City Overview

Population: 300,000
Location: State of Jalisco (Pacific Coastal Region of Mexico)

When you think of the Mexican Riviera, with its palm-fringed beaches, luxuriant jungle vegetation and posh resorts, lots of places come to mind. But no resort better typifies the classic Mexican beach vacation than does Puerto Vallarta. From its sleepy, seaside village roots, it has grown into one of Mexico's slickest and most loved destinations. Puerto Vallarta delivers round-the-clock activity (or blissful seclusion), sophisticated amenities, and a romantic, dreamlike natural setting. It is considered the ideal vacation spot for the first-time Mexico visitor, while also boasting enough diversity and activity to keep people coming back over and over again.

As you arrive by plane, the town's romance and beauty begin to take hold: a blanket of lush tropical jungle surrounds the quaint, colonial city as it climbs away from the blue Pacific, into the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Nestled on the shores of Bahía de Banderas (Mexico's largest natural bay),Vallarta traces its history back to the 1500's, when it was inhabited by Spanish explorers. It later became known as a respite for pirates plying the Pacific Coast. But it was not until 1851 that the area was first inhabited. By 1918 (the year it was officially made a municipality) the village was a modest fishing community of 1,500 residents. It was also a port for silver shipments from nearby Cuale mines.

For the next 50 years not much happened in the way of development. Then, in 1963, director John Huston came to film Tennessee William's "Night of the Iguana," and the rest is history. Liz Taylor and Richard Burton left their mark as well, giving Puerto Vallarta an international "jet set" reputation.

It is now a bustling town of 300,000 residents that attracts nearly 2 million annual visitors. Despite its popularity and the recent flurry of new resort development, the city itself retains much of its "Old Mexico" flair. The city is graced with lovely architecture, cobblestone streets, and white stucco buildings (by city ordinance, all buildings are white), crowned by flower-covered balconies and red tile roofs. And you will still see an occasional burro headed for market, clip-clopping along the city's streets.

Outdoor recreation is limitless. Every imaginable water sport is available along Vallarta's miles of sandy shore. Its dining and nightlife are excellent. Shopping is Mexico's finest, thanks to a bevy of Mexican and international artists that make Vallarta their home. There are also some great day trips, either by boat or on land.

We are confident that you will find Puerto Vallarta to be an excellent destination to learn Spanish and experience the best that Mexico has to offer.

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