Puerto Vallarta Highlights
Whimsical folk art from all over Mexico is on offer at this funky boutique, whose owners travel around the country for several months each year in search of high-quality handicrafts. There are carved and painted animals in vivid colors; the tissue...
True, it's not much to look at, inside or out, but this humble shop produces the best handmade sandals in all of Puerto Vallarta. Samples of the various styles of leather sandals, or huaraches, hang on white pegboard; choose one you like and try...
In a city known for a handful of exceptional restaurants, Vista Grill stands out, not only for its food (contemporary Mexican cuisine), but because of its spectacular view. Sitting high in the hills, Vista Grill looks out over the entire city. The...
As you enter the town of San Sebastián del Oeste, an enticing and familiar smell is likely to engulf you: that of just-roasted coffee beans. A fifth-generation coffee roastery sits just on the edge of the road, and visitors are welcome to stop in...
Mexico has three mountain ranges named Sierra Madre (Mother Mountains), and the range near Puerto Vallarta is covered with dense jungle vegetation and terrain that has been described by one outfitter as "chassis-challenging." For active travelers...
There's no better way to preserve the flavors of vacation than by learning how to cook the regional specialties yourself. A cooking class in Puerto Vallarta offers the opportunity to do exactly that, all while taking in the local scenery and...
Los Arcos means "The Arches," and the rationale for this name will become evident as soon as you spy the granite islands punching up out of the ocean. Protected as a national park since 1984, Los Arcos is a favorite spot for snorkelers and scuba...
Plant lovers won't want to miss Vallarta Botanical Gardens, which features native Mexican flora, including orchids. At present, garden staff is working on its National Collection of Mexican Orchids; when finished, it will be the most complete...
Unlike many regions of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta isn't necessarily known for a distinct regional cuisine, but that's not a bad thing—instead, the city draws from the best flavors and dishes of the country at large. A food tour of Puerto Vallarta...
Puerto Vallarta's zoo, El Zoológico de Vallarta, is home to more than 700 animals—exotic bird and reptile species among them. Look for colorful flamingos and toucans, which aren't shy in front of cameras. Feeding and...
Puerto Vallarta's C-shaped Banderas Bay attracts locals and visitors for all sorts of on-the-water and underwater activities. In the former category, one of the most popular excursions is whale-watching. Humpbacks migrate to this part of the...
Puerto Vallarta's principal venue for dramatic, dance and musical performances is Teatro Vallarta, a modern building with a seating capacity of 900. The theater draws performers from all over Mexico and abroad, with recent productions ranging from...
If you need a break from tacos and tortillas, Hacienda Alemana might fit the bill, with its German and European specialties. Stroganoff, goulash, Wiener schnitzel and a variety of sausages are among the items on the menu here, best enjoyed by...
La Palapa, which claims to be both one of Puerto Vallarta's oldest restaurants and the first one established on the beach, remains one of the city's most popular dining options more than 60 years after it opened. Specializing in "tropical Mexican...
