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Travel and Outdoors

Travel and Outdoors

Although best known as a beach resort, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most versatile adventure travel destinations in the world. Nestled between the jungle-covered Sierra Madre Mountains and the sheltered waters of Banderas Bay, this region’s geographical diversity offers an extremely wide variety of natural attractions and outdoor adventures.

Unlike many other popular beach vacation resorts, Puerto Vallarta is actually several destinations in one. Situated on the Pacific Coast of Mexico just south of Baja California, the Banderas Bay area offers more than 34 miles of incomparable coastline in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit – and innumerable activities that are affordable and easily accessible.

For those who just want to relax, miles and miles of beautiful golden sand beaches offer one of the best ways to experience the beauty and magic of the Bay of Banderas. And with 322 days of sunshine annually and an average temperature of 80 degrees F, Puerto Vallarta is one of the few places on Earth that can boast an “ideal” climate for sun worshipers.

With picture-perfect weather and extraordinary natural beauty, outdoor recreation around the bay is limitless. Traditional sports like golf and tennis are unforgettable. This region is one of Mexico’s leading golf destinations with golf courses designed by some of the world’s greatest golfers including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Robert von Hagge.

Puerto Vallarta is also a major tennis destination with a growing number of tennis clubs, classes, workshops and tournaments each year. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing whale watching and sportsfishing await you in the warm, clear waters of Banderas Bay and the Mexican Pacific.

On land you can explore the Sierra Madre Mountains and jungles on an exciting excursion provided by one of the area’s many professional tour operators. If you prefer to do a little exploring on your own, the quiet pleasures and local colors of Mexico are waiting to be discovered in a variety of unique and inviting fishing villages and beachside retreats.

A recent Travel and Leisure Magazine Readers’ Survey listed Puerto Vallarta as the number one beach destination in Latin America because of the wide variety of beach communities and sleepy seaside villages around the bay. During your stay, be sure to explore these towns and enjoy a genuine taste of the real Mexico.

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Volunteers Clean Up Marietas Islands Ahead of Fundraising Swim

Members of the non-profit organization, 'Swimming for Whales,' were astounded by the amount of debris they encountered during their recent cleanup on the Marietas Islands. This cleanup precedes Stephanie Montero's 35km swim to raise funds for rescuing entangled whales and marine life.

With Return to Cat 1 Vallarta Airport Anticipates More Flights

The Puerto Vallarta International Airport is soaring to new heights as Mexico reclaims Category 1 status with the FAA, unlocking opportunities for Mexican airlines to expand direct flights to the United States. This development marks a promising future for the airport's growth and connectivity.

Vallarta Eagerly Awaits 112 State-of-the-Art Buses

Good news for locals and tourists! Transporte Unidos Costa Pacífico (UNIBUS) president, Luis Romero Chávez, announced that Puerto Vallarta will soon have a fleet of 112 new, state-of-the-art buses, the first of which are expected to hit the streets in November.

FAA Reinstates Mexico’s Category 1 Aviation Safety Rating

The FAA returned Mexico’s aviation safety rating to the highest level after spending nearly 28 months in Category 2. With a return to Category 1 status, Mexico can add new service and routes to the U.S., and U.S. airlines can resume marketing and selling tickets with their names and designator codes on Mexican-operated flights.

Vallarta Airport Soars Towards 1,600 Air Operations in September

Luis Villaseñor Nolasco, the director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust, has shared exciting news about the city's International Airport. It is poised to exceed an impressive milestone this month by surpassing 1,600 air operations, a notable jump from the 1,400 recorded in September 2019.

Bucerías, Nayarit, Mexico is a Seafood Lover’s Paradise

Bucerías, Mexico, is a seafood lover's paradise with its delicious and fresh shrimp dishes. From traditional seafood tacos to exotic ceviche, there's something for every palate. So, the next time you visit this Mexican beach town, remember to indulge in its famous shrimp delicacies.

Vallarta Botanical Garden Butterfly Week Sept 19-24

September is peak butterfly season in Puerto Vallarta, both in terms of sheer numbers and great diversity. From September 19-24, Vallarta Botanical Garden will celebrate Butterfly Week, a great opportunity for nature lovers to learn about these amazing creatures.

Puerto Vallarta Airport has Welcomed Over 4.7M Passengers YTD

The Puerto Vallarta International Airport served 479,300 passengers in August, a slight uptick from the 476,100 travelers in the same month last year. Although it surpassed 4.7 million passengers for the first 8 months of the year, the month of August saw a decline in international tourism compared to last year.

Vallarta Botanical Garden Now a Natural Protected Area

The Jalisco Secretariat of Environment has officially recognized the Vallarta Botanical Garden as a Natural Protected Area with the special designation of State Area Voluntarily Designated for Conservation, making it only the second of its kind in the state.

Puerto Vallarta to Welcome Four Cruise Ship Arrivals in September

Though there are only four arrivals scheduled during the month of September, all courtesy of the ever-popular Carnival Panorama, Puerto Vallarta's international cruise tourism segment is set to embrace a fresh wave of optimism as it continues to improve its cruise tourism statistics compared to last year.