huston. Today it is a wildlife preserve. There is a living natural reef close to shore which makes the beach a popular destination for snorkelers.[29]
Playa Quimixto - a somewhat rocky and secluded beach which is settled by a small village of a several hundred families. There are horse and guide hire concessions in the town which lead visitors through a small canyon behind the town to a series of waterfalls.[30]
Yelapa - once a small electricity free fishing village and a popular 'hide away' for Gringos, now it has electricity, telephones and the internet. Visited by tourist boats for about 3 hours a day, it reverts to its laid back ways when they leave.
[edit]Beaches north of Puerto Vallarta
The north shore of the bay is lined with beach towns that offer good wading beaches and the usual tourist amenities. These include (east to west): Bucerias, Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Playa la Manzanilla, Playa Destiladeras, Playa Pontoque, and Punta Mita, all in the State of Nayarit. All can be reached by bus (departing from Wal-Mart).
[edit]Local festivals
December 1 to 12 - Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe
May Festival (last week of may and first week of June) - commemorating the anniversary of the municipality. The festival features outdoor concerts, artistic expositions, sporting events and a parade.
[edit]Neighborhoods

Puerto Vallarta comprises numerous neighborhoods (colonias). Notable neighborhoods include (from South to North)
Res. Conchas Chinas - hillside Southeast from Los Muertos beach.
Col. Alta Vista.
Col. Emiliano Zapata - South of the Cuale (called Zona Romantica or "Old Town" in tourist brochures)
Cols. Caloso and Canoas - east of Col. Emiliano Zapata and up the Rio Cuale.
Col. Centro - the oldest section of town and its current center - North of the Cuale river to Parque Hidalgo
Col. 5 Diciembre - just north of the Centro, and with Col Zapata among the first neighborhoods beyond the Centro to be developed
Col. Lázaro Cardenas - which houses a large recreation complex and the city's largest fish market - Parque Hidalgo to the Libramiento
Col. Versalles - the old Zona Rosa, prior to the development of the North Hotel Zone
Cols. Bugambillas and Ramblases - located on the NW slopes of the hills East of the city and relatively poor areas serviced mostly by dirt roads except for the hillside areas which have good views and thus attract residents with more resources
Del. Pitillal - once a small town and now a populous neighborhood, a separate delegación but now part of the City of Puerto Vallarta proper
Col. Bobadilla - just north of Pitillal and also an important residential area
The city also includes numerous fraccionamientos, densely built residential blocks that provide affordable housing for the city's workforce.
Additionally the municipality of Puerto Vallarta comprises a few other significant population centers (from South to North):
Boca de Tomatlán (pop. 570)
Mismaloya (pop. 970)
Las Juntas
Ixtapa (pop. 25,700) (n.b. there is a more well known Ixtapa in Guerrero - a resort development built in the 80s near the village of Zihuatanejo)
La Desembocada
El Ranchito (El Colesio)
El Colorado
Las Palmas de Arriba

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2009-12-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

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Great Deals to Puerto Vallarta

2009-08-14T10:52:00.001-07:00

Hey All,

Just thought I would write a blog and let you know about all the deals that are being offered in Puerto Vallarta right now. There has never been a better time to travel to BEAUTIFUL Puerto Vallarta. Many owner's are offering free nights even in high season so things are filling up. This along with the strong dollar against the Mexican Peso your money goes so much further. Imagine staying in a private villa with family and friends instead of just a standard hotel room for the same per person rate as a standard hotel!!!!! Awake in the morning to the chef making coffee and your favorite breakfast treats! In the afternoon relax by your own private pool not having to fight for a lounge chair, while the staff prepares fresh made guacamole and salsa and serving you fresh margaritas. Then sit down to a gourmet meal prepared and served to you on the patio while watching the sunset into the sea. All this for the same price as you would pay going to the grocery store and preparing it yourself as their service is INCLUDED in the rate!!!

Don't miss out on the great deals that are being offered as rentals are starting to fill up for the upcoming winter season. Plan now for your escape from the COLD WINTER here in the U.S.