Puerto Vallarta
Located in the Banderas Bay on the Pacific Ocean, at the same latitude as Hawaii. Located in the state of Jalisco, the port has a population of 300,000, five thousand of whom are foreigners, mainly from the U.S. and Canada.
The beauty of the natural harbor attracted conquistador Francisco Cortes de San Buenaventura, who founded Puerto Vallarta in 1524.
In the XVI Century it was a heaven for Spanish ships and for pirates who used it as a stopping point on the Manila Acapulco route. They enjoyed its towering palm trees and savored the tropical fruits that abound in the region.
The Huicholes, the indigenous group that inhabits the surrounding areas, more specifically the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, still preserve their traditions and ceremonies, which include ritual use of peyote or hikuri to use its indigenous name, a cactus containing mescaline, which induces a hallucinogenic state when eaten, and increases stamina enabling user's to dance continuously for many hours.
Puerto Vallarta is currently an important tourist center, with everything you could wish for when traveling on business, for pleasure or on a family holiday. The friendliness and warmth of the local people await you in this natural paradise.
In Puerto Vallarta you can enjoy a tropical paradise that combines a delightful rustic atmosphere of narrow, cobbled streets with round the clock fun on some of the world's best beaches.
The simple, cheerful and typically Mexican atmosphere of Puerto Vallarta will captivate you from the moment you feel the sun's rays on your body while enjoying the delicious local drink Tequila.
The traditional village has excellent hotel infrastructure, catering to all tastes and budgets: Gran Turismo (Mexico's top rating), suites and condominiums, hotels and hostels, with gastronomic delights to match in dozens of restaurants with an enormous variety of specialties dishes to satisfy even the most demanding palate.
Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place for water sports such as scuba diving and kayaking, as well as environmental tours that include visits to the lagoon or the jungle, with some excellent hiking in beautiful natural surroundings.
Location from the Airport
The International Airport Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, located in the highway Francisco Medina Ascencio, is only 15 minutes away from of the city and you can take an authorized taxi so that it can take you to the hotel area or any place.
Time Zone
Like Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta is at -06:00 GMT, which means that when it is 1:00 PM in Puerta Vallarta, it is 11:00 PM in Los Angeles, 2:00 PM in New York and 8:00 PM in Paris. In Mexico the Schedule of Summer is applied at the same time as the rest of the countries of the world, advancing the clock one hour between the months of April and October, although for this occasion the hour movement will be made from May to September.
Currency
The official currency is the Mexican peso, and some establishments accept American dollars.
Weather
Puerto Vallarta enjoys tropical weather year round, with average annual temperature of 27 degrees C and cool evenings in winter. The summer is sunny, with occasional rain in the afternoon.
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