Puerto Vallarta | Mexico Real Estate

Puerto Vallarta is located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. With a population of 177,830 it is the fifth-largest city in the state. Puerto Vallarta or PV for short has an area of 502.19 square miles. It is located in the Southwest part of Mexico on the Pacific Ocean. It borders the South West part of the state of Nayarit to the North, and Mascota and San Sebastián to the east. On the South, it borders the municipalities of Talpa de Allende and Cabo Corriente.

Puerto Vallarta is considered to be one of the most beautiful, cultured, relaxing and luxurious vacation spots in all of Mexico. Here you will find the traditional and unique aspects of Mexican culture, from bullfights to local food favorites such grilled marlin served beachside and ceviche. P.V. is also home to some of the world’s most spectacular golf courses two designed by Jack Nicklaus and with year round warm weather sport fishing opportunities are endless.

Puerto Vallarta has over 25 miles of golden beaches that will keep anyone entertained. From swimming to surfing to sailing or just purely relaxing the beach has something to offer to everyone.

Named one of the premier vacation destinations in the world P.V. has excellent Mexico real estate investment opportunities. With world-class dining and endless activities it is easy to see why so many are investing in second homes here in Puerto Vallarta.

Weather

Most of the year the weather is in the mid 80's (30C) then giving way to the rainy summer season from late June to early October. During the rainy season humidity increases and temperatures are in the high 80s to mid 90s. Although it is known as the rainy season it typically rains once a day for a few hours cooling it off for the evening activities.

Beaches

Puerto Vallarta has over 25 miles of golden beaches with beautiful water.

Beaches In Town:

Playa Los Muertos (also known as Playa Olas Alta or Playa del Sol) This is the easiest beach to reach just off of Calle Olas Altas south of Rio Cuale. The beach is beautiful and lined with diverse restaurants. The most popular restaurants are El Dorado and La Palapa.

South Of Town:

Playa Mismaloya- a sheltered cove about 6 miles south along highway 200. The public can access it through the entrance just to the left of Barceló La Jolla de Mismaloya. The clear and calm water make it an ideal snorkel spot right from the beach!

Las Animas Quimixto and Yelapa - are more secluded and only accessible by boat. They are larger than the other beaches and offer breath taking jungle waterfalls and hiking trails.

North of Town:

The entire northern coastline from Bucerias to Punta Mita is a combination of sandy beaches and rocky inlets. The most well known beaches are playa Anclote, Playa Piedras Blancas, and Playa Destiladeras. These beaches are a local favorite and a surfers dream.

Business Hours: Most shopping malls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., continuously. Many downtown businesses and shops tend to close between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. for lunch.

Transportation / Airline Service

Within Mexico travelers can reach Puerto Vallarta from Guadalajara, Leon, Mexico City, and San Jose Cabo.

From Canada direct flights are operated by charters services mostly out of Toronto. Also check with Air Canada or any of the US airlines.

Puerto Vallarta's International Airport (Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, code: PVR) is served by the following airlines:

• Aeromexico
• Air Canada Touram (Charter)
• Air Transit (Charter)
• Alaska Airlines
• America West
• American Airlines
• Aviacsa (based in Mexico City)
• Canadian Airlines International (Charter)
• Canada 3000 (Charter)
• Continental Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Mexicana
• United
• USAir

The airport is close to the north end of Puerto Vallarta near the marina. It is about 6 miles from downtown.

Puerto Vallarta has a very good, inexpensive bus system to will get you around town for about 50 cents each way. There is a large regional bus terminal close to the airport where you can purchase tickets on luxury air conditioned busses to any of the town and major cities around Puerto Vallarta or Mexico.

Shopping

For groceries Fruteria Zayra is the place to go, locals love it and it is half the price with better produce than Rizzos. However, make sure to go early because they close at 6pm.

Address:

Phone: 223-5697

There is a Wal-Mart directly across the street from where the cruise ships dock.

The main downtown shopping area can be found along Juárez and Morelos Streets. Most stores close from 2 -- 4 p.m for siesta. However, most stores open around 10 a.m. and stay open until 8 p.m. You can find anything in this shopping plaza from fine silver, blown glass, handmade crafts, designer clothes, unique masks and many other things.

Marina Vallarta has two shopping plazas, Plaza Marina and Neptuno Plaza. These are located on the highway from the airport into town.

There is also a main flea market, which is located next to the Rio Cuale. This flea market is home to dozens of stalls that carry a wide variety of items.

Starbucks

Located in Plaza Peninsula on Av. Franciso Medina Ascenio 2485, just south of the cruise ship terminal and north of the Ameca River Bridge. Plaza Peninsula has emerged as PVs current hotspot for evenings.

P.V. also has a Sam's Club, Costco, Home Depot, Office Depot, Staples, and every fast food chain restaurant imaginable.

Hospitals

Puerto Vallarta has a level III hospital so there is no need to worry about any medical concerns. Doctors have been trained in either the United States or Europe and speak English Italian and Spanish

Pharmacy Address: Av. México # 993, Puerto Vallarta, Jal. México
Tel: +(52) (322) 222 15 96
Fax: +(52) (322) 222 16 99

Ameri-Med Urgent Care - offers 24 hour US standard service

Hospital Address:<
Avenida Franciso Medina Ascencio at Plaza Neptuno Loc. D-1, Marina Vallarta

Tel/Fax: 322/221-0023

San Javier Marina Hospital

Address: Av. Fransico Medina Ascencio 2760, Zona Hotelera

Telephone: 322/226-1010

Conerstone Hospital

Address: Av. Los Tules 136 (behind Plaza Caracol)

Telephone: 322/224-9400

Food

Puerto Vallarta is considered to be the culinary capital of Mexico and hosts Vallarta's annual Gourmet Dining Festival, which pairs local and international chefs for the ultimate competition. With over 250 restaurants Puerto Vallarta has everything to offer from international cuisines such as Japanese, Italian, and Argentinean to traditional Mexican foods.

Some Local Favorite Restaurants include:

Porto Bello

Was one of the first restaurants in the Marina and still remains a local favorite. Serving traditional Italian dishes. The dining room is elegant and air conditioned, and they also have outside Marina seating.

Try: fried calamari, fusilli, and the fish fillet with shrimp and clams

Price: $8-$24 open daily from noon-11pm Reservations Recommended

Location: Marina Sol Loc. 7

Telephone: 322/221-0003

El Arrayan

Traditional and original Mexican food. With outside seating and excellent service this restaurant is a must-see.

Try: plantain fritters, tacos filled with prime beef filet, Mexican Duck, and their homemade fruit ice-cream

Price: $11-$14 open wed-Monday 6-11pm closed in august

Location: Allende 344, just past Matamoros on the corner with Miramar

Telephone: 322/222-7195

Daiquiri Dicks

An American restaurant that has been in PV for over 22 years. Their menu is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most sophisticated and is located facing Los Muertos Beach, providing a casual setting.

Try: Their famous Daiquiris, pistachio chicken, lobster tacos

Price: $6.50-$25 open daily from 9am-10:30pm

Location: Olas Altas 314

Telephone: 322/222-0566

Café des Artistes/Thierry Blouet Cocina del Autor

This upscale restaurant serving French and International cuisine is known around town as the place for special evenings. The award-winning chef and owner, Thierry Blouet has created an innovative menu as well as a beautiful restaurant. After dinner you are invited to the cognac and cigar room or to Bar Constantini with live Jazz music and comfortable sofas.

Try: Sea Bass filet, roasted duck glazed and served with pumpkin risotto

Price: $9-31 open daily from 6-11:30 pm (lounge until 2am) Reservations recommended

Location: Guadalupe Sanchez 740

Telephone: 322/222-3228

Chief Thierry has also opened Thierry’s Prime Steakhouse in the Plaza Peninsula mall. Telephone: 322/331-1212

Golf Courses

Puerto Vallarta houses seven golf courses and even has some designed by Jack Nicklaus and others designed by Tom Weiskopf and Robert von Hagge. With these beautiful courses set in a lush tropical destination Puerto Vallarta can claim to be a true world-class golf destination. The following is a list and description of the courses:

El Tigre Golf Course at Paradise Village

Telephone: 866/843-5951 in the US or 322/297-0773

This is the newest golf course in Puerto Vallarta. El Tigre golf course is 7,239 yards and a par 72. It was designed by: Von Hagge, Smelek and Baril, who have designed of over 200 of the world’s finest golf courses.

Vista Vallarta, Nicklaus & Weiskopf Golf Courses

Telephone: 322/290-0030

Just 10 minutes away from Puerto Vallarta's Marina you can find two beautiful championship golf courses. The first golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus. It is located on one of Puerto Vallarta’s highest elevations providing spectacular views of Puerto Vallarta, the Marina and Banderas Bay.

Vista Vallarta is dramatically different from the first course. This part of the course is surrounded by dense jungles with lush and tropical landscapes providing deep ravines.

These courses are a must see and were the site 2002 PGA World Cup Golf Championships.

Punta Mita Golf Club

Telephone: 329/ 291-6000

This course is a signature Design by Jack Nicklaus. It has eight oceanfront holes and an ocean view from every hole! The course is very exclusive and only open to guests staying at the Punta Mita resort, the four seasons, or to members of other golf courses with a letter of introduction from their pro.

Marina Vallarta Golf Club

Telephone: 322/221-0073

An 18-hole par 74 course that winds through the Marina Vallarta peninsula. Be sure to be on the lookout for iguanas and many native tropical birds.

Los Flamingos Club de Golf

Telephone: 329/296-5006

Located just five minutes from Paradise Village is an 18-hole course with beautiful jungle vegetation and countless birds.

Tennis

Many hotels in Puerto Vallarta have excellent tennis courts.

Canto del Sol Tennis Club

Telephone: 322/224-0123 and 322/226-0123

This tennis club is located in the Canto del Sol Hotel. It offers a variety of tennis courts from indoor courts to outdoor courts and even a clay court. They also offer lessons, clinics, and partner matches.

Fishing

Fishing trips can be arranged through the Cooperativa de Pescadores (Fishing Cooperative) on the Melecon north of Rio Caule. Telephone number: 322/222-1202.

Banks

Mostly found throughout downtown and in other major shopping areas. Banks are open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm and have shorter hours on Saturday. Expect to spend some time waiting as the process is not fast. It is much quicker and easier to use one of the many ATM located around town. The exchange rate is tied to current U.S. rates so it actually works in your favor to not wait and then pay the handling fees at the bank.

Fun for the Kids

Splash, an aquatic park, just opened