No cruise along the Mexican Riviera is complete without a stop at the charming city of Puerto Vallarta. Mexico’s Pacific coast is punctuated with bustling towns and cities, but none has the magical allure of Puerto Vallarta. Tourism has not spoiled this pretty city, with its cobblestones and ancient back streets. Puerto Vallarta was a thriving Mexican village long before it was a tourist magnet, and the essence of Mexican culture permeates every corner of the city to this day.
One Day in Puerto Vallarta
Cruise stops at selected ports-of-call offer an excellent opportunity to experience many different destinations. The beauty of Puerto Vallarta lies in its ability to draw you into its heart the second you set foot off the ship. The port is an integral part of Puerto Vallarta life, and you do not have to venture far to find the pulse of the streets and everything the city has to offer.
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Eating Out
Lunch is usually the main meal out on a one-day cruise stop, and knowing where to head for can leave you more time free to take in the sights. Puerto Vallarta has many food outlets that cater for a range of budgets and tastes. Popular for midday munching are:
For that final meal or drink on Mexican shores there are a handful of strategically placed restaurants and bodegas close to where the ships dock.
Sand and Surf
Puerto Vallarta has a number of distinctive sandy beaches, many nestling in calm rocky coves that make them ideal for families. Gentle waves from the clear blue waters lap at the shores, and a variety of sports and activities are available to enjoy, from snorkelling and swimming, to kayaking and rock pooling.
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Popular Tours
As a port destination, Puerto Vallarta has developed a thriving industry based upon tours and experiences for day visitors, which provide ample and diverse activities for visitors to choose among. Popular ones include:
‘One day in Puerto Vallarta’ sounds like the start of a story, and it may be that your first visit to the city turns into just that; the start your very own journey into Mexican life. Puerto Vallarta is a city that holds many secrets, and to really experience everything it has to offer to best effect you need to take an extended vacation here. Condo rental possibilities are plentiful, and for those considering acquiring a holiday home, or relocating in the sun, Puerto Vallarta looks set to become an investment hot spot, with infrastructure improvements apparent at every turn. The climate is Tropical wet and dry, with a pleasant extended dry season in winter being the norm. The Cabo Corriente cape to the south protects Puerto Vallarta from the prevailing winds that hit the city from the southwest. This weakens the systems they carry, ensuring that the Puerto Vallarta weather is more mild than that experienced by some other cities along the coast. A delightful destination in all respects, Puerto Vallarta is a city you will want to return to again and again.
By: Julie Taylor