Cobbles, Sierra Madre and the Bay of Banderas
Puerto Vallarta is a resort city on Mexico's Pacific coast, in the state of Jalisco, known for its cobbled old town, golden beaches on the Bay of Banderas and the green Sierra Madre mountains rising directly behind. It grew from a small fishing and port settlement and entered the world's imagination in the 1960s, when the film The Night of the Iguana, starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner, was shot nearby and the couple Burton and Elizabeth Taylor made the town famous.
The heart of the town is the Malecon, a seafront promenade lined with sculptures, including the Caballito, a bronze sea horse that has become a symbol of the city. Behind it, the white-walled streets of the old town climb toward the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose crown-shaped tower dominates the skyline. The Zona Romantica, south of the Cuale River, adds galleries, cafes and Los Muertos Beach, with its pier and evening life.
Whales, Marietas and Mexican Flavours
The bay is the star. From roughly December to March, humpback whales arrive to breed in its warm water, and boat trips depart from the marina daily. Day trips visit the Marietas Islands, the beaches at Yelapa, reached only by boat, and the Vallarta Botanical Garden in the hills. In the evening, mariachi musicians play in the plazas, and sunset sails give a gentle way to see the bay from the water.
Food is a highlight. Puerto Vallarta is known for fresh seafood, tacos al pastor, ceviche and chef-led restaurants, and the Vallarta Gourmet Festival draws diners in November. Local markets sell regional ingredients, and cooking classes introduce guests to salsa, mole and tortillas. For a hotel group, the combination of walkable culture and beach stays is a strong story, with resorts on both the Jalisco and Nayarit shores.
Read the full Puerto Vallarta guide on Visit Travel Group, or see PuertoVallarta.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.