Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Each year, Travel + Leisure assigns their World's Best Awards to what they call "the definitive list of top cruise lines, hotels, airlines, car rental agencies, islands and cities, according to the votes of readers." One of the special features of these awards is that they are voted on by tourists from around the world.

The winners of Travel + Leisure 2014 World's Best Awards readers' survey were announced on July 24th in New York - and Puerto Vallarta has moved up to #4 on the magazine's "Top City in Mexico, Central and South America" list.

Travel + Leisure readers first added Puerto Vallarta to this exclusive list in 2011 as one of their top travel experiences to be had around the globe. Since then, the destination has moved from number 8 on the list to #7 in 2012 and #5 in 2013. This year's position, at number 4, puts Puerto Vallarta right behind international favorites like Buenos Aires, Cuzco and Mexico City, which took the #1 spot on this year's list.

"We are very proud and honored to be recognized by the readers of Travel + Leisure in this category," said the city's newly appointed Tourism Director, Rolando Miravete. "Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's leading destinations because our travel experience is one of the most rewarding to people of all ages and backgrounds. Our guests are people who like to experience nature, culture, gastronomy, life and they find it on a daily basis in Puerto Vallarta," he added.

As one of the most acclaimed destinations in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta continually receives accolades from media and visitors alike. This past January, U.S. News & World Report 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 their "Best Spring Break Destinations in the World" category.

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 an extensive expansion of its tourism 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.

All of Travel + Leisure's 2014 World's Best lists, including the Top 50 Hotels, Top 10 Overall Islands, and the World's Best Spas, among others, are now available online at TravelandLeisure.com.