By Wayne Shapiro, Class of 2020
Located on the banks of Banderas Bay, just off the Pacific Ocean, is the city of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Boasting a population of nearly 300,000, plus tourists in season, it is a popular destination for Americans and Canadians (and Mexicans, of course) during the winter months. Temperatures are reliably in the 70’s and 80’s daytime, and 50’s and 60’s nighttime in January, February and March, with very little rain. There are direct flights to and from Chicago in season.
There are many nice places to visit in Mexico, but this is my favorite. It is large enough to have an urban vibe and small enough that you can find your way around pretty easily. There are three main areas of the town to explore.
Nuevo Vallarta. This part of part of town is north of the airport and is in the State of Nayarit, while most of Puerto Vallarta is in the State of Jalisco. It is filled with beautiful all-inclusive resorts, restaurants and golf courses. It is a still a developing area.
The Marina. Puerto Vallarta has an expansive marina area with boats large and small. It also has naval facilities and docks for two cruise ships. It is a well-developed area with shopping and restaurants within walking distance. High rises, apartments, time shares, homes, townhomes and other buildings fill the marina neighborhood.
The Malecon, Old Town and Romantic Zone. These locations are all connected. Personally, I think this is the real Puerto Vallarta, the one where Elizabeth Taylor escaped with her lover, Richard Burton, and turned this sleepy fishing village into a celebrity hotspot in the 1960’s. In fact, you can stay in her house (Casa Kimberly) or eat in the restaurant, which is magnificent.
Speaking of food: this area has food opportunities that run the gamut from street food tacos to 5-star restaurants. There are places to eat on the beach, near the beach, or in the mountains overlooking the water. The city is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains, so the further you climb uphill, the better the beautiful views of the bay at sunset.
There has been substantial development away from Puerto Vallarta itself. To the north, you might call Bucerias a suburb with tourists, with lots of places to stay, dine and shop. Further down the road is Sayulita, an alleged surfing location (more like paddle board), with a nice beach. You can get there by taxi or bus. To the South, there is Mismaloya, a former fishing village. with a beach that has been built up over the years and boasts many open-air eateries and is popular for snorkeling.
One of the most endearing features of this once small village is the people. The citizens of Puerto Vallarta are among the nicest you will meet anywhere you travel. My wife and I feel very safe walking around Puerto Vallarta at night, the tourist areas are busy and there are very few problems. Enjoy the trip!
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