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Nestled between palm-covered mountains and an azure sea, Puerto Vallarta is seriously picturesque. Wander its cobblestone streets, admire its whitewashed houses, then relax on its gorgeous sandy beach - dolphins can be seen frolicking year-round, and humpback whales cruise by from December to March.
Puerto Vallarta has mutated from a sleepy seaside village into an international resort so quickly that some are quick to deride its spoilt charms. But it's simply impossible to hold a grudge against this sophisticated, friendly city with its lively beaches, bars, restaurants and galleries.
When To Go
The peak holiday periods are July and August, mid-December to early January, and a week either side of Easter. At these times, resorts attract big tourist crowds, room prices go up, and everything is heavily booked, so reservations are recommended. November to April are reliably dry, warm, blissful and popular months for travel among North Americans and Europeans.
The water is perfect for swimming year-round. Diving and snorkeling are also good, but visibility is usually highest (except during plankton blooms) in the dry winter months. Fun surf can be reasonably expected for most of the year, but waves are biggest from May to November. Deep-sea fishing, also practised all year, has its own species-specific seasons. Bird-watchers often prefer winter visits, when birds migrate down to the coastal lagoons from North America. Whale-watching is best from December to March.
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