Puerto Vallarta a tourist paradise

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/01/2018 (2805 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The first time I recall hearing of Puerto Vallarta was as a kid, watching the television series The Price Is Right. They often gave away trips to this exotic locale, and it seemed like a whole different world, far removed from my tiny prairie town of Marquette.

Puerto Vallarta was a thriving Mexican village with a beach-landing port long before it became an international tourist destination. It’s proximity to an agricultural valley and mining region, while being situated on the ocean, makes for a diverse and fascinating cultural and economic history.

By the mid-19th century, vacationers from local towns were flocking here to soak up the scenery, sprawling beaches, and tropical year-round climate. It wasn’t until the 1960s, though, that the rest of the world began to catch on to the jewel it really was.

In 1963, American film director John Huston shot his movie The Night of the Iguana in a town just south of Puerto Vallarta. The U.S. media gave extensive coverage to the presence of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor — the latter was not in the film, but was reported in the tabloids because of off-screen activities with Burton. The publicity put Puerto Vallarta on the map for North American tourists.

Today, Puerto Vallarta is perfectly situated as a tourist paradise, in the heart of Mexico’s Pacific coastline. It is fronted by the Bay of Banderas, Mexico’s largest natural bay, and framed by the rugged Sierra Madre Mountains to the east. Over four million visitors come here annually, keeping the 22,500 hotel rooms steadily filled.

Now Amber is a gorgeous resort with luxury service. All suites overlook the ocean, and some offer swim-out access. Right beside on the same property is Secrets, an adult’s only resort that has separate pools and recreational areas. Facilities are shared between the two, and guests can benefit from both.

Now Amber is within walking distance to the famous El Malecon boardwalk and its vibrant ambiance of galleries, shopping, and night life. The paved walkway boasts a collection of contemporary sculptures, interspersed between the markets and kiosks. It’s the place to go to get a terrific view of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, soak up the cosmopolitan vibe, and indulge in an endless array of people-watching.   

To experience some of the culture and customs of Puerto Vallarta, spend a day in a cooking class. Gaby’s Restaurant is a third-generation family-owned restaurant, and Chef Julio is the youngest son.

He is extremely knowledgeable about the food and its origins, and begins by taking you to Puerto Vallarta’s market and teaching how to select fresh ingredients. Then it’s back to Gaby’s to prepare a seven-course traditional Mexican feast and spend hours eating what is possibly the best food ever.

Mike’s Charters and Tours have the largest fleet of yachts for group excursions. Their daily charter includes fresh fruit, freshly made salsa and guacamole snacks, all the beverages you can consume, music on board, coastal sightseeing, and snorkeling in caves. They even took us to a beautiful secluded beach where we had a seafood feast and absolutely stunning views, making for another memorable day in paradise.

RoseAnna Schick is an avid traveller who seeks inspiration wherever she goes. Email her at rascreative@yahoo.ca