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Soak up historic charm in Puerto Vallarta - AAA Magazine

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By Tim Leffel

June 21, 2023

As I strolled down the Puerto Vallarta waterfront, I admired sculptures by some of Mexico’s most famous artists and savored mariachi blending with the sounds of crashing waves and ringing church bells. When I reached the end of the pier, I gazed out at the expanse of Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre behind it—one of Mexico’s most distinctive views.

Whereas resort areas such as Cancún and Cabo San Lucas were developed in the 1970s to draw tourists, Puerto Vallarta began as a fishing village and port in Spanish Colonial times. The town evolved in the late 1800s, but it really landed on the visitor map in the 1960s thanks to Hollywood royalty vacationing here and publicity from the 1964 film Night of the Iguana.

In the ensuing decades, regular appearances on The Love Boat added to the city’s celebrity. As a result of this history, Puerto Vallarta feels like the kind of older beach town you might find in Spain or Italy, and it has plenty of charm after the sun goes down.

These days, visitors stay in town or head to one of the beach resorts that fan out into Nayarit, from Nuevo Vallarta up to Bucerías, Punta de Mita, and Sayulita, and south to Costalegre.

What to do

 


 

Unlike many sprawling North American beach resort areas, Puerto Vallarta is a walking city. Stroll the Malecón, or seaside promenade, that extends from the southern pier past the Zona Romántica to the town’s center. The walk is punctuated with sculptures by some of Mexico’s best-known artists, including Rafael Zamarripa Castañeda.

Get out on the water with a boat trip. You can snorkel around Los Arcos National Marine Park, head to remote Yelapa, or simply enjoy a mellow sunset cruise.

Take a food tour. Explore taco stands or sample bites at ambitious restaurants. Or join a tequila tasting: Most bottles come from only a few hours away.

Hit the clubs. Beach clubs party by day and nightclubs run until the wee hours in Mexico’s most LGBTQ-friendly destination. For a more low-key evening, settle in at a bar with a view or just watch the sun set behind Banderas Bay.

Play the links. Two golf courses are open to the public—one in the marina area and the other in the foothills at Vista Vallarta.

Where to eat

Café des Artistes launched the career of celebrity chef Thierry Blouet more than 3 decades ago. Blouet’s blending of Mexican ingredients with classic French cooking techniques have made the restaurant a favorite spot for celebrating special occasions.

Sushi and coastal Mexican food share some common ground. Sendo made a splash when it opened in 2021, capitalizing on fresh local seafood to create memorable omakase meals, where diners leave it to the sushi chef to decide what’s best that day.

Near the marina area, the big and brash gastropub La Madalena draws fun-seekers: Loud music, an army of waiters, and tableside mixology carts accompany steaks, seafood, and pasta.

Link: https://www.ace.aaa.com/publications/travel/international-destinations/puerto-vallarta.html


 

Location: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

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