City Hall: A mural of Puerto Vallarta as a fishing and farming 
village, painted by Manuel Lepe in 1981, hangs on the wall.

Casa Kimberly: Daily tours are given through Elizabeth Taylor’s 
former house, bought for her 32nd birthday by Richard Burton. When she 
sold it in 1990 she left behind the majority of her possessions, which 
are on display. 

La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe: An elaborate crown worn 
by Carlotta the empress of Mexico in 1860 is on display at Puerto 
Vallartas main church.

Isla Rio Cuale: Restaurants, boutiques, cafés, an outdoor market 
place, and souvenir stands can be found on this island that basically 
slices the downtown area in two.

Museo Arqueologico: Located on the Isla Rio Cuale this museum has 
Indian artifacts and pre-Columbian figures. 

Mayan Palace Aquapark: This waterpark is filled with waterslides, 
pools, snack bars, and an inner tube canal.

WHERE TO EAT:

There are over 250 restaurants in Puerto Vallarta serving every cuisine 
possible as well as taco stands, food stalls, and market vendors.  
There’s a restaurant to accommodate every taste, budget and style.  As 
well, you will find some American based franchises such as the Hard 
Rock Café, McDonalds, and Hooters.  Many of the hotel restaurants offer 
fine dining options such as Italian, international, seafood and Mexican 
cuisine.  For a spectacular view of the bay, head to La Nube, where 
Italian and seafood dishes are served.  The Café des Artistes is said to 
be Puerto Vallarta’s most expensive and sophisticated restaurant.  
Mexican foods with a European twist are served with a view of the mighty 
Pacific.  In the evenings a piano and flute duo serenades patrons.  A 
favorite of most locals and many tourists is the restaurant Trio.  Diners 
eagerly consume creative and exotic dishes such as orange crusted sea 
bass and shrimp in a roasted pepper and mango sauce.  This restaurant is 
open only in the high season and a rooftop bar has recently been added.  
At Don Pedro’s, a beachfront restaurant, the chef whips up heavenly 
seafood creations at this popular eatery.  Everything served here, from 
the herb bread to the ice cream to the sauces, is made fresh daily.  For 
a casual meal in a relaxing but fun atmosphere, head to La Dolce Vita.  
The Italian dishes such as pizzas and pastas are made fresh and with 
attention to presentation and detail.  Prices are reasonable and a jazz 
band plays on Thursdays and Friday s evenings.  For sumptuous 
European and Viennese dishes, head to Café Maxilmilian, a small bistro 
like restaurant.  With over a dozen patio tables, as well as a dessert 
and coffee bar, this restaurant is perfect for people watching while 
eating or sipping an after dinner espresso.  A long-time local favorite 
restaurant, for large Sunday brunches, is Daiquiri Dick’s which also 
has an excellent view of the bay.  The River Café offers international 
dishes, such as pasta, steak, and lobster in elegant and romantic 
surroundings. For a taste of authentic and delicious Mexican dishes 
head to the popular Café de Olla.  This eatery, with trees growing from 
floor to roof, local artwork on the walls, and lively salsa music, 
offers a casual, relaxing, and fun way to spend an evening.  For a unique 
dining experience, head to one of the jungle restaurants located beside 
the sea or in the mountains.  Restaurants such as Chico’s Paradise, El 
Nogalito, and El Eden offer Mexican and seafood dishes in jungle like 
surroundings which may include, streams, wildlife, plants and trees, 
waterfalls, and natural pools.  Some of these areas are good for 
hiking and swimming, although swimming in the summer may be 
dangerous as flash floods sometimes occur.  

Beaches: There are 26 miles of beaches in Puerto Vallarta. From 
crowded and rowdy to secluded and private, there’s a beach for everyone. 
Playa de los Muertos is the most popular and crowded beach in Puerto 
Vallarta. Vendors walk the beach selling tablecloths, jewelery, kites, 
and statues. The majority of the most expensive shops and restaurants 
are located here. At several stands you can rent beach toys. In a 
sheltered cove with clear water Playa Mismaloya is perfect for swimming 
and snorkeling. Vendors sell drinks and snacks. Las Animas, Quimixto and 
Yelapa are only accessible by boat. You can hike to nearby waterfalls or 
dine at one of the restaurants.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Los Arcos, an underwater preserve, is 
the best spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are several coves 
and reefs that are also popular spots. Several companies offer PADI 
certified courses, guided dives, and equipment rental.

Fishing: Trips can be arranged through the Cooperativa de Pescadores 
or at the marina. Rates generally include gear, tackle, lunch and drinks. 

Golf: An 18-hole course, designed by Joe Fingers, is located at the 
Marina Vallarta Golf Club. This is a private course but if you are staying 
at a hotel with a membership you’ll generally be able to play. There is 
also a restaurant, bar, and professional golf shop. The 18-hole course 
at Los Flamingos Club de Golf is open to the pubic. On the premises is a 
snack bar and professional golf shop. The newest course was designed by 
Jack Nicklaus and is located at the Four Seasons Punta Mita. 
There are professionally guided golf tours offered by American 
Golf Tours. They can arrange accommodations, personalized packages, 
and equipment rental.

Mountain Biking and Hiking: Guided biking and hiking tours up the 
Rio Cuale are offered by Bike Mex. Prices include bike, gloves, helmet, 
lunch, water, shorts and insurance.

Horseback Riding: Arrangements for guided tours can be made at 
travel agencies or at local ranches. The US$45 fee includes breakfast 
and lunch. For a more elaborate tour try the "Fly-away to a Hide-away in 
San Sebastian." A 15-minute flight will bring you to San Sebastian, a 
17th century mining town, where a guide will meet you with horses. Rate 
includes a gourmet breakfast and lunch at the Hacienda Jalisco, and an 
elaborate tour of the town. An overnight stay can be arranged at the 
hacienda.

Boat Tours: There are several companies that can arrange boat 
trips that include sunset cruises and trips to distant beaches. 
Vallarta Adventures offers a tour to Caletas, a cove where John 
Huston lived. Huston’s home has been restored to include spa 
facilities and the beach has been landscaped for snorkelers. Aboard 
the Marigalante, a replica of Christopher Columbus’s Santa Maria, you 
can experience a "pirate’s cruise" which includes a barbecue and 
treasure hunt or an evening dinner cruise which includes fireworks 
and a folkloric dance show.

Whale-watching Tours: From mid-November to March humpback 
whales migrate to this bay to reproduce and give birth. Open Air 
Expeditions offer excursions in specially constructed soft boats.

Land Tours: There are several companies that offer all sort of 
land tours. Vallarta Aventures offers an excursion in special Mercedes 
ATV to jungle trails. These tours include a nature walk, swimming, and 
lunch. Tukari Tours offers bird-watching trips, shopping trips, or a day 
trip to Rancho Altamira.

Air Tours: San Sebastian Air Adventure offers plane tours to 
some of the remote areas of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Hot-air balloon 
trips over beaches, jungle, farmland, and along the coast are offered, 
weather permitting, by Day-Off Hot-Air Balloon Tours.

Festivals: Every November the Fiestas del Mar is celebrates with 
a cultural and gourmet dining festivals, regattas, art exhibits, and 
tennis tournaments. The Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe, from 
December 1st to the 12th includes floats, fireworks, dances, and 
mariachis. Businesses, hotels, and neighborhoods give an offering to 
the church in exchange for a blessing by a priest.

Spa: Terra Noble Art & Healing Center is a mountaintop day spa and 
art center.

Other Activities: Parasailing, water-skiing, and surfing are 
becoming popular along the shores of Puerto Vallarta’s beaches. Rental 
equipment for these activities are available at several shops. Many 
hotels have their own tennis courts and there are two tennis clubs.

Puerto Vallarta has sometimes been referred to as a “huge shopping 
mall.”  As in any city this size you can expect to find everything and 
anything imaginable.  Some of the best crafts available in Mexico can 
be found in Puerto Vallarta’s specialty shops and stores.  Prices are 
generally fixed so bargaining is not necessary, aside from the beach 
vendors and at the markets.  Puerto Vallarta has the best selection of 
Huichol art.  This art is generally in the form of yarn paintings or 
beaded works.  Yarn paintings tell a story and beaded work is said to 
have symbolic meanings.  These stories and symbols come to the Indians 
during spiritual ceremonies.  Serious collectors covet this type of 
artwork.  There are several galleries and shops that sell this art as 
well, you can learn about the process at the Huichol Collection.  There 
is a reproduction of a Huichol hut, displays depicting the Indians way 
of life, as well as a large collection of art for sale.  In addition to 
Huichol art, Puerto Vallarta’ shops and store carry an excellent 
collection of folk art, perhaps the best in Mexico.  You can find pottery, 
lamps, antiques, woven rugs, ceramics, embroidered clothing, masks, 
laquerware, and glass dishes.  At Alfareria Tlaquepaque you can find an 
assortment of baskets, blown glass, carved wood figures and ceramics 
from all over Mexico.  Mundo de Azulejos carries a fine selection of 
Talavera tiles and can also create tile replicas of your choice in 
approximately 24 hours.  For one-of-a-kind household items, such as 
animal figurines, blown glass, as well as ceramics and antiques, head 
to Puerco Azul.  At the Mercado Municipal, which takes up a full city 
block and located in the busiest section of town, you can find 
everything from flowers to piñatas and clothing to jewelry at the many 
stands and stalls.  Along the beach you will likely run into several 
vendors selling items such as masks, jewelry, T-shirts, and even rugs. 
Puerto Vallarta is a host to shops and stores selling unique, brand 
name, and specialty clothing and accessories. Extremely popular is 
clothing created by Laura Lopez Labra.  These items, such as skirts, 
blouses, dresses, drawstring pants, and lightweight shirts, are made 
from 100% cotton and lace, usually in shades of white or natural.  
Puerto Vallarta’s only department store, LOB’s, carries furnishings, 
clothing, shoes and everyday essential items.  Around town you will 
find stores and shops carrying items such as tequila, cigars, gifts 
and souvenirs.