Our first feature destination is Puerto Vallarta & the state of Jalisco, Mexico

TPI - Janus Travel is your official Puerto Vallarta travel specialist.   Ron Burrow & Cindy Hurtig completed the Puerto Vallarta Pro Specialist  certification program on December 29, 2008.   It  is awarded by the Puerto Vallarta Convention & Visitors Bureau & recognized through the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC).   

 

Where is Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is in the state of Jalisco, México. It is south of the Baja of California peninsula at the most western point of Mexico’s Pacific coast. Look for lovely sunsets to the west, over Banderas Bay, and the Sierra Madre Mountains to the east. The international airport also serves Vallarta Nayarit, formerly known as Nuevo Vallarta. Vallarta Nayarit takes its name from the State of Nayarit which is just north of Jalisco.

What do Ron Burrow and Cindy Hurtig say about Puerto Vallarta?
Vallarta is a destination with something for everyone. The area is perfect for first time visitors to Mexico yet it attracts many repeat visitors, including us! We have returned to Puerto Vallarta many times since our first visit in 1989. Its many attractions include: history, art, shopping, water sports, day trips, music, horseback riding and plenty more. You can have as many adventures as you want. Or you can do nothing and enjoy the beaches. Ron & Cindy enjoy the Mexican culture.

Recommendations
We stay at Las Palmas by the Sea Resort Hotel in Puerto Vallarta and recommend it without hesitation. It is an all-inclusive resort with a 3.5 star rating. (If it had another restaurant its rating would likely be higher.) Without doubt, the highlight of Las Palmas is the wonderful staff. Most staff members speak some English. The consistently welcoming attitude and professionalism at Las Palmas inspired us to become Mexico specialists and study Spanish. Other features of this Mexican-owned property are its great location, the beachfront, a happy hour at sunset by the seawall plus the local flavour, a family friendly atmosphere, varied activities and nightly entertainment.

Take a walk along the malecón. It is the large seawall r in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The malecón, central plaza, market and the Island form the core of the downtown area. Try to find time for one of the many excellent day trips in the area. Over the years our favourites are the Marigalante evening cruise, the Quimixo and Islas boat trips and our most recent adventure, a horseback riding day- trip in the Sierra Madre Mountains. We recommend Rancho Capomo for horseback or ATV riding.

Don’t miss La Bodeguita del Medio. It's the hot Cuban club on the malecon downtown.  La Bodeguita del Medio is named after the restaurant that was Ernest Hemingway’s haunt in Havana, Cuba. They have the best mojitos we’ve found and a great band – Los Sonoras Candelas.  When you go there say “hola” to our friend Norberto, Lazla, the band’s leader, and the rest of the band.  Norberto is our friend and one of the two trumpet players.  We first met him in Varedero, Cuba in 2006 just before Hurricane Dennis.  (See pictures of Norberto and the band at the Photo Gallery.  Look for the Mexico - Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara & Jalisco and the Cuba albums. Norberto's playing maracas in the photos from La Bodequita del Medio.)

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is included in the pictures. It will be a feature destination at a later date.

Please enjoy some of our favorite photos of this fantastic travel destination...