TRAVEL GUIDE
Over the time, Puerto Vallarta has evolved from a somnolent fishing village
into the world-acclaimed resort town that best typifies Mexican Riviera with its
palm-fringed beaches, teeming tropical jungle and sophisticated, full-service
resorts. The city is divided into five different zones, each exhibiting
its own mood and personality to cater to visitors' choice of orientation.
Whether you want a stroll in the old town, enjoying a contemplative sensation of
the view of the church La Iglesia Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, dine al fresco
and watch the sunset at a beachfront thatched roof restaurant, or head to one of
the playas for beach fun and endless seaside recreation, it's impossible for
anyone not to have a great time in Puerto Vallarta.
HISTORY IN BRIEF
The shores of Banderas Bay were used as safe havens against pirates and
renegades by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Later in the 19th century,
the area was used as a port for mining industry and became known as Las Penas.
The inhabitants of Las Penas who lived on fishing and farming had grown in
number over time, and the town's name was changed to Puerto Vallarta in the late
19th century in remembrance of the Governor of Jalisco, Don Ignacio L. Vallarta.
In the 1930's the city started to earn tourists' recognition for its abundance
of natural beauty, and the boost from the Hollywood flick "Night of the
Iguana" in the 1960's has permanently sealed Puerto Vallarta's fame as a
popular Mexican seaside resort.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Puerto Vallarta lies at the center of Banderas Bay, one of the largest and
deepest in the world, on Mexico's Pacific Coast. The city is surrounded by
mountains and jungles to the south and east, and is under the jurisdiction of
the state of Jalisco. During the high season from November to April, the
daytime average ranges from 24-30C. During the summer months the weather
can be really humid and the temperatures range above the 30C mark. The
rainy season typically starts in June and lasts until early October with
afternoon showers and occasional thunderstorms that tend to cool things off for
the night.
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