A difficult destination to forget
THE CITY
The cobbled streets of Vallarta Port and its promenades will invite you to walk for hours. There are several stops that you cannot miss, such as the Los Muertos Beach Pier , presided over by an iconic sculpture of the city, in the shape of a ship's sail, and which offers a light show when night falls. The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe becomes a place of pilgrimage during the first days of December.
The Malecon
The boardwalk, known as the boardwalk , is accompanied by unique sculptures (with a curious story, each one of them), refreshing drinks (such as the tuba) and, if you are lucky, you can enjoy a whole show with The Papantla flyers , a Mexican ritual in which four "voladores" descend by spinning around a raised pole and tied to a rope, while playing various instruments.
LIVE LIKE A KING: WHERE TO STAY
One of the best deals is offered by the Hotel Villa Premiere in the new area of the city and awarded in 2014 by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler as the seventh best hotel in Mexico . The prices of this hotel range between 200 and 500 euros per night, with various types of rooms ranging from the simplest to the most ostentatious. The welcome to the guests is in full luxury: as soon as you confirm your reservation at the reception, from the hotel they will offer you a menu of pillows and essences for your room . The menu explains the characteristics of the pillows and what kind of scents you can apply during your stay. Once chosen, you will receive a "welcome" massage, while they prepare your room.
The surprises do not end there: if you have asked for ocean views, get ready to see the most colorful sunsets of your life, with orange tones, but cold at the same time, thanks to the immensity of the ocean. The middle suite is accompanied by a jacuzzi and if you request an all-inclusive plan, the hotel's restaurants will leave a good taste in your mouth. The chef, Tony Martinez, dares to experiment with unusual flavors, but with exquisite results.
The pool of the Hotel Villa Premiere
The Marriott's Casa Magna hotel It also offers a luxury offer and the occasional extra activity. For example, its spa allows us to relax thanks to its variety of swimming pools, saunas and Swiss showers. A place that does not forget its indigenous roots, something that you will find out in the ritual that takes place before starting the massage. The hotel also has an exclusive tequila. Do not be afraid to ask for advice to enter the world of tequila and enjoy the different types available in a tasting. Casa Magna offers the best white, rested and aged tequila (with prices between 20 and 45 euros, depending on the bottle).
IN SEARCH OF THE ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT
Entering the Mexican jungle is one of the possibilities that the city of Puerto Vallarta offers you. There are several tours that will take you, for a good price, to " Hidden Mexico " ("Hidden Mexico") , a visit with several stops. In this trip you will go in a "truck-jeep" that will allow you to explore all the surroundings of the jungle from your seat. The first, obligatory, the Botanical Gardens, which are among the top ten in North America. And while the visit gives you a good portion of flora and nature, it is also accompanied by mosquitoes and South American wasps (these bite, not sting), so don't forget to bring a mosquito repellent. Another recommendation is to "get lost": if you have a few free minutes, take advantage of them to take a walk along the paths of the Botanical Gardens until you reach a river from which you can take a few minutes to escape the madding crowd of the city and enjoy nature in its purest state.
The Botanical Gardens
"Hidden Mexico" is also accompanied by gastronomy, with a luxury lunch in the jungle and high quality, since everything is cooked on the spot and the food is organic . If you have the opportunity to try the mass don't let her pass. Mole is a sauce with a wide variety of spices that takes several days to make, but it gives an exquisite flavor to the chicken. And to digest food well, the trip is accompanied by a tasting session of various tequilas.
A must-see visit for the more adventurous: the Marietas Islands . Tours of 25-30 people are available that take you to the Hidden Beach, an hour and a half from the coast of Puerto Vallarta , but if you want to get away from the big groups (recommended), you can rent a private boat for about 45 euros per hour (the trip usually lasts about 4-5 hours in total). The objective: to reach the sands of a hidden beach in the middle of the ocean, not an easy task. Depending on the state of the sea, the water may be too "rough" or the tide may be high and you will not be able to easily access the caves on the beach. Quite a risk to reach this destination and then, in the worst case, have to turn around empty-handed, but if your guide gives you the green light and you dare, you can dive under the caves for a few seconds, snorkeling, until you reach your destination. At that time, you will find your reward: Inside the circular island you will find a small virgin beach. A somewhat inaccessible place, depending on the time of year, but unforgettable.
The beautiful Marietas Islands
BEACHES
If you are looking for clean beaches with good temperatures throughout the year, Puerto Vallarta is your destination. In the city there are several that you cannot miss, such as Los Muertos, Las Ánimas, Palmares, Boca de Tomates and El Holi.
If you are looking for something more remote, with nature around you and calm, then we recommend the beach of Yelapa . To get to it you will have to board a "water taxi" that will take you to the place in about 20 minutes. The beach offers hammocks and restaurants, not overwhelmed by tourists, where you can relax. . And if you continue with the adventurous spirit and with good levels of adrenaline, you will have the possibility of parasailing and enjoying the views of the jungle and the Pacific from your parachute.
Yelapa beach
RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE
Traveling to Mexico and enjoying its gastronomy is already a luxury in itself. But in Puerto Vallarta there are several restaurants where their chefs are not afraid to look for new flavors. In the maia restaurant , the mezcal , a traditional Mexican drink, manages to reduce its strong flavor and provide good taste to the most demanding palate. Something similar happens with the grasshoppers : you may not be willing to try these crushed grasshopper , but we can assure you that in Maia the flavor of this starter is delicious and at no time will you be able to feel the texture of what you are really eating. Apart from this anecdote, Maia does what she says: "it will not only feed your body, but also your soul and spirit". Ella's experienced chef, Hugo Smoked, He has had the opportunity to work in cities around the world and bring that mix of cultures to the best of Mexican food.
A dinner overlooking the sea
The Palapa It is an ideal restaurant to visit at night. It is located right on the beach and serves fresh and quality food, enlivened by live music and margaritas Available in a wide variety of tropical fruits. If you opt for the seafood specialty, ** Mariscos Tino's ** serves you a wide variety of fresh fish.
In The Malecon You will find dozens of options to have a few drinks and enjoy a good night of music. If you are looking for a calmer and more relaxed plan, The Jazz Foundation is the answer, with live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
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