The most gorgeous and diversified resort in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta has so much more to offer than the requisite sun, sand and surf — which happen to be outstanding here, Banderas Bay privileged with weather as perfect as it gets, some 25 miles of silky sand beaches and crystalline waters.

Puerto Vallarta, the Resort Destination
Accommodations, amenities and activities are on par with the most desirable resorts anywhere, the most important hotels in the world found here and quite a few of them all-inclusive. But PV, as it’s affectionately called, offers many enticements. From a practical standpoint, it’s just a few hours from major US and Canadian airports and can even be reached by car. And because this resort blends the best aspects of a cosmopolitan city and a charming laid-back pueblo, everyone finds exactly what they’re looking for, ultra sophistication, funky earthiness and everything in between.

Puerto Vallarta, the Mexican Destination
On the dramatically beautiful Pacific coast, where lush undulating mountains cascading to the ocean create an exotic South Seas feel, many visitors happily just kick back to enjoy this fascinating country’s warm, colorful spirit, while others take advantage of the opportunity to explore nearby natural wonders and villages, where life goes on as it has for centuries. Even Guadalajara, with its wonderful colonial architecture, is an easy option, and you can be back in time for dinner.

Puerto Vallarta, the Boutique Destination
Those not content with anything remotely resembling the status quo will be pleased to know that this area boasts super-luxurious resort developments, intimate hotels, exclusive shops and restaurants, and every other service catering specifically to them. Attuned to the expectations of folks accustomed to living very well indeed, they provide every creature comfort with warm personalized service in outstanding environments.

Puerto Vallarta, the Real Estate Investment
Just one visit and you’ll know why so many fall in love with the place and buy second homes here. The astute recognize how quickly they appreciate, more and more people realizing the incredibly privileged lifestyle they can enjoy here for far less than up north. And thousands of expatriates have already made this beautiful part of the world their primary residence. Not only is it stunningly beautiful, it has recently come of age, still paradisiacal but now offering everything one could want — including interesting communities of people. The range of settings for properties is exceptional — oceanfront, mountaintop, in the heart of town or secluded in the tropical rainforest, yet mere minutes from everything.

Puerto Vallarta, the Extended Vacation Destination
This destination is so friendly and comfortable, offering just the right mix of the exotic and the familiar, that it’s the rare person who doesn’t return every chance they get and stay as long as possible. Snowbirds swell the population dramatically November through April, delighting in their “double lives” and getting involved in whatever it was they had always dreamed of one day doing. Not only do they enjoy access to everything that makes this such an exciting resort, but there are charities, classes and groups of every description to get involved in, so it’s easy to quickly become an integral part of the community.

Puerto Vallarta, the Cultural Destination
Whatever you’re into, hip modern culture or its more traditional manifestations, you’ll find a wealth of it here. Vallarta has more world-class art galleries than any other resort in this country, an age-old tradition of fine artesania, and Huichol Indians, who bring wonderful spiritually based art works to town from their homes in the surrounding mountains. Several of Mexico’s most esteemed cultural traditions originated in Jalisco — Mariachi music, tequila and the colorful charreada rodeo among them. Daily life here is enriched by myriad impromptu and well-organized cultural experiences, pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern-day music, dance, theater and other performances frequently scheduled and free of charge.

Puerto Vallarta, the Outdoor Activities Destination
You name it, chances are good Vallarta offers it, the fabulous weather and nature’s bounty here conducive to healthy outdoor living. The easiest and most popular way to exercise while checking the place out is walking, the steep cobblestone streets of El Centro comprising the world’s most intriguing StairMaster. The bay invites sport fishing, whale watching, yachting, diving, snorkeling, swimming and even parasailing over it, while there’s a different golf course to play every day of the week. Organized outdoor adventures include soaring above the tree canopy and rappelling through waterfalls, with bird watching, hiking, tennis, and water aerobics in your hotel pool just a few of the many other options.

Puerto Vallarta, the Beach Destination
Vallarta has miles and miles of sandy stretches, each with its own distinct personality. This means you have lots of choices, ranging from wide expanses stretching further than the eye can see to diminutive hidden coves seemingly designed for two, and from super-popular, like Los Muertos with its many dining options, to those so pristine they aren’t even named yet.

Puerto Vallarta, the Gourmet Destination
If you appreciate fine food and drink you’ll be ecstatic here, our thriving dining scene enjoying an international reputation for being far superior to that of any other resort in Mexico. For more than a decade, Vallarta has hosted the exciting International Festival Gourmet, which features dozens of the world’s best chefs creating culinary masterpieces in tandem with those at our finest restaurants every November. And more recently, May is when Puerto Vallarta’s Restaurant Week takes place, the ideal time to discover all those great places you’ve been hearing about.

Puerto Vallarta, the Shopping Destination
While the municipal flea market is a traditional must-do for picking up souvenirs, there are lots of smaller flea markets and jewelry and shoe stores — Mexico known for its silver mines and shoe industry — with several major chains represented. Browsing here is a distinct pleasure, interesting shops of all descriptions tucked into narrow side streets, lining major thoroughfares and in modern air-conditioned shopping centers. Expect to unearth treasures — the perfect designer fashion or piece of folk art, perhaps.

Puerto Vallarta, the Health and Beauty Destination
Those in the know have life-enhancing procedures like plastic surgery and dental work done here, then get to recover in paradise for much less than the procedures alone would cost up north. Others make the most of our wonderful spas and health clubs by turning their vacation into health and beauty retreats, returning home rejuvenated and looking years younger.

Puerto Vallarta, the Wedding/Honeymoon Destination
What more romantic setting for beginning your new life together than this gorgeous, tropical Eden? Wedding planners handle everything from A to Z, relieving you of trying to figure out how things are done in a foreign country and ensuring your every wish is fulfilled to your exact specifications. And most hotels here are wedding and honeymoon experts, wowing you whether your party consists of just the two of you or includes a huge entourage.

Puerto Vallarta, the Gay-Friendly Destination
Vallartenses, or Vallartans, as the locals are called, are warm and welcoming, with a well-deserved reputation for being among the world’s friendliest people, helpful and accepting of everyone. The gay scene here is flourishing, now approaching the cachet of Key West and Mykonos.

Puerto Vallarta, the Convention Destination
The most successful companies know that when you expect nothing but the best from your employees, the rewards should be likewise, which is why many of them hold their sales or annual conferences in one of our several oceanfront hotels offering state-of-the-art convention facilities. Since Vallarta tends to energize everyone, its unsurpassed beauty and many perks make it the ideal counterpoint to a roster of important business activities.