Beyond the Beach

Puerto Vallarta

Home of mariachi music, tequila and a rich, Mexican tradition, Puerto Vallarta is a feast for the senses. Only four hours by air from Los Angeles, this resort destination's many pleasures make it a satisfying choice for a weekend getaway.

Nestled in a tropical setting on Mexico's Pacific coast beneath volcanic peaks, Puerto Vallarta was once a sleepy fishing village. All this changed in 1963 when Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Elizabeth Taylor arrived to film John Huston's "The Night of the Iguana." Publicity started the flow of curious tourists and changed the focus of Puerto Vallarta's economy from fishing to tourism.

Puerto Vallarta caters to all travel budgets. Several airlines offer package tours leaving Los Angeles which are priced from less than $400. To make travel arrangements, one may call a local travel agent or contact the Mexican Tourist Board at 1(888) 384-6822.

To enter Mexico, U.S. citizens must carry a valid passport or birth certificate and a picture identification. For more information, one may contact the Mexican consulate in Los Angeles at (213) 351-2069.

Upon arrival in steamy and seductive Puerto Vallarta, the craving for a frosty margarita, succulent seafood or traditional Mexican fare and an ocean view is overwhelming. Restaurants of all flavors line Puerto Vallarta's waterfront. A popular watering hole for the American college crowd, Carlos O'Brien's pumps out tunes while offering eager tourists more than 50 varieties of tequila, an eclectic menu, and breathtaking sunset vistas over Banderas Bay.

While Puerto Vallarta boasts many fine galleries and shops, there is no finer place to purchase tourist trinkets than at the Mercado Municipal. Haggling over pottery, leather goods and pewter plates can become addictive. More than 100 merchants crowd the warren of stalls at this marketplace. The Mercado Municipal is closed on Sundays.

Golden beaches and azure waters are Puerto Vallarta's greatest lures. While the city has several lovely places to splash in the Pacific, a visit to Quimixto Beach is a must. Accessible only by water, this tropical paradise offers snorkeling and diving in pristine waters, lunches served in lush palm groves, and horseback riding to a nearby waterfall. Day trips include meals and equipment rentals, and cost approximately $35. For more information, one may call (52)(322) 106-57.

An afternoon at the bullfights is like experiencing a page from Hemingway's novel, "The Sun Also Rises." While not for the faint of heart, this Mexican tradition pulses with pageantry and tradition. Bullfights take place every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Puerto Vallarta's Plaza de Toros, near the airport. Tickets are $12.

Most people only dream of swimming with dolphins. However, dreams can come true while visiting Puerto Vallarta.

Nearby Nuevo Vallarta is home to a facility called Dolphin Adventure. Visitors to the dolphin center are permitted to observe, swim and interact with a family of Pacific bottlenose dolphins in a sea-water lagoon. These curious and enchanting creatures provide an intimate encounter not soon forgotten. Prices range from $60 to $130. For more information, one may call (52)(322) 106-57.

While few events are planned during Puerto Vallarta's steamy summer months, most hotels and many nightclubs celebrate American Independence Day in honor of their northern neighbors. Puerto Vallarta may be the ideal place to avoid crowds yet enjoy beaches, sunshine and a culturally stimulating vacation this July.