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Puerto Vallarta MEXICO

Posted November 7th, 2008 by phoebe

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Puerto Vallarta MEXICO

20.653386 -105.247543 mx

Puerto Vallarta Cruising Guide - MEXICO

Puerto Vallarta Port Chart 21338 (Puerto Vallarta Chart scale 1:10,000)

Contents Puerto Vallarta Mexico Cruising Guide

About Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Weather in Puerto Vallarta
Tides in Puerto Vallarta
Climate in Puerto Vallarta
Anchorages and Marinas in Puerto Vallarta
Travel Attractions for Cruisers in Puerto Vallarta
Transportation on Land in Puerto Vallarta
Geography and Climate
Food in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Links for Cruisers in Puerto Vallarta

About Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Located on the Western Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta's charm makes the resort famous around the world. With its cobblestone streets, nice beaches, plentiful marine life, the Sierra Madre Mountains, exceptional restaurants, new golf courses and a vibrant culture, Puerto Vallarta is a Mexico vacationers paradise.

Around the Bay, beautiful beaches, lush jungles and sparkling waterfalls offer many opportunities for the adventurous cruiser, while five star resorts, world-class shopping and gourmet restaurants satisfy even the most sophisticated sailor. Stretching from the south end of Old Town to central downtown, a newly extended and refurbished boardwalk along the ocean, called the Malecon, passes by any number of shops, restaurants, and hotels, and often plays host to mimes, breakdancers, clowns and artists.

The residents of Puerto Vallarta (PV as it known to cruisers) are very friendly and generally willing to help with directions and other requests. Old Town Vallarta (or the Zona Romantica district) south of the River Cuale is a bit more like a Mexican town and less like a tourist trap.

The 2005 census reported Puerto Vallarta's population as 177,830 making it the fifth-largest city in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The city is located at 20°40'N, 105°16'W. The municipality has an area of 502.19 square miles (1,300.67 km). To the North it borders the SW part of the state of Nayarit. To the East it borders the municipality of Mascota and San Sebastián, and to the South it borders the municipalities of Talpa de Allende and Cabo Corriente.

Puerto Vallarta is named after Ignacio Vallarta, a former governor of the state of Jalisco. "Puerto Vallarta" is often shortened to "Vallarta." and English (language) cruisers often call the city P.V. for short. In internet shorthand the city is often referred to as PVR, after the code for its international airport.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Marine Weather

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Tides

Tides in Puerto Vallarta

Climate in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta has a typical tropical climate, with near constant temperature and humidity year round and with a pronounced wet and dry seasonal variation.

The average daily high temperature is 86 °F (30 °C); average daily low temperature is 70 °F (21 °C); average daily humidity is 75%. The rainy season extends from mid June through Mid October, with most of the rain falling between July and September. August is the city's wettest month with an average of 14 days with significant precipitation. Even during the rainy season precipitation tends to be concentrated in large rainstorms with insignificant precipitation on most days. Occasional tropical storms will bring thunderstorms to the city in November, though the month is typically dry. February, March and April are the months with the least cloud cover.

Runoff from rains often turns the seawater brown in some areas, detracting from the beauty of the beaches and sea.

Prevailing winds are from the SW, and most weather systems approaching Puerto Vallarta are consequently weakened as they pass over Cabo Corriente. Thus even during the rainy season Puerto Vallarta's weather tends to be mild compared to other areas along the Mexican Pacific coast.

puerto vallarta cruising guide

puerto vallarta

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Marinas and Anchorages

Anchorage:

The only anchorage area we know of is inside the harbour (off the creek mouth). Word is all anchoring is prohibited elsewhere!

Puerto Vallarta Marinas:

puerto vallarta

Marina Vallarta

500-slip marina

Marina Vallarta is a place to complete formalities. The Port captain and customs offices are in the terminal building (by cruise ship dock). Immigration in town.
The largest marina in the area, it lies on the north end of the harbour.
Marina Vallarta is one of Mexico's more sophisticated marinas and one of the most popular in the country. Best to book in advance.
Facilities: Good facilities, laundry, and pump-out facility. 18-hole golf course.
Nearby: Store and fuel are available nearby. Along the Marina boardwalk are numerous shops and boutiques, galleries, and cafes and restaurants. The Marina landmark is El Faro (the Lighthouse), with great views of the whole Marina and beyond to Banderas Bay.
Tel:+52 322 221 0275,
info @ marinanuevovallarta. com
P.O. Box 350 B, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Marina Nuevo Vallarta (El Norte)

Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit

Marina about 3.5 miles NW of the harbour inside a dredged lagoon. Call ahead to check the current depth (silts up).
Port Captain check-in and out office on site.
Bus stop and taxis available nearby.
Monitoring VHF channel 16.
Tel:+52-329-102-75, VHF Channel 16
marvata @ prodigy.net. mx
Local No. 5 Edificio Los Arcos, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico

Paradise Village Marina

200 Berths: 26 to 200 ft.

Tel:+52-322-22-66728, Fax:+52-322-22-66728
marina @ paradisevillage. com
Paseo de los Cocoteros #001, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit

Dock Fees:
1 - 6 Nights $0.70 Summer (June 01 - Oct 31) $0.80 Winter (Nov 01 - May 31)
7 - 29 Nights $0.55 Summer $0.65 Winter
30 Nights or More $0.50 Summer $0.57 Winter
per ft. per day plus 15% tax & 0.15 cents a day clean marina

Located about 15 min. from the airport.

Double fingered concrete with extra-wide walks
Dock locker boxes - all berths
Security gates with electronic access keys
Fire fighting equipment - all docks
Launch ramp
Marina guest facilities with restrooms, showers, dressing rooms, Jacuzzi, swimming pool and more
Meeting/conference facilities for 300 persons

Services:

Marina Concierge
Individual water hook ups (potable)
Separately metered dockside electrical: 30 AMP - 110 V up to 100AMP - 220 V
Cable TV
Full service harbor master office on-site
Garbage disposal
Gray water pump out station
Dry Storage for trailerable boats
Propane
Scuba tanks refill
On site weather reports & tides
Boaters assistance
Book exchange library
Boat maintenance
E-mail hook up

Amenities:

Private access through Paradise Village Resort
Access to all hotel services and recreational facilities as a guest
Ample secure parking
Shopping Center
ATM & Bank
Laundry & Supermarket
Restaurants & Fitness Center
Religous services Catholic & Non-Denominational
Cruisers' Social Center

Yacht Clubs:
Vallarta Yacht Club
Nuevo Vallarta Nay, Mexico

[NOTE: Marinas and Yacht Clubs section may not be complete. YachtPals, please click the link "add child page" at the bottom of this page, to enter another marina or anchorage in Puerto Vallarta. All readers can also simply comment in the box provided at the bottom of the page]

Travel Attractions for Cruisers in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta has many activities and excursions to keep you entertained. The adventurous cruiser can hike or mountain bike in the hills, explore the jungle and hidden trails on horseback, take a jeep safari, snorkel, scuba dive, charter a yacht or sailboat, or take a cruise on one of the many party boats.

Adventure and Sports around Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Golfing

La Marina Vallarta Golf Course-Have to have good accuracy for this one due to narrow fairways that are guarded by water
Los Flamingos Golf Course-Known as one of the easiest to play
The Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta Golf Club, 18-hole par 71 course designed by Jim Lipe. Address: Paseo de las Moras S/N, Fraccionamiento Náutico Turístico, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico 63735. Fun course with many obstacles is located on the spectacular beaches of Vallarta between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Bahia de Banderas bay. The Vallarta course offers interesting competitive advantages and challenges to golf lovers for the vast fairways appear to be the easy part but the lakes complicate the game for the most expert golfers. website
El Tigre Golf Club-Long course with many traps and water
Vista Vallarta-Hosted the 2002 EMC World Cup Championship

Windsurfing

There are many rental shops along the beaches.

Snorkeling

The most popular snorkeling areas are Los Arcos underwater caves and Marietas Islands caverns.

Parasailing

You are able to parasail at pretty much every beach. The sky high trip usually last around 15 min.

Jet Skiing

Jet skis can be rented at most beaches by the hour.

Fishing

Banderas Bay is home to annual Puerto Vallarta International Fishing Tournament held since 1956. Fish types include sailfish, dorado, marlin, bonita and yellowfin tuna, roostertail, jack cravel, pargo, red snapper and more denizens of the deep, black, blue and striped marlin.

Horseback Riding

There are many ranches in town that offer horseback Riding into small villages and through the forests. They can last from a few hours to a few days.

Canopy Tours

Get a birds eye view of the lush tropical forests on a wire and pulley.Contact Vallarta Encountours

Turtle-Watching & Repatriation

Some tour companies offer educational programs combined with hands-on activities to help save Mexico’s turtles. After the female turtles lay their eggs in nests they create in the sand, volunteers dig up the eggs and re-bury them somewhere safe from predators. After about 45 to 60 days, the eggs hatch. Without help, only about 1 in every 1,000 baby turtles will survive to adulthood because most are caught by predators before they make it back to the safety of the ocean. However, turtle repatriation volunteers keep the babies safe until it is time to set them free to head for the ocean (at night when predators are less active). You can be part of these programs.

Landmarks in Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Parish Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Col. Centro
Púlpito and Pilitas (Pulpit and Baptismal Font) - Col. Emilio Zapata - two rock formations at the South end of Los Muertos Beach. El Púlpito is the tall headland and Las Pilitas are the formation of rocks beneath it. Las Pilitas was the original location of the Boy on a Seahorse sculpture (El Caballito) now located on the Malecón. There are two streets in the Olas Altas area named after the rock formations.
Playa Conchas Chinas (Chinese Shells Beach) - Fracc. Amapas - the city's most secluded beach, located to the South of the headland which forms the boundary of Los Muertos beach.
The Malecon - paved walkway along the seashore in Col. Centro - especially popular during the Sunday evening paseo. It features a collection of contemporary sculptures by Sergio Bustamante, Alejandro Colunga, Ramiz Barquet and others. The Malecon was extensively rebuilt in 2002-2003 following damage from hurricane Kenna.
Mercado Isla Cuale and Mercado Municipal Cuale - there are two large public markets in the Centro along the banks of the Cuale selling a variety of artisanal and souvenir goods, and the Isla Cuale has a number of souvenir vendor shops as well.
Cuale Archaeological Museum - on the West side of the Isla Cuale, the museum presents a significant collection of local and regional pre-hispanic art in a number of informative displays. The museum also houses a small gallery for showing contemporary art.
Plaza de Armas (Ignacio Vallarta) / Aquiles Serdan Amphitheater (Los Arcos) - the city's main plaza - site of public concerts both at the bandstand in the Plaza de Armas and on the stage in front of the arches across the street.
City Hall - a modern city hall laid out using a traditional courtyard plan. There is a tourist office in the SW corner, and on the landing of the main (West off the courtyard) stairwell there is a modest naive style mural by local artist Manuel Lepe.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Beaches

Beaches in Puerto Vallarta

Playa Camarones (Shrimp Beach) - Col. 5 de Deciembre (vicinity of Av. Paragua - Hotel Buenaventura. This is the northernmost public beach in the City of Puerto Vallarta proper. It is named after the shrimp fisherman that once landed their launches on the beach to unload their catch.
Playa Olas Altas (High Waves Beach) - Col. Emilio Zapata - the beach extends from the Cuale River South to the fishing pier. In spite of the name, the waves offshore are not particularly high, and the beach is a popular place to swim, especially for locals and national tourists. The beach is lined with outdoor restaurants.
Playa Los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) - Col. Emilio Zapata - the city's largest public beach. Legend has it the beach's name (Dead Men's Beach) stems from a battle between pirates and local miners after which bodies remained strewn on the beach, but it's a legend, since there were never any miners in Vallarta The South Side of the beach is a popular gathering spot for gay and lesbian tourists. The North end is frequented mostly by locals, and national tourists. The city has recently tried to change the name of the beach to Playa del Sol.
Playa Boca de Tomates (Mouth of Tomatoes) - a beach located near the mouth of the Ameca River. The beach is not very popular among international tourists due to the rocks that come ashore especially in the summertime. Also watch out for Crocodiles. Its proximity to the Ameca River which carries muddy rainwater in the summertime causes the water to lose its clarity making it appear dirty.

South Shores beaches

A number of beaches along the South shore of the bay are accessible only by your boat (from Boca de Tomatlan or the Los Muertos Pier). The developed beaches include (east to west): Las Animas, Quimixto, Majahuitas and Yelapa. These and other smaller undeveloped beaches can be reached by launch from Boca de Tomatlán.

Playa Las Animas - a narrow wide white sand beach developed with several restaurants.
Playa Las Caletas - a secluded beach that was once the private retreat of film director John Huston. Today it is a wildlife preserve. There is a living natural reef close to shore which makes the beach a popular destination for snorkelers.
Playa Quimixto - a somewhat rocky and secluded beach which is settled by a small village of a several hundred families. There are horse and guide hire concessions in the town which lead visitors through a small canyon behind the town to a series of waterfalls.
Yelapa - once a small electricity free fishing village and a popular 'hide away' for Gringos, now it has electricity, telephones and the internet. Visited by tourist boats for about 3 hours a day, it reverts to it's laid back ways when they leave.

Beaches South of Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Playa Gemelas - an undeveloped beach just North of the mouth of the Mismaloya river. The beach lies close to Los Arcos Marine Natural Area and can be used for access to the park from shore.
Playa Mismaloya - at the mouth of the Mismaloya River. The beach was featured in several scenes from Night of the Iguana and the main set was located on hillside to the South of the beach. The beach is developed with a number of restaurants.

Beaches north of Puerto Vallarta

The north shore of the bay is lined with beach towns that offer good wading beaches and the usual tourist amenities. These include (east to west): Bucerias, Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Playa la Manzanilla, Playa Destiladeras, Playa Pontoque, and Punta Mita. All can be reached by bus (departing from Wal-Mart).

Tourism in Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Tourism makes up roughly 50% of all economic activity in Puerto Vallarta. The high season for international tourism in Puerto Vallarta extends from late November through March (or later depending on the timing of the College Spring Break period in the USA. The city is especially popular with US residents from the West Coast because of the number of convenient flights that exist between Puerto Vallarta and Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. The air routes between Puerto Vallarta and Los Angeles and Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco are by far the most heavily traveled of all air routes into the city.

Vallarta is also a popular destination for Mexican tourists: a popular weekend destination for residents of Guadalajara (tapatíos), and a popular national destination for vacations such as Semana Santa (the week preceding Easter) and Christmas.

Puerto Vallarta has become a popular retirement destination for US and Canadian retirees. This trend has spawned a condominium development boom in the city.

Rapid growth in tourist volume in Puerto Vallarta has given rise to rapid growth in hotel and rental apartment construction. This growth has spilled over from the city limits into Nuevo Vallarta in the neighboring state of Nayarit.

Transportation on Land around Puerto Vallarta - Mexico

-- By bus --

* Local trips

Bus trips cost around 5 pesos, which is about 50 cents that you pay to the bus driver when you get in and every ride is good for as long as you have to stay on... the whole city if you'd like. Buses stop almost every five to ten blocks and at peak hours tend to get very full, so be ready for that. If you are a man, be ready to give up your seat to women if the bus becomes crowded. Bus drivers will make change, but won't break large bills.

The buses are quite handy to get to places like Pitillal (the rapidly growing suburb to the NE) and Ixtapa (including the nearby U of Guadalajara campus with its gallery and crocodile farm. They are also useful for travelling from the hotel zone and marina area to the downtown or old-town areas. Any bus marked Centro will pass through both. Buses marked Tunel will skip downtown and head directly to the old-town / zona romantica via the tunnel bypass.

* Out of town trips

You can visit Bucerias for 12 pesos, $1.20. You can also go to Punta Mita for 14 pesos, $1.40. Mismaloya buses charge around 10 pesos. There are also larger buses that can take you to Guadalajara, which is about a 6-hour trip.

You can catch buses for Mismaloya along Basilio Badillo on the corner just West of where you see them lined up.

The easiest way to catch a bus to Bucerias, Punta Mita or points in between is to catch a city bus to Wal-Mart/Sams. Walk along the main road to the northernmost bus shelters in front of Wal-Mart. The buses to Bucerias leave from here.

-- By taxi --

Hotels may provide a price list for cabs (expect to pay about 50 pesos for short trips, and 200 for longer trips). Hotels will offer transport from airport to hotel. But that's expensive. If you've booked with a travel agency, they will most likely provide you with transportation to and from the airport. Be prepared for fast speeds, as the cab drivers have schedules to adhere to. Many of the cabs do not have working seatbelts or speedometers as well. Taxi drivers tend to gather at the intersection close to the liquor outlet in the Centro District. They are friendly and you can negotiate trips outside of Puerto Vallarta at very reasonable cost on slow days. They will wait for you while you dine or shop as well as photograph you and your mates. Include a small tip with the very reasonable fare.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico Geography

Puerto Vallarta lays on a narrow coastal plain at the foot of the Sierras Cuale and San Sebastián, parts of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The plain widens to the North, reaching its widest point along the Ameca river. Three rivers flow from the Sierra through the area, from South to North, the Cuale, the Pitillal, and the Ameca. A number of arroyos also run from the Sierra to the coastal plain. Many of the valleys of these rivers and arroyos are inhabited. Also development has to some extent spread up the hillsides from the coastal plain.

The city proper comprises four main areas: the hotel zone along the shore to the North, Olas Altas - Col Zapata to the South of the Cuale river (named Zona Romantica recently in some tourist brochures), the Centro along the shore in between these two areas, and a number of residential areas to the East of the hotel zone. The oldest section of the town is the area of Col. Centro near the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, especially Hidalgo street.

Food Specialties in Puerto Vallarta - Mexico

* Huachinango Sarandeado - rockfish marinated in a birria paste (roast peppers, garlic and spices) and grilled.
* Grilled Marlin - served on the beaches and at some taco stands - the meat is skewered and cooked over coals then served with hot sauce and lime.

* Ceviche - raw fish with onions, hot peppers and lime juice. The lime juice cures the fish, turning the flesh opaque and giving it a chewy texture. The ceviche is usually served with tortilla chips or on a whole tostada.

Links for Cruisers in Puerto Vallarta - Mexico

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Puerto Vallarta

Registered YachtPals can click "add child page" to make a new cruising guide within Puerto Vallarta Mexico. All visitors can comment, add tips, or ask questions about Puerto Vallarta on the bottom of this page.

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