Once a remote and nearly forgotten fishing village, Puerto Vallarta has blossomed into one of Mexico's most popular resorts with over 350,000 residents that attracts nearly 2 million visitors a year.

Puerto Vallarta combines the slow-paced ambiance of yesterday with the sophisticated accommodations of today. Nestled at the foot of Bahía de Banderas amid lush tropical foliage and the rugged coastal mountains of the state of Jalisco, it still retains the charm of a Mexican seaside village.

It's perhaps the cleanest beach resort in all of Mexico. This is the most striking aspect of downtown. Cobblestone streets wind past the jumbled collection of white stucco buildings with red tile roofs and wrought iron balconies overflowing with colorful bougainvillea vines, giving it an air of Old Mexico at every turn.

Now a city of 350,000 with a decided California flavor, Puerto Vallarta has spread out to include four areas — Viejo Vallarta (Old Town), along the Río Cuale, the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) Marina Vallarta, a hotel and condo development north of town, and Conchas Chinas, along the road south of town.

Best Time to Go

Though Puerto Vallarta generally has mild tropical weather, the temperature can get up into the low 90s in the summer when there are afternoon rain showers, beginning in June and lasting into late fall. As at other places on the Mexican Riviera, the rain only lasts for a few hours. The best time to visit is from January to April when the temperature only reaches the mid-80s during the day and low 60s at night. However, the ocean can be rough and cold.

Cuisine

Besides the usual Italian, French, American, and Asian foods served in vacation resorts, Puerto Vallarta offers delicious Mexican fast food that is served at food booths throughout town. Each booth serves one type of food, from tacos to tortas (tarts) to grilled seafood, starting at noon each day. Or, if you prefer to sit down, sample the delicious homemade soups, moles (chicken and meats served with spicy chocolate sauce), and chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers) at a fonda (food stall) in the Mercado Municipal.

Cautions and Safety Concerns

Puerto Vallarta's town fathers are proud that their city has the cleanest water in Mexico. The water here isn't only treated and purified, it has been certified by the Mexican government's Health and Public Works Department to be clean and safe for five consecutive years; Puerto Vallarta is the only tourist resort in Mexico to receive the certification. However, the town continues to rebuild its water-main system, so, unless you're staying in a large hotel, it's still advisable to drink bottled water.

Puerto Vallarta doesn't have many lifeguards. The ocean can be rough in the winter and have large swells in the summer, even inside the bay. Be sure to swim with someone for safety.

If you do encounter a problem or need to ask a question, you can seek out special tourist police, dressed in white safari uniforms and helmets, found in the major tourist areas.