Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican beach resort located on Banderas Bay in the Pacific Ocean. The city of Puerto Vallarta is the seat of government of the municipality of Puerto Vallarta, which comprises the city as well as outlying population centers that stretches from Boca de Tomatlan to the Nayarit border (the Ameca River).
To the north, it borders the southwest part of the state of Nayarit. To the east it borders the municipality of Mascot and San Sebastián do Occidente, and to the south it borders the municipalities of Talpa de Allende and Cabo Corriente.

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Beautiful Banderas Bay, one of the largest and deepest in the world, may be admired from many of the surrounding hills exuberant in lush vegetation. Located right in the mouth of the Bay, straddling both sides of the River.

For those who just want to relax, Puerto Vallarta's many golden sand beaches offer one of the best ways to experience the beauty and magic of the Bay of Banderas. A section of the beach called The Blue Chairs is the focal point of the gay village.
To the North, the hills give way to little. Here you will find mile-long stretches of golden sand beaches, rich plantations of papaya and mango, and tucked back along tumbling rivers and streams, small villages where life seems to move at a different pace. There are many different ways to explore the Bay.

To the South, the hills cascade towards the sea creating a rich palette that mixes the vivid green foliage with the deep blues of the water. At their feet nestled secluded coves and small fishing villages, many of which are still accessible only by sea.
To the east, the jungle clad Sierra Madre Mountains, which quickly rise to over 8,000 feet, encircle and protect the town from the winds and regulate the semi-tropical and humid weather.

And, to the West, the Bay of Banderas is home to a wide variety of aquatic life. Humpback whales come here to mate every year from December to March, and sea turtles nest on the beaches from May to October. Schools of dolphins and giant manta rays also inhabit these waters. The Bay and the Marietas Islands offer an amazing kaleidoscope of tropical fish, attracting snorkelers, scuba divers and sport fishermen alike.

Puerto Vallarta has many activities and excursions to keep you entertained. The adventurous can hike or mountain bike in the hills, explore the jungle and hidden trails on horseback, take a jeep safari, snorkel, scuba dive, charter a yacht or sailboat, or take a cruise on one of the many party boats, make a personal photoshoot. Oftentimes they are easily booked online.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Whale watching, Golfing, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Snorkeling, Explore the Sierra Madre, Canopy Tour / Zip lines, Sailing, Kitesurfing, Parasailing, Jet Skiing, Fishing, Horseback Riding, Turtle- Hiking, are some of the places that the visitor can enjoy.

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Fancy yourself as a bit of a gourmand-Puerto Vallarta is second only to Mexico City as the country's food mecca-from taco stands and beach vendors selling shrimp and fish on sticks to glamorous gourmet restaurants tucked in the hills with expansive views of the Bay of Flags. Your only problem will be that you can not possibly enjoy all of the city's fine restaurants in one visit. So you'll just have to come back.

The leading restaurateurs of Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit host a ten-day culinary extravaganza in the middle of November every year called the International Gourmet Festival. Award-winning chefs from around the world join forces with local gastronomic gurus to demonstrate and create gourmet masterpieces. Gala dinners, cooking schools, wine and tequila tastings are all part of the epicurean fun.

You'll find lots of restaurant reviews in the free local papers and magazines but here are a few recommendations to get you started on your epicurean escapades:

Join the locals and ex-pats at Puerto Vallarta's ever-growing Saturday Farmers' Markets. The Paradise Community Center, just steps from the beach in the Romantic Zone sells all kinds of goodies including freshly baked breads and pastries, granola, sauces, moles, savory and sweet pies. There are also vendors selling inexpensive Thai and Indian dishes, plus burgers.

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The climate of Puerto Vallarta is typical Tropical humid and dry. The average daily high temperature is 86 ° F (30 ° C); the average daily low temperature is 21 ° C (70 ° F); average daily humidity is 75%. The rainy season runs from mid-June to mid-October, with most of the rainfall between July and September. August is the rainiest month in the city, with an average of 14 days with significant rainfall. Even during the rainy season, precipitation tends to focus on large storms. Occasional tropical storms will bring storms to the city in November, although the month is typically dry. There is a dry season marked in winter. February, March and April are the months with the lowest cloud cover.

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