Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is situated in the Bahia de Banderas, a 14-mile (22km) long bay lined with long stretches of sandy beaches. It is the second largest holiday resort on the Pacific coast after Acapulco, but despite its resort status it has managed to maintain its own unique character. Puerto Vallarta's charm is due to its blend of first-world cosmopolitan city and the colonial features of its historic old town. The graceful centre is embellished with quaint cobblestone streets that are lined with delightful white adobe houses, flower-filled wrought-iron balconies and red tiled roofs, making this one of Mexico's most picturesque coastal cities.Puerto Vallarta's luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, and shopping centres have spread out along the coast on either side of the original town, allowing Puerto Vallarta to grow as a holiday destination without sacrificing its colonial charms. With more than 250 restaurants, visitors to Puerto Vallarta are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out in this charming city. In Puerto Vallarta tourists will find a cosmopolitan hub which nevertheless boasts the simple pleasures of a Mexican village. Outdoor recreation is limitless in Puerto Vallarta, especially considering the diversity of watersports available, including scuba diving and snorkelling, while whales and dolphins inhabit the bay and can often be seen on organised boat trips.