A consultancy with Samantha will provide you with guidance and concise recommendations about what to expect from senior care support services on offer in Puerto Vallarta—whether you’re planning ahead and considering choices for yourself (or you and your partner) or want to learn more about senior care provision services for someone else close to you.

Consult with an experienced senior care professional

Samantha is fully bilingual and has over 25 years of professional experience on matters related to social care across a wide spectrum of client groups in both public and private organizations.  She has lived in Puerto Vallarta for over 10 years and specializes in attending to the needs of people seeking senior care services there.

Her consultancy offers in-depth knowledge about senior care services on offer in Puerto Vallarta, including recommendations about in-home care services vs local residential homes, through direct experience of working with elder care centers in the Vallarta area.

Working with individuals and families of those preparing for their retirement or changes in their lifestyle or health situations, her areas of expertise include:

• senior care planning and management in private residences;
• bilingual advocate services for those navigating doctors, finances, and end-of-life planning in Puerto Vallarta; and
• providing personalized consultancy to individuals, families, hospitals, and assisted living centers.

Get experienced advice, local insight, and concise recommendations

Samantha’s consultancy service offers local knowledge and clear, concise recommendations about how to plan ahead, prepare for, and explore the availability of senior care services available in Puerto Vallarta.

When you’re seeking choices for senior care provision in the Puerto Vallarta area, Samantha can help you to discover and explore the options available:

When you’re planning for retirement or changes in your lifestyle in Mexico:

• Undertaking an Initial Assessment to determine your current situation.
• Advice about key matters you need to take into careful consideration.
• Guidance about realistic choices on offer in Puerto Vallarta and available service options.

When you need to talk about plans for someone close to you

• Personal consultation to discuss your situation and how you may source the help you need.
• Practical matters you need to consider as someone ages and external assistance is required.
• How to meet needs and provide support whilst respecting autonomy.
• Potential service options and practical tips on exploring potential care homes in Puerto Vallarta.

Consultancy that flexes with your needs

Samantha offers a FREE initial 15-minute conversation to talk about your situation and to determine if the consultation service is right for your needs.

Personalized consultancy is offered at US$85 per hour, with a 1-hour minimum, and time billed precisely as used after the first hour.  Samantha keeps a detailed log of the support time provided to you.

How the consulting service supports you

The service is designed to provide you with a personalized consultation that focuses on your specific circumstances and needs and provides you with a post-consultation written brief. Typically, the consultation follows this path:

Free 15-minute conversation

Samantha offers a FREE 15-minute conversation to discuss your situation and to determine if the consultancy service is right for your needs.

Your personalized consultation

If you decide to proceed with a formal consultation, Samantha will send you a payment link for the first hour of consultancy and schedule your first formal consultation call (by telephone, Zoom, or Skype, as you prefer) at a mutually convenient date and time. If your situation is urgent, a priority consultation may be accommodated, but please only request this if the need is genuinely urgent.

Gathering key information

The personal consultation will be carefully structured to talk about your current situation and future plans, answer any specific questions you have, and identify the key matters and issues related to senior care within your individual circumstances.

Guidance to help you make informed choices

The initial assessment enables Samantha to offer concise recommendations about senior care service provision in Puerto Vallarta, including how the services work, what to expect, with insights to help you interact positively and creatively with the services available.

Post-consultation

After the call, Samantha will compose a written brief of the initial assessment and her comments and recommendations. She’ll send these to you by email so that you (and your family) can use this to plan and make some informed choices; the brief also serves as a helpful reference if you need to share key information with other professionals and caregivers.

Follow-up call

After you’ve had an opportunity to read the post-consultation brief, you can optionally schedule a follow-up call with Samantha to talk through the details and answer any further questions you may have.

Make a service request now

To proceed with a service request, please complete the request form below.

Samantha will contact you personally to organize your FREE 15 minute call, with the option to proceed with a formal consultation afterward.

Discover homes and land for sale in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit

Browse current offers—profiles connect you to Mexico Pacific Lifestyle

About Marc Murphy

Marc leads Mexico Pacific Lifestyle, a specialist real estate agency that helps people to find and buy their home in this sought after region of Mexico.  He’s an experienced real estate agent, tourism consultant, and writer about lifestyles in México. He is based in Bahía de Banderas, in Puerto Vallarta and has more than 25 years of experience of living and working in this region of Mexico.

Discover Puerto Vallarta with Mexperience

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are among the most sought-after places for homes and lifestyle in Mexico.  Discover more with Mexperience:

• Guide to living, working and retirement in Puerto Vallarta
• Experience Puerto Vallarta
• Latest articles about Puerto Vallarta

Living in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast that has been popular with leisure travelers and expatriate residents for decades. The location has also earned some notoriety due to its backdrop being employed for the filming of some major motion pictures; the most famous, perhaps because it ‘put Puerto Vallarta on the map’, is Night of the Iguana.

Puerto Vallarta At-a-Glance:

Location Type

Beach

Population

180,000; 220,000 in the wider Puerto Vallarta area (2005 Census).

Altitude

15 feet above sea-level

Time Zone

Central Time

High/Low Temperatures

62F/16C (Nocturnal, Winter), 90F/30C (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 86F/27C.

Rainy Season?

Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season runs from late May to October each year, with tropical storms, and on occasions hurricanes, landing here especially in late summer.

Hurricanes?

Puerto Vallarta is subject to Hurricanes from the Pacific Ocean.

Local Economy:

Tourism, agriculture, light industry, e-commerce.

Expat Penetration

High*

Cost of Living*

Moderate-High

Travel Guide

Guide to Puerto Vallarta

*Relative to other foreign expat communities in Mexico

The town is known to most people as simply “Vallarta”, and is oftentimes referred to by foreigners as “PV”.

Rich expatriates and celebrities have been choosing this resort town for their home for many decades now; although of late there has also been a significant influx of baby boomers to Vallarta, as well as a contingency of younger expats moving here to set up homes and businesses.

Puerto Vallarta is an accessible city — by air, by road and by sea — and this accessibility, especially the advents of new road construction and direct flights from key cities in the U.S.A, has played an important part in the growth story of this city over the course of the last ten years.

Transport connections may get people here, but it’s the town itself that keeps them coming back — or, as is more often the case, coming back for good.

The region’s sea-side climate, with winter temperatures (Dec-Mar) averaging in the mid 60’s F, spring temperatures (Apr-Jun) rising to averages in the late 70’s F, and summer temperatures (July-Sep) reaching as high as the mid 90’s F, Puerto Vallarta offers an attractive year-long climate for living and retirement. The months of July, August and September bring the hottest temperatures and highest levels of humidity; those who love this climate stay all summer; those who don’t leave for the hottest months (July, August) and return in late September when the temperatures and humidity ease.

With its unique blend of colonial charms, attractive climate, ocean living and Mexican authenticity, Vallarta epitomizes what so many foreigners come looking for in Mexico.

Affordable and Modern

Puerto Vallarta, like so many other Mexican towns and cities — even those on the coast — is affordable to buy into and affordable to live in. The stellar population growth in the region has also been attracting some major commercial investors to the region; and so modern, avant-garde amenities, like super-centers selling imported U.S. goods, modern shopping centers, cinemas, good restaurants and modern healthcare centers and clinics are just some of the modern amenities being enjoyed by residents in the Vallarta area. For people who want a real taste of Mexico and also want some U.S.-style commercial comforts to support their lifestyle, Puerto Vallarta is an option.

Vibrant Economy

It’s estimated that over fifty per cent of people in Vallarta are employed — directly or indirectly — by the tourism industry. Notwithstanding this, the city of Vallarta and Jalisco, the state it resides in, has other sources of prosperity which are flourishing more and more each year. The fertile lands in this region are ideal for certain types of agriculture, especially citrus, banana, mango and avocado. Fishing operations from the Bay of Banderas provide a livelihood to many. Specialized ‘light manufacturing’ cottage industries are springing up around here (for example, boat building) and the state of Jalisco (and especially Vallarta) are emerging as key ‘e-commerce’ centers in Mexico as people developing the ‘dot com’ and other knowledge industries move here and set up their businesses servicing local and international markets. Construction and home sales have been significant sources of income over the last decade, although these industries have abated with the world-wide downturn in real estate prices.

Puerto Vallarta and Environs

The ‘old town’ of Puerto Vallarta still exudes “old world” feel and characteristics with its narrow streets, cobbled stone lanes, red-tiled pitched roofs and authentic local neighborhoods.

Further out of town — north and south, larger houses as well as luxury condominiums have began to dot the landscape.

Nuevo Vallarta (New Vallarta), an area some ten minutes drive north of the city’s international airport is one the places that has attracted enormous interest from foreign buyers with its gorgeous marina, relative proximity to the city center of Vallarta, proximity to modern shopping and services, and still right on the sea front.

Further north is the town of Punta de Mita — an exclusive area in the region. The Four Seasons Hotel has one of its two Mexican properties situated here and the area surrounding it is beginning to develop at a fast pace. Luxury living — secluded and exclusive — but close to Vallarta, is on offer in Punta de Mita.

Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower in Mexico than it is the USA, Canada and Western Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Cost of Living Report

To learn more about the cost of living in Mexico, connect to the Mexico Cost of Living page on Mexperience.

Regional and geographical cost variations do exist, and this part of the guide shows you how some goods and services at Puerto Vallarta vary from the average.

See Also:

Banks, Banking and Credit in Mexico | Money in Mexico

Blog Articles:

Money, Banking & Finance

Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta

Information about the real estate market in Puerto Vallarta.

Prices of realty soared in Puerto Vallarta between the mid 1990’s and 2007, making some areas almost unaffordable to people on a modest budget. The high prices in the central areas in and around Vallarta gave rise to expansion of the areas further south and north, where land and constructed property prices are lower. As the world-wide realty market experiences a price correction, market conditions have caused price rises to stall, which is now creating an investment opportunity for people who want to make a long term commitment to the area whether inside Vallarta or one of the emerging areas within a forty minute drive of the city center.

Real Estate Market in Puerto Vallarta

Real Estate, like the growth in population, has boomed in Puerto Vallarta over the last fifteen years. Vallarta continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico, and it’s not just foreigners buying: many Mexicans, especially those who are looking for beach side property or those leaving Mexico City, are spying Vallarta and making investments here.

As demand grew, prices rose across Vallarta and environs. Prime properties, especially those in desirable areas of the city center and some of the fine developments situated north and south of the town can still command a good price; however there is plenty of land and space around Vallarta and if your geographic preferences are flexible, you will be able to find some bargains, too.

Most real estate is sold through local realty agents who know the area and the surrounding region, as well as directly through the developers marketing major realty projects, often on prime beachfront locations or on fine golf courses.

Real estate types range from beachfront homes, lots, and condos. Residences (mostly re-sales) are available in the town center of Puerto Vallarta as well as out-of-town, where investors are buying homes offering semi-rural surroundings and ocean and/or mountain views.

Rentals Market in Puerto Vallarta

Most rental properties in Puerto Vallarta are offered through local realty agents or by individual property owners listing properties on the Internet or local newspapers and magazines as well as signs posted at restaurants, cafes and bars near the vicinity where the rentals are situated.

See Also:

Guide to Real Estate in Mexico | Home Maintenance | Home Security

Healthcare in Puerto Vallarta

In addition to Mexico’s state sponsored healthcare provided via the country’s national health service IMSS, good quality healthcare services offered through private clinics with US -standard healthcare services exist in Puerto Vallarta. The privately-run out patient clinics available locally are ideal for day-to-day ailments, sprains, broken bones and other health matters which would normally be diagnosed and treated by a General Practitioner of medicine.

See Also:

Health and Healthcare in Mexico | Travel Health in Mexico

Local Climate in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta enjoys a yearly average temperature of 86F/27C. Winter months can be cooler and drop to 62F/16C at night; summer months may reach highs of 90F/30C, with drenching humidity in July and August especially.

62F/16C (Nocturnal, Winter), 90F/30C (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 86F/27C.

Winter Climate:

January through March are the coolest months. Temperatures can range from 62F/16C to 81F/25C in the day.

Spring Climate:

April through June – springtime – are warmer months in Puerto Vallarta with temperatures ranging from 65F/17C overnight to 88F/29C in the daytime.

Summer Climate:

July through September are the hottest months, with temperature ranging from 75F/21C overnight, to 95F/32C in the daytime. Temperatures and humidity reach their peak in mid-July and August; this is a time when many local residents leave the area to go traveling and retirees leave to visit families back home; returning in late September as temperatures in Puerto Vallarta begin to moderate.

Autumn Climate:

October thru December usually offer the best climate in Puerto Vallarta. Temperatures moderate again starting late September, the drenching humidity disappears and the warm, comfortable climate that is loved by all who live in Vallarta, returns. Temperatures range from 73F/22C overnight to 87F/27C in the daytime.

Rainy Season:

Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season runs from May to October. Torrential afternoon rains may be experienced several days a week and, in the peak temperature months of July, August and September tropical storms may feature, too.

Hurricanes:

Hurricanes can affect Puerto Vallarta, although the enormous Bay of Banderas is said to “protect” the area from most of the Pacific hurricanes that pass by the region.

Sea Temperature in Puerto Vallarta

During the peak summer months of July and August, sea temperatures may reach as high as 80F/23C; in other months, the sea temperature will average around 65F/18C.

See Also:

Weather and Climates in Mexico

Practical Information About Living in Puerto Vallarta

This section contains links to guides where you can learn more about living in Puerto Vallarta.

Accessibility / Transport

Getting Around Puerto Vallarta

Getting Around

Transportation choices in Mexico

Communications

Staying in contact while living in Mexico

Money and Banking

Guide to Money in Mexico | Banks & Banking in Mexico

Practical Matters

Practical Information (Travel Guide)

Auto Insurance in Mexico

How to insure your foreign-plated car in Mexico

Safety in Mexico

Latest Safety Updates

Key Attractions

Travel Guide to Puerto Vallarta

Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover places to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

The most popular places to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.

Emerging locations to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of interest present there.

Underexplored locations to live in Mexico

Discover places that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally ‘off-the-beaten-path’ for most foreigners considering Mexico for living and retirement. These places can offer attractions that may be of interest to some potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

In addition to its traditional local food markets (which are plentiful and commonplace) some Mexican towns and cities also have artisan food markets, sometimes referred to as ‘farmers markets’ or ‘organic markets’, some of which also feature locally-produced art and clothing in addition to food and beverages.

The open-air farmers markets that have sprung-up across the country in recent times are run enthusiastically by people who are satisfying a healthy demand for locally-sourced food and products that have a known provenance.

These localized produce markets typically set-up at outdoor venues each week.  In places where the local climate is temperate they are usually open year-round, whereas those situated in hotter climate zones tend to run between November and April when the weather is cooler, and part-time ‘snowbird residents’ —an important source of customers— are in town.

It’s fair to say that these outlets cater for customers seeking the more expensive organic and gourmet products, although the sellers are invariably local people who specialize in purveying produce that places importance on quality over quantity.

These local markets are the places to go to find things like eggs from local hens kept in small family-run coops, freshly baked bread, sweet rolls and specialty pies, special cheeses, organically-grown fruits and vegetables, home-made chutneys and preserves, as well as fresh and cured meats sourced from known herds that are not industrially-farmed.  You can often find quality and flavor at these markets that you won’t find even at the most expensive supermarkets, but you’ll need to arrive early in the day if you want the best picks: traders offering top quality produce get known, carry limited stocks, and they sell-out quickly.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular areas foreign residents choose as a place to live in Mexico, some of whom arrive to live part-time during the cooler months between November and April, and others who make Vallarta their full-time home.

Vallarta is very well served by several local ‘farmers markets’ —conveniently situated across several areas of the bay— and one of the longest-running is the Forever Spring farmers market that is managed by Alison Normanton, a full-time foreign resident of the area.  The Forever Spring market sets-up in Bucerias, a charming town that is growing quickly as it becomes increasingly popular with foreign residents.  Forever Spring is one of the smaller local markets in the bay that offers a sociable and informal atmosphere in which to browse and buy.  The market is busy, but not crowded, and features a wide array of foods, beverages, and other locally-produced goods, with no duplication and no imports.  Some of the stalls are managed by local foreign residents who are purveying products they specialize in, although most of the vendors are local Mexican traders and if you don’t speak Spanish there’s someone nearby who’ll happily translate.

In our essential skills for expat series, we highlight the importance of finding and contributing to local networks to help you settle and become an active part of the community you choose to live in.  These local artisanal food markets (referred to interchangeably as ‘farmers markets’ or ‘organic markets’) are an ideal venue to meet new people, make new acquaintances, and catch-up with existing friends.

If you know of a local market in your locale that you’d like to share with readers, use the comments section below.

I had never been to Puerto Vallarta, so my autumn trip was full of pleasant surprises —and zip-lining down a mountain was one of my most memorable experiences.

With an early morning start, filled with excitement and some anxiety, I headed with my group to the city’s marina, where we were whisked off on an inflatable jet boat to the other side of Banderas Bay and the confluence of a large river. On a desolate beach, set against a small fishing village, we made land-fall.

Before you can zip-down you need to travel up, and so began our group’s ascent to the top of the mountain. The ride upwards began on the back of giant land-walkers, remnants from a 1970’s European army fleet. These vehicles travel straight uphill for 30 minutes, on a developed road at first, and then onto dirt tracks through deep water runnels, pot holes, and even through a river—a very bouncy ride!

Upon arrival at the camp we harnessed-up and were guided the rest of the way on the backs of friendly mules, who appeared quite used to tourists and enjoyed their trek on the narrow water-washed trails through the thick jungle.

When the canopy opened up we arrived at the top of the mountain. A large chasm below, with another mountain directly on the other side, signified the start of the real adventure. Did I mention this was my first ever zip-line experience?

Having been a rock climber for over twenty years, I know the equipment used on this excursion well. The guides explained the process: how to position your body so you don’t spin; how to break with your strong hand; and how if you break too much you will get stuck out there in the middle of no man’s land—that would require a rescue.

I took a deep breath stepping off the first platform, with my heart pounding, and started whirling down at lightning speed. Obviously I had not paid close enough attention to the directions because I immediately started spinning and came up short at the next station. After a couple zips, I realized a pulley-break system with a padded stopper enabled the guides to give a slow, controlled landing and so did not use my hands for a break anymore. I was hooked on the adrenaline rush and wanted to go as fast as I could. I also learned that leaning back kept me from spinning.

From platform-to-platform—quickly, efficiently, meticulously and hilariously—the guides moved me down the mountain. After a couple of long horizontal zip lines, we were put on a line trending downward. This one evoked another small panic. I expected gravity to take control and cause me to hit the next platform hard, but the guide clipped my safety into a belay device that simultaneously controlled my speed while I was zooming downhill: I was perfectly safe.

Next was a 100-foot rappel alongside a dramatic waterfall into a pool of water. Swimming through the deep water pool at the bottom of the rappel, I reached a ladder that took me down a long water slide. Other variations on the zip line include traveling backwards (attached to a partner), on a platform like a skateboard or hover board, and the best—the bat zip.

The bat zip was my favorite and the most difficult. You descend upside down! Luckily you travel alongside another zip line with a friend—which I found comforting. You’re almost at the bottom when you relinquish your helmet and chest harness, and get handed a real hockey mask. I had no idea what followed, as I donned my mask and was lead to the grand finale.

A short walk revealed a large platform leading to a massive water slide, which was about 60 feet long and downhill, before it wound through two fully enclosed loops and skidded into the finish (which was not visible). I wanted to bail, but I also wanted to get the full experience. It felt like a roller coaster, where your stomach moves into your throat for a second. I hit the covered loops, going round and round, and nearly pulled a 360 just before I shot out like a bullet into the straightaway—deep water, big waves—and it was over. A stack of fresh fruit and warm towels ended my adventure, accompanied with a belly full of satisfaction.

Roxanna’s zip-lining experience was organized through Vallarta Adventures in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Roxanna Brock McDade has been visiting Mexico since she was eleven years old. The culture, people and beaches keep her coming back again and again.

A rewarding water experience is to get up close with dolphins and swim with them at one of Mexico’s many excellent dolphin centers…

About Dolphins

Dolphins are marine mammals and closely related whales and porpoises. They swim in pods in shallower waters near continental shelves, feeding on fish and squid. In addition to being highly intelligent, their attractive looks and playful nature has endeared them to humans and have enjoyed prominence in human pop culture. Learn more (Wiki)

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Swimming With Dolphins in Mexico

It’s possible to swim with dolphins at many dolphin centers situated at beach towns and resorts across Mexico. Mexican laws make it illegal to capture dolphins from the wild, so all the dolphins you swim with in Mexico are born in captivity and trained for the purpose of swimming with humans.

Advice for Swimming With Dolphins in Mexico

To help you prepare for your swim with dolphins, we have published a number of tips and advice from experts.

When to Go

You can swim with dolphins all year-round in Mexico. Most dolphin centers have enough dolphins to run several programs a day, six days a week. All dolphins are properly cared for and are given sufficient rest. Most dolphin centers close one day per week to allow all the dolphins at the center to rest and to enable deep cleaning and other maintenance jobs to be undertaken by center staff.

What to Wear

Take your swim gear to the dolphin center with you. Do NOT apply any sun-tan lotion before swimming with the dolphins; if you have sun tan lotion on you, you will normally be asked to shower in your bathing suit to wash it off before you enter the water with the dolphins. Cover your upper torso with a long cotton t-shirt, as it will be exposed to the sun. If you have very sensitive skin, you can cover your arms with a long sleeved t-shirt. Some dolphin centers offer snorkeling equipment and flippers (where these are required for the swim program, not all are); all centers provide flotation vests, which are obligatory.

Health Considerations

If you suffer badly with asthma or have other severe breathing difficulties, or if you are currently unwell with a cold or flu, you cannot swim with dolphins. Swimming with dolphins is not beneficial to anyone who has had a heart attack, stroke or epileptic fit.

Swimming Pool or Lagoon?

Most dolphin centers in Mexico you will swim with the dolphins inside a large, specially adapted swimming pool. Some centers, like the one in Isla Mujeres, allow you to swim with dolphins in sea water, inside a specially constructed lagoon.

What to Expect

Most centers offer at least two different program types; the more expensive programs offer you more time with dolphins and usually in smaller groups so you get a more ‘personal’ experience than if you purchase a less expensive program.

When you arrive at the dolphin center, you will be given a briefing by one of the center’s trainers or the lead guide.

When the briefing is over, you’ll be taken to the locker area where you are asked to leave all jewelry, watches, phones, etc. You can also store your other personal items here and you’ll need to leave your camera behind, too, even if it’s waterproof. The centers do not allow you to take photographs of the dolphins; most have a photographer taking pictures of you and your group’s experience with the dolphins, and offer these for sale at the end of the program.

The next stop is the pool or the lagoon. Most programs include a combination of “dolphin show” time, where the trainers get the dolphins to perform a number of stunts in return for food, and “personal time”, where individuals in the group are given an opportunity to swim with the dolphins, stroke them, etc.

Most programs end with a spectacular display of dolphins performing a series of synchronized water aerobics right in front of you, as you stand near the edge of the pool or the lagoon.

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Watching Wild Dolphins Swim in Mexico

Dolphins can often be seen swimming off Mexico’s Pacific Coast as well as in the waters around Baja California Sur and the Sea of Cortes (also known as the Gulf of California). Your viewing experience will depend on climatic and sea conditions, as well as how close or far the dolphins are from the shoreline. Some resorts offer boat tours which take you out to the sea to get a close-up glimpse of dolphins and / as part of a whale watching excursion (in season).

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Travel north from Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo on Mexico’s Pacific coast – to the central coastal area of the country- and you’ll discover the Mexican Riviera.

Miles upon miles of palm trees line the land just inside the coastal shores. Jungle covered mountains plunge into the Pacific coast, or fall short to reveal golden sand beaches, waiting to be discovered and explored.

This area along the coast of the Mexican Riviera is host to three main costal resort towns – Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan – as well as the exclusive and luxurious resorts along the Costalegre between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.

Today, this region is extremely accessible – by air and by road – and has become a favorite holiday destination for foreigners and Mexicans alike… read on and discover why.

Puerto Vallarta was first made famous by the film shot in the town “Night of the Iguana,” starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. The media attention this generated at the time opened the world’s eyes to what Puerto Vallarta had to offer.

There is good reason. Puerto Vallarta – a town that served as a port to ship the silver being mined from the Sierra Madre mountains that lay just behind this city – has all the character of traditional Mexican town interwoven with modern comforts of 21st century living – and offers something for everyone.

Its cobbled streets and cathedral set the scene in the town, which has a traditional, easy-going feel to it. There are hotels to suit every taste and budget. The activity list is never ending – and this area provides great topography for all kinds of eco tours – which is why these tours are growing here at the fastest pace of any other activity around.

Puerto Vallarta is in the state of Jalisco, home to the second largest city in Mexico – Guadalajara – which gave Mexico such things as the Mariachi, The Mexican Sombrero and Tequila. A trip to Guadalajara is very convenient from Puerto Vallarta and is a worthwhile way to experience one of Mexico’s big cities for a day or perhaps longer.

People who travel to Puerto Vallarta tend to become mesmerized by its spell and keep coming back. Its popularity is growing every year and as a Mexican resort–only Cancun can better it for popularity. Discover Puerto Vallarta and begin to understand why so many people who travel here feel they are going on holiday to their home away from home.

Key Attractions

Stunning Beaches

Puerto Vallarta and its surrounds offer you the opportunity to explore around 25 miles of absolutely stunning beaches. Many of the beaches are secluded, and can only be accessed by boat. Don’t let this put you off exploring them – cruises and tours are available.

Some of the beaches are only accessible by car as public transport is limited in the area – by driving north or south of the town. You may rent a car locally: either from Puerto Vallarta (ideal if you fly there to get to Punta de Mita) or if your hotel or accommodation agent picks you up from the airport, you may be able to rent a car on ad-hoc days, directly from the hotel/resort or agent.

Water Sports

Puerto Vallarta is a water lover’s paradise. Sailing and SCUBA diving are big pastimes here – whatever your level of experience, good diving is available. Water-skiing off the bays and parasailing, jet skis, windsurfing, kayaking and so on… – all of the water sports you’ll want are right here waiting for you in Puerto Vallarta. See Also: Mexperience Guide to Water Sports in Mexico.

Whale Watching

From November through to March each year, you can take an organized eco boat tour to watch the hump back whales as they arrive to reproduce and bear their calves. Departures are usually from nearby Puerto Vallarta, although some operators may also pick up from quays in the Punta de Mita area. See Also: Mexperience Guide to Nature and Adventure in Mexico.

Spas in Puerto Vallarta

Excellent spas are available in and around Puerto Vallarta. For more information about Spas, and how to get access to a magnificent spa experience in Mexico, read our comprehensive guide to Spas in Mexico

Getting Married in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s top destinations for weddings, anniversary celebrations and honeymoons. With it’s idyllic setting, it’s fabulous beaches and wonderful atmosphere, there is little wonder it is the preferred location for so many people planning to mark a special occasion in Mexico. For full details, see our guide to Weddings and Honeymoons in Mexico.

Local Cruises

Local Boat Tours are a great way to see remote places otherwise not accessible or difficult to get to. Your tour can include stops at good places for swimming, snorkeling and diving, give you access to remote and secluded beaches, or if you just want to relax – take a sunset cruise and watch the sun melt into the Pacific Ocean in style.

Whale Watching

From November through to March each year, you can take an organized eco boat tour to watch the humpback whales as they arrive to reproduce and bear their calves. See Also: Whale Watching in Mexico

Sports Fishing Experiences

Sports fishing is a huge and very popular pastime in this area. There are many sports fishing operators working locally who can help you to set up a fishing trip designed around your needs and budget. See Also: Mexperience Guide to Sports Fishing in Mexico.

Away from the Water

There is a wealth of land-based experiences to encounter around Puerto Vallarta. For example, inland activities include day-trip hikes to a hill-top ranch for a barbecue, horseback riding, colonial tours, expeditions to visit the Sierra Madre mountains, hot air ballooning, tours on an open jeep, flying tours and more…

Eco and Adventure Tours from Puerto Vallarta

A huge range of eco and adventure tours, including whale watching, jungle and tropical tours, mountain biking, hiking, bird watching and trips to the turtle sanctuary and swimming with dolphins are easily accessible from Puerto Vallarta and Punta de Mita.

See Also: Mexperience Guide to Nature and Adventure in Mexico

Golf in Punta de Mita

Not only is the climate here ideal for Golf, but there is a stunning selection of great golf courses to choose from around Puerto Vallarta. The Course next to the Four Seasons resort in nearby Punta de Mita is one of the best golf courses in Mexico as well as one of the world’s top courses.

Polo in Mexico

If you enjoy playing and/or watching polo, this sport is now played in certain areas in Mexico including at Costa Careyes, just a couple of hours south of Puerto Vallarta. Web: MexicoPolo.com

Getting There & Around

By Air – Puerto Vallarta’s (PV) international airport is extremely well-served by a range of airlines. You can fly to PV from the United States and and other points in Mexico including Guadalajara, La Paz, Leon and Mexico City. The airport is situated about a twenty minute drive from the center of Puerto Vallarta on the north side, and the ground transportation is available to take you into town and the hotel zones. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – You can travel to Puerto Vallarta on a luxury bus from Mexico City – but note that the trip will take around 14 hours. From Guadalajara, the journey time is about 6-7 hours. Puerto Vallarta is flanked by large mountains, so the roads in and out of the area are steep, winding, and take time to negotiate. Flying is the most sensible way to get to Puerto Vallarta, unless you are on a budget, and don’t mind the wait (and want to see the sights along the way). For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – The road journey to Puerto Vallarta from inland Mexico (e.g. Guadalajara, Mexico City, Chihuahua, et al) is mountainous and winding. Expect it to take longer than you anticipate if you’ve only looked at non-topographical road map. The easiest route in and out of Puerto Vallarta is by using Highway 200 — the coast road — although if you plan to go inland to Guadalajara or Mexico City, then this road will take you well out of the way you really want to go. Traveling out of Puerto Vallarta by road north to Punta de Mita, or south to Costalegre and Manzanillo is straightforward: the roads are good and the terrain is easy to negotiate in a car. See additional information on Mexperience about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads.

Car Rental – There are some stunning areas just north and south of Puerto Vallarta that can be explored along the coast roads, and renting a car locally is ideal and effective way to experience them. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

Taxis – Taxis in most of Mexico’s beachside towns and cities are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Highway 200 is a beautiful coast road which hugs the edge of the land facing the Pacific Ocean. If you plan to explore the Costalegre as part of your visit to the region, a rental car will be essential, unless you plan to simply stay-put at one of the resorts there, in which case arranging for ground transportation (see Airport Transfers, above) between the airport and your resort, is the best option.

Puerto Vallarta Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico page on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency:Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the downtown area of Puerto Vallarta. During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Safety: Puerto Vallarta is extremely safe. You’ll see local police dressed up white “safari type” uniforms; they are trained to provide assistance and directions if you need it as well as security.

Pedestrian Care: Take care when crossing the roads on foot in Puerto Vallarta. The local drivers, especially buses, can be a bit on the aggressive side. If you’re traveling with children, take extra care when you are near public roads. Police man some of the crossings in the center of the town and stop traffic to let people across.

What to Buy in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta offers some good places to shop and buy authentic Mexican goods. Don’t expect any commercialized shopping malls – although there are a couple of plazas with big name shops. Instead, look for the smaller, traditional and independent traders that offer unique Mexican arts and crafts. If you’re buying from a shop, remember that you can ask for items to be delivered to your local hotel later in the evening, which will save you carrying them around with you.

Ambulant traders often roam the streets and public beaches selling a variety of goods from clothes and textiles to silver and masks. Beware of the some of the Silver traders – as what they may be selling is Alpaca – a cheap imitation silver – check for the official silver marks on the metal if you they tell you its silver. If you speak some Spanish, you’ll have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a better deal. You can connect to the Mexperience language section, for details about how to Learn Spanish

Huichol Indian Art

The Huichol Indians, descendants from the Aztecs and one of the last truly indigenous people’s of Mexico have begun to market their artwork and crafts in Puerto Vallarta. Their People live high up in the Mountains behind the town.

Huichol art has two main ‘branches’ – yarn paintings and beaded works.

The yarn paintings are said to depict visions that the Indians have, and always tell a story, which will usually be written on a piece of paper in Huichol and Spanish and attached to the back of the work. Pictures of wolves, snakes, scorpions and deer depict traditional Huichol elements of Huichol lore; other animals have been added due to ‘market demand’.

The beaded works are usually wooden shapes which have beads attached to them with wax, and represent the shape of an animal – see note above for the animals that represent true Huichol lore.

Local Climate

Puerto Vallarta offers you year-round warmth. The rainy season is May to October, but as with most monsoon areas, rains tend to be fierce and brief in the late afternoon, leaving the evenings dry and cooled off. September brings the highest levels of humidity and sees the heaviest of the rains. By late October / early November, temperatures cool significantly from the later summer high temperatures and humidity.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico