Puerto Vallarta Boat Rentals

Until the 1960's, Puerto Vallarta was a quiet fishing village lying next to Banderas Bay on Mexico's Pacific coast. Hollywood changed that. In 1963, Elizabeth Taylor tagged along with Richard Burton for filming of "The Night of the Iguana." Paparazzi reels and the resulting film showcased Puerto Vallarta's beautiful beaches and scenery. A new star was born. Today, Puerto Vallarta is Mexico's second most popular beach tourist city with resorts following the beaches beyond city limits and state lines. Don't let the sprawl discourage you - PV still maintains a quiet, clean small-town feel.

While the beaches are the biggest draw, no visit to Puerto Vallarta would be complete without a visit to her downtown area. Buses make stops near most resorts and can take you cheaply (but not necessarily comfortably) to downtown. The business owners and residents keep the cobbled streets clean. Everything to see downtown is easily walkable. The most recognizable bit of architecture downtown is the Cathedral of Our Lady Guadeloupe. It is adorned with a fiberglass tiara as the original was damaged in an earthquake in 1995. Most of the upscale specialty shops are located near the Cathedral.

A stroll down the Malecon - a walkway alongside the bay - is a must. You'll walk past several sculptures, most notably one of a boy riding a seahorse. It has become a symbol of Puerto Vallarta. The Malecon went under significant repair after damage was sustained in 2002 by hurricane Kenna. At the Western end of the Malecon is the mouth of Rio Cuale. Walk a few blocks upriver and you will find two huge markets of peddlers selling food, hats, blankets, and other handicrafts. Try out your Spanish and work a deal on some handmade souvenirs. The small Rio Cuale Island Archaeological museum is in this area. It exhibits artifacts from the area's pre-Hispanic residents.

If lying on the beach only holds your interest for parts of your vacation, you are in luck because the Puerto Vallarta area offers other activities to keep you busy. The land around Puerto Vallarta encompasses several ecosystems. All tourists see the tropical shoreline, but within 45 minutes' drive, one can see almost all of the biomes that Mexico has to offer.

Puerto Vallarta has several opportunities year-round to view wildlife. From late summer to fall, visitors to Puerto Vallarta have the chance to witness mother sea turtles laying eggs in the sand. For a chance to see wildlife underwater, Banderas Bay has a few locations for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Puerto Vallarta's world famous fishing grounds can fulfill your angling fantasies as well if you can't go to a beach destination without dreaming of landing a lunker. Bring a sunhat and sunscreen and one of several charter fishing outfitters can get you on tuna, marlin, snapper, mahi mahi, and sailfish. Charter companies can arrange for your catch to be frozen to send home, or have a replica of your fish made for display at home.

Depending on the time of year your trip brings you to Puerto Vallarta, you may find an opportunity to take part in one of a few annual festivals. In November, Puerto Vallarta hosts the Gourmet Festival. In November, the annual Marlin and Sailfish Fishing Tournament is held.


Paparazzi reels and the resulting film showcased Puerto Vallarta's beautiful beaches and scenery. Today, Puerto Vallarta is Mexico's second most popular beach tourist city with resorts following the beaches beyond city limits and state lines. While the beaches are the biggest draw, no visit to Puerto Vallarta would be complete without a visit to her downtown area. If lying on the beach only holds your interest for parts of your vacation, you are in luck because the Puerto Vallarta area offers other activities to keep you busy. If you can't go to a beach destination without dreaming of landing a lunker, puerto vallarta private boat tours Vallarta's world famous fishing grounds can fulfill your angling fantasies.