Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Puerto Vallarta is not only one of Mexico’s most attractive destinations, but also one of the most celebrated, continuously receiving recognition from the media and visitors alike.
2019 was a banner year for Vallarta, with a long list of awards granted by various print and electronic publications worldwide that highlighted the wide range of attractions, activities, events and exceptional tourism services found here. Many of these accolades were based on travelers’ experiences.
One of the most important recognitions was granted by Condé Nast Traveler which, last October, placed Puerto Vallarta in the number 5 spot on their list of the “Top 10 Small Cities in the World.” More than 600,000 readers of the publication responded to the survey based on their travel experiences. This opinion exercise is the most prestigious recognition of tourism excellence, and is known as “the best of the best of world travel.”
Subsequently, Travel + Leisure magazine included the State of Jalisco as one of “The 50 best destinations to travel in 2020.” The article mentions that Jalisco and its destinations have boutique hotels, innovative cuisine and cultural wealth. In Jalisco, they say, tradition and modernity are mixed with surprising results. The publication also highlights the improvements in the road that has shortened the transfer times between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, as well as between this destination and the Costa Alegre.
Then, in November, the State of Jalisco topped The TravelSquire editorial team’s list of the seven best International Nature & Culture Travel Destination for 2020, highlighting Puerto Vallarta’s many attractions.
In December, the largest online platform specializing in sport fishing trips around the world, FishingBooker.com, placed Puerto Vallarta in second place on their list of the “7 Best Destinations to Practice Sport Fishing in the New Year.”
In other sports, the Association of Professional Tennis Players (ATP) recently named the PV Open tournament the Best Challenger Tournament of the year. The Challenger of the Year Awards recognize excellence in standards set across the global ATP Challenger Tour, comprising 158 tournaments staged in 39 countries and territories, and the Puerto Vallarta Open is fast becoming one of the top Challenger destinations, taking home the award in both of its first two editions.
An article in the December issue of WestJet’s onboard magazine had Puerto Vallarta ‘flying high’ as it mentioned the destination’s many attractions, including its pleasant climate, which has won the hearts of the thousands of Canadian ‘snowbirds’ that winter here year after year.
Another publication, Family Travel Forum, included Puerto Vallarta on its list of “The Best Places to Enjoy a Honeymoon.” This list was published by US News and Yahoo Finance.
It should also be mentioned that Puerto Vallarta was named 2019’s “Best Destination” by Apple Vacations, during its annual Golden Apple Awards ceremony, held last September in Chicago. The Crystal Apple is one of the most sought-after distinctions in the tourism industry since it is awarded based upon an Apple satisfaction questionnaire completed by hundreds of thousands of travelers upon their return home. Only destinations that offer the highest standards of quality and service, and are simply the best, are awarded the coveted Crystal Apple.
Since its opening in 2005, Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG) has won numerous international awards, and in 2019, for the second consecutive year, was among USA Today’s list of the “10 Best Public Gardens and Arboretums in North America.” The VBG was also recognized by the Canadian Garden Tourism Council as a “Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Travelling For in 2019.”
As for the LGBT segment, there are also important mentions. Most recently HomoCulture magazine included Puerto Vallarta on its list of the “20 Best Gay Destinations for 2020,” along with Barcelona, Berlin and Las Vegas. This portal highlights PV’s warm climate, friendly and tolerant atmosphere, amazing beaches, and ‘over the top’ fun in the sun.
Many congratulations to the people of Puerto Vallarta who work diligently to keep our tourists coming back for more!
Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust press release translated and edited by María Francesca for BanderasNews.com.