Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Like some of the celebrities whom have visited the Pacific port of Puerto Vallarta, most recently Modern Family's Sofia Vergara, True Blood's Joe Manganiello, and Hello Ross's Ross Mathews, the destination has continued its annual awards season celebration with a number of accolades from consumers, media and trade magazines in the United Stated and Canada.

This past January, U.S. News & World Report's travel editors named Puerto Vallarta one of "The Best Places to Visit in Mexico" and its beaches were named the third best in Mexico; in addition Puerto Vallarta came in at #4 in the "Best Spring Break Destinations in the World" category. The destination was also named Mexico's #5 under the "Top Cities in Mexico and Central and South America" category in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards.

In November 2013, after weeks of voting, the readers of USA Today named Puerto Vallarta as one of the "Best Places to Watch a Sunset" in 10Best.com's Readers' Choice contest. "When you're on the Pacific coast of Mexico, it feels like the setting sun is... right there," the newspaper editors wrote. "Views of the sun sinking into the ocean from Puerto Vallarta are simply breathtaking: ask any visitor who's had the pleasure of experiencing this treat. Locals often head to the beach for a view of this event: why would you miss it if you didn't have to?"

Readers also placed Vallarta as a Top Beach in its "Best of GayCities 2013" on GayCities.com. One of the most popular consumer sites for the LGBT community, Puerto Vallarta also remained a "Top Beach Destination" with Passport Magazine readers throughout the year.

During the same month, Puerto Vallarta was also named one of the "Top 14 Winter Destinations for Canadians" in Canada's FlightNetwork.com, which also recommended visits to Café des Artistes, El Arrayán, and Taste restaurants; stays in Garza Blanca Preserve, Fiesta Americana and Now Amber resorts; and the attractions of Las Caletas, Vallarta Food Tours and Puerto Vallarta Day Tours.

AAA has granted the Four Diamond Award to Villa Premiere (9 years in a row), Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort (2 years in a row), and the Westin Resort and Spa, which has held the distinction for over 21 years in a row. In addition hotels, such as Barceló, Casa Magna Marriott, Casa Cupula, Friendly Vallarta, Garza Blanca, Golden Crown Paradise, Hotel Catedral, Melia, Posada de Roger, Sunset Plaza, The Westin and Villa Premiere, earned Tripadvisor's Certificate of Excellence for their constant high ratings on the site. CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa was also honored by Condé Nast Traveler's readers as one of the "Top 10 Resorts on Mexico's Pacific Riviera."

Patricia Farias Barlow, CEM, CEO of the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center was awarded with the 2013 Chairperson's Award at the International Association of Exhibitors and Events expo in Houston on December 12th.

The joint promotion of Vallarta-Nayarit was another source of achievement, as the Vallarta-Nayarit Live it to Believe it campaign resulted in six Travel Weekly Magellan awards, taking the gold for Golf, Beach, and Adventure Destinations; and the silver for Art and Culture, Spa, and Overall Best Destinations.

Puerto Vallarta earned all of these recognitions by consistently offering exceptional tourism services. As one of Mexico's most attractive destinations, the Banderas Bay region's steady growth has been accompanied by improved services, an extensive expansion of its infrastructure, and an increasing number of cultural activities to better serve both the growing number of travelers who visit Puerto Vallarta every year, and the city's ever-growing population.

Many congratulations to the people of Puerto Vallarta and its tourism industry that keep our tourists coming back for more!