Puerto Vallarta

History

Puerto Vallarta was just a quiet fishing village in 1963 when director John Huston chose the locale for his filming of Tennessee William's play "The Night of the Iguana." The movie's stars were the paparazzi favorites of the day: Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. The resulting media hoopla turned the area into an international destination, almost overnight. The Burtons feel in love with the spot and bought property in the hills above the waterfront. A statue of John Huston in the city's center commemorates the making of the movie.

Today, "PV," as the town is called by its residents, is a world-class resort destination, drawing an average of five million vacationers each night. Not bad for a town with just 165,000 residents.

Attractions

Puerto Vallarta offers many attractions for visitors. Among them are:

• The Malecon – This downtown promenade is elaborately decorated with public art from one end to the other. It has romantic scenes and wacky modern sculptures by renowned Mexican artists and is just fun to explore.

• Museo Rio Cuale - This small museum on nearby Isla Cuale is accessible from Puerto Vallarta by pedestrian bridges. It offers a rare glimpse of pre-Columbian figures and many other artifacts from Mexico’s diverse history.

• Pink Bridge – Though it's not an official attraction, this monument is a highlight for Hollywood fans. It's the delicate arch that once connected Richard Burton’s and Elizabeth Taylor’s homes.

• Huichol Collection Museum Gallery – This museum, located near the city’s main square, has an excellent collection of Indian art, including intricate beaded masks, wall hangings, and carved animal shapes. An in-house artist is often seen working in the shop.

• La Casa del Tequila - This unique shop is a tasting room where samples of the many different Mexican tequilas are available for sale and for tasting.

• Beaches - Puerto Vallarta is well known for delightful beaches. The best are located south of town, where smooth wider beaches are the norm.

• Shopping – Shopping is varied and plentiful. World-class boutiques compete with Mexican craft shops, with a smattering of art galleries in between. Dedicated shoppers can easily find silver jewelry, leather products, clothing, crafts, and much more. Those staying in town for several days will want to avoid shopping when the large cruise ships are in port.

Visiting Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is easily assessable via non-stop flights from Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and Chicago. Connecting service is offered to cities all over the US and Canada. Accommodations in Puerto Vallarta range from large beachfront resort with a full range of amenities to small locally-run paradors, with friendly Mexican charm. Renting a car in Puerto Vallarta is advisable unless you just wish to stay at your resort hotel. Having a car will let you explore the variety of beaches and the picturesque coastline.

Puerto Vallarta is a common port of call on Mexican Riviera cruises, which depart Los Angeles, San Diego, and Acapulco. Although a day is a short time to explore the many wonders of the city, it will give you a taste of this quiet resort town.

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