Puerto Vallarta Holidays
Puerto Vallarta Overview
Holidays with sophistication: Lying on Mexico’s western coast, Puerto Vallarta offers a different type of holidays to the raucous holidays in Cancun to the east. You’ll appreciate the rustic charm of authentic Mexican shops nestled alongside stylish restaurants, modern bars and stunningly beautiful beaches.
Natural delights: As well as its charming beachside bars and towns, when it comes to nature Puerto Vallarta holidays have beauty in abundance. Banderas Bay (where Puerto Vallarta holidays are located) is surrounded by thick swathes of verdant rainforest, where sweet-smelling mango trees line the mountains which rise to the south. With such rich vegetation in the surrounding area it should come as no surprise that there are some wonderful botanical gardens on holidays here too.
Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta Botanical Gardens: Around 12 miles into the dense forest which surrounds Puerto Vallarta holidays, these Botanical Gardens have a wealth of natural riches. Wandering through the gardens you’ll see many rare and exotic plants ranging from virgin white orchids to vibrant pink roses and indigenous jungle plants. You could even take a dip in the clear cool waters of the river Los Horcones which runs though the gardens.
Golfing holidays: Puerto Vallarta holidays have something of a reputation for being excellent for golfing holidays as there are five courses nearby. The pick of the bunch would have to be the Vista Vallarta, as it hosted the 2002 EMC World Championship, but additionally, it’s well worth looking out for the Los Flamingos if you’re new to the game of golf as it’s the ideal course for beginners.
Aquaventuras Park: This fun water park has ten colourful slides and chutes, a children’s play area and a lazy river, making it ideal for family holidays. But its real attraction lies in the opportunity to swim with sea lions and dolphins. It’s truly an unforgettable experience on your holidays to swim, touch and even ride with these beautiful marine animals.
Beaches in Puerto Vallarta
El Salado: The main beach on Puerto Vallarta holidays, El Salado is a long swathe of white sands leading to irresistible shimmering turquoise waters. It’s quite popular with local people too, and many choose to jog along the beach in the early mornings.
Los Muertos: The most popular beach on Puerto Vallarta holidays, Los Muertos is well supported by a range of water sports, as well as a variety of bars and restaurants which line the beachfront. Despite the rather more built up town here, the surrounding backdrop is just as beautiful, with rising hills covered with thick green forest.
Conchas Chinas: Quite a contrast to the other beaches on Puerto Vallarta holidays, Conchas Chinas is actually a collection of coves leading to shallow waters with calm waves. The area is great for children on family holidays here because the water is safer and there a lots of little rock pools to explore.
Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta
Eddie’s Place: Very simply decorated, but don’t let looks deceive you as the food here is delicious and served with a real rustic flair. Expect tasty dishes like spicy chicken skewers and coconut flavoured prawns, as well as a great variety of drinks to be enjoyed in a warm atmosphere.
Fajita Republic: As you may expect from a restaurant with a name like Fajita Republic, the fajitas here are fabulous! The fresh, creamy guacamole dip is a real treat with tortilla chips, and make sure you wash down your spicy chicken fajitas with a classic margarita cocktail. It’s a great place to really get into the festival spirit of Mexico holidays.
Planeta Vegetanario: One of the most original restaurants you’ll see on holidays in Mexico, Planeta Vegetanario serves only vegan dishes with a huge variety of fruit, salads and vegetables served in lots of exciting ways. As the weather accommodates great growing conditions for lots of fruit and vegetables, the meals seem even more juicy and flavoursome than they would back home. There’s also the option to try meat-free versions of classic Mexican dishes.
Nightlife in Puerto Vallarta
Downtown drinks: Downtown is the place to be seen for singing and dancing on Puerto Vallarta holidays. Many of the bars in this area specialise in live music, with places such as La Cave, La Dolce Vita and BeboTero offering a great atmosphere to watch some captivating performances.
Malecon: This area of Puerto Vallarta offers the most frenetic nightlife in the area, with clubs like Collage that have even drawn the attention of MTV and the E! Channel over the years. Look out for Mandala too, it’s one of the newest and sleekest additions to the area, and well worth having a boogie there till 6am. And if you’re after even more spectacle during your holidays, visit Christine’s in the hotel zone – it’s one of the largest clubs in Puerto Vallarta.
Shopping in Puerto Vallarta
Original shops: When it comes to shopping, Puerto Vallarta holidays seem to specialise in those independent shops which sell very specific items. But that’s great news for you though, as it ensures you can pick up souvenirs and gifts which you won’t find anywhere else! For example, head to Manta Maya to see original Mexican clothing, Galeria Indigenia for traditional beads and colourful regional art and La Casa del Habano for a wide selection of both Mexican and Cuban cigars.
