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Puerto Vallarta is fast becoming the place to be for your family vacations in winter! On the menu to the right is all the fun stuff to do in Puerto Vallarta |
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In Vallarta and the surrounding coastal areas both north and south, you will find numerous activities to entertain the entire family. For your convenience we have listed many of the free things to do and places to see in Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding areas, along the Bay of Banderas and in the mountains. There is no other place for your family vacations in winter that
compare to the exquisite
beaches all along the deep blue coastline of the Bahia de
Banderas, promising sun filled days of swimming, surfing, whale
watching, sail boarding, golf and mountain adventures. Family vacations in winter in PV is one of nature's more magnificent alternatives to Disney! Get ready for the time of your life! Start planning for your
family vacations in winter now!
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Adventures |
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Huichol Indians About an hour drive from PV you will find the community of the Huichol Indians living in a very remote mountain village still residing in pre-Columbian times. Their beaded and threaded artwork are definitely articles you would be more than happy to ad to your collection. They have been able to follow their customs and traditions because of their secluded location. Please use honor and respect when interacting with these highly spiritual people. |
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Mazamitla This little town is located in western Mexico in the State of Jalisco, nestled in the heart of Sierra Del Tigre where you can still view golden eagles, mountain lions and deer in the pine and oak covered hillsides. You can enjoy a beautiful windy mountain drive north along hwy 2oo where there are many fruit and vegetable stands beginning north of Guayobitos. Mazamitla is approximately 5 or 6 hours from Puerto Vallarta. |
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San Sebastian The quaintest of villages in the Sierra Madres, San Sebastian is approximately one and a half hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. A special day trip can be arranged to drive or you can choose a shorter trip by air to fly in over the majestic mountains landing within row upon row of "Agave", the native plant is grown in abundance here, of which Tequila is manufactured. You can enjoy the warm mountain breezes while you dine on the terrace of one of the authentic cafes and afterward you can leisurely stroll the narrow cobble stone streets lined with historic architecture occupied by many shops offering the delightful creations of the local Artisans. |
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| Liz Taylor's House Casa Kimberley the former home of Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, with original furnishings. Daily Tours Tel: 222-1336 |
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Beaches
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Bucerias The Beach of Bucerias, fifteen minutes drive from Puerto Vallarta . You can walk for miles on the sandy beach along the gentle surf and encounter horse back riding, multiple beach front cafes and numerous water sports activities. |
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Boca de Tomatlán An enchanting little cove beach located at the edge of the lush jungle about 3 miles or 4.5 kilometers south of Mismayloya. This precious little town is an authentic Mexican fishing village approximately 20 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta where you can catch the water taxi's to Las Animas, Quimixto, Majahuitas, and Yelapa (beaches only accessible by sea)
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Boca de Tomates A place more suited for the environmentalist, as this beach area is dedicated to the preservation of it's environment by protecting the many species of turtles, and other marine life. |
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Destiladeras
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El Anclote El Anclote, one of the two public beaches in Punta de Mita a peninsula at the north end of Banderas Bay where you can charter a boat for day of sport fishing |
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San Pancho The San Pancho (formerly named San Francisco) Beach, in the State of Nayarit is a Pacific coastal jewel and just a short 40 minute drive from Puerto Vallarta. In San Pancho the rich culture of the indigenous people magically blends with the newer customs of their North American neighbors. The surf is a bit stronger here, and more appropriate for surfers, yet is swim able most days. In San Pancho exists a true Mexico Artist Co-op that holds an annual Art Festival during Christmas Week |
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Garza Blanca A city beach located along the Barra Navidad road on the way to Mismaloya. Bring your own lunch as there are no amenities provided for the beach visitors.
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Las Animas South of Puerto Vallarta and only accessible by boat, Las Animas is a place for those seeking isolation. You can catch a water taxi in Boca de Tomatlán
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Las Caletas Caletas a secluded beach reachable only by boat on the Bay of Banderas is a Vallarta coastal hideaway perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and other water sports. |
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Mismaloya On Hwy 200 south of Puerto Vallarta, where the Sierra Madres meet Banderas Bay more famously known for the location of the movie "Night of the Iguana" directed by John Houston in 1963. This single event caused Puerto Vallarta to transform from a simple Mexican fishing. Playa Mismaloya in located in a beautiful cove with a great view of the Los Arcos sea rocks. The scuba diving and snorkeling is exceptional here. There are several restaurants and beach vendors to satisfy your shopping desires.
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Punta de Mita Located in the State of Nayarit just 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta where the beaches are some of the loveliest in the area. Besides the many incredible restaurants, there are boat tours, horse back riding, surf, boogie board and jet ski rentals ! |
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| Quimixto The only way to get to this fishing village is by boat. Many tourist are not aware that this incredible spot exists so close by to Vallarta. It is a quiet village with a few shopping opportunities. You can enjoy the horseback riding and jungle explorations. The boat ride is wonderful as well. |
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Sayulita Sayulita, a thriving little coastal town along Hwy 200. This beach is a surfer's haven, but accommodates swimmers of all levels as well. |
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| Yelapa About 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. There is a road, but it is more easily accessed by boat, A fishing village located on a quiet cove with little to no traffic. There is a long stretch of beach divided by an inlet. An excellent day adventure to explore the restaurants and art community. Transportation departs daily from numerous places in Puerto Vallarta. |
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Whales & Dolphins Action Tropical Adelita Alamar Aleta, Altamar III and IV Ana Cristina Anis Barracuda III Bluto II Bouvier Brando BriannaNicole Cachito Camila Carolina Casandra Catalina III Cesarin I Cielito Lindo Cielo Abierto Columba and Columba I and II Coral II the Princesa boats Twin Dolphins Discover Pacific Tours Dulce Eclipse Ecotours de Mexico El Dorado de Nayarit II El Fride Estrella Flipper II Halcon del Mar I, Humpback Isla Ivette Karen III, IV and V La Corbetefia La Diosa del Mar La Gaviota 2a La Preciosa I La Princesa La Sandunga Las Vegas Lady Luna de Miel Maria I Maxbeer Miss Adventure Miss Viky III Monalisa Moon and Stars Nacho's Norma II, Obrera and Obrera II Ocean Friendly Orion Paulina III Pegasso Chartering Perla del Pacifico I, II and III, Rockin Robin Rosa del Mar Sihany Silvia II and III Sirenita I Soc. Coop. Bahia de Banderas Soc. Coop. Corral del Risco Sofia, Sol y Mar Tangaroa Vallarta Adventures Vallarta Sol Via Mar Victres Vikingo Wildlife Connections Willard I and II |
Whale watching season is from 15
Dec. to March 30th You can identify the official boats for Whale watching, as they will be displaying a green flag with a humpback whale design. To the left you will find a current list of the boats authorized by SEMARNAT, (Federal Dept of Natural Resources) to take you safely and environmentally responsibly to watch the whales in the Bay of Baneras. If a boat is not displaying a flag it is not authorized with an official permit. Please make sure the boat is carrying a permit, as the list changes. |
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Golf Courses |
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| Water Sports | |||||
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Scuba Diving
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84 Av.Politecnico opposite the Bull Ring
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| Snorkeling | |||||
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Surfing
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Wind Surfing |
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Fishing and Boating
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| Puerto Vallarta's cultural arts community is led by
the combination of the Department of Culture, the Puerto
Vallarta Convention & Visitors' Bureau, The University of
Guadalajara, Buenaventura Hotels and Sheraton Bougainvilleas Resort and
joined by art dealers, gallery owners, visitors and artists from all
over Mexico. The Malecón in Puerto Vallarta is a jetty along the beach front of Bahia de Banderas, where the evidence of a very active artist community exists. PV is hailed by critics as Mexico's Art Mecca with more than 30 galleries located in the Vallarta area. The infamous Art Walk season, organized by the downtown gallery owners, is held every Wednesday from November through April. During the Art Walk season you can stroll from gallery to gallery enjoying the most recent art offerings while savoring free wine and canapes. The Marina Vallarta Galleries arrange Art Walks each Friday There is an annual Mexican film festival where a series of classical films are displayed in an open air screen at Los Arcos in the center of town, while the premiers are held at Cinema Bahia. At the sea side amphitheater next to City Hall, on the first Thursday of every month there are music concerts and dance presentations. In late March or early April there is a Poetry and Short Story Festival, with submissions from local writers and attended by nationally known literary figures. The Festival de Arte, held in May simultaneously celebrates the anniversary of the city with a magnificent fireworks display in the main plaza. |
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| Puerto Vallarta Art Galleries | Puerto Vallarta art galleries exhibit various types of Mexican and international art for multiple tastes. | ||||
| Galeria Arte Latinoamericano 155 El Centro Tel: (322) 222-4406 Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez |
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| Galería Córsica 230 El Centro Tel: (322) 223-1821 Leona Vicario |
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| Galería de Ollas Corona 176 El Centro Tel: (322) 223-1045 Mata Ortiz potters |
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| Galeria EM La Marina Marina Las Palmas II L-17 Marina Vallarta Tel: (322) 221-2228 Estela Herrera and Mariano Pérez |
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| Galería Omar Alonso Leona Vicario 249 El Centro Tel: (322) 222-5587 Photography, Engraving and Sculpture |
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| Galería Pacífico 174 El Centro Tel: (322) 222-1982 Aldama Ramiz Barquet and Patrick Denoun |
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| Galerie des Artistes 248 El Centro Tel: (322) 223-0006 Leona Vicario Rivera, Orozco and Coronel |
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| Galleria Dante Basilio Badillo 269 El Centro Tel: (322) 222-2477 Claire and Joe Guarniere Gabriel Colunga, Guillermo Gómez, Luis Espiridión, Meg Munro, Bill Megrail, Tellosa, Oscar Capeche, Jonás Gutiérrez, Meridy Volz, Rocio Sánchez. Introducing Bernardo Colunga, Edgar Martínez, Israel Zepeda and Boback Emad |
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| Mata Ortiz Art Gallery 268-A El Centro Tel: (322) 222-7407 Lázaro Cárdenas Mata Ortiz pottery Jewelry designs inspired by the ancient pre-Hispanic culture of Paquimé |
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| Meg Munro Studio Ecuador 1225 El Centro Tel: (322) 223-1142 Meg Munro Master Watercolorist |
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| T Fuller Fine Art Corona 169 El Centro Tel: (322) 222-8196 Davis Birks, painter Morales family, master potters Chad Buck and Carlos Terres. |
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| The Loft Corona 176-A El Centro Tel: (322) 222-6353 Ruben Cham and John Strawn Contemporary Art |
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| Art V Galería Libertad 278 Tel. 22 2 04 00, |
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| Arte de Las Américas Marina Vallarta. |
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| Galería Arte Popular Mexicano Libertad 285 Tel. 22 2 69 60 |
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| Galería EM Marina Vallarta. Estela Herrera and Mariano Pérez Custom-made stained glass |
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| Galerías de Ollas Corona 176 Tel. 22 3 10 45 Mata Ortiz potters |
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| Galería Omar Alonso Leona Vicario 249 Tel. 222-5587 |
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Galería Piramide Downtown Hand-carved and beaded Huichol art, pre-Columbian reproductions, masks and paintings by local artists. |
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| Galería Rosas Blancas Downtown Juarez 523 Tel. 22 2 11 68 Works by Mexican and local artists, promoting young talents and showing the most recent works of renowned sculptors and painters. |
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| Galería Uno Morelos 561 Tel. 222 09 08 Paintings, graphics, sculpture and posters from all over México by many famous artists including Colunga, Felguérez, Tamayo, Raymundo González and Conrado Domínguez |
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| Galería Vallarta Juarez 263 Tel. 22 2 02 90 |
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| Judith Ewing Morlan Miramar 237 Tel. 223-2179 Contemporary Art |
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| Malecon |
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| Night Life |
La Iguana Mexican Fiesta The original Fiesta since 1962. Authentic music, dance, entertainment, food and drinks of Mexico. Thursday and
Sunday |
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| Mexican Fiesta Vallarta's most spectacular, traditional and popular celebration of Mexican culture, music and food. Includes full
buffet, open bar, and show Reservations: |
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| Restaurants | |||||
| CAFÉ DES ARTISTES | |||||
| EL COLEGUITA | |||||
| EL COLEGUITA 2 | |||||
| DUGAREL PLAYS | |||||
| MEZZOGIORNO | |||||
| LA PALAPA | |||||
| LE KLIFF | |||||
| THE RIVER CAFE | |||||
| VISTA GRILL | |||||
| ZTAI | |||||
| AGAVE GRILL | |||||
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Vallarta Zoo Open Daily 10 am - 6 pm Calle 5 de Mayo 700 in Mismaloya (700 meters from the Hwy) Tel:
228-0955/0501 |
Long time dream of the Casteneda
family, this privately owned zoo features over 300 animals living on
a wildlife preserve of 62 hecteras, set in the jungle in the hills
above the little town of
Mismaloya. Stroll the tropical grounds at your leisure while viewing the animals i their enclosures You'll find animals from around the world and from here in Mexico. Rare White Tiger The zoo has a strong record in successfully breeding animals so there are always young ones to see. Take a break and enjoy a meal at the two tiered observation deck/restaurant. The tree top view of the surrounding jungle is breathtaking, so bring your camera.
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