PUERTO VALLARTA HISTORY

Puerto Vallarta Mexico is a relatively young city, but not without history.

It's a history that began 175 years ago at the mouth of the Cuale River with small settlement called La Peñas, Peñitas and, probably even further back, El Carrizal. Of its founding only memories are left, the memories of those that, fifty years ago, were already very ancient.

On that Saturday in March of 1825, when the Spaniards reached the top of the mountain, they saw an extensive valley down below. They also saw a very large and beautiful town, inhabited by more than ten thousand Indians, that was called Tintoque. To the west, the blue waters of La Mar del Sur (as the Pacific was known then) filled a very large bay with boundaries lost in the horizon.

Today, visitors to Puerta Vallarta Mexico can enjoy the same breathtaking view from any of the hills that surround the city of Puerta Vallarta Mexico. The beauty of the bay is only surpassed by its enormous size. Banderas Bay, shaped like a horseshoe, open to west. At the base of its curve, divided by the River Cuale, is Puerto Vallarta, known many years ago as Las Peñas or Peñitas.

According to the Chinese calendar, 1963 was the Year of the Rabbit and those born in that year would enjoy good luck, talent and wealth. For Puerta Vallarta Mexico, 1963 was the Year of the Iguana, and it brought a shower of stars when the movie "The Night of the Iguana," was made in Puerto Vallarta and in Mismaloya. Worldwide publicity was given to the filming and that greatly benefited Puerto Vallarta since every single article written mentioned the quiet village on the coast of Jalisco.

Puerta Vallarta offers a multitude of things to do and places to see, but there are also some great two-day or weekend trips nearby available. These getaways are for those who frequent Puerto Vallarta or perhaps live here full-time and are looking for something new. You can travel by car, bus, boat or by airplane, and the accommodations can range from small countryside inns to luxurious villas long the coast - something for all budgets.

The real estate market continues to expand, not only in terms of value but also in the size of territory. Real estate agents now realize they have to be knowledgeable with what is happening in real estate with properties as far south Boca de Tomatlán, and as far San Pancho. It no longer is just Vallarta. For some time now we have referred to this area as Costa Vallarta.

For shopping and strolling, downtown can't be beat. It has what must be the best boardwalk (Malecón) in all Mexico, lined with restaurants, nightclubs, and fine shops. There is also an open-air market with artists. In this area is where you'll find many of Vallarta's landmarks such as the Church of Guadalupe, the sculpture of the boy on the seahorse and the open-air theater of Los Arcos.

Right through the center of Vallarta runs the Cuale River. In the middle of the river is Isla Rio Cuale, a picturesque island with shops and restaurants scattered throughout. This is a great place to take a break from busy day of shopping and sightseeing.

The area between Marina Vallarta and downtown is where you can find most of the hotels and three shopping malls with over 100 shops offering everything from traditional souvenirs to fashionable boutiques and modern grocery stores as well restaurants and coffee shops.

Marina Vallarta is Mexico's most sophisticated marina and one of the most popular. It includes an 18-hole golf course, a 355-slip marina, a waterpark, several 5-star & Grand Tourism hotels. Along the marina boardwork are numerous shops, boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

South of Pto Vallarta are some of the most prestigious residential areas, featuring homes with spectacular architecture nestled in the jungle, with fabulous views of the Puerta Vallarta Mexico and the bay. This is where the Sierra Madre mountains meet the shores of Banderas Bay, creating an environment of beautiful beaches with a rich jungle backdrop.