Puerto Vallarta denotes the entire Banderas Bay area and northern shoreline stretching from San Francisco/San Pancho on the Pacific (North Shore) south to Mismaloya near Puerto Vallarta (South Shore). It includes over 40 miles of coastline and a variety of topography, culture and architecture and is often referred to as Costa Vallarta. There are areas of dense jungle vegetation spotted with bursts of color from exotic tropical plants that give way to rocky river beds, which tumble and feed into the open sea and steep mountain sides where villas and casitas look as if they were merely glued to the hillsides. There are also many historic buildings and sites, rich with culture and romance, beautiful beaches, sprawling resorts and planned communities - even the ultra-modern marinas of Nuevo Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, and Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz. Also to be found in this diversified geological area are arid flatlands decorated with cactuses and small pueblos where life is lived at a snail's pace. This region is divided into eight neighborhoods or areas, from north to south. Each is special in its own way and adds to the charm, diversity and uniqueness of Costa Vallarta.
NEW TO THE REGION? The best place to start is in Banderas Bay (below), an article that will give you an overview of the area's principal regions, which are listed further down, in alphabetical order.
Banderas Bay:
For simplicity’s sake, and tourism, the entire 100-km horseshoe-shaped coastline of
Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas) is known as
Vallarta, although it’s divided almost equally between two states –
Jalisco, where
Puerto Vallarta is, and
Nayarit, which begins an eight-minute drive north of the international airport in the middle of the Ameca River bridge.
Bucerías: The closest town of any consequence north of Puerto Vallarta, it offers a great opportunity to check out a much smaller Mexican pueblo with a lot less traffic.
Conchas Chinas: Considered the Beverley Hills of Vallarta, this upscale residential neighborhood has both upper and lower sections, sprawling villas and condos on the mountain offering breathtaking bird's eye views and the grand Old Vallarta-style homes south of the highway right on the beach or with direct access to it.
Downtown South: Known as the South Side and the Romantic Zone, the atmospheric Isla Rio Cuale naturally divides downtown, this part south of the island. Vallarta at its funky best, it has swinging bridges, the bay's most popular beach, thriving English-language theater and gay scenes, and what many consider the town's best restaurants, bars and specialty shops.
El Centro: The heart and soul of Puerto Vallarta, this is where the action is, a sensory and cultural feast never to be forgotten. Eclectic and bohemian in feel with world-class offerings, its dining and art scenes are extraordinary, the nightlife abundant, no visit here complete without a stroll and people-watching session on the popular oceanfront Malecon.
Hotel Zone: The wide sandy coast stretching south from Marina Vallarta to El Centro is where many hotels and resorts are found, along with shops and restaurants catering to visitors.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle: Now is the time to discover traditional, laid back "La Cruz" with its small shops and restaurants, unpretentious accommodations and burgeoning music scene. The main square overlooking the ocean is a good place to soak it all in, while watching fishermen mend their nets.
Marina Vallarta: Not to be confused with the Marina Terminal where the cruise ships dock and the majority of tours depart from — although that facility is just a few minutes south of here — this 544-acre planned residential and resort development revolves around Mexico's largest marina and a popular 18-hole golf course.
Mismaloya: Best known as the setting for the movie that put Puerto Vallarta on the tourist map, director John Huston's "The Night of the Iguana," this is a beautiful small bay framed by tropical rainforest-blanketed mountains.
Nuevo Vallarta / Flamingos: One of Mexico's newest and fastest growing areas, hotel occupancy in the planned resort and residential community of "New Vallarta" is amongst the highest in the country.
Punta de Mita: This dramatically pretty peninsula with absolutely exquisite beaches and sweeping views of both the bay and open water has always been a popular weekend escape from Puerto Vallarta.
Riviera Nayarit: Beyond Punta Mita and all the way up to San Pancho, this area is known for beautiful surf, craggy coves, remote villages and small
pueblos. Life goes at a slower pace here, much like the Mexico of old.
San Francisco / San Pancho: This pretty pueblo nicknamed San Pancho has a really friendly vibe conducive to spontaneous chats, which is just one of the reasons down-to earth expatriates are moving here and Vallartans love to spend the weekend.
Sayulita (Riviera Nayarit): A surfing mecca of international renown, the shoreline of this picturesque fishing village is dotted with coves and beaches where surfers do their thing alongside day trippers from PV.
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South Shore: The South Shore is where the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the shores of the Banderas Bay. It is an area full of coves, small bays, rivers, and secluded, remote beaches accessible only by boat.
Yelapa: Nestled into the southernmost cove of Banderas Bay, this village with a South Seas feel is a nature lover's delight and a refuge from the complications of city living — electricity and telephone service recent additions to its very kick-back lifestyle.
