Puerto Vallarta is quite simply one of the most beautiful, cultured, luxurious vacation spots in all of Mexico, and indeed in the world. Here you will find the ultimate fusion of traditional Mexican culture, from bullfights to grilled marlin served beachside; and the finest of resort living, from spectacular sportfishing to all-inclusive resorts that cater to your every whim.

Art and music abound in the city, with live concerts of all types, beachfront sculpture displays and hundreds of other exhibitions and performances both large and intimate. The local Indian culture is prominent, with an abundance of crafts and local wares available for purchase.

Golfers will find courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf among the 7 championship layouts in the area. Puerto Vallarta's climate makes golf a year-round option!

If romance is in the air and the ultimate destination wedding is your goal, Puerto Vallarta offers many wedding coordinators who will effortlessly handle the paperwork and arrangements to make your ceremony (and honeymoon) the ultimate in romance, beauty and tranquility.

The city’s 300 fountains, its sculpture, its glorious panorama of ancient, medieval, Renaissance, baroque and modern art, music and architecture are all part of the reason that Pope Gregory XIVs remark in the 16th century is still true today. Pope Gregory said of the joys of exploring and discovering the city, “a lifetime is not enough.”


For family vacations, you won't find a finer destination. There are abundant activities for all ages and interests, from beachside fun to craft and sports gatherings for kids and adults. You'll never hear, "Mom! There's nothing to do!" while you're here!

Whatever your desires, from high-end luxury living to a simple villa rental retreat, Puerto Vallarta truly does have something for everyone.

Population: approximately 330,000.
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time

Average Temperatures:

When to Visit: Visitors from all over the world come to Puerto Vallarta for its sub-tropical weather and sandy beaches. The most popular time to visit is during winter and spring when most people trade in cold, gloomy weather for bright sunshine.

Fall and early summer see the fewest visitors due to the heavy rains and hotter temperatures. And although July and August are also hot, many families come because the kids are out of school.

National Holidays:
Jan. 1: New Year’s Day,
Jan. 1–5: Inauguration of the Cora governor
Jan. 6: Día de los Reyes (Day of the Kings; traditional gift exchange)
Jan. 12: Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in El Tuito, Jalisco.
Jan. 17: Día de San Antonio Abad
Jan. 20–Feb. 2: Fiesta of the Virgin of Candelaria, in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco,
Feb. 1–3: Festival of the Sea in San Blas, Nayarit
Feb. 2: Día de Candelaria,
Feb. 5: Constitution Day
Feb. 24: Flag Day (national holiday)
Late Feb.: During the four days before Ash Wednesday, usually in late February, many towns stage Carnaval (Mardi Gras) extravaganzasMar. 19: Día de San José (Day of St. Joseph)
Mar. 21: Birthday of Benito Juárez
Late Mar. or Apr.: Fiesta de Ramos (Palm Sunday) in Sayula, Jalisco
Apr. 18–30: Big country fair in Tepatitlán, Jalisco
Apr.: Semana Santa
May 1: Labor Day (national holiday)
May (1st and 3rd Wed.): Fiesta of the Virgin of Ocotlán, in Ocotlán, Jalisco,
May 3: Día de la Santa Cruz,
May 3–15: Fiesta of St. Isador the Farmer, in Tepic, Nayarit,
May 5: Cinco de Mayo,
May 10: Mothers’ Day (national holiday)
May 10–12: Fiesta of the Coronation of the Virgin of the Rosary in Talpa, Jalisco,
June 24: Día de San Juan Bautista
June 28–29: Regatta in Mexcaltitán, Nayarit
June 29: Día de San Pablo y San Pedro
Sept. 14: Charro Day
Sept. 16: Independence Day
Oct. 4: Día de San Francisco
Oct. 12: Día de la Raza
Oct. (last Sun.): Día de Cristo Rey, especially in Ixtlán del Río, Nayarit
Nov. 1: Día de Todos Santos
Nov. 2: Día de los Muertos
Nov. 20: Revolution Day
Dec. 1: Inauguration Day
Dec. 12: Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Dec. 16–24: Christmas Week
Dec. 25: Christmas Day
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve

How to get around:
Over the last years the Taxi Syndicate has worked towards having established rates for all areas of Puerto Vallarta. In most cases the driver will give you the correct fare. However ask before getting in the cab and not at the end of the trip when it's a little more difficult to negotiate. You may also want to ask the people at your hotel what it should cost to go to your destination; they should be well aware of the rates. Always ask how much the trip is going to cost before you get on the taxi.

Buses - The buses are a very convenient way to get around town on. Buses here are privately owned, and some look a bit funky. But they do get you where you want to go and you are woven into the Mexican fabric as you journey. Don't be surprised if an entertainer leaps on board to belt out a song about lost love and overdue rent. Mexicans tend to tip a few pesos whether the entertainment is Vegas calibre or not. And, if you're really lucky, you can do some gum, chocolate or garlic shopping on route. Bus signs are blue with a picture of a bus and the word "parada" means bus stop. The current bus fare to go anywhere in town is about 4 pesos (35 cents U.S. - sept 2005). Buses marked "Centro" go to downtown and on to Olas Altas, buses marked "Tunnel" take the bypass to Olas Altas (thus avoiding downtown PV), buses to the airport are marked "Ixtapa," "Juntas," or "Las Palmas.", buses to the Marina, Pitillal, Mismaloya, Nuevo Vallarta and Punta de Mita are marked accordingly. Buses going south to Mismaloya or Boca de Tomatlán depart from Calle Constitucion and Basilio de Badillo. Buses to Nuevo Vallarta charge 10 pesos (sept. 2005)

JANUARY:

Jan. 1: New Year's Day: It's the most laid-back holiday, people taking it easy after the night before, perhaps walking on the Malecon or going to the beach.

Jan. 6: Day of the Kings: A favorite amongst children, because they get new toys in honor of the three kings who took gifts to the baby Jesus. A traditional cake called Rosca de Reyes is served, and whoever finds a tiny plastic baby in their piece has to make the tamales for a party February 2.

Jan. 2-30: Vallarta Race Cup Series, feel the water emotion

January thru Mar. 15: Humpback Whales Watching, enjoy of a beautiful spectacle of nature in the banderas bay. Every year, between December thru March Humpback Whales migrate to the calm waters of Banderas Bay to mate and give birth. 

Jan. 27 thru Feb. 01: Photo Exhibit and competition at Vallarta botanical gardens.

FEBRUARY:

Feb. 5: Recognizes the implementation of the national Constitution into law.

Feb. 14: Valentine's Day, enjoy it at any of our romantic settings or local restaurants.

Feb. 18-20: National Championship "Charro Vallarta", a competition of the best 38 teams in the country, Horsemen (charros) and skirmishes will compete for the 6 first places in two finals, taking a bag of 900,000 pesos in prizes.

Feb. 24: Mexican Flag Day, Is when the military, citizens and officials parade with the green, white and red to show their patriotism.

Feb. 20-22: Writer's weekend workshop, The fourth annual Puerto Vallarta writer's weekend.

Feb. 26 thru Mar. 1: Puerto Vallarta Wine Fest, Enjoy the wine flavors.

MARCH

Mar. 1-15: Annual Huichol Festival "Wixaritari Takei Kie", From 10 am to 9 pm in Plaza Caracol, free admission, come to experience the traditions, music, art and food of this wonderful culture.

Mar. 8: International Woman's Day

Mar. 12-16: Latin American BOAT SHOW and incredible boat exhibition.

Mar. 1 thru 31: Spring Equinox Musical Festival, by los Muertos Beach, come greet the spring with live jazz, blues and rock performed by national and international artists

Mar. 21: Benito Juarez Birthday, honors the humble, indigenous former Mexican president whose egalitarian world view was likened to that of his contemporary, Abe Lincoln.

Mar. 25-28: Gala Vallarta 2009, Puerto Vallarta will hold the seventeenth edition of Gala Vallarta; in this event the National and International wholesalers will negotiate with hoteliers of Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit in a pre-established appointments format.

APRIL

International Symposium of Fireworks at Puerto Vallarta, for the first time, Puerto Vallarta will host these fireworks extravaganza, bringing the pyrotechnics industry worldwide, during the event will be demonstrations and fireworks shows. The fireworks will be presented by different countries around the world.

Apr. 5-12: Holy Week, highest holiday week of the catholic faith.

Apr. 1-30: Puerto Vallarta Dance Festival, The annual Puerto Vallarta dance festival give you a chance to see the repertories of seven city's dance & ballet schools in Los Arcos. Free admission.

Apr. 29 thru May 03: Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup Concacaf 2009 Qualifier Puerto Vallarta, ­ this great event will be held at the Unidad Deportiva Agustin Flores Contreras, at least four country players will be for this qualifier in Puerto Vallarta. Free access to the public.

MAY

May 1: Labor day, has unions parading in the streets.

May 5: Commemorating the defeat of the French at Puebla Battle in 1862.

May 1-4: Built for speed regatta

May 10: Mother's Day, families gathering around the Queen for a Day to sing Las Mañanitas at midnight the night before.

May 13-17: VII Copa Vallarta Soccer International, a tournament for all soccer "aficionados".

May 16-19: International Sports Classic, lively Competition of different sports with the participation of national and international athletes.

May 15-31: Restaurant Week, the Fifth annual restaurant week, exceptional three-courses menus are offer with price reduced up to 50% off the regular menu

May 31: Puerto Vallarta Anniversary, celebrate with us the 91 anniversary as a municipality and the 41 of being upgraded to city.

JUNE

Jun. 1: Navy Day, brings a colorful, morning parade of all the navy ships in port, followed by tour boats and fishing boats flying their nautical flags.

Jun. 7-9: Meeting Place Mexico 2009 "The Meeting and incentive market"

JULY

Enjoy the beach, sun & outdoor activities in Puerto Vallarta
Sea Turtles

AUGUST

Ujena Bikini Jam

An international bikini jam, a huge event searching for new talent.

Sea Turtles

Don't miss this marvelous experience, the sea turtle release began by the last days of August.

SEPTEMBER

Sep. 1: President's State of the Nation Address is televised throughout the country.

Sep. 14: Day of the Charros, brings a morning parade of beautifully outfitted cowboys and cowgirls on horseback through the heart of town. Continuing festivities include traditional food and dancing, along with rodeo competitions demonstrating skill and showmanship.

Sep. 15: El Grito de Dolores, the cry for liberty at Dolores Hidalgo in 1810, is perhaps the most emotionally powerful holiday for the patriotic and those who love this country. Every mayor in Mexico stands on his balcony, which always overlooks the Main Plaza, and yells out the names of Mexico's Founding Fathers. The crowd gathered below responds in unison with a heartfelt "Viva" after each name, culminating with a resounding "Viva Mexico!"

Sep. 16: Independence Day, marks Mexico's liberation from the Spanish in 1810.

OCTOBER

Vallarta Yacht Club opens for season
The nonprofit Vallarta Yacht Club opens for a season packed with sailing and parties.

Oct. 12: Columbus Day, commemorating the discovery of America in 1492.

Oct. 29 -08  thru May 27-09: Art Walk Season, 16 Art Galleries with more than 300 artists are involved. Every Wednesday from 6:00 PM ­ 10:00 PM, free admission, complimentary wine, self guided.

Athletes from 42 nations from all over the Americas will be competing in multidisciplinary sports, Guadalajara will be the host city and Puerto Vallarta is honored to co-host the following sports: sailing, open water marathon and the triathlon,

NOVEMBER

Nov. 2: Day of the Dead, akin to Halloween but in Mexico on this date is when the deceased are said to return to this plane. Families flock to graves with food and tequila for themselves as well as the departed, often taking musical instruments to play. You'll see marigolds - the sacred Aztec flower of death - all over town, as well as highly creative altars.

Nov 08: Puerto Vallarta 2009 International Half Marathon & 5K, the 7th Edition of Puerto Vallarta International Half Marathon is here, the best of Mexican and International Athletes, 1600 runners from all over Mexico,USA, Canada and Kenya, an estimate of 15,000 spectators will be there cheering them on.

Nov. 15: Copa Vallarta (Vallarta Cup) Golf Tournament, this annual program golf event is held at Vista Vallarta & El tigre with a purse of $ 200,000 pesos and other prizes.

Nov. 12- 22: International Gourmet Festival, in its 15th edition the Gourmet festival is better than ever, this festival involves the best restaurants at the bay area in a celebration of the cuisine.

Nov. 11 ­-14: International Sailfish & Marlin Tournament, this extraordinary annual event 54 year takes place in Banderas Bay with cash prizes for those catching the big ones.

Nov. 20: Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, from 1910 - 1917, is marked by parades.

DECEMBER

Dec. 1 - 12: Processions for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Daily processions to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe happen round the clock - as does bell ringing - people walking on foot from as far away as Mismaloya. Wearing white, holding candles and singing to Vallarta's patron saint,  neighborhoods, hotels, businesses and civic associations form processions, all of which end in a church mass. The final day brings a huge parade with lots of beautifully decorated floats.

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve, the traditional family dinner happens on this date, usually after a midnight mass, with good home cooking, ponche (hot punch with chunks of fruit), sidra (fermented cider served cold) and gifts - primarily for the children.

Dec. 25: Christmas Day, is for recovering from the festivities, enjoy the family and go to the beach.

Dec. 28: Holy Innocent's Day, is the Mexican April Fool's Day, so don't believe a word you hear! (could be a joke)

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve, is celebrated with a special dinner as it is in much of the world. The traditional 12 grapes are eaten at midnight, a wish made before downing each one.