GENERAL INFORMATION / HISTORY

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 most loved destinations.

Of all of Mexico's resorts, Puerto Vallarta comes closest to being all
things to all visitors. It delivers 'round-the-clock activity (or blissful
seclusion), sophisticated amenities, and a romantic dream- like natural
setting. It's considered the ideal vacation spot for the first-time Mexico
visitor, while also boasting enough diversity of activities 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 Cuale mountains.
Nestled on the shores of Bahia de Banderas (Mexico's largest natural bay),
Vallarta traces its history back to the 1500's, when it was visited by
Spanish explorers. It later became known as a respite for pirates plying
the Pacific Coast.

Puerto Vallarta is located in the central west region along
the beautiful beaches of the Pacific coastline of México known
as "The Mexican Rivera". Built where the tropical lush jungles
of the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the warm waters of the
Pacific Ocean . The Bay of Banderas has acted as a natural
harbor from hurricanes and tropical storms for the people and
boats that, at one point or another, have inhabited and sailed
in this part of the world.

Puerto Vallarta is located on the tip of the State of Jalisco
(one of the 32 States of México). In the past five years
Puerto Vallarta has achieved the status of being one of the
most popular tourist destinations in México. It is also
probably the most visited city in Latin America amongst North
Americans and Europeans. Its Marina is considered as one of
the best in the whole continent.

Today Puerto Vallarta has over 250,000 Mexican Residents,
including close to 6,000 permanent Canadian, American and
Australian residents. Its a small, quaint city which blends
the tranquillity and enchantment of a "Mexican Pueblo" with
the cosmopolitan activities and breathtaking infrastructure of
the modern resort area it has become. Puerto Vallarta has a
unique architectural style, enhanced by cobblestone streets,
white stucco houses topped with red terracotta tiles and
highlighted with wrought iron balconies commonly adorned with
colorful local flowers.

Unlike other cities in Mexico, such as Guanajuato or
Chi-Chen-Itza, which offer a rich historical and cultural
background dating back centuries, Puerto Vallartas documented
history only goes back to 1850, when Guadalupe Sanchez and his
family settled along the mouth of the "Cuale River" to do some
farming.

The region that now comprises Puerto Vallarta was discovered
in 1541 by Don Pedro de Alvarado. Not long after Alvarado
first touched ground in this area, that bay was practically
forgotten for almost 300 years.

Puerto Vallarta was know as "Puerto Las Peñas" from 1851 until
1918 when it was designated as a municipally and received the
official name of "Puerto Vallarta, in honor
of Don Ignacio L. Vallarta, a reputable representative of the
State of Jalisco at the time. For 30 years this small village
remained a fishing village.

International attention was first drawn to Puerto Vallarta
after American director John Houston discovered the natural
beauties of the town by reading written descriptions
from travelers. This prompted Mr. Houston to visit Puerto
Vallarta; the result was the filming of "Night of the Iguana"
in nearby Mismaloya.

The film featured Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Puerto
Vallarta has experienced massive growth in the northern part
of town, including the Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta
Areas. Tennis courts, health clubs, golf courses and a large
marina with up-to-date facilities make Puerto Vallarta the world's
seventh busiest tourist destination.
 

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. You may
even see an occasional burro headed for market, clip-clopping along the
city's streets.

The area boasts over 8,000 units of lodging (plus several thousand
timeshare units). It offers exclusive private villa hideaways, grand class
resorts and bargain, beachfront inns. Lodging is concentrated in one of
five "zones." Each has its own advantages and personality. Visitors can be
either in the heart of the action or tucked away in a remote tropical
villa, depending on which of the zones is selected. It is important to
make this choice carefully based upon vacation desires.

First is Nuevo Vallarta, an enclave of resorts and condos north of the
airport. Although somewhat remote, in 1994 the area experienced a wave of
new development, broadening Nuevo Vallarta's attractions. Just south of
the airport is the 440-acre Marina Vallarta complex, with its deluxe
hotels, a championship golf course, and a world-class marina. Next comes
the Hotel Zone, a parade of hotels, condos, shopping malls, and apartments
between the Marina and downtown. The resort's fourth zone is the Downtown
Area, with its diverse dining, shopping, and typically Mexican atmosphere.
And finally is the Southern Zone, a somewhat secluded area sprinkled with
hillside villas, deluxe hotels, tropical coves, and fine beaches.

Outdoor recreation is limitless. Every imaginable water sport is available
along Puerto Vallarta's miles of sandy shore. Its dining and nightlife are
excellent. Shopping is some of 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. Visits to offshore
islands, remote jungle coves, snorkeling cruises, and inland
eco-adventures are offered by a diverse assortment of professional tour
operators.

Throughout the resort, a distinct cultural flair from the State of Jalisco
punctuates Puerto Vallarta's ambiance. Mariachi music blares and tequila
flows from downtown bars, Huichol Indians sell their distinctive art in
the city's colorful markets, and charros (Mexico's ornately dressed rodeo
riders) perform, along with brightly costumed senoritas at Puerto
Vallarta's excellent "Fiesta Night" celebrations.


For more information contact:
Luz del Carmen Peña Wolf
Email address: luz@pvnet.com.mx
Phone (322) 224 54 06 • Fax (322) 224 30 64