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Puerto Vallarta

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Overview: Puerto Vallarta, on the Mexican Rivera, is book-ended by tall luxury resorts and a long line of white sand beach but in its centre are colonial styled buildings and the remnants of a sleepy fishing town.

The most popular attractions are a list of water sports on any part of the Golden Zone, a resorty stretch of sand. The Old Town also is an attractive district to sightsee and peruse colonial architecture.

A new Maritime Terminal built in 2007 can berth up to three cruise liners although sometimes a fourth has to anchor in the bay and tender passengers to the terminal. The terminal is three miles north of the city and has a host of tourist facilities such as shopping, restaurant, and information centres and further nearby American style shopping complexes. Transportation can easily be found to the city centre. Contact:

Tel: +1 322 224 1175
www.visitpuertovallarta.com
info@visitpuertovallarta.com
A tourism office is located in the Presidencia Municipal building downtown.

Transport: Taxis are easily caught at the cruise port but are generally more expensive than ones hailed from the highway. Both are only several dollars to the city centre although prices for un-metered taxis should be agreed to before hand. Buses in the city are an easy way to travel short distances. Cruise lines often provide free shuttles to Puerto Vallarta city centre. Attractions: Beach activities are the most popular including diving, snorkelling, boating and walking the seaside Melicon path. The Old Town is a popular place for a stroll, going souvenir shopping or visiting the colonial style Spanish-Mexican buildings. Some of Mexico's finest golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus are a hit with cruise passengers. Further popular water activities include deep sea fishing, swimming with dolphins and sailing trips in the bay. Restaurants:

• Cafe des Artistes - Fine dining in one of the best restaurants in the country.
• Le Kliff - Perfect water views and well prepared eclectic dishes.
• The River Cafe - Popular cheerful haunt with locals and returning visitors.

Best dish: Sreet-side tacos

Shopping: Several American style shopping complexes are near the cruise terminal but better shopping is available from the city centre. Old Town and just off of Melicon have the best souvenir shopping in authentic Mexican style markets. A swarm of art galleries are available all over town many of them offering crafts from all over Mexico.

Best buy: Beaded crafts

Excursions:

• Drinking tequila in Tequila City.
• Gliding through the trees on a canopy tour.
• Whale watching in a sleek boat.
• Horseback riding in the hillsides.
• Relax in small town Sayulita.