Travel Impressions

2015 TI Mexico

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Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta has exploded onto the tourism scene with vivacity and brilliance, welcoming an average of 3.7 million visitors per year—a far cry from the destination first advertised in 1942. Divided by the River Cuale that cuts through the north and south, several destinations combine into one of the most popular haunts of today's leisure traveler. Each side is marked in turn by world-class beach resorts on the Banderas Bay and white-washed adobe houses, with streets bursting with bougainvillea. With a section formally designated as the Romantic Zone, it seems only fitting that at least one famous love blossomed here; Richard Burton and Liz Taylor rendezvoused while he filmed The Night of the Iguana in the south-side villages of Boca de Tomatlan and Mismaloya. Yet with Playa de los Muertos' golden shores and countless beach bars beckoning, the enticement of celebrity pales in comparison. In the other direction, follow the seaside promenade, the Malecón, from the Romantic Zone through to the Hotel Zone. As the coastline leads toward trendy Riviera Nayarit, the Hotel Zone and marina provide stunning accommodations and gourmet dining on Bahía de PueRTo VALLARTA 200 200 P A C I F I C O C E A N Banderas Bay Los Arcos R I V I E R A N AYA R I T L A S J U N TA S M A R I N A A R E A P U E R TO VA L L A R TA D O W N TO W N S O U T H E R N A R E A H OT E L Z O N E M I S M A LO YA To Punta Mita 0 1/4 mile 0 1/4 km 13 1 2 14 17 6 10 7 23 20 11 17 18 27 29 15 16 9 26 30 Puerto Vallarta 55 8 4 25 3 Banderas, one of the world's largest bays. From here, five species of turtles, three types of dolphins, and humpback whales in the winter are just one warm stretch of sand away. Visitors can head back to shore for a nightlife that truly dazzles, or to the Old Town and Gringo Gulch, where the colonial era rises to the forefront. No matter which direction travelers choose in Puerto Vallarta, beautiful water, magnificent beaches, and a lively culture wait to delight. 31 32 24 28 22 23 18 19 21 5 11 9 12

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