Puerto Vallarta has more to offer visitors than ever. So what are the best activities and not-to-be-missed attractions? We’ve rounded up the five musts for first-time visitors. Get Up Close to Our Lady of Guadalupe — The city’s most important monument, the landmark cathedral features a distinctive “crown” that tops the church spire. A destination to discover Puerto Vallarta’s history and experience its religious foundation, visitors are invited to attend Mass every Sunday at 10am or service Saturdays at 5pm. One of the most exciting times to experience Our Lady of Guadalupe is during the Feast of Guadalupe Festival (December...
Puerto Vallarta is gearing up for one of its most important holidays — El Mes de la Patria, a celebration of Mexico’s independence. While all of September is considered “the month of the country,” September 16th is the nation’s actual birthday. Throughout the month, across Mexican cities, the streets are strewn with festive red, white and green decorations (Mexico’s national colors) and street vendors sell celebratory paraphernalia like streamers, balloons and flags to honor the holiday. Official Independence commemorations start on September 13 with El Dia de los Niños Heroes, an homage to the soldiers who died in the Battle...
Summer in Puerto Vallarta has plenty to offer, but one experience that continually “wows” visitors is witnessing the nesting turtles. Through the end of September, tourists can catch the tail end of turtle nesting season in which thousands of Olive Ridley turtles swim to Puerto Vallarta’s shores to lay their eggs. After about 45 days of incubation, the nesting turtles’ hatchlings are born and released into the sea. For the last 37 years, the Banderas Bay has served as the nesting and birthplace for these spellbinding sea creatures. Dedicated to marine turtle conservation and protection, Puerto Vallarta’s Department of Environment...
It may not require an entire day, but Isla Río Cuale deserves to be discovered – whether a short stroll through or a few hours wandering. Just minutes from the property, Isla Río Cuale is a unique destination. A sand island sandwiched between downtown and the Romantic Zone, the oasis was formed in the mid-1920s when the Cuale River grew and forked into two separate arms leaving a temporary strip of land in between them. Reached by a North or South Bridge (or hanging bridges for the adventurous), the picturesque, pedestrian-friendly isle is free of traffic and city crowds. Lined...
Looking to enjoy a tasty treat while in Puerto Vallarta? Chocolate-lovers don’t want to miss the Choco Museo. The year-old, multilevel museum tempts visitors’ taste buds with guided tours and chocolate sampling. On the tour, chocolate devotees are educated about how the tiny cacao bean is transformed into a flavorful food, the history of cacao in Mexico and how it’s used in Mexican dishes, and why Mexico’s cacao is preferable to other regions’ (hint: the climate!). The Choco Museo offers several workshops, too, including a Bean to Bar workshop, a truffle-making workshop and a mole poblano workshop, which highlights how...
Life’s a beach in Puerto Vallarta with plenty of playas to satisfy saltwater-loving visitors. But, the ocean is more than a destination to soak up the sun and splash around. Over the years, studies have concluded that proximity to the beach is good for one’s mental health, including recent reports from NBCNews and Inc. The consistent research finds that being by the beach is bliss for the brain and stimulating for the soul. The beach offers many benefits to the body, including: Cultivating Creativity — Creative burnout is one reason people trade the boardroom for the beach, which is why travelers often opt for tropic vacations. The...
