Holiday in Puerto Vallarta

What makes Puerto Vallarta special as a destination?

Puerto Vallarta is Mexico's most charming Pacific pearl — a city that has maintained its authentic Mexican character despite its popularity as a beach destination. Nestled between the densely forested Sierra Madre Occidental and the expansive Bahía de Banderas (one of the largest bays in the world), the city stretches along a picturesque coastline with golden sandy beaches, hidden rock coves, and the legendary Malecón. The Malecón, the one-and-a-half-kilometer long waterfront promenade, is the soul of Vallarta: bronze and sand sculptures by international artists line the Pacific, street musicians play mariachi and salsa, and the view over the bay extends to the mountains of Cabo Corrientes. At the southern end stands the church Nüstra Señora de Guadalupe with its distinctive crown as the city's landmark, beneath which the cobblestone streets of the Zona Romántica spread out. The Zona Romántica (Old Vallarta) is the heart of the old town: here, colorful houses with bougainvillea balconies stand alongside family-run taquerías and gourmet restaurants, and at the Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale, you can find everything from huarache sandals to freshly squeezed mango juice. The neighborhood has developed into Mexico's most open and diverse community. The Islas Marietas, an uninhabited archipelago 35 kilometers off the coast, are home to the world-famous Playa del Amor — a hidden beach in a collapsed volcanic crater, accessible only through a water tunnel. The biosphere reserve also offers snorkeling with manta rays, humpback whale sightings (December-March), and blue-footed booby colonies. Whale watching in the Bahía de Banderas is one of the best experiences in the world: from December to March, hundreds of humpback whales come to the warm bay to mate and give birth. The chances of observing mother-calf pairs and spectacular jumping sequences are over 95 percent.