Vallarta is a fusion of the very best of Mexico, from beach- resort hip to cosmopolitan chic. It offers visitors the very best in gastronomy in award-winning restaurants, off-the-beaten-track adventure and 24 hour excitement. Whether you come here to get away from it all or to soak it all in, Puerto Vallarta and the many surrounding coastal beaches, colonial villages and rustic ranch towns offer a spectacular array of entertainment to leave even the most seasoned traveler satiated.
El Tuito
El Tuito is a small village nestled in the mountains only about an hour south of Puerto Vallarta along the Pacific Coast highway to Barra de Navidad. Theroute is dotted with impressive estates, remote fishing villages, and beautiful river valleys.
El Tuito is known for the richness of its cheeses and variety of honeys. The town center has a well-preserved main plaza that features a variety of restaurants and small crafts shops.
Accommodations are limited to a few bed and breakfasts. Day trips from El Tuito include the unspoiled beaches of Maito and Tehuacaxtle to the west.
Los Arcos National Marine Park
This incredible marine park is situated between the Las Gemelas and Mismaloya beaches. Don’t miss the opportunity to boat, snorkel or SCUBA dive through the deep tunnels, caves, colorful reefs and arches of these amazing islands, and to get to know the numerous forms of sea life and birds that make Los Arcos their home. These islands seem to float on the surface of some of the most profound waters of the Pacific.
El Pitillal – Plaza
Those seeking a taste of a more authentic Mexico must visit the Tianguis (Market) in the Puerto Vallarta suburb of El Pitillal. There are no gleaming white sandy beaches here: instead, the terrain is small-town Mexico, less humidity and the setting very authentic.
El Pitillal has grown to nearly the size of Vallarta and is the gateway to many of the smaller ranching communities that surround Bahía de Banderas.
The Marieta Islands
The Marieta Islands, about a 30-minute boat ride from the Vallarta Marina are one of the splendors of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay. A protected ecological park, the Marieta Islands are home to a vast array of sea life and sea birds. They are a fantastic place for snorkeling or scuba diving.
You’ll be diving in great company. Manta rays, dolphins porpoises, humpback whales and a plethora of fish call these waters home. The ride to Las Marietas Islands is well worth it: the view of Vallarta’s Old Town and the beauty of Gringo Gulch are best appreciated from the water, while the sunsets at sea in Vallarta are incomparable.
San Sebastián del Oeste
Nestled at the top of the spectacular Sierra Madre Mountains is colonial, historical San Sebastián del Oeste. This remote village has retained the charm of colonial Mexico while offering an impressive array of modern amenities and expansive views. There is little to do in San Sebastian but relax and mingle with the locals. The fresh mountain air revitalizes, while the sunsets over the mountains provide a soothing alternative to the downtown lights of Vallarta. Because of the altitude of the it is much cooler here, during the winter months definitely bring a sweater.
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