Sightseeing in Puerto Vallarta - what to see. Complete travel guide

A few decades ago Puerto Vallarta was a small fishing village; today it is one of the most popular Mexican resorts, which accepts visitors all year round. Beaches of amazing beauty, wonderful countryside and mountains that rise up proudly - this view quickly turns on positive mood and sets up holiday mood.

The city is simply soaked in the atmosphere of antiquity. On the small streets of Puerto Vallarta you will see small white houses with red tiled roofs, cozy restaurants and shopping pavilions. There are no large and noisy streets filled with traffic and crowds of citizens. Harmony and peace are felt throughout the city. The best season for tourists starts from November and lasts till April. At this time of the year here prevails clear sunny weather. The season of rains starts in May, so your rest on the beach will be spoiled by constant rains.

The majority of hotels are located along the coast. Almost all hotels have several restaurants and chain stores, as well as swimming pools and recreational facilities for children. Playa Mismaloya is considered the most popular and fashionable beach of this city. This place has become famous due to the "The night of the Iguana" movie. Several scenes in this movie were filmed in this location. Puerto Vallarta will become a true finding for sportsmen and fans of active rest. The choice of rides and water attractions here is really wide. The resort will also please fans of scuba diving. The coastal area is very picturesque; here divers can see magnificent underwater mountains and sand waterfalls. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The resort has also prepared many surprises for fans of shopping. You will find many open markets and shopping centers here. The most popular local souvenirs are considered the items made of silver, elegant leather sandals, sculptures and paintings by local craftsmen, as well as shawls and tapestries made of beads. Your visit to one of the local restaurants, the majority of which are located on open terraces, will become the best end of day.

The Church of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe is located near the city center. It is considered the most recognizable sight of the resort. The construction of the church began in 1918, and was completed only in 1965. Its main feature is a unique dome, made in the form of a crown. The dome is visible from many city streets. The church has luxurious interior. It retains an old marble altar and elements carved from wood in the beginning of the 20th century.

Lovers of nature always come to the Botanical Garden. Its area is 8 hectares. This garden is one of the most beautiful in the country. Its territory is divided into several thematic zones. One of them has a chic rose garden, and another one contains unique kinds of palms and ferns. Its orangery with dozens of species of orchids is just fabulous.

Amateurs of exciting guided tours will surely appreciate the Archaeological Museum, opened in 1978. It occupies a renovated building since 2004. Nowadays, its exposition includes the most valuable exhibits found in various regions of the country. The age of some artifacts is more than 7000 years. Of particular interest are the most ancient art objects, ceramics and tools used by ancient people for hunting. An excellent collection of ancient ornaments made of precious metals, obsidian and jade is available to visitors, as well.

One of the most attractive places to walk around the city is Gringo Gorge area. This district is literally covered in greenery. Stone houses of local residents are its main attraction. There are very nice modest houses with tiled roofs, as well, and really luxurious mansions. The historic district has preserved buildings of different eras.

Picturesque Armas Square is located in the very center of the historic district. It is really good for a stroll on a sunny day. The main decoration of the square is the Municipal Palace. Here, you can see many symbolic monuments and sculptures. The diversity of branchy trees and ornamental plants complements the architectural splendor